I received a phone call from a pastor I have known for many years. Indeed, I consider him a leader and friend. His question was quick and to the point: “What can I do about our Sunday evening services?” Despite numerous valiant efforts, attendance continued to struggle. The church he serves is, by most standards, a healthy church. But the attendance on Sunday evening is going counter to all the other positive indicators in the church.
This pastor is not alone. Other church leaders are concerned as well. Some have given up on Sunday evening services out of frustration. Others have discontinued the services without much lament. And a few leaders have fairly good reports about these services.
The feelings tend to run strongly one way or another about these services, particularly among those whose traditions have affirmed them in past years. Perhaps a quick overview of the Sunday evening services would be helpful.
An Uncertain History
There will be a number of church leaders reading this article who will hardly give it a second glance. Their church traditions have never, or at least not in recent decades, had Sunday evening services. But there are many other traditions for which these services have been staples. Frankly, the decline in the Sunday evening services among these churches is both noticeable and getting worse.
For years, I have attempted to understand the history of these services. My efforts have not been conclusive. I’ve heard many times, for example, that the evening services began with the advent of the electric light in America. But that explanation seems unlikely since I have found examples of the services in both the 1600s and the 1700s.
Here are some other historical tidbits I have found, all unverifiable at this point:
- The services grew during the agricultural phase of our history. Farmers had to work their land six days a week. But, on Sunday, they would have come to a morning service, then have dinner on the grounds, and then have a second later afternoon services before returning home.
- During World War II, many men and women worked seven-day weeks to meet the production needs of the war. The Sunday evening service allowed them to attend worship since they couldn’t come on Sunday morning. Thus the service time grew in popularity.
- Some denominations and other church traditions focused one service on equipping the believers, and another one on reaching the lost. Thus the Sunday evening service became distinctively different than the Sunday morning service.
- As a reminder, some church traditions have little to no familiarity with Sunday evening services; their leaders often wonder why there is so much discussion about the issue outside their traditions.
Possible Reasons for the Decline in Sunday Evening Services
While the history of this service is largely unverifiable, the decline in its attendance, and the reduction in the number of churches offering are clearly evident. Let’s look at six possible reasons for its decline or demise.
- The advent of Sunday evening services in many churches was a cultural adaptation for its time. Its decline or demise is thus a cultural response.
- The disappearance of blue laws (mandatory Sunday closings) allowed many alternatives to Sunday evening worship, and many church members chose those options.
- There has been an increasing emphasis on family time. Families with children at home particularly viewed one worship service on Sundays to be sufficient for them.
- Many pastors simply do not have the desire, energy, or commitment to prepare a second and different sermon. Their lack of emphasis was thus reflected in the congregation’s lack of interest.
- When many churches began offering services on alternative days, such as Fridays or Saturdays, there was neither the desire nor the resources to keep Sunday evening services going.
- A number of churches, particularly new church starts, are in leased facilities. They do not have the option of returning on Sunday evenings.
Trying to Be Objective
In my previous post on changes in church worship services, I stated my desire to be the objective researcher and not inject my own opinions on the issue. That remains my goal in this article as well. But the previous article engendered many comments and not a little emotion. I see that possibility in this endeavor as well.
I do want to hear from you. I continue to be impressed with the acumen and the insightfulness of the readers of this blog. It will be a joy to hear your comments and opinions on Sunday evening services.
Does your church have a Sunday evening service? If you do, is it thriving? Surviving? Struggling?
photo credit: patrickfranzis via photopin cc
Posted on May 10, 2014
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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233 Comments
This is just another area where change is occurring – a change that isn’t all bad. All of your statements regarding the potential history of Sunday evening services ALL point to cultural elements. Missing from the discussion is any clear Biblical directive to meet the second time on Sunday for worship or for any reason. Once everyone realizes we are talking about something that has been a “cultural construct” in the first place, we should be able to discern the need for change if we are holding on to a dying tradition or with new church plants, whether or not to even begin an evening service at all.
We planted 25 years ago with a few young families with small children and without a Sunday evening service. As we began to grow, a number of folk from traditional churches asked for a Sunday evening service. We geared up with the necessary preparation, volunteers, children’s ministry, nursery workers, etc. Oddly enough, the people who had stated they just couldn’t do without a Sunday night service never showed up – no not once. Those who were coming were the “core group” of the church plant. We met regularly during the week for prayer, discipleship, leadership training, etc. The “core group” concluded we were far more effective in ministering to our own families and keeping Sunday nights open for fellowship times between families/friends. We became more focused on actually doing community ministry than merely coming back for another “holy huddle” on the same day. After six months, we went back to our original format. We have never looked back.
We have experienced significant growth over the last few years. The Holy Spirit’s work is very evident in our church with people regularly coming to Christ each Sunday. One thing we consistently hear from people who are coming from more traditional backgrounds is – when I first came, I missed the Sunday evening services I used to go to. But after I got used to having Sunday nights open to meet with other believers in my home or to just rest (isn’t that what the whole concept of Sabbath is supposed to be about anyway) I would never go back.
It is not correct to say that PM worship has no scriptural basis. The LORD commanded both the morning and the evening sacrifices. The Apostles are shown praying at the 3rd (morning) 6th (noon) and 9th (evening) hours of the day. The Psalms commend worship at dawn, noon, eventide, and at night.
Where two or three are gathered together (The Lord is there)
Our church has a Sunday evening worship (I assume it has been since it’s inception 63 years ago) and I very much enjoy it. We have probably somewhere around 60% of our Sunday morning total in attendance on a good Sunday evening. I use this time to speak on various issues going on in the world today or specific Bible study topics. One month we did a month-long series on church planting and had a few church planters and denominational leaders do a guest teaching. Another time we did a month-long teaching on life (ie. abortion, euthanasia, adoption, etc.) and that went very well. When I first arrived at the church we did a multi-week series going through our Confession of Faith (BF&M 2000) which was very good for me and the church.
I like having the flexibility to do a teaching on whatever the feeling and mood of the church is. When we don’t have a special topic in mind we are teaching through a harmony of the gospels.
When I started full-time in ministry it was in the late 80’s in California. I became the pastor of worship at the church where I grew up which had a thriving evening service. After being away for 11 years for my education, the evening service was a small shadow of what it had been: less than 10% of morning attendance. It was not a difficult sacred cow to put down. The big problem, as we perceived it then, was the growing number of dual income families. Family time (as you have noted) was precious and Sunday evening became one of those times to prepare for the coming week.
I’ve also served at another church that put it’s evening service to rest. Twenty people meeting in a sanctuary that holds 500 was discouraging. I currently serve as senior pastor to a church that has an evening service. I simply call it “Evening Song and Study” because I don’t want the expectations of special music, etc… About 10% of our morning attendance come and the average age is 70. We sing gospel songs exclusively and that is helpful because our AM music is becoming increasingly contemporary. When I get complaints from traditionalists, I point them to the evening song and study.
But to tell the truth, it is a difficult burden for me. Unfortunately, even though my church is healthy and over 200 in AM attendance, I’m also the chief musician. I spend 15-20 hours prepping for the AM sermon. I can’t afford that for the PM service. Typically, it gets about 3 hours of prep on Sunday afternoon with a little bit of exploration and reflection during the week. During January, (we are in the snow belt), our attendance will drop below 20 people. Most likely, I will discontinue the service next January and go to a monthly hymn sing. None of the church leadership attend and I just can’t sustain it without burning out.
Thanks for a cogent case study of your church, Bob. And thanks for the obvious love you have of the members of the church.
Our church does have a Sunday evening service. It is barely hanging on. I have been told many times that I’m “preaching to the choir” because of the choir practice immediately that follows. I have been considering strongly moving our Sunday nights focus more to discipling the flock as those who are coming.
The only place that I had seen a Sunday evening service work well is where it was another option on Sunday of the same exact service.
I would love to see a history of this practice. I have never been able to find out the why behind its beginnings.
Anthony – I too would love to find a definitive history. Maybe one of our readers has some newly found research.
When I came to this present church it had the traditional Sunday school, 11:00 boring I mean morning service and 7:00 evening. None of my people are farmers but they maintained the tradition for the few who would come. Over the years we have transitioned to one service Sunday morning, and a once a month prayer and praise time held in homes. This has worked out very well as we tend to get more of the younger families and teens attending.
Great article. This year we made the switch from having Sunday evening activities at the church to family worship at home. We encourage our parents to step up and disciple their kids by spending time discussing Sunday School, worship, life in general, read God’s word together, pray, etc. If they need accountability we encourage families to partner with another family. As a staff we visit families to encourage and equip our parents. For those without kids at home we encourage our church family to get together in home groups for fellowship, discipleship, and missions. Since we made the switch we have more of our church family involved in ministry on Sunday nights than before and our parents are learning how to better disciple their kids.
Jason,
This is *exactly* what we have discussed doing. Disengaging from what we have been doing well is the most difficult issue, in my opinion. I’d love to get any ideas, plans of action, or other types of analysis that you may have used in your transition and that may be generally relevant.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Context – I pastor a small church, around 100 people. I have been at the church 5 years in August so the trust level is where it needs to be. When I began my conversation with our church about family worship our Sunday Night attendance was really low in comparison to Sunday Mornings. This was not my argument for Family Worship, but most of our church family didn’t object to the idea because they weren’t coming on Sunday nights anyway.
I started casting the vision for family worship beginning with my staff, deacon body, and then church family. I did a three part sermon series entitled I love my family. I focused on our parents having the primary responsibility to disciple their children and not the church. I pointed out that most of the time we separate families into their age appropriate groups when they come to church. Families sometimes sit together in church but even then the children do not see their parents in a discipling role. I painted a picture of the potential life change for our families as the parents invest in their children’s spiritual walk through family worship. How will their children be different 10 and 20 years from now because of the time they spent together as a family in God’s word and prayer? Looking back I believe they will be thankful for the time they set aside to teach their kids about the Lord. The stronger our families become the stronger our church will become.
Most of the parents I have spoken with look to the church to provide discipleship for their children and do very little in their home. Sunday Evenings should not be the only time parents disciple their children, but by incorporating it into our church activities we express the value of it and remove some of the excuses. They have to start somewhere, and for most of them it was with committing to family worship. Every week we encourage our parents on Sunday Morning to use their Sunday evening to worship the Lord together in prayer and Bible study as a family. We use Bible Studies for Life Sunday School curriculum and the One Connection page to facilitate discussion about Sunday School from that morning. We provide a worship guide in the bulletin and on Facebook for Sunday evenings that gives them the upcoming Sunday School scripture for the children. This way they are familiar with the passage prior to coming to church the next Sunday. They are given a series of questions to ask concerning the passage for an inductive Bible study. We visit homes and offer resources and ideas to families as they work out what it looks like for their family.
One of my arguments for family worship was the number of bible studies we were expecting our average church member to participate in if they came to everything we offer. Most adult believers can do 1 or 2 Bible studies max in a weeks time. More than that is excessive and make our members to busy to live on mission for the Lord.
One of the most important things I did was to call for a commitment from our church family to family worship at the conclusion of my sermon series. We placed a commitment card in the bulletin and asked them to come forward during the decision time to commit. The majority of our church family came forward so there was no need to vote on anything. The huge show of support was the vote. Joshua’s call to Israel to serve the Lord was a great passage to call the church to commit to family worship. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!
Partnering families together has been important so that one family can help the other learn how to lead their family in worship time.
Encouraging our church members without kids to get together with other members of our church family has been important in not leaving anyone out.
We still have some occasional fellowships and quarterly business meetings, but I try to protect that time slot on Sunday Nights.
We started in January and still have a lot to learn. I am thankful for my church’s support and willingness to try something different.
Hey! Is this model still going well for y’all?
Sorry Thom, my spell check inadvertently added a as to your name. Apparently, you have had a misspelled name all these years and may not have even known it. Where would we be without technology?
No problem. The spelling of my name is weird. In fact, I’m pretty weird myself.
Excellent post Thomas. Like many responses our evening service is much smaller than the morning, the Wed evening Bible Study smaller still. The Lord convicted me one Wed. Evening as I was check off in my mind the number of folks who were not there. “Chris, you see the people not here more clearly than you do those who are. Pour your heart into those in front of you and I will take care of the rest.”
Well attended or not we have to give it our all and trust The Lord to do that which He desires to do.
The church I currently pastor does not have Sunday Night services. Like other pastors have mentioned, it has been a bit of an adjustment. But now, I appreciate the less stressful and less frustrating Sundays having no evening service provides. Here are some reasons I am seeing not having Sunday Evening service as a BIG PLUS:
1) Less stuff to get ready for. It is hard enough to get music and preaching ready for the AM service. Having only one Sunday service has allowed me to focus more energy on Sunday AM.
2) A good time to visit. Since I am not cramming on my Sunday PM prep Sunday afternoons, they are now good times for me to do hospital visits and connect with any ‘hot prospect’ visits I want to make.
3) A great time for special activities – No preaching services on Sunday evenings means we can have concerts, special dinners, movie nights and other special services on Sunday nights at varying times without having to cancel anything.
4) A more positive way to end every Sunday – regardless of how good of a service Sunday AM was and how many were in attendance, etc, the minimal crowd on Sunday evenings was ALWAYS a let down making me return home not only physical tired but spiritually weary. My attitude on Mondays is much better without a Sunday PM service to bring me down.
Good points Allen!
As a kids pastor who typically follows what the adults in worship do I wonder how many of the Sunday night churches have children or teen programming at the same time.
There is a strong push for multigenerational worship services but that is difficult to accomplish when kids and teens are in a different part of the room. I see both sides of the coin – parents and kids needing to prep for the week ahead as well as a time for congregations to be fed again. I think people need to be not afraid to do what they feel is best for them or their families.
I believe we hold on to traditions and services because the minority says so. I wonder what churches could do with all the money saved on utilities and efforts to reach our communities if we didn’t have Sunday nights. I wonder if somehow we could equip parents to be the spiritual leaders of their families and families engage in discipling their kids instead of always looking for a church program to do that for them.
Lots of good thoughts!
Although our senior adults still enjoy Sunday evening services, we shifted all of our adult discipleship groups to Wednesday night. We did the same with our children, youth and worship ministries so that we have one big mid-week family night to complement Sunday morning, instead of two mediocre evenings that compete with each other (Wed and Sun).
Sunday night is merely another niche small group for senior adults, which works for us.
Bty- LifeWay’s “Gospel Project For Kids” is a huge hit on Wed nights here.
Mark,
We have discussed the Wednesday night option as well. Atlanta traffic is such a terrible snarl in our area that we struggle there, too. We’re in a time crunch on school/work nights with the very early starts that are demanded. But… many churches in our area still do this. Honestly, in my opinion, it would be easier to give up Wednesday than Sunday, except that Wednesday seems to have more intrinsic need, due to its midweek nature.
What I’ve sensed, Mark, is it would be “easier” just to toss them both and go with a Sunday morning only schedule, except that there is value in what we do on these nights (and that’s not my decision to make). But since we believe in that value, then it is our responsibility to make sure that we do all we can to position it for greatest success. Therein is the “opportunity tension.”
Love your thoughts, brother.
Blessings!
Mark
Is there a difference here from state to state? I’ve been told basically churches in Oklahoma close for holiday evenings or at all.