SUNDAY WORSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 25633, 6 November 1945, Page 7

SUNDAY WORSHIP

DECLINING ATTENDANCES AT CHURCHES ANALYSIS OF CAUSES (P.A.) INVERCAIRGILL, Nov. 5. “ Declining attendances at evening services is not a problem confined to New- Zealand, but is world-wide,” stated the report of the Life and Work Committee presented to the Presbyterian General Assembly to^lay. The report added that wireless' induced mental and spiritual laziness. The tabloid form in which knowledge and entertainment were meted out to the public without the demand of effort on their part made sitting in a church on Sunday evening seem unnecessary.

The report discussed the question whether the evening service should be dropped. On this point the committee stated: “The average worshipper in our day seems to feel that two services of the same tyipe each Sunday are unnecessary. Not having a sound alternative to offer, we have-found that there is much to be said in favour of retaining the evening service. Even a poorly-attended evening service gives casuals, folks away from home, students, and mothers of young families, nurses and early morning workers very often their only opportunity for worship. Some congregations, for local reasons, have their best attendances in the evenings. “ We have explored thoroughly the actual form of the service,” the report added. “We are aware of the very many changes which have been in operation for a number of years, and have turned out to be mere ‘ attractions ’ at the expense of the devout spirit of worship. Truth to tell, every device has already been tried—pugilistic contests, open forums, ‘ quiz ’ sessions, choral services, brief popular sermons, and even fireside meetings. All have been 'tried and time and again over a period of years they have achieved less for the advancement of the Kingdom than the present fprm of evening service. We recommend sessions to give the evening service a definite place in Sunday worship distinct from the mopiing service.”