LifeWay: Biblical Solutions for Life Page 1 of 3 Rethinking Teacher Training Ideas Written by Ann B. Cannon So, you are a leader in your youth Sunday School department, trying to figure out_— your teachers. Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you? to better train e Marina has taught teenagers for three years. Because she feels so comfortable, Marina tends to wait until the last minute to prepare. She also uses the same methods from week to week, no matter what the curriculum suggests. "I know what works for my girls," she responds defensively. e Rick has taught teenagers for three months. He enjoys the interaction before the session begins, but Rick cannot get his youth to talk about the Bible. He tries the ideas in the curriculum, but nothing works. "Maybe I'm not cut out to teach teenagers," he suggests. e Tamara loves teaching, but the holidays have drained her. She feels emotionally, physically and spiritually depleted. Recently, she has been letting her class discuss whatever they want. "I figure it's better for them to talk about what they are interested in than to listen to me struggle through a lesson," she explains. Tamara, Rick and Marina are good examples of why teacher training is crucial. New teachers have taught long enough to realize they need some help. Experienced teachers fall into ruts unless they receive frequent doses of inspiration and challenge. And many teachers, like Tamara, need rejuvenation, / The good news is that you are not limited to the usual training through two-night associational offerings or four-day jaunts to a conference center. Here are some fresh ways you can update your workers: Train to Meet Workers' Needs The best way to find out what leaders need is to ask. Be sure you ask with focus, however. e Design a checklist of topics you think might interest workers: using the curriculum, disciplining a member, reaching teens with no religious background, understanding specific age groups, learning how to be creative, reaching teens who do not come, among others. Hand each worker the checklist on a Sunday morning, let them check their needs and return the list to you that morning. Leave space for teachers to write other needs, and use their responses to plan the next training event. e Involve department directors in evaluating needs. Use a similar checklist approach with directors. e Discover needs by observing teachers. In open-room teaching, you can easily see how teachers interact with class members. If teachers are in individual rooms, explain that you are observing all teachers and ask whether it is convenient for you to visit. Train When Workers Will Come Here are several options you can use for training times: e Consider Sunday afternoon after a quick, simple sandwich buffet. Include families in the meal, so leaders will not have to leave. Then, hold a lively training session that ends mid-afternoon. e A winter retreat is another option. Since prices at retreat centers are usually lower during the winter, your church may be able to underwrite some of the cost. Select a place that can be reached within a reasonable time and that is far enough so people will not come and go. Plan to leave by http://www.lifeway.com/ lwe/rd_article_content/0,2815,A%253D1 50654%2526X%253D1... 9/27/2010 LifeWay: Biblical Solutions for Life | Page 2 of 3 noon on Saturday, so workers can do regular errands. e Train when workers already meet. For example, use 30 minutes of the planning session each Wednesday night to train workers in a specific topic. Do the same type of training over several Wednesday nights. Or plan a video series for youth on Sunday morning. Ask parents to help out with youth while workers attend a training session during the regular Sunday School time. e Not all training requires a group setting. Provide help through weekly e-mails. e Post a training activity on your church's Web site. Encourage workers to regularly check the Web site for help. Relate the training idea to the Bible study for the coming Sunday. Post a link on your church Web site to take workers to - the weekly current events supplement for LifeWay Sunday School curriculum. Train to Involve Workers Although an outside expert can offer good training, check out these other options: e Select a book that relates to workers’ needs. e If you have a small number of workers, invite two or three churches to join you for a potluck meal. Assign each church different sections of the book to teach. e If you hold a winter retreat, focus on spiritual renewal. Offer time and guidance for group and individual reflection. Dream about what teachers would like to see happen with youth, and then discuss practical ways to make these happen. Allow workers to share concerns, shortcomings and areas in which they see God at work. Train Continuously Teaching today's teenagers can be both exhausting and exhilarating. Remember they face a new, very different generation, as well as a strong cultural shift. Teachers can no longer rely on how it was when they were teenagers. Keep workers trained on the latest information about youth by sharing news magazine articles and studies published on the Internet by youth watchers George Barna = ) and Walt Mueller ( ). Take time during weekly leadership meetings sessions to discuss these articles and the implications for your youth. Inviting youth to attend these discussions could provide a balanced perspective. Think of Sunday training as an ongoing challenge. Look for every opportunity to encourage and strengthen you School ministry. Geyer Yee Ann Cannon is a frequent conference leader and writer who works with youth in her church in Atlanta, GA. Related Articles: l. Zz: 3 © 2001-2010 LifeWay Christian Resources Share this: Facebook Twitter Digg http://www. lifeway.com/lwe/rd_article_content/0,2815,A%253D1 50654%2526X%253D1.... 9/27/2010 LifeWay: Biblical Solutions for Life Page 3 of 3 Reddit “Stumbleupon. Share your thoughts with other readers: —” http://www.lifeway.com/lwe/rd_article_content/0,2815,A%253D150654%2526X%253D1.... 9/27/2010 / G1) 1 Z Ca ck ers S OF ro Q ctor 0 4 See wIpM be Evel:Lai | 4 Lops prilew fe a Cited. Cenles Pv - f os f ue 7 Tvelop ae Teacher's Training Purpose ¢ Improve teaching effectiveness ° Increase attendance Sunday School Teacher's Self Evaluation Checking Your Bible Teaching Grade yourself as a teacher by circling beside each question the number which you feel is most accurate. Add up the total of the circled numbers. A score of 85 or above would be an excellent score and 40 or below would be a score that needs improvement. In between would range from fair (41-60) to good (61-84). Preparation I look through lesson topics in advance. I begin lesson preparation more than one week in advance. The Bible is the center of my lesson preparation. I have a systematic plan of lesson study. I keep in mind the specific needs of all my pupils for each lesson. I seek constantly to improve my teaching by general reading, by attending worker’s meetings, and taking training courses. I pray regularly about my task. Presentation [ am able to stimulate interest from the beginning. I seek to have Bible passages read meaningfully. All of my learners participate in the lesson discussion. I use a balanced variety of teaching methods. I am able to follow the main subject to a desirable conclusion without getting unduly diverted. ] pace the presentation schedule to give proper emphasis to the central truth. My pupils and J reach helpful conclusions Sv the end of each lesson period. Evaluation My pupils are stimulated to more Bible study. My teaching helps change learner’s moral and social standards. My teaching helps to reach unsaved. My teaching helps make pupils more faithful in their church relationships. My teaching helps make me a better Christian. Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 | Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 | Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 4 3 2 1 Never Always 5 4 3 2 ! Never Always 5 4 3 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 | Never Always 5 43 2 | Never Sunday School Teacher's Self Evaluation Checking Your Bible Teaching Grade yourself as a teacher by circling beside each question the number which you feel is most accurate. Add up the total of the circled numbers. A score of 85 or above would be an excellent score and 40 or below would be a score that needs improvement. In between would range from fair (41-60) to good (61-84). Preparation I look through lesson topics in advance. I begin lesson preparation more than one week in advance. The Bible is the center of my lesson preparation. I have a systematic plan of lesson study. I keep in mind the specific needs of all my pupils for each lesson. I seek constantly to improve my teaching by general reading, by attending worker’s meetings, and taking training courses. I pray regularly about my task. Presentation I am able to stimulate interest from the beginning. I seek to have Bible passages read meaningfully. All of my learners participate in the lesson discussion. I use a balanced variety of teaching methods. I am able to follow the main subject to a desirable conclusion without getting unduly diverted. I pace the presentation schedule to give proper emphasis ' to the central truth. My pupils and I reach helpful conclusions oy the end of each lesson period. Evaluation My pupils are stimulated to more Bible study. My teaching helps change learner’s moral and social standards. My teaching helps to reach unsaved. My teaching helps make pupils more faithful in their church relationships. | My teaching helps make me a better Christian. Always 5 4 3 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 4 3 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always Always Always Always Always 5 43 5 43 5 43 5 43 5 43 2 1 Never 2 1 Never 2 1 Never 2 1 Never 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 4 3 2 | Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never Always 5 43 2 1 Never TEACHER EVALUATION Teacher Class Mark each item according to the following scale: G=Good Improvement Desired N=Not Observed U=Unsatisfactory Teaching Techniques 1. Demonstrates sufficient mastery of content. 2. Makes effective use of a variety of methods. 3. Uses clear, practical examples. 4. Provides for student participation. 5. Uses logical, purposeful and though-provoking questions. 6. Provides feedback to students 7. Varies procedures in working with pupils of varying abilities. 8. Provides motivation. Effective Planning 1. Displays evidence of teacher preparation. 2. Directions to students are clearly thought out and well stated. 3. Materials for class are organized and available. 4. Provides outcomes or objectives. 5. Carefully evaluate student learning. Student/Teacher Relationships 1. Maintains student interest and attention. 2. Works constructively with individual or group. 3. Exhibits poise, voice control, and tact. 4. Graciously accepts less than "right" response . 5. Uses positive statements to students. 6. Makes supportive statements to students. 7. Maintains a friendly and respectful teacher-student relationship. Commendable Features Suggestions for Improvement How to grow an effective Sunday school Interview parents Train teachers Outreach activities Evaluation Enrollment ¢ Number of Church Members ¢ Number on Sunday school rolls New Zion Fund Raising Committee 1-14-2009 Agenda Scripture Prayer Minutes Reports from projects Sis. A. Carpenter Sis. B. Holston Bro. T. Tucker Sis. T. Broadnax Sis. L. Hairston New Projects Questions and Answer Set up next meeting Pastor remarks Close meeting The pastor would like for the committee to raise $150,000.00 in three years, $50,000.00 a year. Canitbe done ? YES. That mean The job before us is a very big one but with God we can, Yes We Can, Yes We Can. This Sunday we will ask each member to start saving cans (aluminum) and newspapers for recycle. The place we can take the recycle to is Bloom Recyclers 690 W. Exchange Rd. Ogden, UT Ph # 801-393-5396 We can have the drop off at the church once a month on the fourth Saturday. These are a few things that I check out just to get a feel what is out there and what kind of money we will need. The Cinedome on Riverdale Road is for sale. It is 4 million dollars ,it on four acres. Also there is six more acres along with the four. There is property in Roy, 10 acres for $700,000.00 To give you a idea, of an acre my property is a little over an acre. You can go see the Catholic church on 4000 in Roy it have a 12 acre of land. This church was build by B G W. We have toget our head together and put the wheels to turning . What is a good day for us to meet? Lovey Hairston Chairperson Rev. Bruce Davis Pastor oo. The Fund Raising committee Lovey Hairston 732-8103 Tommie Tucker 544-9167 Roberta Dixon 544-9769 Harry Nunn 479-9012 Ann Carpenter 479-5977 Trish Broadnax 475-0335 BernaDean Holston 475-0911 Emma Brown 721-7328 NEW ZION BAPTIST CHURCH FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Wednesday, January 7, 2009 Attendees: Pastor Davis Sis. Trish Broadnax Sis. Emma Brown Sis. Lovey Hairston Sis. Roberta Dixon Bro. Tommy Tucker MEETING Sis. Ann Carpenter Sis. BernaDean Holston Scripture — Read by Sis. Holston (Genesis 43:21). Prayer — Given by Sis. Carpenter. Minutes — Correction on the third bullet under Financing. Instead of saying the “bulk of the needed funds” it should be clarified that the fundraising committee should bring in $SOK per year for three years. Pastor Davis, stated that he sees an end to the pledges but doesn’t see an end to the fundraising committee. Minutes stand as amended. Recycling — Committee members will take turns delivering the newspapers and cans to Blooms Recycling. Donations should be dropped off at the church every fourth Saturday by noon. Pastor Davis stated that he doesn’t see a problem with asking other local black churches to donate. Action Item: Sis. Brown will draft a letter to be sent to the local black churches asking for newspaper and can donations. Progress Chart — Sis. Broadnax made an overview chart that will be used to track donations. A postersized chart showing smaller increments is being printed and will be posted in the church. A pledge report will be given during the quarterly business meeting. Motto — Pastor Davis announced that the fundraising motto is: Beyond the Sky’s the Limit. Spare Change — Starting Sunday, January 11, collection cans will be placed in the vestibule. will be asked to deposit their spare change. This will be ongoing. All members Treasurer — Sis. Dixon and Sis. Holston will serve as co-treasurers. Donations will be collected and given to Bro. English, NZBC treasurer for deposit. The NZBC finance committee will keep a record of everything that we turn in. The fundraising committee will also keep an accurate account of donations received. | Action items: Pastor Davis will re-iterate the purpose of the pledge cards on Sunday, January 11. Thank You Certificate — We received our first donation ($20) from a visitor. The original $20 bill will be framed and placed in the pastor’s office. A thank-you card will be sent to the donor. In the future, when visitors/non-members donate, we will send them a thank-you card. Action items: Sis. Broadnax will print the certificate. Sis. Hairston will purchase the frames. Fundraising Suggestions — Sis. Hairston suggested collecting used cell phones and empty ink cartridges. Sis Carpenter suggested selling chocolates, Christian T-shirts, a personal telephone directory, and holding an arts and craft bazaar where tables would be rented to people who are interested in selling their crafts. Also suggested was selling a cookbook using recipes from the congregation. Sis Broadnax suggested hosting a banquet, a gospel concert, or a talent show using local talent. Pastor Davis will work to bring The Bolton Brothers and other gospel groups from the South. He stated that the fundraising committee, along with the booking committee, will be responsible for selling tickets. Professional groups require half of their fee up-front with the other half due after the concert. Sis Broadnax also suggested printing and selling a calendar featuring women of the church wearing their hats. The women who will be featured will tell the story of why they wear their hats. She reported that similar calendars have been quite successful. Action Item: Sis. Broadnax will bring a sample calendar to the January 14 meeting. Pastor Davis stated that the fundraising committee will need to go to the church for upfront money and reimburse the treasury when we get donations. We can keep money on hand for expenses. Action Items: Sis Broadnax will make the inserts for the January 18 church bulletin. Sis Hairston will provide money for the paper. Sis. Dixon will announce the spare change fundraiser on Sunday, January 11. She will also announce the need to submit new recipes by July. Sis. Broadnax will check with Sis. Frye to insure that there aren’t any issues with our fundraising and our tax exempt status. Pastor’s Remarks - Pastor Davis stated that he appreciates the work that the committee has done and that we are vital to the spiritual and physical welfare of the church. Survey — It was decided that demographic information was not needed in the survey. We will ask if the congregation would like to keep the church in the central Ogden area, buy an existing building or buy property and build a church. Action Item: Sis. Brown will develop the survey and insert it in the January 18 church bulletin. Assignments e e e Sis Carpenter will be in charge of the cookbook. Sis Holston will be in charge of cell phone and cartridge recycling. Bro. Tucker will be in charge of candy sells. e Sis. Broadnax will work with Pastor Davis to arrange the gospel concerts. Adjournment — The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. The next meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14. Minutes submitted by Emma Swain Brown Approved fr» NEW ZION BAPTIST CHURCH FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Attendees: Sis. Lovey Hairston Bro. Tommy Tucker Sis. Trish Broadnax Sis. Ann Carpenter (excused) Scripture — Scripture was read by Dea. Nunn Dea. Harry Nunn Sis. Emma Swain Brown Pastor Bruce Davis Sis. BernaDean Holston (excused) (Joshua 1:9). Prayer — Dea. Nunn gave the prayer. juneteenth — The fundraising committee will rent a booth. Bro. Tucker suggested selling more than water. Other suggestions were Gatorade and candy. Sis. Hairston will contact Betty Sawyer regarding reserving a booth. Historic Photo Calendar and Book —A book and calendar using historic photos of NZBC members will be developed. Bro. Roland Brown and Sis. Brown will put the calendar together. Events Poster — Sis. Brown made a poster that lists the current fundraising events. This poster will be displayed in the church foyer and will be updated regularly. Spare Change — Sis. Dixon suggested getting the members to commit to one Sunday a month to bring their spare change. Sis Broadnax provided a larger container which will be emptied every two weeks. Military Open House — Bro. Nunn suggested having a booth at the military open house this summer. Bro. Tucker will get information from HAFB to see what’s required and will report next Wednesday. Carol Joy Creations (African American greeting cards, home décor, etc.) — Sis. Dixon has requested fundraising information from the company and will report at the next meeting. Since CDs and DVDs are being sold in the church foyer, Carol Joy orders will be taken in the fellowship all. Jeanie Brown will assist with sells. Silent Auction — Sis. Dixon donated two Bible covers. Bookstore — Bro. Nunn suggested having a bookstore where items for the fundraiser will be sold. Since there aren’t any classrooms available, we would need a locking cabinet. The bookstore will be ongoing. Other items that can be sold are mugs, shirts, cards, books, and church supplies. Fundraising Competition — Sis. Hairston reported on an idea from Sis. Tammy Larry. She suggested having a competition between age groups (0-35, 35-55, and 55+). Each group would choose two team captains and will come up with a fundraiser. They will then have until May 6th to complete the fundraiser. The fundraising committee will oversee the fundraisers, but the three groups will be responsible for carrying out the event. This idea gets the entire church involved. Sis. Hairston will make the competition announcement after Sunday’s service (February 22). Gospel Concerts and Singles Socials — Sis. Broadnax reported that there have been several similar events scheduled. Therefore, she will send letters to the churches to schedule their choirs ASAP. She will contact Sis. Tammy Larry for assistance. Pastor Davis has invited one of the Bolton Brothers to preach at the church anniversary on April 5. He will arrange to have Bro. Bolton available to meet with the fundraising committee on Saturday, April 4 regarding the gospel concert. Pastor Davis reported that Sis. Charlean Wilson has family members who are willing to put ona gospel concert. Sis. Wilson will contact the fundraising committee to give us more information. goal is to have at least one concert per year. The Sis. Broadnax will develop a concert proposal with dates, etc. * Singles Ministry — Pastor Davis will use the fundraising committee as a launching pad to do singles, couples, and marriage ministries. Sis. Broadnax will be in charge of the singles ministry. = Treasurer Report — Sis. Dixon reported that the spare change collection for January was $113.66. Collection for February to date was $16.97 for a total of $130.63. She submitted $124.54 to the finance committee. = We can get seed money from the church if needed. Other > Pastor Davis asked each committee member to make a vow to God that we'll do everything in our power to do everything we said we were going to do before this year is out. It was suggested that Sis. Tammy Larry join the committee. Bro. Tucker mentioned the recent gang shooting near the church and suggested that Pastor Davis bring up the issue of safety and moving out of the area. SaaS Fundraising ideas to date: Auction Cookbook Juneteenth Bookstore Calendars History Photo Book Candy Gospel Concert . Competition 10. Recycling The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. Minutes submitted by Emma Swain Brown ~*~ AAult Sunday School Check-up Reaching for excellence is a team effort. Spend time each month evaluating the work being done by your Adult Sunday School leadership team. Use a scale of 010, with 10 being excellent, to evaluate how well you feel you are doing in each area. Reach Adults and Their Families EVALUATION: Set and work toward enrollment and attendance goals. Enlist a leader who is coordinating and encouraging outreach efforts to adults. Participate in and enlist adults to participate in prospect discovery activities. Develop, maintain, and use a prospect file. Participate in and involve members in regularly scheduled outreach visitation. | Lael Enroll adults in Sunday School. Participate in the Sunday School Launch Event or conduct our own preparation to begin the Sunday School year. Study the Bible as our textbook and use Adult Sunday School literature published by the Baptist Sunday School Board. Provide the best learning environment possible. Provide at least one special Bible study opportunity at a time other than Sunday morning. Practice total period teaching by providing one hour for Bible study each week. Use an appropriate variety of teaching methods. UE Tae | Teach Adults the Bible Care for Adults and Their Families Maintain and use records and information on adults and family members, including ministry needs. Organize classes and departments for ministry, including enlisting needed leaders. Pray regularly for adults and their families. Provide or participate in ministry training for members and leaders. Plan and implement actions to involve adults in ministering to members and prospects. LTT | HeEBoOOOUOe oOBduono 1 OF COcGOGcroG= WE WANT TO: Enroll unsaved adults and encourage their participation in Bible study. As appropriate, teach evangelistically in Bible study sessions. Develop and participate in activities designed to reach and cultivate unsaved persons. Pray for family members and adults who have not yet made a profession of faith. Fellowship with Adults fpooo Nurture Christian friendships, plan and conduct social events for prospects, members, and in-service members. Create a climate of trust and acceptance among members and prospects. Model consistent worship service attendance. a1 4 Affirm and recognize workers throughout the year and participate in a worker appreciation event. Assimilate members, prospects, and in-service members through caring relationships. OOOOOCOOON LTTTT | Participate in or provide evangelism training and encourage Christian adults to witness. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, witness to unsaved persons. DCOOCOCOFP Lead Adults to Worship Encourage adults to attend the church's worship services. Encourage adults to read the Bible, pray daily, and study Sunday School materials. Encourage adults to participate in personal and family worship experiences. Engage the class in prayer ministries. LLLT cos oOooocaocea 4. Witness to Adults and Their Families Administer Start additional classes and/or departments as needed. Enlist workers as needed and maintain recommended worker-pupil ratios. Ca encanta ee nde creer en emnnettonee Provide and participate in basic and ongoing training. Participate in weekly or regularly scheduled planning and preparation. om ea amen ENE ome me kar mae ye epee Use records to monitor enrollment and attendance. meneame erent et Begin Bible study groups for unsaved adults beyond the Sunday School. a Renon sme Nt Bae nome ecm nnemte te Steen Congratulations! Now that you've completed the evaluation process, consider how to make improvements in areas where you feel your team’s efforts could be enhanced. At the same time, find some creative and meaningful way to say “Thanks” to team members. Permission to reprint this Check-up is granted by the publisher. Additional information related to the tasks or suggestions for accomplishing the tasks may be found in Toward 2000: Leading Adults in Sunday School (5120-25) available by calling the Baptist Sunday School Board’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-458-2772 or from the Baptist Book Store. armani Adult Sunday School Check-up Reaching for excellence is a team effort. Spend time each month evaluating the work being done by your Adult Sunday School leadership team. Use a scale of 0- Le LA, van Mi oe 10, with 10 being excellent, to evaluate how well you feel you are doing in each area. ae WE WANT TO: Reach Adults and Their Families EVALUATION: Set and work toward enrollment and attendance goals. Participate in and enlist adults to participate in prospect discovery activities. Develop, maintain, and use a prospect file. Participate in and involve members in regularly scheduled outreach visitation. LTTE| Enroll adults in Sunday School. Enlist a leader who is coordinating and encouraging outreach efforts to adults. Provide the best learning environment possible. Provide at least one special Bible study opportunity at a time other than Sunday morning. Practice total period teaching by providing one hour for Bible study each week. Use an appropriate variety of teaching methods. LAE | Participate in the Sunday School Launch Event or conduct our own preparation to begin the Sunday School year. Study the Bible as our textbook and use Adult Sunday School literature published by the Baptist Sunday School Board. Care for Adults and Their Families Maintain and use records and information on adults and family members, including ministry needs. Organize classes and departments for ministry, including enlisting needed leaders. Pray regularly for adults and their families. Provide or participate in ministry training for members and leaders. Plan and implement actions to involve adults in ministering to members and prospects. LPLRH POROOODCe ogoogon 0 Teach Adults the Bible Enroll unsaved adults and encourage their participation in Bible study. As appropriate, teach evangelistically in Bible study sessions. Develop and participate in activities designed to reach and cultivate unsaved persons. Pray for family members and adults who have not yet made a profession of faith. PLT T TT | Participate in or provide evangelism training and encourage Christian adults to witness. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, witness to unsaved persons. Fellowship with Adults Nurture Christian friendships, plan and conduct social events for prospects, members, and in-service members. Create a climate of trust and acceptance among members and prospects. Assimilate members, prospects, and in-service members through caring relationships. TTT Affirm and recognize workers throughout the year and participate in a worker appreciation event. Lead Adults to Worship Encourage adults to participate in personal and family worship experiences. Engage the class in prayer ministries. LLL Model consistent worship service attendance. Encourage adults to attend the church's worship services. Encourage adults to read the Bible, pray daily, and study Sunday School materials. Administer Start additional classes and/or departments as needed. Enlist workers as needed and maintain recommended worker-pupil ratios. Provide and participate in basic and ongoing training. Participate in weekly or regularly scheduled planning and preparation. Begin Bible study groups for unsaved adults beyond the Sunday School. Use records to monitor enrollment and attendance. SO et) O OAD US OOCRCOOF UOOO -OeF OoOocwTOOCEe 4. Witness to Adults and Their Families rena pment ae ae arene ee eens am me meson (en ecto seamen na eames ear See tama ones emer renee ern am na Congratulations! Now that you've completed the evaluation process, consider how to make improvements in areas where you feel your team’s efforts could be enhanced. At the same time, find some creative and meaningful way to say “Thanks” to team members. Permission to reprint this Check-up is granted by the publisher. Additional information related to the tasks or suggestions for accomplishing the tasks may be found in Toward 2000: Leading Adults in Sunday School (5120-25) available by calling the Baptist Sunday School Board’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-458-2772 or from the Baptist Book Store. te cee ar ae a Pastor's Aide Ministry 1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be oe ee * dates oe ae those Mission: Encourage, pray and assist the Pastor by ensuring all his essential needs are being met. Goal and Objective: This Ministry shall be organized and authorized to aide the Pastor. They shall identify the specific needs of the Pastor and meet those needs without the Pastor asking. This ministry shall be organized and responsible for generating the funds needed to support the ministry, through the collection of dues and various fundraising events. Duties: The Pastor's Aide Ministry supports the ministry of the church by looking after the specific needs of the pastor and his family, in the areas of prayer, and other areas deemed necessary. This ministry will also help lead the Church in understanding the importance of caring for the Pastor. The Pastor's Aide Ministry shall Plan events and projects to ensure they meet the specific and emergency needs of the Pastor when they arise. Ministry members Veronica Frazier Deaconess Selma Hutchinson Deaconess Martha Luke Deaconess Betty Nunn Tamara Larry NEW ZION BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR’S AIDE [GIVEA DONATION BECAUSE..........-Luke 6:38 says ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you.’. 1 Tim 6:10 says ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil.’ Mt 7:8 says ‘For everyone that asketh receiveth.’ Mt 7:7 says ‘Ask and it shall be given you.’ John 10:10 says ‘I am come that they might have life more abundantly.’ OC James 4:2 says, ‘Ye have not, because ye ask not.’ Mark 11:22 says ‘Have faith in God.’ OD WY NM NHN Luke 16:32 says ‘Son thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.’ Luke 1:37 says ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ 10. Mark 11:24 says ‘What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.’ 11. Acts 20:35 says ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ 12. Gal 6:2 says “Bear ye one another’s burdens.’ 13. Gal 6:7 says ‘Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.’ 14. Mal 3:10 says ‘Pour you out a blessing that here shall not be room enough to receive it.’ 15. John 15:2 says ‘He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.’ 16. Mt 16:18 says ‘Upon this rock I will build my church.’ 17. James 1:22 says ‘Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.’ 18. James 1:17 says ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.’ 19. John 3:16 says ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. 20. Phil 4:19 says ‘But my God shall supply all your need ——e riches in glory by Christ Jesus. | to His 21. Luke 6:36 says ‘Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father alsois merciful.’ 2. John 14:14 says ‘If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.’ 23. Romans 8:28 says ‘All things work together for good to them that love God.’ -- 24.1 Cor, 2:16 says ‘We have the mind of Christ.’ - 25. Eph 6:6 says ‘Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of — doing the will of God from the heart’ Sunday School Today — A Different Animal Sunday School in 2010 is vastly different from Sunday School in 1780. Everything about it has changed—except for the fact that it takes place on Sunday. The motive has changed. The financial support has changed. The administration has changed. The structure has changed. The style has changed. The goal has changed. The attendance has changed. The audience has changed. Over the course of 230 years, Sunday School has morphed into an altogether different event. 230 years will change things. Change is not evil. But when change happens—intentionally or unintentionally—one must determine whether that change is positive or negative. One should not necessarily gaze backwards to try to restore something to its original form. Over-the-shoulder wistfulness degenerates into anachronistic ineffectiveness. Instead, one must look at an issue from three perspectives. 1) Past: Understand the history. 2) Present: Understand the present form. 3) Future: Envision the long-term goal. This kind of strategic thinking needs to be rooted in a solid mission and vision. A church without a mission is like an oar with holes. You will row forever, but never get anywhere. A biblicallyderived mission and vision is the crucial starting point for ministry strategizing. The Challenges of Sunday School — Stray Pet or Healthy Work Horse? So, what is it Sunday School today? To use the “different animal” analogy, let’s think of it either as a healthy work horse or a stray pet. A stray animal can be clingy, annoying, and it will leech you of your precious resources. A healthy work horse, on the other hand, requires that you give your resources, but it also gives back. At the risk of oversimplification and stereotyping, here are some of the less-than-desirable features of Sunday School today—features which may render it a stray pet instead of a healthy work horse. e e e e Sunday School lacks a great commission focus. Rather than functioning with the goal of making disciples, Sunday School is often in a maintenance mode. Sunday School depends on published curriculum from the ‘experts.’ Sunday School curriculum is the bread-and-butter of some major publishing houses. Rather than understanding and adapting to the unique needs of their congregation, Sunday School depends on printed material or booklets from outside sources. Sunday School separates the family by age-indexing. Is the age-indexing of the church healthy? It almost goes without questioning today that a church needs to have a separate room, class, teacher, and curriculum for every age category. However, at closer inspection, the effect that age-indexing has on the family does not seem right. Is this really necessary, beneficial, and in keeping with the biblical paradigm for the family? Must we separate the Christian family every Sunday—at a time where they should be worshiping together? Sunday School curriculum often prescribes moralism, to the neglect of strategic evangelism. Usually, this happens in children’s classes, where teaching major biblical concepts and spirituality is challenging. However, it can happen for all age categories. Patrick, in his book The Church Planter, said it best: “For many American churches the focus has been almost exclusively on converting people to a code of Christian conduct with the hope that they will ‘behave’ their way to salvation. This couldn’t be further from the intent of the gospel of grace.” Sunday School programs often lack a long-term plan. Many Sunday Schools go into ‘existence mode,” maintaining a tradition without posturing for productivity. The result is a semester-by-semester approach or a topic-by-topic approach to Sunday School planning, rather than a big-picture vision for discipleship. There are more than just this list of woes of Sunday School. The point of this article is not to bash Sunday School. The point of this article is to think about Sunday School. The point is to help you determine whether your efforts toward Sunday School are more like feeding a stray pet or healthy work horse. A Barrage of Considerations So, here comes the artillery—a barrage of questions, statements, and aphorisms to help you think about Sunday School. Just because something Sunday School has been successful in the past, doesn’t mean it’s going to be successful in the future. Keep the three-perspective principal when rethinking Sunday School (not the backwards-only look). If something has been successful, it is necessary for that thing to continually modify, adapt, and regroup to maintain its impact. This takes strategic thinking, prayerful consideration, and bold moves. Don’t dispense with something simply for the sake of being cool or contemporary. Only dispense with something if it is truly a distraction or violation to the purposes of God and the goal of the church. If Sunday School needs to bite the dust, then kill it. If Sunday School is effectively ministering to the needs of the people, and fulfilling a Great Commission role (both evangelism and discipleship) than keep it. Don’t idolize traditions. Tradition can turn into idolatry. It may happen that someone in the church—be it a pastor, deacon, or member—breathes the slightest hint of change: “Should we keep the Sunday School program?” There are those in the church who may view such a question as an outright attack on the faith! Doing away with Sunday School is nearly tantamount to eradicating the church or denying the existence of God. The illustration is intentionally overstated, but do you see the point? If Sunday School is so near and dear to the faith, then why don’t we see it clearly in the Bible? When we begin cherishing traditions above the inspired Word of God, we make a tragic mistake. When we think that our man-made institutions are more important than strategic adaption and biblical innovation, we are treading into dangerous territory. Rethink your nonnegotiables. Every ministry has them, whether they are written down or not. They’re called nonnegotiables. What are the most important features of your ministry—features that you will not compromise? To derive such nonnegotiables, go to the Scripture. Then write them down. Ministries without “nonnegotiables,” “distinctives,” “essentials,” or whatever they’re called, are likely to idolize tradition and cling to the past. They make tradition their nonnegotiable. Form a mission and vision statement. In a future post, we will discuss the why and how of a mission and vision statement. For now, simply understand that a mission and vision statement are both the a compass and and the engine for your ministry. In order to know where you’re going, you must have a vision (compass). In order to mobilize and motivate e e for action, you must have a mission (engine). There is such a thing as positive change. As we discussed above, not all change is evil. Change-even painful, difficult, and opposition-motivating change—can be a good thing. Sometimes, things just need to die. And it may be a good thing. If you face opposition to a decision to change, it doesn’t mean that the decision is wrong. In fact, it may just mean the opposite. A. W. Tozer said, “To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.” Eliminating Sunday School will not create a ministry vacuum. Instead, it may free the church to do more...to do better. Practice asking why. “Why?” is a powerful question. It is a life-changing question. Asking “why” can change the course of a ministry, a life, or a nation. When you turn the floodlight of this question onto Sunday School, it may be very revealing. Mustering up answers to the “why” question isn’t done by merely brainstorming. It’s done by going to the Scripture. If you can derive Scriptural motivations for the existence of Sunday School, great. If not, keep asking why. Then change. Ask why again. Change some more. Keep asking why. Keep changing. But keep Scripture at the center of your questioning and your changing. Conclusion: Rethinking the Cherished Tradition of Sunday School It’s time to put our minds to better use. As leaders, pastors, volunteers, or church members, we know too well the daily grind. Our gaze is always on the here-and-now. Our energies are being expended to try to put one foot in front of the other. Can we take some of that energy to look up, to look ahead? When our thinking is entrenched in the day-to-day maintenance of ministry, we rarely take the time to forge ahead and evaluate our present ministry. And what’s happening? We’re compromising maximum effectiveness. “Rethinking” is hard work. But the really hard work comes not in the rethinking, but in the retooling,—in taking those thoughts and strategies and implementing them for God’s glory. Thanks to Dr. Wade Kuhlewind for his class lecture, “Is Sunday School Old School” from which for his insightful some of this material was derived. Thanks to