Church

So today the branch president asked for us to stay after Sacrament for a few moments. He wanted to do a brain-storming session and needed all of our opinions. He was trying to figure out why people were leaving after Sacrament and not staying for all three meetings. We have a bit of a problem with that. There about about 100-120 people (during the summer only) that come for Sacrament. Then there are about 50-75 for Sunday School, and by the time RS and Priesthood come around, we are lucky to have 30-40 people left between the two classes.

Some of the reasons were a bit lame. Like our meeting time is from 1-4. I can't say that I am too happy with that time, but it is what it is. Some of the reasons given were that church is too late. Well that reason is okay unless you remember that when we met from 11-2, we still had the problem with people leaving. Another reason is that we get hungry. Come on, we come in after lunch, and leave before dinner. How hungry can you get? And if you do get hungry, bring Cheerios.

The one reason I really like was that the teachers weren't prepared enough for the lessons and so they weren't enjoyable or entertaining enough to keep people here. Church isn't supposed to be entertaining. Plus it is very hard to teach a lesson if there is no participation from the members. When there is participation, then there are discussions, and those are a bit more enjoyable than the teacher droning on and on.

Oh well, enough griping. I think the main reason why people are leaving is that they are in the habit of leaving early and so staying for three hours seems too long.