What makes Sunday School at a progressive church different than Sunday School at other churches? It is not necessarily the curriculum that is used in Sunday School, but the manner in which it is taught that sets a progressive Sunday School ministry apart from its counterparts.

Our motto at Different Voice is: “Embrace life. Nurture Spirituality. Inspire change.” These are also worthy goals for a progressive Sunday School ministry. In Part 1 of this series, I explored ways that progressive Sunday School ministries embrace life.

A progressive Sunday School ministry also nurtures spirituality.

Jesus called me the other day
On speakerphone.
Interestingly,
His voices sounded like
Friends of mine from church.
“I have a job I’d like you to do.”

I saw Jesus smiling the other day.
His face was that of a child,
Who picked up a backpack
Containing food lovingly packed.
The smile accompanied knowledge
That he would eat this weekend.

Today's guest blogger is Rev. Dawn B. Young, Ed.D., the Director of Christian Education for the Louisiana Conference.

There is much talk and concern about how to engage young adults in the church. And interestingly enough, young people tell researchers that while they are not particularly interested in “church” they are interested in the things that churches do. Surprisingly, or not, a large majority of young people say that there are people in the world and issues of the world that need to be addressed and they are interested in working towards solutions. Hence, young adults who claim that the church is “hypocritical” and “judgmental,” want to engage in what amounts to mission. No group is more representative of this particular reality than those involved in the “New Monastic” movement. Although the leadership of New Monastic communities largely emerges from Christian related educational programs, they have attracted a large following of people who are not initially Christian. Let’s review several books that could serve as study tools to prepare a church for associating with or establishing a New Monastic community in their neighborhood, or would serve as a challenge to churches about living in a radical way even within the comfort of our own homes.

You have likely heard the saying “Everyone has a novel inside of them.” (Skeptics sometimes add “most of them are not any good.”) I’m not sure whether I believe that everyone has a novel in them; I do not particularly feel that I do, and I consider myself a writer! I do believe that we all have thoughts! Writing is one way that we communicate our thoughts, feelings and ideas to others. Some people write only for themselves, using a journal or diary as a way to record events or emotions and/or explore them more deeply.

There is something about putting words onto paper that allows us to view things from a new perspective. Regardless of one’s skill level, writing can serve as a creative outlet, a fun hobby and/or a way to connect with others. Consider starting a writing group at your church. A writing group can nurture writers of all skill levels from beginner to experienced. In such a group, people are invited to explore writing as a means of expression in a safe, caring and encouraging community. As writing is shared, both writers and listeners will benefit from the experience.

Almost every individual in your congregation uses ink jet and laser cartridges on a regular basis at home, school, or work. Most of those cartridges end up in landfills are or incinerated. But there is an alternative: participating in a congregational "cash for trash" recycling program, which will offer you cash for the cartridges you drop off or send in, while helping you to be better stewards of the environment. My own congregation has raised hundreds of dollars for our computer lab in this way in the past several years, and that's with very little effort! Imagine what you could do with a full-on promotional effort by a team of youth or marketing-savvy young adults. While it's true that many schools, nonprofits, and businesses are already taking part in such programs, there are still plenty of ways to make your program a success, but you will need to be a bit more creative. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Many congregations offer only one worship service, preceded or followed by a Sunday school hour. Those who have two services generally hold Sunday school between them. Either way, when the time comes to add a new class for adults (something you really should be doing regularly!), the assumption tends to be that it should meet during the Sunday school hour. However, you might want to experiment with adding that class at another time: the hour before or after the service that is not already dedicated to Sunday school. Why? Here are 6 reasons. 

This Sunday, churches that use the revised common lectionary will read and hear the story of God calling Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10). As I read Jeremiah’s call story, I am reminded of a Wednesday evening in August 2004. (This passage reappears as a lectionary option in August of Year C.) That night, as I sat in midweek worship service, I heard this passage read and then the pastor spoke about God’s call for Jeremiah and for us. Be prepared, this Sunday, many of you will hear a sermon on this topic. But back to August 2004, I left that service with the distinct feeling that I had been set up.

Looking for some new songs for worship? Would you like songs that are contemporary and singable? Are you interested in worship songs that at times challenge and at other times reassure? How about songs that reflect an inclusive and justice-loving theology? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I highly recommend that you take a listen to Bryan Sirchio’s latest CD, “Something Beautiful for God: 24 Songs for Worship and Group Singing”.

The songs on this CD are the same songs in the previously available “Something Beautiful for God” piano songbook. For the CD Bryan has produced the songs as he would do them with a worship band in church. Therefore, listening to the CD will give you an idea of what each song sounds like and which ones you might use for worship. Of course, if you are not in charge of worship music, you can simply listen to the CD, as I do!

Families are formed in many ways, and no doubt your church has done and is continually doing many things to be supportive of the families in your church, regardless of their configuration. (And we all know there are MANY ways a family can look in today's world.) Parenting classes are often offered in many congregations, and family ministries councils are frequently charged with coming up with great ways to connect families and offer them opportunities for fellowship, service, and education. But what about those individuals or couples who do not yet have children but who are considering or pursuing adoption or foster care? Have you considered how their needs and interests may be different from those families that already have children?

The classic children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit, tells the story of a stuffed rabbit that is loved so much by a little boy that it becomes “real”. If books went through the same process, one of the “real” books on my bookshelf would be Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. As its well-worn cover can attest, I reach for this book often.

I recently discovered (by happenstance ) the Brussat’s website, Spirituality and Practice. It is probably a sign of my lack of complete internet immersion that I have never thought to search for a website related to one of my favorite books. Now that I have discovered this website (and bookmarked it), I anticipate visiting frequently. (Can websites become “real”?) There is a wealth of information here.