Last week we looked honestly and forthrightly at the concept of Sunday evening services (and, by implication, Wednesday evening). We have seen that many in the Lord’s church have the concept that Sunday evening services are not as important as Sunday morning, and “vote” with their presence (or lack of it) about its importance. We are more laid back and casual on Sunday evenings. We also considered the fact that our failure to attend may be a statement about our love for the Lord, and our obedience to God’s duly appointed authorities in the church, the elders. Knowing that we will all have to give account to God on the Day of Judgment (Romans 14:10-12; Matthew 12:36-37; 2 Corinthians 5:10), it is necessary that we honestly look at our attitudes about worshipping our Lord.

In doing some research on why Sunday evenings started, I found some interesting and some not so interesting ideas. One person suggested that when gas lights were invented, churches used Sunday evenings (because they usually were the first to get gas lights) to do more evangelism and have more opportunities to preach. Another suggested that Sunday evenings were started during the war, so that those who had to work on Sunday mornings would have an opportunity to worship at least once during the day. Yet another suggested that Sunday evenings were started so that men could go home and watch football in the evening, and still come back and not miss anything (hahaha).

Some churches have opted to do away with Sunday evening services, and have one service on Sunday lasting three or four hours. This is what they have found - having one service, a lunch, and then another service, gives more people greater opportunities to meet visitors and have greater opportunities to fellowship EVERY Sunday, not just once a month. Further, they have found that more people attend the afternoon service than they do the evening service. However, they have also found that many of the women were concerned about the food for the dinners (warming the food and getting everything ready) as well as it becoming a very long stretch of time for the little children.

Many churches that have done away with Sunday evening services have also found that the depth and level of spirituality in the church decreased. Why? Spirituality declined due to the fact that we as humans have a tendency to do away with what we don’t like, and minimize what we have to do so as to “please God” with the least amount. (When we ask questions such as “Do I have to go to church on Sunday evenings or Wednesday?”, we are expressing the attitude that says “What is the least I can get by with and still please God?”). Further, I can see the real possibility of the one longer service being shortened and shortened until it is a two hour service, and no further services being added would cause the decline of faith. The Bible stresses that preaching and teaching helps build the body of Christ, and we need to avail ourselves of EVERY opportunity to grow in this way, as well as be exhorted and encouraged. Does this mean that people who attend Sunday evening services will be more spiritually mature? Not necessarily, as that depends on the person. However, more opportunities exist to build up one another in the most holy faith, so those who attend have better chances to grow than those who don’t.

One man wrote, “The Sunday evening service is not the problem. Spiritual malaise is the problem, and a true revival of religion is the solution. When such a true spiritual revival happens, people will hunger and thirst to gather more often to sing, give, fellowship, pray, and hear preaching and teaching from God's Word. They may gather on Sunday evenings, or at some other innovative time during the week—but they will gather.”

Perhaps this is the real key to our attitudes about Sunday evenings and Wednesdays – those who want to grow and be challenged will do what they can to come, others (excluding those who can’t due to health . . . who want to be here but can’t) won’t. Spiritual malaise is THE PROBLEM.