School daze

Now that school has started for practically everyone, congregations are geared up for the new Sunday School year as well. While many traditional Sunday School programs have experienced declining participation in recent years, there still is a place for a dynamic Christian education ministry that can both attract new friends to the church and nurture those who are part of the fellowship already.

It seems to me that both emphases are important. Sunday School classes for children, youth and adults can be intentionally designed to scratch where the community residents itch. They can touch on topics of current interest as well as provide a solid foundation of biblical and doctrinal understanding. One proven way to 'grow' the Sunday School is to create new groups or classes intended to involve folks who don't presently attend. This means, of course, it's necessary to get the word out about the new groups, helping people in the community find something of interest to them. Church leaders may find it challenging to plan programs that non-church folks will want to share in, but it is worth the effort! Those who are not aligned with a church are not particularly motivated by our "agenda" of increasing our Sunday School. They are motivated by finding a program or ministry that is helpful to them at this point in their lives.

Sunday School also is a powerful ministry of spiritual care and nurture for the members of the church. It not only provides essential information -- biblically, theologically, ethically -- it also facilitates deepening friendships, promotes mutual sharing and love, enables people to pray for one another and to assist and encourage each other in the life of discipleship.

So Sunday School is still a great evangelism ministry for congregations!