WOW! GO GOD!!! : Implement a Strategy

WOW! GO GOD!!! The third step in joining Tina in shouting, WOW! GO GOD!!!, is Implement a Strategy for Success. Tina wrote:

We had a Mexican Fiesta night - our first social event as a group in August. I had the vision laid out in black and white and was going to cast it out to see if anyone would take the bait! After prayer, I explained what I felt God wanted us to do. The idea of having a mission project to complete as a class, my list of positions that I needed leaders for - even down to the bulletin boards being put up in our newly painted room - Bulletin Board Specialist - how awesome is that?! It's amazing what a fancy title will spark in people! They named 4 mission project ideas. They wanted to do ... and did ... all 4 within two and a half months! Those team leaders took the bait and they have become a class of fishers of men (and women)! We now have 25 on our roll with a CONSISTENT average of 18! We are having our Christmas party this Friday night and sent out 29 "prospect" invitations!

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands his church to make Disciples. What’s your game plan for seeing life changed in Sunday School. The good news is that Jesus gave us a strategy to accomplish his purpose, and all four parts of this plan should be done through your Sunday School.

Going: First, Jesus tell us to Go. Ironically, many churches will enlist teachers and provide classes, but fail to Go after the people. If Jesus was your Sunday School teacher, your class would be involved in evangelism and missions.

Winning: The second part of this four part plan is to win people to Christ that they might follow Him. Making disciples is what we are all about. The Sunday School is better equipped to win people than any other organization in the church. Why would we leave the largest priority in the church to the smallest ministry?

Baptizing: New Testament evangelism involves baptism. Baptism identifies us with Jesus and with one another. For Southern Baptists, when a person is baptized, they become a member of the church. In my opinion, every church member should be a member of a Sunday School class. After someone has been won the easiest and most efficient way to assimilate them is a Sunday School class. In fact, Thom Rainer’s, President of LifeWay Christian Resources, research indicates that if we get someone connected to a Sunday School class or small group that 85% of these people will still be connected to your church 5 years later, compared with only 15% of those who only attend worship.

Teaching: The fourth part of the plan is to teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Great Commission teaching is not just teaching them to know all things but to observe. Great Commission teaching requires the teacher to do more than to prepare and deliver a lesson. The teacher must cultivate the soil by building strong relationships with the students that it teach.

Going, winning, baptizing, and teaching, There is no other plan in place. WOW! GO GOD!!! Implement a Strategy for Success.

To read the previous articles on how to proclaim WOW! GO GOD!!!:

Testimony from Teacher: WOW! GO GOD!!!
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Prayer is ESSENTIAL
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Preparation is Essential.

Articles to Come:
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Seek Help
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Give God the Glory

WOW! GO GOD!!! : Preparation is Essential.

WOW! GO GOD!!! The second step in joining Tina in shouting, WOW! GO GOD!!!, is to recognize that Preparation is Essential. Tina wrote:

“June 1 was the first Sunday for this class. I had prepared for rain! I expected a flood of people hungry & wanting to be fed! I prepared the room & chairs for 18 people! I was armed and dangerous ready to charge hell with a squirt gun! I joyfully taught 2 people that blessed day! My pastor had forewarned me not to get discouraged. "It may take time and people may not be consistent" - he was right!”

Starting a new class does not just happen. Preparation is Essential. Some actions that need to be taken to launch a new class:

• Select a Target Group
• Set a date to begin
• Build your leadership team
• Find a Place for them to meet
• Obtain needed curriculum
• Discover and assign prospects to the new teacher and class
• Build relationships with prospective member
• Celebrate the new beginning

Preparation does not guarantee perfection but is does leads to greater excellence. Preparation also led to greater expectations. Starting a new class is hard work….so don’t get discouraged…keep contacting attendees and potential members and preparing a great lesson every week.

WOW! GO GOD!!! Expect God’s Blessings, Prepare!

To read the previous articles on how to proclaim WOW! GO GOD!!!:

Testimony from Teacher: WOW! GO GOD!!!
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Prayer is ESSENTIAL

Articles to Come:
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Implement a Strategy
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Seek Help
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Give God the Glory

WOW! GO GOD!!! : Prayer is ESSENTIAL

WOW! GO GOD!!! The first step in joining Tina in shouting, WOW! GO GOD!!!, is to recognize the importance of prayer. Note these two excerpts from her testimony.

Our pastor came to me and told me that he couldn't sleep one night and he started praying about this new class; who was to teach it, the age range etc. He said God gave him my name. At the time I was a the youth teacher and loved it, but felt unsatisfied and unsettled for several months. You know that feeling when you just know God is changing things, but has not shown you the blueprint?!

He told me to pray about teaching this new Adult Coed Class for ages 25-35. He said we need somebody a little bit older than them (to which I said "gee thanks" and went to have my hair colored AGAIN!) and somebody who has older kids with that experience under their belt. He told me to pray about it.

I did just that - asking God to show me.

Pastors and Sunday School Directors, prayer should be the first step in the enlistment process. Many of you are struggling to find workers and are hesitant to start new classes. Let’s begin with prayer. Jesus stated in Matthew 9:38, “Pray ye the Lord of the Harvest that he would send laborers into the field.” Second, nominating Committee should encourage the enlistee to pray and seek God’s will.

Teachers, seek God’s understanding of your call and ask him to show you his will. Tina did just that but the surprising things is the answers did not come immediately and God chose to not utilize some her usual support, her mentors and friends. She had to wait on God’s timing. Henry Blackaby states in Spiritual Leadership, “Spiritual leaders seek God’s will, whether it is for their church or their corporation, and then they marshal their people to pursue God’s plan.” Tina was on this journey. She states, “I knelt down beside my bed and said "God, I know You already know this, but I love You!" IMMEDIATELY He said "Feed My sheep!" The river of tears that flowed in that moment was enormous! HE gave me that answer!!! Peace - wonderful peace - affirmation - confirmation - joy - the whole nine yards!”

WOW! GO GOD!!! Begin with Prayer.

To read the previous articles on how to proclaim WOW! GO GOD!!!:
Testimony from Teacher: WOW! GO GOD!!!

Articles to Come:
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Preparation is Essential.
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Implement a Strategy
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Seek Help
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Give God the Glory

WOW! GO GOD!!!

The following story is from Tina Craighead, a teacher at First Baptist Church,Gordonsville, Tennessee and is printed by permission. The next few blog articles will highlight some of the significant steps taken by this teacher and some practical steps that will allow you to proclaim: WOW! GO GOD!!!

Great way to start off huh! He has shown Himself mighty and proven Himself faithful once again! This is my testimony .

Our pastor came to me and told me that he couldn't sleep one night and he started praying about this new class; who was to teach it, the age range etc. He said God gave him my name. At the time I was a the youth teacher and loved it, but felt unsatisfied and unsettled for several months. You know that feeling when you just know God is changing things, but has not shown you the blueprint?!

He told me to pray about teaching this new Adult Coed Class for ages 25-35. He said we need somebody a little bit older than them (to which I said "gee thanks" and went to have my hair colored AGAIN!) and somebody who has older kids with that experience under their belt. He told me to pray about it.

I did just that - asking God to show me. Asking Him for confirmation that this is what HE wants me to do. On that note, I went to this couple's house. God has blessed me with the gift of their godly friendship. I thought maybe if I dance around the subject, God will enlighten me through them with my answer. I got nothing! I continued to pray. Two days later, still praying I might add, my Christian mentor calls me out of the blue! I thought, "Oh wow, God, You are gonna give me my answer through her!" I could not speak of that class for love nor money! God spoke to my spirit and said "you are gonna seek ME for this one!" I got off the phone just totally taken back that I couldn't talk to anybody about this! I put the dishes down and walked back to my bedroom. I knelt down beside my bed and said "God, I know You already know this, but I love You!" IMMEDIATELY He said "Feed My sheep!" The river of tears that flowed in that moment was enormous! HE gave me that answer!!! Peace - wonderful peace - affirmation - confirmation - joy - the whole nine yards!

June 1 was the first Sunday for this class. I had prepared for rain! I expected a flood of people hungry & wanting to be fed! I prepared the room & chairs for 18 people! I was armed and dangerous ready to charge hell with a squirt gun! I joyfully taught 2 people that blessed day! My pastor had forewarned me not to get discouraged. "It may take time and people may not be consistent" - he was right!

I was not discouraged, but wanted some more ammunition in my arsenal. Our attendance had steadily increased to 9 by late July! My dear friend, Kathy Trundle, referred me to you. After talking with you on the phone, I put the Sunday School University training date on my calendar! I attended the class in Lebanon. It was awesome what God showed me through that! He gave me a vision of how to organize and mobilize this class to become His hands and feet! He expects more than just Sunday-go-to-meeting Christians! Set high standards according to His Word and leadership and watch what He does!

We had a Mexican Fiesta night - our first social event as a group in August. I had the vision laid out in black and white and was going to cast it out to see if anyone would take the bait! After prayer, I explained what I felt God wanted us to do. The idea of having a mission project to complete as a class, my list of positions that I needed leaders for - even down to the bulletin boards being put up in our newly painted room - Bulletin Board Specialist - how awesome is that?! It's amazing what a fancy title will spark in people! They named 4 mission project ideas. They wanted to do ... and did ... all 4 within two and a half months! Those team leaders took the bait and they have become a class of fishers of men (and women)! We now have 25 on our roll with a CONSISTENT average of 18! We are having our Christmas party this Friday night and sent out 29 "prospect" invitations!

I praise the Mighty Name of our Savior Jesus for a message to share! I praise God for the opportunity to be His vessel as unworthy as I am, yet able because I was bought with the priceless precious blood of the Lamb!

Thanks again & May God totally bless your socks off!!!

Tina Craighead
First Baptist Church
Gordonsville, TN

Articles to Come:
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Prayer is ESSENTIAL
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Preparation is Essential.
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Implement a Strategy
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Seek Help
WOW! GO GOD!!! : Give God the Glory

Don’t Be Afraid...The message of Christmas.

The following is a daily devotional, published by my good friend and minister of Education at FBC Clarksville, Ron Moore:

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born to you in the city of David. Luke 2:9-11 HCSB

Recently, I was walking through the hallway at the church in the dark. A member of the facility crew was walking through as well and did not see me. When I said something to him, he almost jumped out of his skin. He was not expecting me to be there, and I inadvertently frightened him. Most of us at some time have had someone jump out from behind a door or from around a corner to intentionally scare us. We are usually terrified and scream or jump because we are not expecting their presence.

Imagine being out in a field late at night. It is totally dark with many stars in the sky. Picture hundreds of sheep around you who have gone to sleep. Everything is quiet and peaceful when suddenly, an angel of the Lord is standing before you and there is a bright light. I am confident you would have been as terrified as the shepherds that night so long ago. The angel quickly calmed their fears and said, “Don’t be afraid.”

Challenge – Just as the shepherds were not expecting an angel to come and announce the birth of Jesus, many people today are hurting or afraid and do not expect Jesus. Be a caring friend and reach out to someone who needs a loving touch. Calm his fears and assure him that Jesus loves and cares for him.

Serving Churches, Part 2

In this blog article, I share one of several approaches that are utilized by the Sunday School and Discipleship Team to Make Christ Known by Serving Churches. I would love for you to respond with your comments and thoughts on the effectiveness of this strategy in today’s climate. You can e-mail me at mmiller@tnbaptist.org or call me at 1-800-558-2090, ext. 2048.

Many churches are still seeking experts to serve as speakers, conference leaders and consultants. One Day Consultations are available to churches of all sizes at no cost to TBC churches. One-Day Growth Consultations are customized to help your individual church evaluate the performance of your Sunday School, Discipleship, or Age Group Ministries over time and develop action plans that promote the healthy growth of your church.

One Day Consultations are a combination of two phases. In Phase One, the consultant meets with the pastor, Sunday School Director and other key leaders. The consultant utilizes information from the Annual Church Profile and reports submitted by the participating congregation prior to the day of the consultant. The consultant dialogues with the church leaders concerning the strengths and weaknesses of the church and the dreams and concerns of the leaders. Since space is a major obstacle to many churches, a thorough space walk of facilities is included. The Sunday School Growth and Evaluation plan is completed to evaluate the ministries of your church.

Following phase one, the consultant will prepare recommendations, reports, and a presentation on principles to share during phase two. In Phase Two, a church conference is held to discuss the findings and recommendations of the consultant. The pastor determines the audience. The audience seems to vary by church size. The smaller membership churches usually invite the entire congregation and often Phase Two is conducted on a Sunday evening or Wednesday evening. The medium to larger congregations usually invite Sunday School leaders and/or reports or given to the staff.

The strength of One Day Consultations is they are always customized.One Day Consultations provide the pastor and church with information and strategies to consider. One Day Consultations can also be the front door for other opportunities to serve the church, such as conferences and coaching.

Call my office if interested in a One Day Consultations for Sunday School or Discipleship. I look forward to working with you.

Already Gone!

Already Gone! At the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, one of the messengers shared, he had been reading a book by Ken Ham, entitled Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it. I look forward to reading the book but reviewed some reviews and excerpts on the Amazon website.

"We've always been trying to prepare our kids for college... but it turns out that only 11 percent of those who have left the Church did so during the college years. Almost 90 percent of them were lost in middle school and high school. By the time they got to college they were already gone! About 40 percent are leaving the Church during elementary and middle school years! Most people assumed that elementary and middle school is a fairly neutral environment where children toe the line and follow in the footsteps of their parents' spirituality. Not so. I believe that over half of these kids were lost before we got them into high school! Whatever diseases are fueling the epidemic of losing our young people, they are infecting our students much, much earlier than most assumed."

As State Sunday School Director, one of the most disturbing findings by Beemer and Ham was that attending Sunday School did not make a significant impact on those who were surveyed. The conclusion was an indictment on what is being taught in Sunday School. Teaching stories about the Bible are not enough. Children, youth, and adults desire answers to life’s challenging questions through effective Bible Study. I look forward to reading the book and contemplating how Sunday School and Christian Education must change so that changed lives is the product of attending Sunday School.

All Christian Educators, youth and children leaders, and parents will find this book essential reading. Let’s be open to examining our practices and seeking God’s direction to impact the lives of children and youth.

Serving Churches, Part One

Making Christ Known by Serving Churches is the motto of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. As a state leader, I identify with Paul’s declaration, “Not to mention, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches. 2 Cor. 11:28.” Being relevant requires the denominational leader to focus on the church.

The old philosophy of state work was that “If you cannot serve all churches, you cannot serve any church.” This philosophy was perpetuated as program after program was developed with the philosophy that it will work in all churches. Admittedly, such programs would work in many churches but fail in others. The reality is that not all programs will work with all churches.

My passion as State Sunday School Director, Discipleship and GroupLife Specialist is for the church in Tennessee. In this day of change and customization, I struggle to develop strategies designed to meet the needs of churches.

Most churches in Tennessee still have Sunday School, but fewer each year have Discipleship Training. Some churches are adding Small Groups as a hybrid approach to Sunday School or Discipleship, while most of our newer churches and some of traditional churches are choosing to do small groups instead of Sunday School. Regardless of your approach to Christian Education, my heart is to come alongside of your church to help you develop effective strategies for disciple-making.

Over the next few blog articles, I will share approaches that are utilized by the Sunday School and Discipleship Team to Make Christ Known by Serving Churches. I welcome debate on the effectiveness of these strategies and suggestions for additional strategies. If you have questions or need assistance, you can e-mail me at mmiller@tnbaptist.org or call me at 1-800-558-2090, ext. 2048.

God is my Anchor!

President Obama promised Americans, “Change that we can believe in." Since he has been in office, changes and possible changes have been implemented or are being debated. This blog is not about the merits of these changes but to simply discuss dealing with change.

Daryl Conner wrote the book, Managing at the Speed of Change, How Resilient Managers Succeed and Prosper Where Others Fail. Conner has observed that “the single most important factor in managing change effectively is the degree to which people demonstrate resilience: the capacity to absorb high levels of change while displaying minimal dysfunctional behavior.”

The newspaper headlines read daily of corporate mergers, impending strikes, political unrest and constant restructuring. Leaders in growing churches are faced with a multitude of issues such as a shortfall of budget, a shortage of workers, lack of worship and education space, shortage of parking spaces, personnel issues, etc. A growing church needs increased resilience to deal with these issues just like corporations need resilience to deal with the market pressures that they face daily. As a church consultant, I witnessed weekly that many churches fail to even acknowledge change.

At the Tennessee Baptist Convention, we are facing the unknown of who will take Dr. Porch’s place as Executive Director, declining budgets, same work with less personnel, the national issue of where do State Conventions fit in with the future of the Southern Baptist Convention. These are real concerns that could paralyze me unless I am able to be resilient.

According to Conner, when people can no longer absorb the change, they begin to display dysfunctional behavior. Christians need to remember and believe that God is in control and let this be our anchor. We must not allow ourselves to feel like victims and become dysfunctional in our behavior. We must surrender ownership of our lives to our Lord and Savior and trust in him to help us through these unusual days.

A Big Hurdle to Growing a Sunday School

As State Sunday School Director, I believe one of the biggest hurdles facing most of our churches is the belief that the purpose of Sunday School is to teach the Bible. In order to change your Sunday School, re-examine the purpose of Sunday School. The church must be challenged to understand that Sunday School’s purpose is not to teach the Bible. We teach the Bible to accomplish the purpose of Sunday School. The purpose is to change lives.

Sunday School classes and members that believe the purpose of Sunday School is just teaching relegate Sunday School to become a Sunday morning business, teaching those who show up, ministering to those who show up, praying for those who show up, and fellowshipping with those who show up. Rarely do these Sunday School and churches see sustained growth.

My dad always told me, As the Sunday School goes, so goes the church. If all the Sunday School is doing is teaching, praying, ministering and fellowshipping to those who show up, how’s the church doing? Sunday School leaders should read David Francis’s new book, Connect3, available at your local Lifeway book store or free from www.lifeway.com. David stresses that classes are either on a class, community, or commission level. I believe that every Sunday School needs to have some key classes to move from simply being a class level for Sunday School to become a strategy that helps the church fulfill the Great Commission.

Some Actions that could be implemented to re-examine the purpose of Sunday School.

a. Have a Sunday School Focus Day.
b. Weave illustrations for Sunday School into your sermons.
c. Participate in Training events, such as Sunday School University.
d. Tell stories from other churches that are growing.
e. Encourage individual Sunday School classes to conduct fellowships and service projects. Invite the unenrolled church members and worship attendees to participate in these outings.
f. Improve your enlistment process for Sunday School leaders in order to insure that new and existing leaders understand the church’s vision for Sunday School and what is needed from every leader to accomplish that vision.

Create One!

Create One! Create one and change your Sunday School. Healthy, growing churches consistently agree that starting new classes is the key. As a young minister of education, I remember hearing the late Ron Lewis, a church growth consultant, say, “Growing churches do what non-growing churches don’t want to do.” By starting a new Bible Study class, you will make a decision for growing your Sunday School.

Why start classes? Classes make everyone the specific responsibility of a group. Classes give focus to class for reaching, teaching, and ministry. It allows Bible study and application with people of similar age and/or life stage.

What are the steps to Create One? First, select a target group. Second, set a date to begin. Third, build your leadership team. Fourth, find a place for them to meet. Five, obtain needed curriculum. Sixth, discover and assign prospects. Seventh, build relationships with prospects. Eighth, celebrate the new beginning.

As we begin a new year of Sunday School work, consider starting a new Sunday School class. If you need assistance, I am committed to helping you change your Sunday School, one new class at a time.

Has your church started a new class or department this year? A Create One! Recognition Award is available. You can apply by mail or online on the Tennessee Baptist Convention web site at www.equippingu.org.

Insight Gained from the Fastest Growing Sunday Schools

Responses from the Fastest Growing Sunday School in Tennessee have common themes that they feel are key in growing their Sunday Schools. Foremost the pastor is supportive of Sunday School to the point of it being a high priority with him. He promotes the mission of the Sunday School from the pulpit to engage the church members. He encourages teachers in their work. He is actively involved in planning the work of Sunday School.

Starting new classes regularly to meet current needs of members and prospects is also a key component to growing your Sunday School. These classes need to have well-trained, dedicated and consistent teachers. Bible teaching is imperative and community outreach ministry through these classes and the church at large are essential.

The Sunday School organization is utilized as a strategy not just an event on Sunday morning, enabling the church to accomplish its scripture-mandated purpose. The Sunday School classes should not only teach the saved members of the class, but actively reach out to the community to bring in the lost. These churches do not see teaching as the purpose of Sunday School but the Bible is taught to accomplish the purpose of the Sunday School. That purpose is changing lives.

Flexibility appears again and again as a characteristic of these growing Sunday Schools. Class styles, space, place and times are instigated to respond to the needs and context of their community. One of the neat things about the study is seeing the best practices of churches based on church size. For examples, many of the medium and larger churches, which average above 200 in Sunday School, have multiple Sunday School hours and a larger mix of types of classes. Regardless of size, all of these churches refuse to let limited resources and lack of flexibility determine their growth.

All of these churches actively provide regular training to reinforce their vision and provide new information, ideas and skills. These churches utilize a variety of training, including leadership meetings, special training events or classes at their church, participation in association, state, and national events. Consider attending this year’s Equipping U events called Sunday School University. For a complete list of locations, go to our website at www.equippingu.org.

Persistence is another key to growing your Sunday School. Over the last three years, the names of the Fastest growing Sunday Schools have changed, as churches encounter challenges and obstacles. Growing Sunday Schools continue to implement time and true principles of Sunday School. Growth does not just happen. It requires dedication, patience, flexibility, and following God’s lead. Key Sunday School leaders are continually encouraging their congregation and Sunday School teachers in the mission and vision for Sunday School.

One Pastor’s quote sums up the vital importance of our Sunday Schools: “Attract Through Worship, Connect Through Sunday School”.

Can You Imagine /teaching without Training?

by Bruce Edwards, Youth Ministry Specialist | Tennessee Baptist Convention

Can you imagine anyone setting out into uncharted waters without learning how to read a nautical compass or how to steer a boat?

Can you imagine flying an airplane without ever attending a flight school?

Can you imagine a pro football player competing on the athletic field without doing any kind of strength conditioning?

Can you imagine a heart surgeon doing open heart surgery without ever practicing and practicing and practicing….?

Can you imagine a Sunday School teacher trying to teach a group of Junior High boys without any training in how they learn, how long they will listen and how to make God’s Word make sense to them?

The answer to all of the above is…of course not!

In fact, participating in training for all these experiences not only makes sense, it also points toward a common requirement for each person who seeks to excel—training and preparation are necessary for those who seek to be the best!
The surgeon, the boatman, the pilot, the football player and yes, even the Sunday School teacher would admit that their training is necessary to the successful completion of their task.

For those of us who are Sunday School teachers and leaders—our Bible study ministry will never be all that God intends for it to be if we fail to prepare and train. To be a teacher of God’s truth from the very youngest to the very oldest learner is a high calling!

The biggest complaint I hear about and deal with is when teachers say they don’t have enough time to do training. The truth is that many people don’t want to take the time to be trained. Often times, it is possible to get a new Sunday School teacher to a training session once…but once is not enough if we take our responsibility serious and see it truly as a high calling. One training experience might give you the skills to “survive”…but is that what we want to do- just survive?

I know a teacher of young junior high students who is in her early 90’s. She began teaching teenagers right out of college in her late teens. I remember serving that church as a young youth minister and in a discussion about whether or not we would attend an associational Sunday School training event, she looked me straight in the eyes and I remember her saying…”young man…you don’t know everything…we have to continue to be trained and updated…the message of God’s word hasn’t changed, but the methods of how we teach that message to our students has to be ever changing…and that’s why we are going to the training event!” This is one of many lessons I learned from Mrs. Bell as a young youth minister. To this day, she still teaches and attends every training session made available to her!

Unfortunately many Sunday School teachers and leaders are just getting by and are very content with the status quo!

A quality training opportunity can engage teachers, it can challenge them, and it equips them to move out of their present status quo mentality to a whole new level.
Not all of us are called to be teachers. James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (NIV)

This scripture implies that teachers are responsible and will be held strictly accountable for their teaching and its effects on believers. Consequently, this should be motivation for every teacher of God’s word to take advantage of training since teachers hold the key to the spiritual welfare of their students.

Can you imagine how different your class will be because you took training serious?

I hope to see you at a Sunday School University during August and September. For a list of locations, go to www.equippingu.org.

Can you imagine?

Attend Sunday School University

This year’s Equipping U event Sunday School University is a place where you can bring your teachers and leaders to learn the principles and methods for leading a strong Sunday school. If you are a seasoned Sunday School leader who has attending training events in the past, this year’s experience is unlike past Equipping U events. Sunday School University will feature a university format with multiple skill-level conferences to choose from. Participants will be able to choose two fifty-five minute conferences. Like past events, a quality faculty with a heart for ministry will be leading these sessions for leaders of all age groups.

There’s another key difference from other training opportunities. Sunday School University is tuition free. Your tuition is paid by the gifts to the Cooperative Program and to your association. Tuition free certainly does not mean lack of quality, your TBC Sunday School team values excellence.

Here are a few comments from last year’s Power UP! Your Sunday School conference!

I had a wonderful time at the conference. Actually it didn't even really feel like a conference at all, but instead was a wonderful time of fellowship with other Sunday School teachers and a lot of learning.

I just wanted to thank you for an excellent conference last night! Everyone I spoke with after the event said that their specific conference was helpful, and we all brought back info we could use. I was excited that my session trained me to train our people - - that was very, very useful! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated the event, the topics and all of the presenters.

At Sunday School University, you will receive a quality education that could change your class, church, and community. To learn more, visit our web site at www.equippingu.org for a complete list of locations and conferences offered.