Help for New Sunday School Leaders
If you’re a new Sunday School director, administrator, or superintendent, get advice here on where to begin organizing your church’s Sunday School ministry and tips on how to make it grow.
Q: What are my first steps?
A: Read our top 10 priorities for new Sunday School leaders.
Q: How do I recruit new volunteers?
A: Start by making a list of each position and what kind of person would best fill it. It’s difficult to recruit unless you know what you need. Check out this article on recruiting for more tips.
Q: How do I match a volunteer with the right ministry position?
A: Survey or interview church members about their strengths and abilities. Many of them will also enjoy learning about their God-given ministry gifts. Check out these resources to help:
- Discovering Ministry Gifts
- Ministry Gifts Assessment (PDF)
- Motivational Gifts Profile (PDF)
- Identifying Ministry Gifts
Q: How do I encourage volunteer excellence?
A: Write down what you expect of volunteers in their specific positions (teachers, greeters, etc), adapt that into their job descriptions, and have a meeting with each volunteer to discuss their responsibilities. Create a contract with a list of expectations and a place for them to sign their intent to serve the Lord through the specific ministry they feel called to. Give them an accountability log (PDF) to help them stay accountable to themselves and to you.
Q: How do I help tired volunteers?
A: Tell them how much they are appreciated and needed—then give them vacations. Offer to fill in for them for awhile, or arrange for someone else to do so. Check out some tips on dealing with burnout.
Q: Where can I go to meet other leaders and learn more about my position?
A: Attend a Sunday School Administrators Conference. Contact sstraining@ag.org or call 417-862-2781 ext. 4003 for more information.
Q: I can’t attend a conference. Where can I go for more help?
A: The Sunday School Administrators Manual (English or Spanish) and the ASSET training series. The Sunday School Administrators Manual has exhaustive information and tips for leading a successful Sunday School ministry. It includes reproducible forms and policies. The ASSET training series is a certification process designed to help teachers increase Sunday School attendance, explore classroom possibilities, and develop techniques to connect with students.
Q: Where can I read more?
A: Check out any of these articles for more information:
- Quick Tips for Administrators
- Developing Facilities (PDF)
- Growing a Sunday School (PDF)
- Improving Sunday School Ministry (PDF)
- Recruiting/Retaining (PDF)
- Setting a Vision (PDF)
- Understanding Curriculum’s Scope and Sequence
- Guiding the Three-Generational Sunday School
- A Facility Evaluation
- Grouping for Effective Learning
- A Call to Spiritual Leadership (part 1, part 2, part 3)
- Ministry Descriptions (PDF)
- 55 Tips for Organizing your Ministry
- 10 Questions for Teachers
- Parents’ Information Form (PDF)
- Suggested Sunday School Operational Policy
- Keeping Records Equals Keeping People (PDF)
Compiled by Stefanie Reubell and Clancy Hayes.
