Worship or Christian Education?

It is inevitable that families in some of our Lutheran congregations will ask the question, "Which is more important for our kids on Sunday morning, worship or education?" Be thankful if you are part of the many churches where this question is rare or non-existent. There are thousands of congregations that maintain a Sunday schedule where worship is conducted at one time and Christian education precedes or follows.

In too many, however, the decision has been made to schedule a worship service concurrent with Sunday School. Often this is seen as a stewardship decision: How can we justify a multi-million-dollar building project to handle the growing number of worshipers when we can increase our worship capacity by simply adding another worship service? I have attended and served in congregations that took this route. I confess to my shame that even advocated such a decision in my youth. I would no longer do so.

But, let me know avoid the question: which is more important? Without a doubt, worship get my vote. In the Divine Service, God provides His Word and Sacraments and, with them, the precious gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. The Divine Service fulfills the commands of God in a way that Sunday School cannot.

Yet I would insist that Christian education, adult Bible study and Sunday School, runs a close second, so nearly matching worship in importance that I would urge parents to do all they can to provide for both experiences on Sunday morning for their children, and for themselves.

But won't young children get more out of an age-appropriate Sunday School class than from a worship service that seems designed primarily for adults? While this may seem true from a human perspective, how can it be true? God promises that His Word will accomplish what He desires, even in the ears, eyes, and hearts of children. At what age will this not be true? The worship service is a rich tapestry of Word that touches us through all our senses---music, speech, drama, symbols and images, and even aromas---with opportunities to impress the Gospel on even the youngest of children.

So, let's not force our families to make a choice. Let's provide excellent worship opportunities that share God's Word with those of all ages. And let's encourage attendance in Sunday School or Bible class for children, youth, and adults.

What's is your Sunday morning schedule for worship and education? How happy are you with that schedule?

In your opinion, does concurrent worship and education opportunities have a positive or negative impact on Sunday School?