Training :: Sunday School Leaders

Jan

Leaders: The Key for a New Group

By Daniel Edmonds · Comments (0)

Your ability to “Enlarge the Organization,” is contingent on your capacity to expand the leadership base. Jerri Herring and Larry Garner in their book, Five Handles for Getting a Grip on Your Sunday School, state “Leadership is the crucial element. The number of leaders must advance ahead of growing membership and organization.” Leaders are the key for healthy, new groups.

A commitment to start new groups is a commitment to discover and disciple new leaders. In fact, the firm commitment to add new groups (a goal with a deadline) becomes the catalyst to developing new leaders. Too many churches start new groups when they can “find new leadership.” As a result, they do not start many new groups. Healthy churches build an ongoing strategy, à la Arthur Flake, to “enlist and train leaders” because they understand “enlarging the organization” as a biblical, kingdom imperative.

Not only is the quantity of leaders important, but so is the quality of the leader. I remember being in a conference where the leader challenged us to multiply all of our leaders. Sadly, most churches have ‘leaders’ that they don’t want or need to multiply. For example, I have been asked, “What do you do with a teacher who want attend training, tithe, attend worship, and so forth?” My response was, “if those are responsibilities/characteristics of a teacher and you have someone who will not fulfill/exemplify them, then that person is not a teacher.”

Since leaders are the key for new groups, a standard must be kept by all leaders to ensure the continual development of high-quality, new leaders. Herring and Garner in their book site one of the great Sunday School leaders of recent days, Harry Piland, as he revealed “10 Essentials for Excellence” from the Apostle Paul on leadership: The excellent leader:

Makes himself/herself available to God (2 Timothy 2:15a).
Is one who is excellent in example (1 Timothy 4:12).
Focuses upon reaching others for Christ (2 Timothy 2:2).
Majors upon quality in teaching (2 Timothy 2:15b).
Will minister with a loving, caring heart (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
Prays sincerely and fervently with a believing heart (1 Timothy 2:1, 8).
Faithfully does the fundamentals with a flair (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
Has a clear vision of God’s will and purpose (2 Timothy 1:6-12).
Is willing to change – always has a degree of flexibility (2 Timothy 1:13; 3:14-17).
Never gives up – perseveres no matter what (2 Timothy 4:7).

For more information on emerging class leaders visit: http://www.sundayschoolleader.com/characteristics-of-an-emerging-class/

To order Five Handles for Getting a Grip on Your Sunday School by Herring and Garner visit http://cmdpub.com
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Daniel Edmonds is a State Missionary for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Categories : 5 Weeks of Flake, Leadership, Sunday School, Training

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Jan

Equipping the Next Generation

By Belinda Jolley · Comments (0)

The next generation has become a common phrase in the world today. Recently I heard consumer reports about several next generation products. You don’t have to be a “Trekkie” to know there is a Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation. For the purpose of this blog, the next generation refers to the next generation of Sunday School leaders—regardless of age and regardless of how they serve through the Sunday School ministry. How can we equip the next generation of Sunday School leaders?

Recently I am constantly thinking about how we need to address what I call a leadership continuum. Imagine a line running from left to right and numbered 1-10 with the left side representing the lower levels of commit on the part of the leader. The far right would represent a higher level of commitment.

The continuum represents the various ways we grow leaders. None of these levels are bad, but there is a danger in focusing all of our efforts in only one area of the continuum. For example, I do not have to have as high level of commitment to attend a leadership meeting or training at my church as I do in a coaching or mentoring relationship. I also suspect the greater level of commitment required, we may likely find a greater impact.

I am finding most churches tend to do more things on the lower end of the continuum. If we are going to equip the next generation of leaders we need to insure we provide options across the leadership continuum. Recently regular subscribers to this blog read Darryl Wilson’s article, “Enlist and Train Leaders for Sunday School Growth.” Review the options: provide training, coach to success, and apprentice to stay ahead. These are great examples of the continuum.

Plot your course by first evaluating where you are in terms of the leadership continuum. Draw your own line and number it 1-10. Underneath the appropriate area, list the options you now provide for equipping Sunday School leaders. Include everything—from giving someone a book to read, praying with and for potential leaders to the more intensive options such as coaching or mentoring.

Observe where most of your options lie on the continuum. Gather 3-4 other key leaders and pray about how you can challenge leaders across the continuum by providing other options. Be sure to include “next step” options to help move leaders along the continuum. By the time leaders are involved in the higher levels of commitment, they will be growing and reproducing other leaders themselves.

Finally, model what you expect from your leaders. Great leaders want to be challenged. What will you do to equip the next generation of leaders?
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Belinda Jolley serves as the Director of the Adult Ministry Office of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Belinda and her husband, Steve, enjoy starting new classes at First Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Categories : 5 Weeks of Flake, Flake's Formula, Leadership, Small Groups, Sunday School, Training

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Jan

Continuing Education for the Group Leader

By Kenneth Priest · Comments (2)

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, Chapter 6, he states in verse 17, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed” (ESV; emphasis added). It seems that Paul had a type of “New Believers” course for converts. As I was discussing this idea with my Bible Fellowship group this past Sunday, I directed the conversation to discuss our personal “standards of teaching.” The exact question was, “What are your standards of teaching you live by?” As we are looking at the New Year, this is a great time to evaluate our standards. One area where I believe we can all do better relates to our standard of personal development. I believe this falls into the category of a standard of teaching, as we are to be lifelong learners.

I like to encourage directors and teachers to develop a growth plan. I include a number of items related to working as an educational team in the life of the church; your participation on this team is important as the disciplers of the church.

Annually, attend a Sunday School or Church Growth Conference. Many conferences are now being offered online via live streaming or even for download after the event.
Annually, attend a church-focused training event coordinated specifically for your church. Many churches provide an annual training event where the pastor and or/minister of education equips the leaders within the context of your specific church needs. This is a great way to stay in touch with what your pastoral leadership team sees as the needs of the church.
Monthly, meet with church Sunday School Director, pastor, and/or minister of education to discuss any issues with curriculum, inform them about needs within your small group, etc. This communication times helps the pastoral leadership team stay “in touch” with what is happening and know better how they can support and provide ministry within the church.

I also think we need to have our personal study practices challenged and in place. So here are some thoughts for 2012:

Read through the Bible. You may not do this each year; but you might choose to do so. I recommend finding different methods of doing this. Zondervan has a great study, “The Bible in 90 Days.” This is a real challenge.
Read a doctrinal study. Make certain you know why you believe what you believe. This can be done through a number of studies, I like Ken Hemphill’s study from Auxano Press, “Core Convictions” which essentially helps provide you a systematic theology of your doctrine.
Read a book on evangelism to remind yourself of the great need to keep the Gospel message in the forefront of your class and make certain you are sharing your faith through your teaching. Try “SPLASH,” also from Auxano Press.
Read a spiritual gifts book. My Bible Fellowship is called Gateway. The word “GATE” is an acronym for Gifts And Talents Exercised. We constantly remind our members to serve, and you might also. Maybe they need a little assistance. Studying up on spiritual gifts can help you answer questions as you are encouraging members to use what God has gifted them with.

There are training sites you can go to for continued education as well. Your state convention might have something. At the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, we have launched a Leadership App. Simply go to itunes and search SBTC. The App name is “iLead.” LifeWay offers online training through: www.lifeway.com/onlinetraining

Categories : 5 Weeks of Flake, Bible Study, Sunday School, Training

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Jan

Enlist and Train Leaders for Sunday School Growth

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (1)

This month, we are focusing upon five areas of Sunday School growth that have become known as Flake’s Formula: (1) know the possibilities, (2) enlarge the organization, (3) provide space and equipment, (4) enlist and train leaders, and (5) go after the people. It is important to “know the possibilities” in five contexts: spiritual, church body, church facility, community, and century (see Flake’s Formula for Sunday School Growth: Know the Possibilities). Prior to enlisting and training workers, we should enlarge the organization in these ways: pray and dream big, organize for the next stage, add more workers, start new classes, and reduce the span of care.

For those we enlist, we should provide appropriate space and equipment for Sunday School growth in five areas: enough rooms, enough space, adequate space, adequate equipment, and avoiding too much equipment. In this post, I will focus on ways to enlist and train leaders needed in a growing Sunday School:

DO PREVIOUS STEPS FIRST. Without knowing the possibilities, enlarging the organization, and providing space and equipment first, you can enlist frustrated leaders. They can be placed without prayer, without a need, in the wrong place, or without a room that is ready. The previous steps seek God’s leadership to accomplish the purpose of reaching, teaching, and caring for people in the church and community. The previous steps seek to add direction and intentionality to enlisting leaders.
ENLIST PROPERLY. There are many wrong reasons for enlisting leaders, such as guilt, pressure, and low expectations. There are also many wrong methods for enlistment, such as hallway, too little information, fast decision, and more. Ideal enlistment seeks God’s leadership from the beginning and seeks God-called leaders for specific areas of responsibility and need. Enlist prayerfully. Enlist leaders personally, face-to-face. Enlist with job descriptions. Communicate expectations and available resources. Commit to provide help and support.
PROVIDE TRAINING. Provide training for every Sunday School leader enlisted–from teacher to class leaders. Provide training prior to service (or immediately after enlistment) and during the year. Provide training resources to encourage ongoing training. Lift up essentials for effectiveness. Training should also be provided at regularly-scheduled planning meetings.
COACH TO SUCCESS. The ideal person to enlist a leader is the person who will be coaching them. In a medium-sized Sunday School, the Sunday School director would enlist and coach department/age group directions who would enlist and coach teachers who would enlist and coach class leaders. For effective coaching, the coach should be responsible for no more than 3-5 leaders. When there are more persons to coach than that, then another coach should be enlisted. As an example, the adult department director will meet with his/her five teachers individually each month. When a new teacher is enlisted, the coach will meet briefly weekly with the teacher (in person or by phone) during the first six weeks and then every other week for the next six weeks and then monthly thereafter. The coach will ask what is going well and what they would like to go differently. The coach will listen, encourage, and assist. In a small Sunday School, the pastor and Sunday School director may serve as the coaches.
APPRENTICE TO STAY AHEAD. Every leader in a growing Sunday School (from director to teacher to class leaders) should spend time each year praying for, observing, assigning, officially enlisting, and training an apprentice. An apprentice is not a substitute. An apprentice is a person who will be released into service. A growing Sunday School will depend on having leaders ready and available at various times throughout the year.

In order to grow in the best possible way, follow the steps. Prayerfully enlist properly. Provide training and coach to success. Invest annually in apprentices. Expect, enlist for, and train for growth.

For more ideas about Sunday School enlistment, check out these blog posts:

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Darryl Wilson has served as Director of the Sunday School Department for the Kentucky Baptist Convention since 1997. He served as Minister of Education in five churches in Kentucky and South Carolina. He is the author of The Sunday School Revolutionary!, a blog about life-changing Sunday School and small groups.

Categories : Enlistment, Flake's Formula, Training

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Jan

Know Your Church

By David Bond · Comments (0)

Flake’s Formula for Sunday School growth is all about proven principles that have stood the test of time. But knowing the right principles is only the first step. The next and perhaps even more important step is taking the time to understand how to implement these principles in your unique church context. Consider how the following ten aspects of your church can provide helpful information for designing an effective Sunday School strategy.

1. Worship Attendees: Who is attending Sunday morning worship but not Sunday School? Is there a certain age group, family make-up, or other characteristic that stands out? A new group or two may be identified from this population.

2. Sunday School Rolls: Careful examination of your rolls can reveal what people groups are attending and not attending, where “groups within the group” may be hiding, and what classes have matured beyond the listed description.

3. Class Structure: Take a fresh look at what groups are available at your church. Are there noticeable gaps in the line-up? Are there people groups who would have trouble easily understanding what group to attend if they visited your church?

4. Leadership Roster: How long have your current leaders been serving in their respective positions? When was the last time that new leaders were placed into service and what training have any of them received in the last year?

5. Longtime Leaders: Great insight can be obtained by talking with those who have proven their love for Sunday School through years of dedicated service. What would they say is the mission of the Sunday School in your church? What do they see as its strengths and needs?

6. Church Calendar and Attendance Patterns: What are some of the historic “big days” in your church? What do the typical attendance patterns look like? Are there unique local factors that contribute? This information will help you plan emphases and training opportunities.

7. Current Church Schedule: How many hours per week does your church hold services or other functions at which everyone is expected to attend? What freedom exists within your current schedule to allow for leader training and possibly alternative class meeting times?

8. Current Church Ministries: Does your church have ministries organized for prayer, outreach, member care, or ministry service? Consider how these may be incorporated into the Sunday School in order to maximize involvement and use of time.

9. Church Member Work Schedules: Is there a portion of your congregation who is required to work on Sunday morning? They might attend a group offered at another time. Are Sunday School leaders also working in other ministries on Sunday or Wednesday nights? This will affect their availability for training.

10. Pastor: What is the pastor’s view on the use of Sunday School as the disciple-making strategy for the church? His understanding of the work of the Sunday School and his public support is essential to its success.

Know your church so that your Sunday School can reach its fullest potential.

Categories : 5 Weeks of Flake, Flake's Formula, Leadership, Ministry, Organization, Sunday School, Training

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