Five Steps for Enlisting Teachers

There is no magic here, but let me share a process that worked for me in my 15 years of ministry. Perhaps you already do many or all of these things.

1. Enlist the help of one or both pastors in preparing a list of potential teachers. You want to be able to say, “Pastor X and I agree that you would make a good teacher for our Sunday School and we hope you will prayerfully consider it.” Grandparents, parents, and single young adults are all great candidates.

2. Prepare an honest estimate of how much time each week the task will require (at least an hour, perhaps two, of preparation and an hour of teaching; more if you require your teachers to follow up on absent students or attend SS teacher meetings). If the time required is be judged as too much for those you are enlisting, you may need to consider a system where teachers alternate. I resist this, but when it is necessary, I’d go for a system where a volunteer teachers serves two weeks and is off a week, working in a team of three (one teacher, one assisting, and one off each week). This provide continuity for relationships with the students and, oddly enough, it is often easier to enlist two or three teachers than it is to enlist one, since they both know they will have help. Also set a realistic term of service, such as a quarter. This is a pain for recruiting, but might be necessary. Volunteers will resist giving you a blank check on their time or accepting a “life sentence” to teach forever. You can always invite them to re-enlist.

3. Send a letter of invitation to teach and follow up in person or by phone. Don’t take a yes or no answer to this first personal contact; instead answer questions and invite the person to consider and pray about things for a week. Then follow up again. Invite the prospective teacher to sit in with one of your best teachers to see what it is like.

4. Offer training and support. Place new teachers with experienced teachers in a team. Lead the volunteer step by step through the teacher guide and material before their first class, so that they see all the resources available and know how to use them. Offer to sit in with them in their first experience. No one wants to take on a responsibility and then feel like they are failing; do everything you can to make sure each teacher feels successful.

5. In all your contacts, elevate the position of Sunday School teacher for the potential volunteer. Point out the opportunity to impact the lives of young Christians for eternity. Call this service what it is, “one of the most important volunteer tasks in the church.” Install your teachers before their service, thank them publicly and often.

What hurdles do you encounter in finding Sunday School teachers, or in being a Sunday School teacher?

What works for you as you enlist teachers?

God bless your efforts to enlist other in teaching God's children His Word.