Small Church Accomplishes Big Things with Sunday School
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"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name" (Revelation 3:8, NIV).
These words, penned by the Apostle John as he sat in exile on the island of Patmos almost a century after Christ’s ascension, remind us that God is pleased with His churches when they keep His commands—even if those churches are small. Calvary Christian Assembly of God is one of those small churches—average attendance in 2003 was 41—but their faithfulness has brought a harvest. According to Alice Horne, Calvary Christian’s Sunday School Superintendent and pastor’s wife, much of that success hinges on their commitment to Sunday School and the study of God’s Word.
When Pastor Gerald and Alice Horne came to leadership at Calvary four years ago, the attendance had dropped to 17. They decided the Lord needed to be free to move, and one of their first promptings from Him was to inflate the floundering Sunday School ministry of the church. Alice Horne recalls that process: "Four years ago there was one class—adults-only. We began to bus children, we knocked on doors, made repeated phone calls, and I am a letter-writer. Everyone got a note from me when they visited or were absent."
Commitment to the process and prayers paid off. The church began to grow. Participation by other church members built on the new momentum. When young adults from the church decided to go door-to-door one day, the church ended up transporting seven new teenagers back and forth from their homes to the church for more than a year. Pastor Gerald and Alice brought the grandchildren of their neighbor. The first children at the church—four sisters—came into the church through the worship leader. The entrance of the first children proved to be the vehicle that started the ball rolling for a children’s Sunday School ministry; eventually there were four children’s classes. A comment from one eleven-year-old boy could summarize why. When his unsaved father asked if he would rather stay home and watch football on Sunday than go to church with his mother, he replied: "No, Dad—church is too much fun."
There is no shortage of Sunday School teachers at Calvary Christian Assembly, which Pastor Gerald and Alice attribute to the prompting of the Lord. Alice affirmed that very often future teachers had been wrestling with God about whether to teach long before the need arose. When a prayer request came before the church body for a teacher, that person often had already been prompted for ministry. To focus attention on their important ministry, teachers are honored at an annual dinner, and each teacher is given a gift of appreciation. A feature of Calvary Christian that member April Hurt is proud of is that its Sunday School teachers are focused on improvement and personal growth. "They keep students interested and more involved by looking for exciting ways to teach," says Hurt. "This can be anything from a new game to a new way to memorize the Ten Commandments."
Pastor Gerald believes that honoring teachers is part of promoting Sunday School. What are other ways churches can promote Sunday School? Demonstrating the importance of continued learning, says Pastor Gerald, and making sure people know there are classes for all ages. Children’s Sunday School teacher Rosemary McGoughey is creative in her approach toward promotion: "We try to keep our room bright with pictures, posters, the children’s own projects, et cetera. We are working on outreach as well." Sunday School promotion has helped elevate the visibility of Calvary Christian’s Sunday School ministry and has drawn new people into the church.
While growth, high-quality teaching, and creative promotion are all integral features of a healthy Sunday School ministry, one of the most important aspects is good curriculum. Alice Horne makes sure each teacher receives a subscription to the ToolShop magazine/catalog, which profiles the newest curriculum and resources available from the Assemblies of God Headquarters’ Gospel Publishing House. "I encourage them to read the age-appropriate articles and see if there are any resources they’d like to add to their teaching tools," Horne says. "We are blessed to have a generous congregation, so we have enough funds for buying equipment and curriculum." In the young adults class (which ranges from age 20 to age 45), there is a special need for modern, relevant curriculum that still maintains a biblical focus. "We use Radiant Life Connections curriculum and address current issues," explains Horne. "It is a participation class and rather informal. We are accused of having too much fun!"
Calvary Christian Assembly of God has much advice for other small churches with no Sunday School ministry, especially churches discouraged by their small size.
"Pray unceasingly for guidance and new opportunities!" says children’s teacher Rosemary McGoughey. "Have dedicated teachers for every class, whether there is one student or twenty. And don’t leave your classroom if none of your students show up. They might come in late, and they need to know you want to be there—that it is a privilege to serve them."
"Begin with what you have and add new classes as needed," says Pastor Gerald Horne.
"Start the classes with a surprise element, like donuts or door prizes," says Sunday School Superintendent Alice Horne. "Recruit teachers who believe in the importance of studying God’s Word."
Church member April Hurt believes being small is an advantage but that Sunday School is as important in a small church as a large church. "By being small, you can better assimilate people into your church and in ministry," she says. "The people that come in aren’t lost in the crowd. Sunday School is the most effective means I know of for reaching and discipling these people—and regular church members also."
Perhaps Rosemary McGoughey put it best: "Thank God always and praise Him for your church and what He has already done there. And as you ask Jesus to help build your church and Sunday School, remember to ask Him, ’What can I do?’—and listen for the answer."
