Why the Sunday Morning Schedule Change at Grace Baptist Church?

In our last business meeting Tim Parsons presented the following motions to the church family:

Current	Time	New	Time
Coffee with Grace	8:30 am	Coffee with Grace	8:30 am
Sunday School	9:15 am	Traditional Worship	9:00 am
Traditional Worship	10:30 am	Sunday School	10:00 am
Kids Worship	10:30 am	Common Ground	11:00 am
Common Ground	11:00 am

Motion #1: We, the deacons of Grace Baptist Church, move that the regular Sunday morning Schedule is transferred from the current times of (see above) to the following (see below) beginning January 7, 2018, and running until July 29, 2018. This is a one six-month trial for the new services times and will be reassessed by the deacons and church mid-year. The deacons will bring another motion for return back to the schedule in the June 2018 business meeting or keep the time.

Motion #2: We, the deacons of GBC, recommend removal of the service times on all external doors as they are currently wrong and will be wrong.

The idea to make this change did not come from me, but the more I thought I about it the more I liked it. I would like to thank so many of our members who came to me and other deacons about changing the time, I believe you were right. Here are the reasons behind the change:

1.    To help Sunday School. Sunday School at Grace Baptist has been in a 30-year decline, we hope this schedule may help Sunday School reach more people. Any shot in the arm we can give Sunday School will help.

2.    To help child care volunteers. Time of service would become shorter for our childcare workers and you can serve one service and worship in one service.

3.    More options for worshippers could mean more worshippers. I am not currently aware of any church in our area who offers a worship service this early. This will be a major appeal to those moving into our area.

4.    Those attending early service, receive more afternoon time with family or get to work on time. Often times individuals have varying work or family get togethers. This allows a Sunday Morning slot for people's ever changing schedule needs.

5.    Pastor Travis remains present and accessible to members and visitors for both worship services from start to finish. As it currently stands, I have to run out of the traditional service at the close to make it in time to preach. I miss fellowshipping with our members after the service, and I believe they  miss me too.