I am currently following, with what I can only describe as troubled interest, the emergence of Sunday-morning programs for kids in Muslim mosques, humanist (atheist) centers, and Hindu temples. Such programs have long operated in Jewish synagogues, Mormon wards, Unitarian centers, and elsewhere. Perhaps conceding to the predominant Christian culture, as well as the strength of the brand, most of these programs are called Sunday School. Why are Muslims, atheistic humanists, Hindus, and others using the term Sunday School? Because that's what their kids' Christian friends and classmates call it, even if their church doesn't call it that. Why? Because it's the brand name of the movement. What Kleenex® is to facial tissue and Coke® is to soda pop, Sunday School is to Sunday-morning education. I recently overheard a conversation between two young moms who both referred to their Bible study groups as Sunday School, even though I know their two churches call the ministry by two different names. Just last weekend I had a delightful conversation with a young mom who kept talking about Sunday School, even though her church calls it Adult Bible Fellowships. The Sunday School brand--whether it has fulfilled or failed its brand promise in every church--

is still incredibly strong.

 

--David Francis, Great Expectations