Something I've Noticed

For the past several months, I’ve been noticing a trend at our church that has my attention and should grab your attention as someone who cares about the health and welfare of our fellowship.  Our overall Sunday School attendance has been on a downswing for a while now.  Truly, I’m not one to sound unnecessary alarms and can be as patient as anyone while trying to diagnose the true underlying cause(s), but there’s really no good reason for a church with our resources and potential to have become such underachievers in this area. 

Several years ago, I asked a church going through similar issues the same question I am asking each of you to consider at this point:  “Is Sunday School worth our time and efforts to continue to invest in and support?”  I hope you realize that this is somewhat of a rhetorical question, but if you need a little nudging to realize Sunday School’s importance, here are a few areas in which our overall church’s ministry is impaired:

• We have few opportunities to build kingdom leaders.
  
• The development of soul winners is greatly reduced.
  
• We cannot be organized to win the lost (A healthy Sunday School, by the way, has been proven to be the most effective organized evangelism activities a church can have).
  
• There is a decreased level of assimilation of new members.
  
• We are not mobilized for ministry.
  

The list could continue, but I don’t want to belabor the issue.  Needless to say, if we are to live up to our potential in the kingdom of God, Sunday School should never take a back seat.  Here are some points to ponder as you think about and prepare for next Sunday:

• If you are a teacher, show up early and make sure you’re ready to begin at 9:45.  Nothing will kill a class quicker than a teacher who habitually shows up late or not at all.  And nothing is a more certain guarantee of a guest never returning than for them to show up for a class when there is no class.
  
• If you are a student, show up on time so that 1) the class can start on time, and 2) you aren’t an interruption for a class that has already begun.
  
• Be faithful to your class, pray for them regularly, and contact those who are absent.
  
• Invite a friend.
  
• Be as warm, friendly, and open to new people as possible.
  

Again, the list could continue further.  These are only a few short exhortations and a gentle reminder that Sunday School is among the most important things we do.  There’s an old saying that states, “As the Sunday School goes, so goes the church.”  I’m praying we can get back on track.