David
Cunningham, a good friend and a mentor to me in Church Education ministry,
shared this information with me as I was leading a church toward creating a
second Sunday School. Its truths are still valid.
1. It Creates an Awareness of
Bible Study. There is a natural curiosity concerning the
church that offers multiple services.
People in the community ask, “What’s going on at that church? Why are
they growing so fast?” It also gives an
internal sense of achievement. A healthy
sense of “sibling rivalry” develops as the “Red Sunday School” tries to outdo
the “Blue Sunday School” in ministry and outreach.
2. It Gives Strength in
Leadership. Multiple Sunday Schools demands more teaching
units which demands more leaders. As
more leaders are developed and involved a deepened sense of “ownership”
permeates throughout the church membership.
A mark of a healthy Sunday School class is the number of leaders it
develops.
3. It Gives Choices to Members. People want to be able to have a choice what
they want. Multiple schedules offer
choices in hours of Bible study and worship.
It gives members opportunity to choose the style of teaching and the
personality type of class they desire.
4. It Encourages Excellence in
Teachers. When teachers know that members have a choice
if they fail to meet their needs/or expectations they tend to become more
serious in their preparation and organization of ministry.
5. It Demonstrates Stewardship. The question, “Do we really want to build
space for a one hour a week use?” is a valid one. When the rooms can be used for two or three
groups, it cuts the effective cost of the space by one-half to two-thirds. The second groups use the space essentially for
free.
6. It Strengthens Visitation. Since two or three classes are given the name
of the same prospect, follow-up generally occurs at a quicker pace. Another facet of this benefit is since new
members tend to know more prospects, the more new persons reached by new units,
the more prospects are discovered.
7. It Emphasizes Ministry. Building new buildings is expensive so
instead of the investing 30% of its money in building that money can be used in
ministry. Also, ministry does not have
to be confined to the teaching group.
Since there will be two or more units for each age group, when a
ministry need is discovered all the classes ministering to that age group can
be enlisted to help meet the need. This
can be most significant when a long-term care need is experienced.
8. It Advances Missions. With a more efficient use of space, and the
creation of more new units, and more people being reached, more money is
available to share with those who need Christ around the world,. If I am not being called on to give
sacrificially for buildings, I have more discretionary income to share in
missions. A feeling of sharing can be
experienced. Effective use of space
allows members and leaders to concentrate less on personal luxury and become
more sensitive to the needs of the world.
THINGS
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….
FOR PASTORS: 10 Attitudes of Healthy, Long Term Pastors by
Dr. Thom Rainer - http://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2016/10/20/10-attitudes-of-healthy-long-term-pastors/
FOR PASTORS: 7 Seismic Shifts in the Church All Leaders Need to
Know Webcast by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://thomrainer.com/virtualtour/?utm_content=buffer6855e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
FOR
CHURCH & COMMUNITY – DevoHub, providing daily devotional material directly to your smart phone or
tablet - http://devohub.com/
FOR OUTREACH: After Easter by Jeremy
Howard & Doug Powell – a great gift to give to Easter guests (I can arrange
to get you the book at $5 each in boxes of 20) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/after-easter-P005773744
FOR LEADER TRAINING: On Track National Sunday School Conference,
Hendersonville, TN, March 17 & 18, 2017 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/OnTrack?type=events
FOR LEADER
TRAINING: Sunday School Matters by Alan Taylor, 12 sessions to build, expand and
maintain a healthy Sunday School ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/sunday-school-matters-leader-kit-P005792826
FOR
DISCIPLESHIP: Foundations for Adults, a 260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-P005769893?intcmp=FoundationsSearch-MTX-Foundations-20170103
FOR
DISCIPLESHIP: The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation by Russell Moore - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-gospel-racial-reconciliation-P005778812
FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples
Path: The Journey, Volumes 1 & 2 are now available! Relational, Intentional, Progressive,
Comprehensive: http://buff.ly/2fWPk2b
FOR DISCIPLESHIP: "Knowing Jesus" A New 6-Session Bible Study By Robby
Gallaty. Samples here:
FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Priscilla Shirer Simulcast, April
8, 2017 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Priscilla-Shirer-Live-Simulcast?type=events&ecid=PDM15267&bid=594041255
FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Foundations for Students, a
260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-teen-devotional-P005791600
FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The LIFT Tour for
developing student leaders - http://www.slulead.com/lift-tour
FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Youth Pastor Summit
registration is now open - http://www.slulead.com/youth-pastor-summit
FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Disciples Path for students – a
new series for developing your student’s discipleship - http://www.lifeway.com/Disciples-Path/Youth/c/N-1z0znzeZ1z141ym?intcmp=DisciplesPath-MTX-Text-Students-20150625
FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Foundations for Kids: a
260 Day Bible reading plan - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/foundations-for-kids-a-260-day-bible-reading-plan-for-kids-P005790788?intcmp=FoundationsSearch-MTX-FoundationsKids-20170103
FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 magazine, sign
up for this free resource - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/kids-ministry-101-magazine-signup/
FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Summer Options for your kids ministry - http://buff.ly/2hByVAl
