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It seems that SS is a dying teaching tool. Is it?I remember when pastors would run a bus thru mill hills and fill their churches. The theory was Bus and teach 50-60 6-8 year old kids for 12 years and keep half of them every year and you would have a thriving youthful church with sainted leadership. It was a good theory and worked for years.Years ago many parents sent their kids to church and the kids looked forward to it for entertainment. Chalk boards, flannel graphs story telling plays etc. I am assuming there is plenty of entertainment now and the church is last in line.And I know from childhood it is a tough job on a pastor to keep bus drivers (Many times dad would drive himself). Now the legal requirements are much tougher could be a restraint. I remember when members and dad's car was used to augment the loads.Will it, or does it work now? Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

I couldn't wait to get my driver's license. I then drove three families to church every service. I loved every mile of it, just to get behind the wheel! LOL Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

but honestly it would be for church trips more than picking up for church. I think you are spot on, the entertainment value of Sunday School and Children's Church is pretty much surpassed by sitting at home and watching YouTube/ Netflix/ video games. After many years of under performing, we finally cancelled our Sunday School program last year

Back in the 80s or so, Larry McDaniel was THE guru of Bus Ministry. A couple of years back, I contacted him and asked something similar (e.g., is bus ministry kind of dated, should it still be used, etc.?). He told me that if he were starting a church today, he would make bus ministry a top priority.

In our very small town (pop 2200, with the nearest town to us being 20 miles away), we still drive a church van to pick up between 10-15 kids Sunday morning. We sometimes have to make two trips on Wednesday nights, since one of our vans is broken down and we don’t have funds available to repair it. The funny thing is, so far as I know (I have been here five years), our church has never really pushed the bus ministry here. Whenever I have mentioned going door to door and seeing if we can start picking up more kids, our children’s ministries leader has appeared frightened by the prospect of more kids. We are a bit short on space and on volunteers on Wednesdays especially.

Admiral QW and that is how I see it from the outside. I forget the vans, very logical. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Thanks, Brother. I know a couple folk who feel the same. I am glad to hear it re-enforced. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Most churches I know of have no problem finding people who want to go on short term mission trips. However, the lack of volunteers and money for gas (airfare seems to get covered) seems to be common problems that hinder bus ministries.Is it God trying to do a new thing in this decade? Perhaps this is a necessary cultural adaptation for this generation? Do you think maybe it could be a good idea to let people wanting to go on a missions trip first develop a heart for souls and volunteer for children's church, youth ministry or a bus ministry in his or her own Jerusalem before flying to the uttermost parts of the world?

You don't just need buses or gas, you need committed people who will pastor the families on their bus. I think several of the reasons bus ministry has gone by the wayside in many places are mentioned in this thread.Some people also do not want to bus in children of a different race. Sad, but true...If you have a viable children's ministry, there are always children who are hungry for the love and attention that can be found in most churches. Some of them lead lives that are void of much love. You have to have people in place that have a heart for that, also.When we were active in children's ministry 20 years ago, there was also a concept introduced of taking church to the children rather than bussing them in. With the right team, this can also be very successful More of Him...less of me.twitter.com/camiracle77www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=691241499&ref=name

If you will work the field, you can still bring in a boat load of children. I tell Pastors all the time, if they will go after the children their church will grow. Especially, with all the addicts and parents who are not involved in truly parenting their children. Our church still goes into the neighborhoods to pick up children. We have a very large church in our area and the majority of their attendance is kids from the area.