planning for it, but there must be also proper preparation for the growth which should result. This means consideration must be given to facilities including class room space and to a program of parental contacts. Q. What can a Superintendent do to assure growth in his Sunday school? A. Several suggestions can be made. He should carefully super vise the placement of students in classes so to have a good balance between churches and un churched children. He should see that the Sunday school is provid ed with enough teachers to do the job well. This means a continual program o f r e c ru itm en t and training. He should continue to keep the focus of the Sunday school on outreach. “Without a vision, the people perish.” Q. How large should a Sunday school try to be? A. As large as the Lord wants that particular witness for Him to be. We are so conscious of numbers today that sometimes we lose sight of the Lord’s plan for our own chu rch and Sunday school. Certainly we should at tempt to reach all possible at this hour. But this may be accom plished in different ways. Some churches choose to start other Sunday schools rather than grow too large in one place and lose effectiveness. In other situations, God’s work is best done through a strong ministry that influences many. In this matter, God’s will should be sought. Q. Where do you find prospective workers in the church? A. Survey names of church mem bers to determine who is not presently active in some form of service. This may also be a good time to determine which workers are presently overloaded in your church program and need to be relieved of some responsibilities.
Ask people already in leader ship capacities to suggest pro spective w o rk e r s they know. Adult class teachers should con stantly be recommending mem bers who are ready to assume a teaching responsibility. Canvass your church member ship annually, using a printed or mimeographed form on which the people are asked to state their past experiences in church edu cational ministries, present re sponsibilities, and the agency and age-group they would like to serve in the future. The Evangelical Teacher Training Association has a Talent-Search Questionnaire available called “Let Me Help.” Write for free copy to P.O. Box 327, Wheaton, Illinois 60187.
by Chester Larson
Q. What are some ways to reach the unchurched parents for our church? A. Along with a home visit and class parent socials, another good way is to have special church pro grams fea tu r in g the children. Parents will come when their children are involved. Friendly church members will encourage them to return. Q. What are some ways to reach unchurched families who have no contact with the church at all? A. A many-pronged approach is advocated. Vacation Bible School will bring in many of these chil dren; children’s clubs such as Christian Service Brigade and Pioneer Girls will attract many; evangelistic departments of the Sunday school such as the Cradle Roll and the Home Department are excellent ways to reach into many o f these homes; church members should be encouraged to bring friends and neighbors with them. Q. Why do not m ore Sunday schools experience f a s t e r and more permanent growth? A. There is not proper prepare tion for it. When a contest is held, not only must there be careful
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