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We all know the importance of the incumbent for gathering and organizing an effective parish team. Who is the second most important?
My answer would be the church school leader. Church school leaders do much of their work independently. They also need the skills of gathering and caring for a team. Often they have to work in a way that is somewhat disconnected from the main pattern of
worship.
If the church school is buoyant and effective the results will be noticeable in the congregation. The families that come will come back. Young hearts will start growing and wanting to return.
If things aren't going well in the church school the effects will also be seen in the congregation. But sometimes the signs aren't recognized until too late. Even though much of their work is unseen, they set much of the climate for your congregation.
Here are some ideas for working with church school leaders.
1. Meet with your church school leader regularly and let them know that they have your support, encouragement and help.
2. Help them in their task of recruiting. Let them know the names of the people that you have been visiting that you think might make good teachers.
3. When you're visiting get feedback from your families as to how interesting and valuable the church school program has been.
4. Make sure that the church school volunteers have adequate training and encouragement.
5. Once in the teaching role do teachers feel trapped, or is the incumbent and leader continuously recruiting new teachers?
6. Are the parents excited about the program, and the materials? Do they understand the importance of continuity?
7. Even though the church school may meet in separate space, is there some way of including them and honouring them in the normal worship pattern?
Item IX
©1999 Ronald C. Ferris
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