Each Thursday, I will do my best to answer your questions. I don't pretend to be an expert, but I know it's not easy being a wife and mother. It can be frustrating and discouraging, yet very rewarding. I'd be glad to listen to you, pray for you, and share some of my thoughts with you.
So, ask me something... anything...
Dear Vonnie,
What is your take on families taking the summer off from church?
Signed,
Wondering
It saddens me when churches stop Sunday School or evening services for the summer. Are people too busy for God?
Now that the bustle of the school year has ended, we should have more time to be with God's people. We should want to get together with our church family even more.
I understand that people go on vacation, but everyone doesn't go at the same time. Plus you may have visitors vacationing near you that are looking for a church to attend.
Yes, summertime is a good time to reach out to the community. VBS (Vacation Bible School) is a wonderful ministry. For children who homeschool or go to a Christian school, it's a good reason for inviting their neighbor friends to church. For older kids, it's a great too for getting involved, an opportunity to serve the Lord in their church.
Our church has a daycamp (9-2 for a week) with puppets, songs, crafts, missionary story, Bible lessons, games, and a huge slip n' slide down our hill. It's tiring and takes months of planning, but it has reached many children in our community, besides helping our teens learn to be leaders.
If your church doesn't have a VBS, but there many children in your neighborhood, maybe you might be led to have a Bible club. You might have it for an hour each day for a week, or you might have it only one day a week through the whole summer...or keep going all year. There are many publications that provide flannelgraph, missionary stories, and song visuals.
Some churches have a family camp. What a wonderful time, when you can get away from work and the duties of home and be together as a family...with your church family...playing, working, worshiping together.
Summertime is a good time for short term mission trips. You could help construct a building or assist with a Bible club or clear some land. If you have been interested in mission work, be listening to where the Lord would want you go.
God never takes a vacation. He is always there and working in our lives. Why should we feel we need to take a vacation from Him or His people? I hope this summer is a time when you grow deeper and stronger in your walk with the Lord.
5 comments:
Amen! I'd go bananas if I went a whole summer without church. SO glad our church has things going on a lot, even during the summer!
Years ago it was unheard of churches stopping things during the summer months. I thought it was just my church, but it looks like it happens in other churches as well.
People need church even during the summer. We
need to keep filling ourselves with God's ways
so we don't fall for the world's ways. Sunny
Wow, I didn't know churches were stopping church for the summer! I've not heard of that.
Some of my fondest childhood memories involve Vacation Bible School! What a wonderful ministry that is!
God is ALWAYS here, He doesn't take a break, why should we think that we need a break from serving Him.
Search the internet before leaving on vacation for a congregation to worship with.
smooches,
Larie
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