Dan Dick at GBOD has some interesting numbers reflecting attitudes about Sunday School.
Four-out-of-five UM adults (80.4%) report “little” or “no” interest in Sunday school, Bible study, or small group formation experiences. Two-out-of-five (39.1%) claim that believing that Jesus Christ is God’s true son is enough — since they have a guaranteed spot in heaven, they don’t have anything else of value to learn. An additional 48% believe that attending weekly worship is adequate, and that there is no need for any other formational experience in their lives.
(h/t: Taylor Burton-Edwards)
It reminds me of John Wesley’s sermon The More Excellent Way, in which Wesley seems to come to grips with the fact that many – most? – Christians are not looking for an all encompassing and radical reorganization of their lives.
From long experience and observation I am inclined to think, that whoever finds redemption in the blood of Jesus, whoever is justified, has then the choice of walking in the higher or the lower path.
From the context, I take it to be one of Wesley’s later sermons. Whether it reflects wisdom or surrender to the world on his part is probably in the eye of the beholder. What seems clear, though, is that the more aggressive forms of Christian discipleship have always been an acquired taste for a large number of Christians. Today it is still so if Dan Dick’s numbers are to be believed.
I am a part-time local pastor serving 
This love we believe to be the medicine of life, the never-failing remedy for all the evils of a disordered world, for all the miseries and vices of men. Wherever this is, there are virtue and happiness going hand in hand. There is humbleness of mind, gentleness, long-suffering, the whole image of God; and at the same time a peace that passeth all understanding, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.
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John,
Those statistics should be a concern for all of us. Dallas Willard in his book, The Great Omission, says we are producing converts not disciples. Sunday School can do both, but we have placed expectations far too low. Check out my Sunday School Revolutionary blog entries from the last two days for a simple two-part method to address this concern–especially Part 2: http://www.sundayschoolrevolutionary.com. The key may be a simple little word, care–care for God, each other, and others!
In His service!