Comments on: Is Sunday School Going Extinct? or…

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:59:21 +0000

Thanks Josh. “Doing well” needs examined. Sunday Schools and youth groups were doing GREAT in the 60′s and 70′s in many churches. But where are all those kids now? Statistically speaking, church attendance has slid since then.

And in some churches, class attendance is “well” because the church is in a growing area, or they have a dynamic pastor or adult ministry.

Rather than “great program and attendance growth”, the only measure of success we can afford is “growing children into adult disciples”.

By: Josh Hunt

Josh Hunt — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:47:39 +0000

Great article. I work with lots of Sunday schools that are doing well; yet there is that perception that they are few doing well.

By: Neil

Neil — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:38:20 +0000

Thanks Cathy for your comments. I believe almost every situation can be changed, -if those in charge WANT to change. But unfortunately, change requires confession of one’s deficiencies that have contributed to the problems, opening yourself up to new ideas, letting go so that others can lead, and the ability to help create a vision and implement it over the long haul. And these are qualities which are not often found among pastors or lay leaders. The other truth is that some pastors simply don’t know how to teach or lead. They are priests –equipped for worship leadership and pastoral care, and little else.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:36:32 +0000

THANK YOU.

I am an educator teetering on the edge of burnout, for reasons you’ve explained beautifully above. I’m also VP of the National Association for Episcopal Christian Education Directors and learned of your blog from the NAECED listserv.

I almost copied and pasted this link to send to “the powers that be” in my parish. But thinking about what you said saved me from continuing to beat my head against that wall. My head hurts enough as it is, and that purple lump on my forehead is so unattractive. At some point, it’s soul-saving to accept what can and cannot be changed in a particular setting, and move on from there.

So thank you for this ministry! And blessings on your day.

By: Debbie Streicher

Debbie Streicher — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:45:24 +0000

Neil,
Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention. I agree with your assessment that the decline in our Christian education programs lies in the hands of leadership. And in many cases the lack of the program being promoted, supported, and continually uplifted as “vital” by the Pastor and/or the congregation.
And of course, the necessity of having an energetic, committed team to lead !
Blessings, Debbie