Well, gosh, we wouldn’t want to upset the world, now would we?

Our culture — including churched folks — is far from the days when church life was central to life in general. You know, when you could see the steeple above all the other buildings, and you’d never double-book an event during church. Times have changed, whether we like it or not. Some are calling these days “post-Christendom.”

You can see the tension in the comments here. Some say, “more church is the answer” to the church’s loss of influence and importance in our culture. Some say a revisioning of our identities and mission is what is necessary in such times, that we must separate traditions from core practices.

Wednesday evening “church” — meaning at a building, etc — is a tradition, not a core practice of Christ’s church through the ages. Communities traditionally have lived within close reach of each other, encouraging each other throughout the week. To those who still do this, going to a building for some songs and a sermon on Wednesday night seems like a weak attempt at fostering community and accountability. What’s more, “going to church” two or three times a week often alienates us from those for whom “church” is silly and irrelevant. When most Christians are driving across town between 15 and 45 minutes to church (hours sometimes in the Northeast), they can begin to lose sight of the ones who have yet to experience the life of Christ.

I think you can see where I fall in this debate: less “church” (as in the formal meetings, brick and mortar, drives across town), not more, is the answer.

Chris, I agree with you fully. But rather than leaving it up to “Church” to provide that relevancy and encouragement, wouldn’t it be most profitable for the Kingdom if each believer found those resources in his/her own neighborhood among fellow believers/searchers (daily)? I am afraid that most Christians have turned over responsibility for spiritual growth and nurture to the institution, and most Churches that I know are all too happy and eager to assume that responsibility.

Wednesday’s are needed in my opinion. Our challenge is to stay relative and interesting to everyone from cradle role to adults. Encouraging one another, I like that idea.

I don’t mind Wednesday pm Bible class. Most of the time I’m so tired, I don’t get allot out of Wednesday nights. I go mainly for my kids.

In my job at church, I scan local (and sometimes statewide) online church bulletins for events I can help publicize in the church bulletin. Many bulletins, like ours, contain an order of worship and sometimes class descriptions for the Sunday to come. My LIFE Group study about Jesus has made me acutely aware of how infrequently Jesus is featured as a topic for sermons and classes. I still think that there is some opportunity for evangelism in those settings; that people who haven’t heard about Jesus need to, and people who have should never tire of hearing about Him.

I’d be happy to spend any Wednesday evening in any kind of setting where He is welcome, too.

The acustics in that hall are great and the singing is out of sight! It is even less formal than Sunday (not saying much for WFR since we are neve formal)People come straight from work, sports activities, etc. and the worship is lively and a great blessing.

We have several other people who are involved in step studies in connection with Celebrate Recovery, a blessed ministry that is reaching many folks for the Lord.

I look forward to Wed night just as much as Sunday. Both are great!

His peace
Royce Ogle

Tracy, I think that was the beginning of permission for me not to be legalistic, which is good. When I’m out of steam, I can be at home in peace. When I do get to church, whether it’s the prayer room or in a class, I find all kinds of good things, especially in the company of people I love, like Lauren said. Wednesday nights are good if they are spent spirit-filled, whatever the activity or the quiet time. GOD is good, wherever, whenever.

I look at Wednesday nights as the icing on the cake. Not as drudgery or guilt-provoking. Many simply cannot make it to the building or small group. But for those who can it is an opportunity to build each other up and equip us to take Jesus back out into our hurting world.