Social Life of the Church

PASTOR: Social Life of the Church

"The church needs social functions occasionally in order that the members may become better acquainted and genuinely interested in one another."

Bible Instructor, Kansas Conference

The church needs social functions occasionally in order that the members may become better acquainted and genuinely interested in one another. There is nothing that will break up cliques in a church like a good Sabbath school picnic. It warms up the chilly ones, loosens up the staid, and sends nationalism out the back door

A shady grove by a trickling stream is an ideal setting for such an occasion. Choose a day when as many as possible are free to attend. It should be announced long enough in advance to work up enthusiasm and anticipation of a good time. It should be talked up freely, so that everyone will be picnic-minded.

When it is decided that the church is to have a picnic, then committees should be chosen. Let the committees give some real thought to it, in order to make it a joyous social function where everything will pass off with decorum and pleasantness. A program committee should be appointed to take charge of the games, arrange for speeches if any, and plan for the general good-time part of the picnic, giving special attention to the children's games and their entertainment.

Another committee should be chosen to arrange for the dinner. Middle-aged mothers in Israel should be on this committee, so that a wholesome spread will be provided for, as well as an adequate one. In order to avoid having too little of one food and too much of another, the main items of the menu should be assigned to those who are known to prepare certain articles well salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts, etc. Ask each one to shine in her line. This plan gives assurance that there will be no embarrassment when the spread is laid.

The picnic should be held when the season is most conducive for comfort and productive for the lunch basket. Late summer or early autumn is a good time. Outdoor recreation is more enjoyable and beneficial than indoor. It should not be too hot or too cool for comfort.

New members should be urged to attend as guests, with no responsibility for providing a lunch basket. Make them feel as welcome and comfortable as possible. It is not a day for religious exercises, but a day for pleasant, whole some recreation. The time should be midday, somewhere between ten and four o'clock. If everything passes off pleasantly, the memory of it will be sweet for months to come.

 

 


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

Bible Instructor, Kansas Conference

June 1952

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

FEATURES: Winning Personality Traits

The personality traits that make ministers successful

FEATURES: "The Things That Are Caesar"

"It is my conviction that a fitting appreciation of citizenship in the municipality, the county, the State, the nation in which one lives..."

The Preacher's Personal Power

"They had the arguments, but they had more; they had all the power of heaven behind them."

PULPIT: The Workers' Reading Program

How Books Are Chosen for the Ministerial Book Club

PULPIT: The Worker's Clipping File

"Those files! those precious files! How grateful I am that material had been gathered and filed through the years. I started with an orange crate, and now have four cabinets!"

PASTOR: The Evangelistic Colporteur Your Scout

"Since the last General Conference session the Publishing Department of the General Conference has been emphasizing the important place that the colporteur occupies in a great forward, aggressive, evangelistic program."

PASTOR: Colporteurs Helpful Church Workers

"For the past two years the publishing leaders and the colporteurs of the Pacific Union have been trying to develop a plan whereby the colporteurs can cooperate more definitely with the home missionary department, the pastor, and the local church organization in soul winning."

PASTOR: How Pastors Make News

"Some pastors are always in the news; some are never in the news."

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - SermonView - Medium Rect (300x250)

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)