Top Ten Priorities of a New Sunday School Leader
1) Set the vision.
- Why? “If you don’t know where you’re going, you won’t get there” (Clancy Hayes, Sunday School Training Coordinator).
- How: Everything in Sunday School should focus around a discipleship vision. Check out our LIFE Vision resources for ideas.
2) Recognize the importance of your spiritual life.
- Why? If you don’t have it together spiritually, how can you lead an effective Sunday School ministry?
- How: Evaluate your current spiritual condition and take corrective steps in areas of weakness.
3) Focus on growth.
- Why? A growing Sunday School is a healthy Sunday School.
- How: Flake’s formula for the 21st century introduces a five-step strategy for growing a Sunday School.
4) Develop a plan for recruiting and retaining volunteers.
- Why?Without a plan, it will be difficult to define what you need and what kind of person can fill that need.
- How: Check out these articles on recruiting and retaining:
5) Motivate teachers and volunteers.
- Why? Hard-working volunteers can suffer from burnout.
- How: Get tips for dealing with burnout. Check out teacher appreciation ideas.
6) Manage your ministry.
- Why?Your commitment to leadership and management will help your Sunday School run well and grow.
- How: Make sure volunteers know what is expected of them—and hold them accountable for their responsibilities. Check out this article on the importance of teacher accountability or print off accountability logs they can fill out weekly.
7) Communicate.
- Why? Volunteers need to know they can come to you with problems, suggestions, or for prayer. Information will empower them to do their jobs more effectively.
- How: Allow time in your schedule for meeting with teachers. Give them your phone number or other contact information.
8) Evaluate and develop facilities.
- Why? Good facilities will make your teachers’ ministry more efficient and might even promote growth in your church.
- How: Check out this online facility evaluation.
9) Organize calendars and budgets.
- Why? To make a vision come true, you have to plan events and know what you can spend to further the vision.
- How:Establish yearly goals, develop a yearly calendar, and create a realistic budget.
10) Train and be trained.
- Why? A trained teacher is an effective teacher.
- How?
ii. Conferences
iii. Online training materials
iv. Staff training books
1. Perpetuating Truth Through Teaching
3. Awakening the Sleeping Giant
Based on a workshop by Clancy Hayes, compiled by Stefanie Reubell.
