1. Quite possibly, you have already maxed out the likely attendance in your current classes. This is especially true if your congregation has a membership that is stable or in decline, or if you don't get visitors in worship on a regular basis. By offering a class at a new time, you may interest persons who—for whatever reason—choose not to take part in one of your normal Sunday school classes.
2. A class that is offered prior to worship could include a light breakfast, and a class offered following worship could offer a light lunch. The class members could share the responsibility for the food preparation. Similarly, both times offer the possibility that the new class could meet at a neutral location like a restaurant or coffee shop. What a great opportunity for a class to enjoy a casual atmosphere, great fellowship, and visibility by the community!
3. A class offered at a new time gives you the potential for a "double session" study. For example, say you are interested in offering Disciple Bible Study on a Sunday morning (which normally lasts about 2 1/4 hours), and you follow the Worship —> Sunday school model. By starting the class before worship and finishing afterwards, you remove the need for people to come to your church on another day of the week.
4. A congregation that follows the Sunday school —> Worship model could offer a new sermon discussion class that dug deeper into the issues raised by the text and the sermon. Participants could also be invited to help with the creation of the next Sunday's sermon, adding a new level of interactivity to your worship service.
5. People are different! Some will love an earlier class, while others just hate to get up early on a Sunday morning.
6. Just by offering a class at an "unusual" time, you help the congregation to move beyond its "We've always done it that way" mentality.

Lent would be a great time to try offering a new, short-term class at a new time, by the way. Why not give it a try next time you want to start a new class?

~ by Tim Gossett