Be Careful What You Promise Your Volunteers

I've heard it said in a business context, "Under-promise and over-deliver." That's, of course, to counter the natural tendency of some to "over-promise and under-deliver."

"Over-promising," when it comes to volunteer enlistment is deadly. "It's easy!" "The curriculum does the work for you!" "You can just show up and teach." "The kids in this class are all angels."

Nor is "under-promising" a road to successful enlistment.

It seems that your mother was probably right: be honest, do your best, take responsibility, and forgive failure.

Be honest. Tell your potential volunteer exactly what you think the task will take. Tell them what skills and abilities you see that they have to do the task successfully. And be honest about what you will do to help them.

Do your best. Do everything you can to help your volunteer succeed. Provide orientation and training. Stand alongside the volunteer and coach through their first couple classes. Check back to see how they are doing. Don't short-change them in terms of providing all the necessary resources.

Take responsibility. If things don't go well at some point, be ready to support and defend the volunteer, and to assist in getting things back on track. If the volunteer decides to step down, offer sincere thanks, free from guilt, and learn from the experience what you can do better next time.

Forgive failure. Both in the volunteer, and in yourself. In this fallen world, things don't always work out. God forgives our failure; so should we.

Know that every minute and every dollar you invest in a volunteer to help them succeed is worth it, because the task you share has eternal results: forgiveness, life, and salvation for God's children.

God bless you as you teach His children His Word!

Equipping Teachers

What kind of training and support do you provide your Sunday School teachers? Your answer to that question will speak volumes about how willing people are to volunteer for that position.

Do you . . .

• provide a job description?
• have a prospective teacher shadow an experienced teacher?
• walk a new teacher through his or her first lesson preparation?
• provide informative material?
• offer regular teacher meetings for discussion and preparation?
• host quarterly or annual workshops for teachers?
• send teachers to training events?
• follow up after the first lesson to encourage and assist?

Fear of failure is one of the biggest deterrents for most first-time volunteer teachers. If you offer a teaching position to a new volunteer, promise to do everything in your power to help him or her succeed, and then keep your promise.

God's blessings as you teach His children His Word!

Fall Preparation Checklist

It's the middle of June. It's time to be thinking about "rallying" your Sunday School troops. Here are some points to consider.

• Set your "Rally Day" or "Christian Education Sunday." Plan with your pastor to emphasize Sunday School, recognize and commission teachers for their service, and (if you have not already done so) advance students to the next grade. Resources for Rally Day can be found at cph.org/sundayschool under "Sunday School Tools."
• Choose your curriculum (Cross Explorations or Growing in Christ, check them out at cph.org/sundayschool) and verify your order. The fall material is available on July 1.
• Choose your "path." New CPH customers can choose either a "Recommended Path" (Old Testament in the fall, followed by two New Testament units in the winter and spring) or a "Chronological Path" (starts in the fall with Old Testament 1 and continues straight through the Bible). Continuing customers should be aware that the Old Testament 2 unit was recently offering in fall 2016; if you choose the chronological path, these lessons may be overly familiar to your students.
• Enlist teachers for the fall. Work to have two adults in each classroom; it's easier than you think.
• Contact every eligible family by phone, mail, or email to encourage enrollment in Sunday School.
• Tour your Sunday School classrooms and list physical improvements: painting walls, new flooring, cleaning the windows, repair/repaint/replace tables and chairs, remove faded/torn posters, etc.

God bless you as you teach His children His Word!

Teachers Two-Deep, Even in the Summer

Those familiar with this blog will know that I have long recommended that Sunday Schools staff two deep in each classroom: two adults present each week throughout the class session. Not only is it helpful in the event of unforeseen events (such as bathroom trips), but it helps maintain discipline, and it is often recommended or required by your church's insurance carrier.

This summer, assuming you continue your Sunday School, two deep is still a good idea, for all those reasons, and one more. As family schedules flex through the summer it will be far easier to maintain a nearly full staff. Yes, on a given Sunday one or more classes may wind up with just one adult in the room, but that's a lot better than none.

And remember, the second adult is WAY easier to recruit than the first since that person can be assured of a partner for support, leadership, and assistance.

God bless you as you teach His children His Word this summer!

A Good Start on Discipline

Next Sunday many Sunday School teachers will be teaching a new class of students for the first time.

Although discipline strategies will differ by age level and local custom, here are five things that will help most teachers enjoy a good start and maintain a happy classroom environment with their new class.

1. Prepare thoroughly. It can be difficult at times to set sufficient time aside for preparing for your class each week, but it's a fact that being prepared heads off a world of discipline problems. When the teacher is confident, not distracted with last-minute preparations, with less need to bury one's nose in the teacher guide, and knowing what comes next, the students have less opportunity to wander mentally or physically. Pay special attention to engaging presession activities for students as they gather, and prepare an interesting transition into the start of the lesson.

2. Be present early and always. The teacher should be the first one in the room, greeting the students and directing them into presession activities, not studying the teacher guide at the last minute or gathering supplies.

3. Post classroom rules, three or four, perhaps letting the students help craft them. Remind the students of them at the beginning of each class for the first few weeks, and as needed during the lesson.

4. Know your church's policies for handling discipline problems. When should the director or parents be engaged and how? What physical contact is allowed?

5. Team up with a partner. Many congregations have learned the advantages of staffing two deep, placing at least two adults in each classroom. The benefits are obvious, and it is not as difficult as you might believe. It is easier to enlist both volunteers, since they know they will have support in the room.

God bless your good start as you teach His children His Word!

Calling All Dads!

An interesting conversation with a pastor this morning (thanks, Pastor Frank Zimmerman) sparks this brief post.

Fathers have both a spiritual responsibility as head of the family and an extraordinary amount of influence over the future engagement their children will have with the Church. Having Dad invested and active in the Church and in the spiritual formation of his children will pay incredible dividends.

So, says Pastor Zimmerman, "Dads, step up!" He wants dads teaching the Sunday School classes in his congregations.

I think it's a great idea! Dad will grow in his own biblical knowledge, set a blessed example for his children, impact children from other families, and learn skills that will help in family faith discussions through the week. It really is a "win, win" situation.

God bless you, Dad, as you teach God's children His Word!

The Third Secret to Successful Teacher Enlistment

Imagine a continuum, with "personal" at one end and "impersonal" at the other.

PERSONAL------------------------------------------IMPERSONAL

The third truth about enlisting teachers (Secret is perhaps not an accurate term this time around) is that the more personal the approach, the more likely the "Yes."

Consider these possible recruiting approaches:

• bulletin announcements
• pleas from the pulpit
• form letters signed by the pastor
• personal notes from the Sunday School director
• personal notes from children
• e-mail
• phone calls
• chatting in the parking lot after church
• visiting in the home

Where does each fall on that continuum? That will tell you something about the usefulness of that approach. That is not to say that it is wrong to let the congregation know you are looking for Sunday School teachers or for the pastor to let the congregation know that he is recommending several names to the Sunday School director for follow up. But the best "Yes" will come from personal contact.

It is of great importance that we know those whom we ask to teach. Let's be honest. No matter how dire the need, there are some people who should probably not teach Sunday School.

My preferred steps for teacher enlistment are these:
1.  Prepare a list of positions to be filled.
2.  Pray.
3.  List as many candidates as come to mind (reviewing the church directory can help).
4.  Consult with the pastor about his recommendations and evaluation of those I've listed.
5.  Select one name for each postion to be filled.
6.  Send a letter to that candidate, including a brief job description and mentioning a day and time I will try to call them with more information.
7.  Make that call and offer or request to meet them face to face.
8.  Describe the need, the skills that person has to meet the need, the training and support the church will offer, and offer to answer any questions.
9.  Allow a week for them to consider the opportunity to teach; arrange a visit to the Sunday School class if they desire.
10. Meet again, or follow up by phone, to hear the conadidate's response.
11. Thanks them for saying "Yes," or thank them for prayerfully considering and go back to step 5.

God bless you as you enlist those who will teach God's children His Word.

The Second Secret to Enlisting Volunteer Teachers

It flies in the face of logic for some people, but it is easier to enlist two people to teach a Sunday School class than to enlist just one. And, of course, it is easier to enlist a second teacher to work with a teacher you already have on board.

Filling your teaching positions two deep addresses a number of issues and concerns.

• As mentioned last week, it eases concerns about the time commitment involved; each teacher has some guaranteed backup if an absence is required.
• It reduces discipline issues by lowering the student-to-teacher ratio. It also provides the option of one teacher removing a child from the room (maybe because of behavior, but maybe for a medical concern or restroom break) without leaving any child unsupervised.
• It allows a bit of specialization; one teacher might be good at crafts, another may really enjoy dialog with the students.
• It provides a sense of fellowship and partnership that most teachers enjoy.
• It provides for the "two deep" staffing that many churches strive for (and some insurance companies require) to avoid an adult being isolated with a child or group of children.

As you enlist teachers, then, you might look for pairs.

• A husband and wife
• A mother or father and a daughter or son
• Two teachers who are close friends

And, if you recruit your teachers face-to-face (which is a wonderful plan; the more personal the invitation the better), arrange to meet both candidates together to share the job description, the teaching material, information about orientation and training, and Sunday School policies.

What other advantages can you think of for enlisting two teachers for each class?


God bless you as you teach His children His Word!

The First Secret to Enlisting Teachers

I've written on teacher enlistment before in this blog, but in light of my post last week on summer Sunday School, it seems wise to reiterate.

Most volunteers, when faced with an invitation to teacher Sunday School, have two concerns that need to be addressed.

What am I getting into?
The volunteer will not agree to an open-ended, loosely defined position. Our time is one of our most precious possessions in today's culture and we will not give anyone a blank check on that account. When do I need to show up? How long will it take to prepare? How many weeks am I agreeing to? How do I deal with an occasional absence? Answer these questions up front, and you are more likely to hear those beautiful words, "Yes, I will do it."

Will I be able to do this?
You've answered part of this question when you address the first one. But there's more! No one likes to fail. I'd rather say no, than risk feeling bad about how I'm doing. Can you guarantee me success? Your task here is to assure the potential volunteer that you are fully committed to their success and have thought through the requirements for that success. Show them the wonderful material they will teach from. Offer complete orientation to the task, including a classroom tour, location of supplies, resources for further study, in-service skill building, and an opportunity to shadow one of your best teachers. Explain the discipline policy and procedures that have been successful in dealing with discipline problems. Offer to be close by, even in the room, during their first class, and take a few minutes to debrief that first experience.

Both of these concerns are also addressed by yet another secret to successful volunteer enlistment. Stay tuned for Secret #2 next week!

God bless you as you teach His children His Word!

How Many Teachers Will You Need This Summer?

The exact answer, of course, will depend on how many children you expect to reach each week in Sunday Sunday School.

A small Sunday School, though, can probably manage with two teachers, one for each of two age groups. In Concordia Publishing's "H2Oh! God Keeps His Promises," we have pared down summer Sunday School to two levels.

Level A serves non-readers and early readers, generally preschool through grade one or two. Level B serves readers, generally grade two or three through grade six. Both levels share a common full-color lesson leaflet with activities that will intrigue your students and be helpful in class and at home.

The program offers options for creating a site rotation experience each week or teaching the children in same-aged classrooms. And the detailed teacher guides will make teaching easy even for the new teacher.

What is your preferred arrangement of classes during the summer?

Will your regular teachers continue through the summer, or do you recruit new teachers?

How many students do you expect?

God bless you as you teach His children His Word this summer!

What Is the Small Sunday School Problem?

It strikes me that the small Sunday School does NOT have a student population challenge.

Small can be good. Public schools complain about class sizes being too large, not too small. Children, generally speaking, thrive in one-on-one interaction with adults. Even the Sunday School that has one three year old, one third grader, and one sixth grader on Sunday morning is not too small for the Gospel to shared enthusiastically and in an age-appropriate manner.

The small Sunday School does NOT have a curriculum challenge.

Even the best curriculum in the world cannot work miracles in overcoming developmental differences among a diverse but small student population, but a curriculum that works effectively to teach thirty or forty Sunday School students can teach three students.

The small Sunday School has a teacher enlistment challenge!

To teach the one three year old, one third grader, and one sixth grader most effectively, you should probably have at least two or three teachers. The high teacher-to-student ratio, often one to one, seems extravagant to some. But, looked at from an educational perspective, it is right and necessary. (For some enlistment assistance check this previous post: http://teachgodschildren.blogspot.com/2011/08/five-steps-for-enlisting-teachers.html.)

The answer?

Make effective, Christ-centered Christian education a priority for your congregation. Impress on parents and congregational leaders the challenging reality that sometimes is does take three teachers (and three sets of teaching materials) to teach three students effectively. Refuse to take shortcuts that will short-change the education of one-third or two-thirds of your students. And know that it really is worth the effort.

Some suggestions:

• Warm up each week with student-teacher conversation. Get used to talking one on one with your student and get him or her used to talking one on one with you.
• Use activities that match your student's preferred learning styles. If he or she like to draw, use drawing as a frequent means of reviewing the Bible account. If he or she likes drama, use it, even if you both have to take several roles.
• Have extra activities in mind to extend the lesson, since one-on-one discussion often takes less time that the teacher guide allows. Look for craft activities that relate to the lesson.
• Allow the teacher (especially if it is you) to flex the lesson schedule. If you prepare this week and have no student to teach, use the lesson next Sunday. Skip next week's lesson, or in the interest of good stewardship drift behind the scope and sequence as needed. Eventually you may be able to skip buying a quarter's worth of the curriculum.
• Give one or two students all the energy and enthusiasm you would give twenty students. No whining about small class sizes.

God promises to bless as you teach His children His Word!

The Fear Factor

Now is the time to start thinking about staffing for Sunday School in September (if you haven't already). Since your teachers are the most important variable in providing a quality experience for your children, it is good to get the best teachers you can find. Go for the very best candidates.

Fear is the biggest problem you will face when enlisting new volunteer teachers.

• Fear of Over-committing. Everyone is busy. We want to use our time efficiently. Our lives are scheduled full. Yes, we will make time for tasks that we deem to be worthwhile, even self-less ones like teaching other peoples' children. But to get on my schedule, I need to know the time-frame. What am I really committing to? Share an honest estimate of the commitment your are seeking with your candidates: the time they need to spend on Sunday morning, the time they need to spend training and preparing, and the duration of the assignment. (If you want to get a yes, you might consider starting small: a three-week assignment or a stint as a helper.)
• Fear of Being Stuck. What if I really don't like it or can't do it well? Starting with short durations will help here. You might also consider installing a "quick release lever" in your volunteer enlistment "contract." Make sure your candidate knows that you don't want them to feel stuck. If they want out, they can pull the lever, talk to you, and be assured of a guilt-free release.
• Fear of Failing. Nobody likes to fail. Consider every possible means to help each candidate be successful in their teaching task. Orient them carefully to your Sunday School curriculum and procedures. Train them well. Provide mentors, partners, and assistants. Promise them, and then give them, your full support. Check in, but don't hover. 

"Love casts out fear"? Love your teachers enough to overcome their fears.

What do you fear most about the teaching experience? About starting a new endeavor?

How do you overcome the fears of your teaching prospects?

Thanks for all you do to support those who teach God's children His Word!

Will You Teach Sunday School?

I spent fifteen years recruiting Sunday School teachers. Some years the task was easier than others, but it was never truly easy. Over the years, I developed a system that worked for me. It sought to address the two chief reasons adults were reluctant to volunteer to teach, two fears that kept them from saying yes.


FEAR #1: Will I have time for this? No reasonable adult will be willing to give you a signed blank check to draw on their checking account, no matter how rich they are. Similarly, no reasonable adult will give you a blank check on their personal time account. They will want to know that they can handle this new responsibility, and they will want to feel confident that you can tell them honestly what it will take.

You will need to do your homework. Provide a brief job description. Describe honestly the number of hours each week, and the number of weeks in the year, that you want the volunteer to serve. (It will not serve you well to fudge here; if you think the numbers will scare off your volunteers, you may want to honestly re-evaluate what you are expecting.)

FEAR #2: Will I succeed at this? Almost every potential teacher, whether they express it or not, will have this concern. No one wants to take a job and do poorly.

You will want to guarantee them success! Offer training and orientation. Encourage them to shadow one of your best teachers for a couple of weeks. Point out how the curriculum you've chosen helps them be successful, both educationally and theologically. Promise to stay in touch as they get started in the position and keep your promise.

If you can address these two concerns for your potential volunteers, you have a greater chance of successfully enlisting them to teach God's children His Word!

What other concerns do volunteers have?


How do you go about enlisting new teachers?