I'm the Sunday School Super. at our church. I'm having trouble right now with some of the classes that are offered. Currently we have 2 classes, both taught by ladies. I know one is on Ephesians, I'm not sure about the other. Both have a fairly good crowd that come. At our last board meeting, one lady requested to start a new class. When asked why she said "well, it's not a clique" Which was actually my first thought when she said that the ppl who are interested just don't feel comfy in the other classes (this was also have hearing her for 3 hours talk about these same ppl and rumors they'd started/heard, etc) I wasn't comfortable with the idea of them starting a new classes with 2 others in session and the new quarter coming up in about 2 months, but I ok'ed it and said that they just needed to start a new lesson come the new quarter so others would feel comfortable joining them.

Today a lady called requesting another new class. This lady's husband is the head of the elders but she rarely comes or gets invovled in anything. At our Easter party last year (first one with our new Children's Ministry) she said they didn't know if they'd be coming or not b/c their dd wasn't sure if she wanted to come to the church or go to this Easter activity at the mall. Their dd is 8, very mature for her age, homeschooled, smart, only child, etc The mother is kinda older, probably in her 40s. She wants a class for ladies only, b/c she feels she's lacking on fellowship with other ladies, which I totally understand. But at the same time we have the Alliance Women, that meets twice a month and a ladies Bible study once a month. I suggested both of those and asked what would be different about this sunday school class, and those ministries for the ladies? She said she couldn't go to those, apparently b/c her husband works nights and she homeschools. To me if she was REALLY lacking and wanted to fellowship she would go to the Alliance Women (only meets for an hour on the first Tues of the month, and one Wed night a month) and go to the Ladies Bible Study and just bring their dd along. I KNOW the other ladies wouldn't care if their dd came. But I could tell she didn't like that suggestion at all.

She wants a class that's more like a "book club", with no teacher/leader. I'm not big on this idea. To me Sunday school is a time for fellowship but mostly for Bible study and learning. I suggested a few books/studies that wouldn't require a lot, if any, outside work, but would be mostly only Sunday mornings. She said if there was any kind of Q&A she wouldn't come. She wants it where they can read what they want and then just come together and discuss/share what they're read that week. The books she was suggesting didn't really sound like something "sunday school" like. I told her maybe we could wait another quarter and just find out more of what she's looking for and would like in a class. I have no problem with a ladies class but for sunday school I feel there should be more "bible study" of some kind.

What do you think? I talked with my mom who has pretty much the same positions at her church and my husband, both said it didn't sound acceptable. But I want to make sure I'm understanding her right, have her list out some books she'd like to see, although I would still want there to be a teacher and some sort of organized discussion/study from it, kwim?

Thanks!!
Sarah

It sounds like you're right on with her.. honest, respectful and I agree with your position on everything you've said. I'm not even sure what to add because I just agree with you.

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Jennifer ~

Mom to Nathan, born 8/18/03

Im not getting this. For me sunday school is what the kids attend. Anyway, wouldnt 4 classes be too much division on a sunday, isnt that the day when everyone is meant to come to be together in a big fellowship ? Sorry if my comments seem wayward.

Oh. From where im seeing it from, i do think youre in the right, but im not sure if i am on the same wavelength.

God bless,

Matthew

LOL Matthew. We have sunday school for children and adults, before the main worship service. Our sunday school starts at 9am, then the main worship is at 10:15. Usually the sunday school classes are basically just small groups. We have about 12-15 in each adult class (so about 30 in adult sunday school altogther and average about 10 children in the kids classes, which are broken down by age groups). Our morning worship, we have about 50-80 people.

I seriously dont know. If there is more demand from others then maybe but if its only from 1 person then i would say best to leave it. See what God says, maybe it is from God as i said i dont know.

God bless,

Matthew

Considering this would be for sunday school I wouldn't allow it. If she is looking for that type of meeting then she should find another time for it. I think you are right for not feeling it is a good idea

Thanks!! I did talk to the other lady Sunday to get a little more input on what they were kinda looking for. I pulled out a couple books I've done in VBS, one on prayer and one on eternal rewards, and she suggested a book about women and friendships. I'm also going to try to go to the Christian Bookstore this week and see what they have, or might suggest. I will create a list of "suggestions" and see if there are any the first lady would be interested in or if any are hitting along the lines of what she is looking for. I do plan to put my foot down, in a sense, and say there has to be a leader and no books that are just for "entertainment" purposes. I think a leader is necessary 1) to facilitate discussion and keep it moving and 2) so that others know there will always be at least someone there on Sunday mornings to meet and welcome them to the class. Hopefully I can meet with the first lady again this sunday and discuss this some more, and we can maybe get this class going the next session (which starts in March).

On a side note, I'm SO excited, I got approval from the Board to start having a Pancake Breakfast to kick off the new session. Each session lasts 3 months, so we're not sure yet if we want to do this every quarter or every other quarter. We'll see how our first breakfast goes. We use to do this at our old church and had HUGE turn-outs, esp from those who didn't typically come to sunday school. We'll provide the pancakes and the members can bring a breakfast side-dish. I hope it turns out really well!!

Not sure what to say.

((((hugs))))

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