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In This Issue:
IS SUNDAY SCHOOL
DEAD?
It is difficult to even ask
that question but to ignore the question and its implications
would be a denial of changes that are taking place in many of
our Christian Education programs.
The Barna Group (of researchers)
conducted a nationwide survey in 2004 to explore Sunday School,
midweek programming and Vacation Bible School. The found five
distinct shifts from their previous study just a few years prior:
1. A declining percentage of
pastors who claim Sunday School is their top priority.
2. Fewer churches offering Sunday School for children and youth.
3. Increasing customization of curriculum by churches.
4. A drop in the number of churches offering VBS.
5. A decline of midweek programming for children.
Pastors cited a lack of volunteer
leaders as the main reason for the decline in VBS.
Looking closer at the study
revealed African- American congregations were much more likely
to emphasize Sunday School than Euro-American congregations.
Is it any wonder we have a
low level of Biblical knowledge and understanding in many of
our congregations?
Is Sunday School Dead? The
study stated: "rumors of Sunday School's imminent demise
are greatly exaggerated." Each weekend more than 300,000
congregations offer Sunday School programming attended by nearly
45 million adults and more than 22 million children and youth.
Maxine Ashley, ABC/Wisconsin
Staff Associate Minister for Christian Education, provides regular
helpful articles on the region website www.abcofwi.org
These are challenging days
for the Sunday School and other programs of Christian Education
yet the need has never been greater. God bless the teachers
who give of their time and talent and the pastors who know this
is a priority ministry.
Arlo R. Reichter
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FROM JUDSON PRESS:
LEFT
BEHIND? THE FACTS BEHIND THE FICTION by LeAnn Snow Flesher
You have likely read the fiction series on Left
Behind-now get the facts.
This would be a great adult study book. $14.00
REINVENTING
WORSHIP, Prayers, Readings, Special Services and More
(includes a CD-ROM of Worship Resources)
By Brad Berglund, Author of Reinventing Sunday
Helpful to pastors, ministers of music and worship
planning teams. $14.00
www.judsonpress.com
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OCTOBER PRAYER
FOCUS:
Church:
First-Fond du Lac
Pastor:
Larry Witt
Start Date:
7/06
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CENTRAL BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY-MILWAUKEE EXTENSION CENTER
Fall 2006 Students:
Melva Bishop
Mt. Zion-Madison
Charlene Cobb
Community-Darien
Kim Drost
First-West Allis
Cynthia Eastern
Comm. of Greater-Mke
Jeffrey Eastern
Comm. of Greater-Mke
Christina Ettinger
First-Waukesha
Charlotte Flowers
Christ the King-Mke
Le Roy Jones
Comm. of Greater--Mke
Judy King
Community-Milwaukee
Walter Lanier
Calvary-Milwaukee
Josph Mc Lin
Comm. of Greater-Mke
Dimitri Mack
Christ the King-Mke
Marva Moore
Mt. Zion-Milwaukee
Joyce Nichols-Savage
Comm. of Greater-Mke
Ron Sloan
Christ the King-Mke
De Lois Taylor
Metropolitan-Mke l
Apply at www.cbts.edu
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