Sunday School Class

I just went through a change in Sunday School Class Set-up. When I arrived, there were four classes. I wanted to see a better age break down. First I prayed and sought God for a solution. After several months I approached the Sunday school teachers. I showed them the current class set-up. I then showed them the demographics of the church. Once I did this, I asked them what they thought needed to be changed. They saw the same needs as I did. I then presented the changes to the church and set a date to implement the changes. I said all this to say that you need to show those involved the need for the change. If there is no need perceived, then people will resist change.

 

The direct approach might work best here. Contact the current teacher of the class and take him out to lunch. Ask him his impressions of the class, demographics, needs, challenges, etc. Then suggest the your idea of dividing the class by age. Maybe he has never considered the great gulf between 30s and 90s. Talk about your vision to see both classes grow and be a challenge to the students. He may be in a rut and just never thought about doing things differently. By getting his input and suggestions you may find that he is much more willing to work with you in this change of ministry.

Once you have met with him, set a date in the future to make this change and then trust the Lord to keep his heart right about the new plan.

 

Chuck,

The suggestions so far seem reasonable to me, but I am concerned about the reaction you described from the deacon currently teaching the class. Why would he get so upset about adding another class for some of those he is currently teaching? Why would he take it personally? Have there been any complaints about his teaching style or content? Does he struggle with insecurities (i.e. pride)? Or has he been going through a rough time in his life lately? I would want to get to the bottom of whatever the issue is with him, because a deacon should always desire to put what is best for the church first.

Pastork

[ July 13, 2002, 12:52 PM: Message edited by: Pastork ]

 

Something else to try is to break the classes according to the number of years they have been married. 0-5, 6-10, etc. Now I know this doesn't slove the problem if people aren't married, but that then would be an opportnity to create or recreate a class that is more general in nature, going through a book of the bible perhaps, while at the same time meeting the needs of the people in a more targeted manner, child rearing, empty nesters, etc. This also provides a built in promotion method without offending over the whole age issue. Just an idea I myself am working on in my church.

 

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER split a SS class! It is a matter of word choice. Call it "creating a new class." Seems to set better with most folks. Point out that after a year most Sunday School classes cease to grow. So, if more new people are to be reached, it will most likely happened through the creation of a new class. Choose a teacher, a co-teacher, 3-4 people from the old class, and "let her rip!"