Celebrating Christmas

Christmas has always been a very joyous time for my family. The decorations go up the day after Thanksgiving, ushering in a month of partying, singing, shopping, reflecting, and worshipping.

I love the Christmas season. Last Saturday, my Sunday School class gathered for our annual Christmas party. Hope your class took time to fellowship together. Last Tuesday, the class provided a Christmas/Birthday party for the local assisted living home, a ministry that continues year round with monthly birthday parties.

This Christmas season has been special. My oldest daughter wrote and directed her first Preschool musical for her college church. Her artistic sister had painted the backdrop for the program. In my opinion, it looked incredible. Their sister marched with her high school band in the local Christmas parade and performed a great Christmas concert. I am certainly a proud dad.

My family has many traditions. After 45 years, a new Christmas Eve Tradition must be fostered. I have received several suggestions, attending a Christmas Eve service or going to a movie. The Miller family reunion finally had to be moved from Christmas Eve to accommodate my nieces and nephews growing families. Our family has always had a Birthday Party for Jesus on Christmas Day…complete with singing and cup cakes. This is a cherished tradition reminding us of the reason for the season.

My prayer for everyone is that this Christmas and 2009 will be filled with Jesus. As you teach this week, remember Immanuel. Merry Christmas.

The Gift God Gives

Don't Miss the Gift God Gives, to the Church, during the Holiday Season. We are Blessed with Guest during this Season of the Year. One of the Major Times of the Year for First Time Guest to Show up at our Doors is Christmas. Everyone Loves to Receive Gifts! But are we Open to the Gifts God Provides in the Form of Visitors? I Still Remember my Brother Barry Would come and Wake us up at 4:30 Christmas Morning. " Santa Came Come See the Gifts he Brought". I Always Wondered if my Brother Woke us up, only After he had a Chance to Play with the Toys First. Is your Sunday School Class Ready for the Guest who Will be at your Church this Sunday? Be Open to the Present God Gives. There are Only a Few First Time Guest in our Churches on a Given Sunday Let's Celebrate each and Every Gift!

Thankful for Sunday School

During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to declare from the rooftops: I AM THANKFUL FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL. Sunday School really makes a difference:

When I got home from church, I checked my facebook page and had a message from a college classmate. (We reconnected after many years on facebook…Do you wan to be my friend?) I learned that last spring he lost his two year old son, when he got hit playing T-ball. My heart goes out to him…but his message went on to share that he has a great Sunday School class that has helped him cope with the tragedy. I am thankful for Sunday School because Sunday School members are their to help us through the tough times.

I am thankful for Sunday School because Bible Study in Sunday School make a difference in my life. As I left my class today, I was challenged to share my faith throughout this Christmas season. Certainly, Jesus is the reason for the season. Will I take the challenge?

Many reports are coming in about how the Power UP! Your Sunday School Emphasis is changing churches. Why because they are implementing timeless Sunday School principle? Sunday School still works went worked. Are you thankful for Sunday School? Share your story by commenting or e-mailing me at mmiller@tnbaptist.org.

Does Youth Sunday School Still Work? by Bruce Edwards

I travel the state training Youth Sunday School teachers and visiting Youth Sunday Schools. Many churches I visit are experiencing a decline in Youth Sunday School attendance.

I wonder sometimes if we have taken on a mentality that Youth Sunday School is “archaic” or not “edgy” enough for this generation. Some leaders see Sunday School as just a time to “entertain” and “chat” with students rather than seeing it as a time to teach God’s Word.

God has not called us as Sunday School teachers to entertain students; this generation of students doesn’t need more entertainment options. This is simply a battle we can’t win. Our Bible studies are no match for Xbox, YouTube, Guitar Hero or Wii. Our responsibility is to teach God’s Word in a way that makes a difference and impacts teenagers’ lives.

Sunday School still works when leaders make it an important part of the total youth ministry strategy. I support the principle that Sunday School is a foundational strategy for leading students to faith in Jesus Christ and building on-mission Christians through Bible study groups engaging students in evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, and worship (the five functions of the church).

Sunday School still works when we have the right people teaching. Churches must realize that not every adult who wants to teach ought to teach! Youth leaders need to teach out of the overflow from their own preparation. Students need to know that leaders are experiencing and living out Scripture in their lives. Leaders must keep reminding themselves that “it is not about us!”

It is not about asking students to come to Sunday School to “be still” while a leader “instills” information. Remember: This is the Wii generation. Teens are interactive. Effective leaders will know how to balance teaching, methodology, and interaction in their lessons.

Sunday School still works when we know our curriculum and how to use it. George Barna stated that this generation of teenagers is the most biblically illiterate generation of any before them. We must return to seeing the Bible as our curriculum. Students need to see us use our Bibles, and they must use their Bibles in every session. I am thankful that most churches provide Sunday
School resources to help our leaders prepare to teach.

Sunday School still works when teachers understand how teens are wired to learn. Lecture is great, but using only that method is boring. Sunday School teachers need to understand the eight learning styles of teenagers – visual, physical, verbal, reflective, musical, natural, logical, and relational. Remember: “It’s not about us. It’s about helping students discover God’s truth
for themselves.”

Sunday School still works when leaders work at it. A man once told me that he was looking for a resource to use on Sunday so he could prepare in the eight red lights on his way to church. An elderly woman in the conference looked at him and said, “Sir, I don’t know you, or what you do, but you could never teach in my church. Our teens deserve much more than eight red lights!” Youth leaders must focus on preparation, prayer, outreach, and relationships in
ministry.

Sunday School still works. It always has and I believe it always will.

Enlist…don’t Elect

Americans went to the polls on Tuesday and elected the next President of the United States. Join me in praying for President Obama and our nation.

Sunday School leaders should be enlisted not elected. A few Sunday School classes actually elect their teacher. The teacher of these classes often accept the task of teaching but will they cooperate with church leaders to understand Sunday School as a strategy for growing the church. Some do…some don’t. Why? Because they were elected not enlisted.

The church elects their Deacons from a list of approved candidates. I have observed that candidates who have been visible in the worship services have a much better chance to be elected by poplar vote. God certainly works in this process, but I have seen worthy men not elected simply because they were not well-known. The healthiest Sunday Schools are led by Sunday School leaders who are called, gifted and enlisted to serve.

The Pastor, Sunday School Director, and Nominating Committee Members identify and enlist these leaders. Churches approve the nominating committee list, but the leaders are enlisted not elected.

For enlistment helps, check out www.equippingu.com.

POWER UP! Your Sunday School WORKS

Last Sunday, Concord/Grandview Baptist Church in Nolensville concluded Power UP! Your Sunday School emphasis. The campaign wrapped up with High Attendance Day. The classes had set an ambitious goal to top 175 in Bible Study and surpassed it with 187in attendance. According to Pastor Randall Jackson, this was the highest Sunday since Concord Baptist Church and Grandview Baptist Church merged over ten years ago.

As State Sunday School Director, I have always promoted Sunday School emphases like Power UP, Super Sunday on Super Bowl Day, and Ripe For Harvest campaigns, which are available from my office. Campaigns and special days build momentum and motivation for Sunday School. Certainly, that was the case at Concord-Grandview.

These seven weeks of equipping and ministry challenged the Concord-Grandview to implement timeless principles of Sunday School in order to move to the next level of ministry. Concord-Grandview bulletin Sunday contained this message:

Although we may be ending the PowerUP Campaign, actually we are going to continue applying the PowerUP principles of an effective Sunday School in our church. As a refresher, here are the principles that we have been learning over the past 7 weeks.

The Power of Prayer – we have engaged in evangelistic prayer for our unsaved friends and neighbors.

The Power of Community – by enrolling our unsaved friends in Sunday School, we practice team evangelism and our friends get to see true Christian community.

The Power of 10 – New classes are necessary for us to reach and disciple people into the Lordship of Christ. On average, we have 10 people attend for every new class we start.

The Power of One – One person can have an eternal impact in the life of another. As a Sunday School, we are calling out the godly potential of every person enrolled.

Power UP! worked to give Concord-Grandview’s Sunday School a needed boost. Adult classes were strengthened. The ratio of Sunday School attendance to worship attendance increased from 50% to 65%. The importance of Sunday School was preached as Bro. Randall tweaked the available sermons in the Power Up Kit. I believe it will work for your Sunday School as well.

For more information on PowerUP!...go to www.equippingu.com.

Re-engerizing Sunday School

Power UP! Your Sunday School has been the theme for our Sunday School conferences in Tennessee. Many Sunday School leaders have chosen to get plugged into training. Pastors and Sunday School Directors have been charged with the challenge to conduct a seven-week Power Up Emphasis in their church.

The recent hurricanes have left many without power and caused a major gas shortage in Tennessee. Electricity is certainly taken for granted. The same is true for Sunday School. Ninety-nine percent of the churches in Tennessee conducted Sunday School on Sunday, but most take it for granted. Most Sunday Schools simply teach those who show up, instead of being utilized as the strategy to help the church fulfill the Great Commission. My desire is to raise up advocates for Sunday School that will stand up for Sunday School NOW. My fear is that churches will wait until the power goes off until we realize the importance of Sunday School in our churches.

In the PowerUp! Emphasis, the focus is on re-energizing Sunday School on four basic principles:

•Power of Prayer - Engage your entire Sunday School in evangelistic prayer for their friends and neighbors.
• Power of Community - Life change happens best in an environment of small groups. Enrolling friends and neighbors through the "Anyone-Anytime-Anywhere" plan into Sunday School enables your people to practice relationship evangelism.
• Power of Ten - How to start new Bible study groups and increase your Sunday School's attendance by 10 with each new group you start.
•Power of One- One person can have an eternal impact in the life of another. Transform your Sunday School staff from teachers to leaders.

May our Sunday Schools be empowered to reach our state with the gospel of Christ through implementing the four PowerUP principles of prayer, community, new groups, and godly leaders. More information on the Power UP conferences and emphasis is available at www.equippingu.org.

Poplar Grove Believes in Sunday School

Bobby Sebastian serves Poplar Grove Baptist Church in Cookeville as a Bi-vocational Pastor. Under his leadership, the church has seen continued growth in Sunday School and was recognized as one of the Fastest Growing Sunday Schools in Tennessee in 2007.

He believes that the key to growing your Sunday School is to multiply by dividing. New groups enlarge the organization so that it can reach and minister to more people more effectively. He states, “Try not to allow classes to become too large. Over 30 is pushing it.” Bobby understands and practices the principle of the Power of Ten, “For every new SS group a church starts, attendance increases by 10 people.”

The biggest obstacle for Poplar Grove in starting new units was overcoming space limitations. A new educational building was built three years ago to allow for the continued creation of new classes. If you have space issues, consider scheduling a One Day Consultations provided by the TBC. A trained consultant will be provided to analyze your space.

Bro. Bobby encourages classes at Poplar Grove to build "community." Classes need to have the characteristics of a "life group," incorporating fellowship and planning outside activities. He understands that life change best happens in a small group experience. Bobby states, “This is very important as your church begins to grow. Member care is taken care of largely through the Sunday School class.”

How’s YOUR Welcome?

This blog article was written by Ron Moore, Minister of Education at First Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee.

When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. Acts 21:17 HCSB

When Debbie and I moved to Jefferson City, Missouri, for me to serve on the staff of the Missouri Baptist Convention, we had the unique experience of actually selecting a church. Prior to that time I had served on staff at each church we attended. We visited several churches to determine which church we should join. As we began the process of visiting churches and determining where God was leading us to join, part of our evaluation was based on how friendly the people were. We wanted to be a part of a church where we felt welcomed.

Paul indicated that the brothers in Jerusalem warmly welcomed him and his party when they arrived in Jerusalem. Every church and Sunday School class should evaluate how well they welcome guests and work diligently to make sure every member and guest feels welcomed. Specific people should be designated as greeters, so as to greet and introduce any guests to other class members.

Challenge-On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being low and 10 being high, rate your Sunday School class and church on the job they are doing in making guests feel welcomed. Make a commitment to being a greeter for your Sunday School class or church.

An Example of Faithfulness

Sunday Schools are always looking for faithful, committed leaders. These Leaders are trustworthy, passionate, disciplined, devoted, caring, and loyal to the ministry to which God has called them. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:7 that “God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” Sunday School Directors are looking for teachers like my mother.

My mother has been a faithful servant of the Lord all my life. I can declare that the faith that resides in me, first resided in my mother. I remember the night that my mom came into my bedroom as a 5th grade boy and I told her that I wanted to be a Christian. We knelt down by my bed and my mother led me to ask Jesus to be my savior and Lord.

Mother has served her church as a Sunday School Teacher for over 50 years. Her devotion to her class and her church is always evident. In my childhood years, she taught a young ladies class. These young ladies would lean on mom for a listening ear and she was always available to them. Today, she demonstrates this caring spirit in her senior adult ladies class.

One of the uniqueness of Mom’s classes was they conduct a monthly class meetings. The best thing about these meetings as a boy was the incredible, edible desserts. As a teacher, I have followed mom’s example and schedule two class meetings a year, in addition to other monthly fellowships. The great thing about a class meeting is that you can meet to discuss the business of the class, freeing up time on Sunday morning for Bible Study. These class meetings were basically fellowships. Every class should follow Mom’s example and lead their class to have a fellowship once a month.

Mom’s faithfully prepares her lesson. She begins early in the week reading and examining the scriptures and the lesson. I often awoke on Saturday mornings to find her at the kitchen table, wrapping up her lesson. The members in her class always bragged on the depth and breath of her lessons. Let mom’s example encourage you to prepare adequately each week.

I am certainly fond of my mother and her example of faithfulness as a Sunday School teacher and as a parent. May you follow her example and be a trustworthy, passionate, disciplined, devoted, caring and loyal teacher.

Crossway Baptist Church Believes in Sunday School

Crossway Baptist Church in Murfreesboro believes in Sunday School. Randall Davis, the Minister of Education, wrote, “We are a Sunday School driven church, it is the largest organization in the church and the organization for supplying workers and leaders for all the ministries of the church.” A strong reason Crossway is a Sunday School driven church resides in the belief of the pastor in Sunday School. Davis stated "our pastor understands, encourages and promotes the necessity of growing a church through the Sunday School."

Crossway emphasizes that relationships are best built through small group bible study. “The worship service is our entry point but in order to become a part of the life and ministry of the church a member must be in a Sunday School class.” Thom Rainer’s research indicated that over 80% of the new members that get connected to a small group, such as Sunday School, are still in the church five years later. This compares to only 15% that only attend worship. Crossway develop Sunday School to serve as a seamless process for assimilation, starting from the moment a guest steps on their campus until they are enrolled in a Sunday School class and become a member of the church.

What would you say to other to other pastors and Sunday School Directors? Davis responded with: What reaches them, keeps them. Sunday School is about reaching people. Sunday School works when we work Sunday School. It is founded on fundamental principles that work.

Crossway Baptist Church was recognized as one the fastest Growing Sunday School in the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 2007. Crossway grew from 165 in 2005 to an average attendance of 225 in 2007 with an enrollment of 542. Tony Long serves as pastor.

Build a Strong Team

Fans of the Tennessee Titans followed the Pacman Jones saga with keen interest. Some fans recognized his tremendous athletic ability and were willing to tolerate his antics off the field as long as his performance on the field led to victories. Others celebrated when he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys and out of the local news and locker room. Pacman was a highly drafted prospect when chosen by the Titans. The key word here is chosen. He was courted and chosen to be the 6th pick of the NFL draft.

At this time of the year, nominating committees are working diligently to enlist volunteers for various positions of leadership in the church. Nominating Committee members and others that are enlisting for various positions in the church have been given the responsibility of assembling a winning team to lead the programs and ministries of the church. Teams have the following characteristics:

* Committed to a common purpose
* Have complimentary skills
* Work toward common goals,
* Hold themselves mutually accountable.

Building a winning team begins with enlisting or recruiting your team properly. Pat Summit would never let Mike Hamilton, the athletic director at UT, to recruit her team. Why? Because a recruit must understand what is required and what is expected to become a Lady Vol. Championships are won because of her thoroughness. When enlisting volunteers, churches should be just as careful to explore with the person being enlisted WHAT is required (responsibilities), the WALK that is expected (characteristics), and communicate WHO is on the team.

Proper enlistment is the first step toward developing a winning team. Don’t make the same mistake the Titans made.

Pass the PASSION for Sunday School to your children

My father never took me hunting, occasionally we went fishing, but we never missed Sunday School! My father is passionate about Sunday School and he passed that passion on to his sons. For thirty-five years, he served his church in Lexington as the Sunday School Director. When I was growing up, I always knew that he would take a break from his Colonial Bread route in the early afternoon to stop by the church, usually to discuss a Sunday School issue with the pastor or secretary.

As a young boy, each quarter, I remember helping dad deliver the new Sunday School literature to the various departments in the church. He would sort and I would run the material to the various rooms. Yes, run…an empty church building seemed very scary. When dad gave the Sunday School report, I always listened intently. Both of my parents modeled the importance of Sunday School and I experienced the impact of weekly Bible Study and caring teachers.

In the summer after graduating from high school, I witnessed my father and our new pastor, Dr. Hoyt Wilson, return from Sunday School Week at Ridgecrest. Prior to this experience, Dad had already led the church to have weekly workers meetings and pushed Sunday School to be the evangelism arm of the church. With the addition of a pastor that was zealous about Sunday School, Dad’s role as a Sunday School Director was to take on greater significance. During the next four years, I witnessed the First Baptist Church of Lexington experience great growth. Why? Because they focused on growing the church through Sunday School. Dad and Dr. Wilson built the Sunday School on the timeless principles of Sunday School.

The impact of my father and his passion for Sunday School led me to surrender my life to serving God as a minister of education. Because of my father’s influence and the passion he instilled for me for Sunday School, I have had the privilege to help the churches that I serve develop a passion for Sunday School. Today, as State Sunday School Director for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, I serve as a consultant, coach, and conference leaders in order to instill my passion for Sunday School and to partner with church leaders in fulfilling the Great Commission and Great Commandment by doing everything I can to assist them in developing healthy, growing churches through Sunday School.

Thanks Dad for teaching me that as the Sunday School goes so goes the church. Happy Father’s Day! I love you!!!!

Reclaiming Lives for God

The other day, I found myself trampling around in the woods, enjoying God’s beautiful world. Truthfully, I was looking for my golf ball which was lost in the woods. As I hunted for my ball, it was comforting to know that others evidently were as bad at golf as myself. This fact was realized since several balls of all kinds were found laying behind trees and under the leaves. These balls were reclaimed and put into play once again.

How many people are like these balls? They are lost in the woods unsure of the direction that their lives are going or lying beneath the water drowning in the cares of this world or just hidden in some tall grass. They need a Sunday School member or teacher who is willing to go ball searching. In a conference, Andy Anderson declared, “Sunday Schools are dying for lack of prospects.” The truth is there are plenty of people who really do need the Lord, but few Sunday School classes and churches that are diligently hunting for balls in the woods. There are many ways to find Sunday School prospects; but all require some effort and willingness to go ball hunting.

I have found balls of all kinds in the woods. Some are worth $6.00 a ball and others only $1.00. Some are scarred and stained. Others are almost new. Regardless, I am always thrilled to find one of any price and in any shape so that I can reclaim it for its intended purpose. Lack of known prospects is a big barrier that every Sunday School must overcome, but I am so thankful that my God can reclaim, save, and reuse anyone for his intended purpose in his Kingdom. Let’s go ball hunting…only God knows whom you will find and the impact your Sunday School can make.

Best Practices in Follow-Up include enrolling that person in Sunday School

Best Practices in Follow-Up include enrolling that person in Sunday School!!:

Best Practices is a hot button in our culture. Detailing, for business the best practices to follow for a success. What can we do in our fellowships to ensure Healthy Church Evangelism? And to make sure we are following best practices when we follow-up with those who become Christ followers.

Time: Churches who do best practices in the area of follow-up recognize that any solid practice will take time. Mapping out for new followers the path that will move them from where they are currently, to realizing the vision of becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ.

Intentionality: If we plan our revivals, church services, music, and other evangelistic opportunities without intentionally planning the follow-up, we will fail. Have we intentionally discovered the make-up of a fully devoted follower of Christ? Have we intentionally set the markers on this Journey we call Assimilation? Have we intentionally designed points of celebration for these folks who are on this Journey with us? Bill Graham’s organization makes it clear in the planning of a Bill Graham Crusade. 30% of the planning time and energy expended by the committee is dedicated to the time leading up to the Crusade and the Crusade itself. A full 70% of time and energy in planning and implementation is dedicated to Follow-up. A great deal of thought goes into what the Billy Graham organization does with folks who walk the isle during a crusade.

Clarity: Clarity within the follow-up process is all about clearly defined expectations. In our marriages we do better as husband and wife when we communicate our expectations. Starting on this journey of the Christian walk is no exception. In order to make disciples and help move our people towards becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ we must give them clearly marked signs. These markers and expectations can include things like:

-Have I connected with a Sunday School/ Open Group?

-Have I been through a new members class?

-Do I fully understand what my Spiritual gifts are?

-Am I working within the body of Christ according to my spiritual gifts?

-Have I taken the time to learn how to share my faith?

-Am I moving towards a Missional Mindset?

Giving our church family clarity within the Journey keeps them from being LOST and helps them to keep moving.

Celebrations not Destinations : Church leadership must begin to help followers Celebrate accomplishments and the reaching of these markers but also help them understand “We have not Arrived Yet”. Assimilation is about Movement, therefore, these celebrations are not monumental events they are Momentous events. Propelling us even further down the trail, bold and unhindered for Christ. ( Acts 28:31 )

Overcome a Big One: SPACE

Winston Churchill remarked concerning the rebuilding of England on October 23 1945, “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.” Space is a major inhibitor of healthy, growing churches. Three types of space have to be balance: Parking, Education, and Worship.

Many churches allow their buildings to determine their growth. Some Sunday School classes get satisfied because they have a full classroom. Both should be unacceptable when it keeps the church from fulfilling God’s purpose of reaching their communities for Christ.

All space problems can be solved. Yes it might mean reorganizing, rethinking, or relocating, but they can be solved. Examine your space by analyzing your space as follows:

1. Available (know how many classrooms that you have available)
2. Adjustable (move small classes out of large rooms)
3. Adaptable (adapting areas such as halls and Kitchens and offices)
4. Adjacent (using buildings such as schools, offices, and houses)
5. Additional (building more space)
6. Multiple (using the existing building twice)

One Day Sunday School Consultations are available to Tennessee Baptist Churches. Allow us to help you analyze your space and make recommendations

Never Give UP!

Kansas beats the proclaimed best men’s basketball team in the nation and Stanford knocks off Connecticut, the presumed National Women’s Champion. Both Stanford and Kansas should have realized they had no chance, but instead they came out and never gave up. When both North Carolina and Connecticut made drastic runs, Kansas and Stanford kept their cool and played hard.

Satan is in the business of discouraging God’s people and God’s churches. He desires to tear down Sunday Schools and Sunday School leaders. Who are you going to BELIEVE!!!! Jesus who promises us that “Lo, I am with you always” or Satan.
I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that we can trust that God will bless Sunday Schools and Sunday School leaders who desire to be used by him. Jeremiah 29:11-13 declares, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Sunday School Leader, keep visiting, keep ministering, keep praying, keep teaching, keep serving, keep believing. God is in control.

Go Lady Vols and Memphis Tigers. Never Give UP!!!!

Biblical Images for Starting New Classes/Groups

The following article was copied from The Sunday School Revolutionary issue dated Friday 2nd February, 2007. Darryl Wilson writes The Sunday School Revolutinary Blog, which was just voted by students of Southern Seminary as one of the top religious Blogs. Darryl is the State Sunday School Director for Kentucky. I am a regular reader and appreciate Darryl's insight. To check out The Sunday School Revolutionary, check out my suggested links.

OVERFLOWING POT OF OIL (2 Kings 4:3-6). Elisha helped a widow by telling her to seek as many jars as she could because her jar of oil would fill all the jars until she ran out of jars. The resulting oil would be enough to pay her debts. Existing groups will frequently have spill-over guests who flow out of the group unless they find a new group to flow into. Sometimes the reason we don't keep guests is that we have so few pots (groups) in which to hold guests.

MOSES & JETHRO (Exodus 18:17-21). Moses could not care for and serve the masses well alone. With Jethro's help, Moses was able to organize the large group into small groups of about 10 people. Each group had a leader and each leader had a coach. Accountability often happens best in small groups. When leaders of groups have coaches, the leader is more likely to stay on task and on track. The coach is able to help the leader realize when the span of care is greater than his/her effectiveness and encourage apprenticing and the birthing of a new group.

THE BODY AND NEW CELLS (Romans 12:4-5). What happens when the human body stops producing new cells? It dies. The same is true of the local church body. New cells are necessary in order to sustain life. New cells come in the form of additions to the church body and the addition of new Sunday School classes/small groups. From time to time, older classes/groups will end, but in church body life, new groups are needed regularly for life to be sustained.

SHEEP PENS (John 10:1-16). A sheep pen can only hold so many sheep. In order to hold more sheep, more sheep pens are needed. The same is true of Sunday School classes, adult Bible fellowship groups, and small groups. New groups are needed in order to care for more people.

NEW WINESKINS (Matthew 9:17). New wine bursts and leaks out of old wineskins. New wine is best kept and cared for in new wineskins. This is also true of people new to our classes/groups. They often leak out/leave our existing classes/groups. New classes tend to do the best job of reaching out to and keeping new people. In my experience, existing classes hold onto some new people best when new classes are regularly started. While new classes attract, some people like variety and choose existing classes, and new classes also challenge existing classes to reach out.

A Unified Sound

Last week, my wife and I attended my daughter’s college band concert. Interestingly, we came because of our daughter, knew that she appeared to be contributing, but never recognized a single note that she played. Why! My daughter wrote the following in her college essay:

Music not only shows passion and reveals the heart of a writer and performer, but it shows the necessity of teamwork in a band. All instruments rely on each other to create a unified sound. The second trombone relies on the first trombone. The first clarinet relies on the second and third clarinets. Not only do the individual parts rely on their instruments’ other parts, but also the woodwinds rely on the brass. Without the brass the band would not have the dark, rich sound they provide. Without the bass sounds from the brass, the winds would produce only the high melodic tune. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, for example, would lack something without both the brass and woodwinds. When playing in perfect harmony, all the instruments create a story and share the inner feelings of the musicians.

I once heard, “Music is the literature of the heart, it commences where speech ends.” Music is unlike any other subject, because it depends on every instrument and person to do their part. In English, Math, or any other academic subject it doesn’t affect me if the person sitting beside me is not proficient. In music, if one person does not practice and attempt to do their best, then everyone is affected.

The concert was relaxing and enjoyable. Each member contributed their part with excellence. Is your Sunday School reaching its potential, because everyone knows their part and performs with excellence? (Paul speaks about this I Corinthians 12, check it out).

Joys of Serving in Sunday School

The following is a testimony by Ashley Clarke, who teaches a preschool Sunday School class at Thompson Station Baptist Church. She shared this with the church in a recent Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Sunday. Thanks Ashley for sharing your story...I am sure that it will inspire others:

Being raised in the church I had many Sunday School teachers who took an interest in my spiritual life and helped me grow in my relationship with the Lord. One of my fondest teachers was a beautiful, special woman who had a huge impact on my Christian walk. Ora Duke who then taught 8th grade girls now teaches babies here. She is a wonderful example of a servant. It is such an encouragement to me as a new Sunday School teacher to see her heart for service.

Teaching Sunday school has been a tremendous blessing in my life. I love it for many reasons. The children are awesome. They are all so sweet, fun, and energetic and I truly enjoy getting to know each one of them. Getting to know the parents is also a blessing. Taking care of their children while many of them serve is amazing. It is wonderful to think about the extraordinary things God is doing in each family.

However, all of these things are just icing on the cake. Serving God by taking care of his children has deepened my relationship with Him in so many ways. I feel such a peace to be doing what He wants me to. Every week I get the privilege to serve Him. I am honored to be a small part of His awesome plan.

When I was first approached about teaching Sunday School I had some reservations. Could I teach? I’d never taught before. How good could I possibly be? Would I miss my adult Sunday School class I had been sitting in for way too long? How would it be having to commit to something every single week. I have to say that the Lord took care of all my concerns as soon as I said yes to His calling.

The Lord took my willingness to teach and transformed it into the ability to teach. The lesson plans are simple and fun. More importantly, loving the children has created a bond that makes them feel more comfortable, even happy about coming to church. What more could you ask for from a young two year old.

Next came my greatest concern – the loss of fellowship with other adults. Boy did I limit God on that one. I thought by not attending adult connect group every Sunday that I would feel left out and unconnected. I was wrong. Teaching has provided me with so many new connections and friends. Fellow teachers, parents of the children, and of course the incredible preschool staff have been wonderful getting to know. I still attend social events with my connect group and have never felt left out of anything. This church is great at helping people get involved and stay connected. They offer so many classes and studies at all different times during the week that it is easy to be spiritually fed if you just sign up for one.

Finally the commitment. It was a big one. Every week. What if we get sick or go out of town? Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” For me teaching Sunday School has been a testament to that verse. I can honestly say that I always look forward to the time I get to spend with these children serving Him. I know that once a week, for about an hour I am exactly where He wants me to be, doing what he wants me to do and I love it.

Outreach: What’s Working!!!!

Participants in a recent Equipping U Teleconference discussed What’s working and What’s Not in the area of Outreach. What’s Working?

Several churches were experiencing greater success by offering outreach on Sunday afternoons. The pastor of First Baptist Church in Lexington shared that his church was offering outreach once a month on Sunday afternoon during the traditional Discipleship Training hour, but the rest of the month they continue with their traditional Monday visitation. Two of the participant’s churches offered GROW on Sunday evening in lieu of Sunday evening Activities. At the First Baptist Church in Nashville, the deacons follow-up on first-time guests immediately following the morning service. Welcome Packets are specially prepared and delivered. The goal is to make a great FIRST impression.

The Sunday School Director of Lake Drive Baptist Church in Sale Creek, TN, holds members accountable for outreach by making assignments on Sunday. Members serve on a six month rotation and follow up with these perspective members at their convenience during the week. Reports are submitted on the following Sunday.

These participants were in complete agreement that Outreach is not an option. Jesus commanded his church to “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” If Jesus were your Sunday School Director, your Sunday School would be involved in outreach. Your comments on What’s working for you are encouraged.

Our next Equipping U Teleconference is February 12. Join us in discussing Creative Ideas for Encouraging Ministry and Fellowships. Call 1-641-715-3210; the access code of 942661.

Are you a 1D, 2D, or 3D Sunday School?

Has your Sunday School become just a program? In Tennessee, 99.9% of Tennessee Baptist Churches report having a Sunday School organization. If your Sunday School has become just another program or a weekly event on the schedule, let me encourage you to ask the question: Are you a 1D, 2D or 3D Sunday School? The Sunday School movement stills work when you intentionally utilize your Sunday School program as a strategy for growing your church, ministering to others, and making disciples. Are you a 3D Sunday School?

A 3D Sunday School helps people invite, discover, and connect. A 3D Sunday School is involved in reaching, teaching, and ministering. My observation is that the majority of Sunday Schools are 1D, focused entirely on the teaching or discover dimension of Sunday School. The majority of adult classes might be considered 2D Sunday Schools as they ministered to people who attend on a regular basis. Honestly, few Sunday Schools in Tennessee are 3D Sunday Schools. Many Sunday Schools struggle with utilizing Sunday School as the outreach arm of the church. Classes lack an outward focus.

Let me encourage you to participate in an upcoming seminar focused on the Invite or Reaching Dimension of Sunday School. A Six Lane Strategy for an Inviting Sunday School conference will be offered in 12 locations across the state on January 28. This training will be provided by participating associations and led by their Association Equipping U Trainers (Association Sunday School leadership). Sunday School leaders will investigate six strategies designed to help their church and class become a more inviting Sunday School. Each location will feature separate conferences for General Leaders (Pastors, Ministers of Education, Sunday School Directors), Adult, Youth, Children, and Preschool Leaders. The conference begins at 6:30 and will conclude promptly at 8:30. For an updated list, check with these associations and/or the Equipping U website at www.equippingu.com.

Are you a 3D Sunday School? A 2D Sunday School? Or a 1D Sunday School? Find out more by downloading a copy of the book entitled 3D Sunday School by David Francis. Follow this link to http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_SS_3D_Sunday_School.pdf.