What Sunday School & Small Groups Could Learn from the Teaparty Movement

I have always enjoyed politics. The Southern Leadership Conference was in New Orleans this past week and the Tea Party Movement is receiving attention from both liberal and conservative news media. I was watching a pundit describe how the Republicans may not end up benefiting from the Tea Party Movement this coming election because, although the two groups have much in common, they may end up splitting over secondary issues, which could impact the upcoming election for both groups.

As I listened, I immediately began to think about the Sunday School and Small Group movements. I know how difficult it is sometimes for leaders in these two movements to agree on some issues. In fact, it often looks like both movements want to, shall we say, major on the minors when we dialogue with each other. We argue over things like; do unchurched people feel more comfortable coming to a home or a church facility? Content or community... which is more important? LifeWay curriculum or Group? I am a little embarrassed to admit I've entered into some of these arguments myself, and more than once I've felt my temperature rising over an issue was more secondary than primary in importance.

What has occurred to me is that the Sunday School and Small Group Movements have more in common with each other than we may realize. I have put together a list of things about which I believe we can find common ground.

1. A belief that lives are more easily transformed within a framework of "small groups". Whether it is in a classroom or a living room, the opportunity to meet with a small group of people that studies the Bible together, prays with each other, and ministers to each person in the group is a powerful foundation for spiritual transformation.

2. "Open groups" are essential to evangelism and sharing the Gospel. Groups that are easily accessible by new people are very effective in helping unchurched or unevangelized people engage the Gospel message both through Bible study and interaction with followers of Christ.

3. Groups are key to assimilating new members and bringing them into a closer walk with Christ. Rainer's data states that 86% of new believers that are active in a Sunday School class will still be around five years later.

4. The church needs leaders and a healthy small group structure will equip new people to step into the church's leadership needs.

5. Healthy groups start new groups. I have found that the window to start a new group in both Sunday School and Small Groups is 18-24 months. The longer a group waits to start a new group, the harder it becomes.

6. Keeping a robust, healthy structure is hard work... period! I don't care which strategy you prefer, it takes time, work, and people skills to lead either one.

7. Patience truly is a virtue for both classes and groups. Rome wasn't built in a day and Jesus' twelve followers did not become best buds after their first mission trip.

8. That context is more important than personal preference about which strategy (SS or SG) that your church uses.

9. Finally, both groups realize (hopefully) that structure and strategy are no substitutes for relationships and passion. Groups that thrive on relationships and have a passion for ministry can overcome terrible structure and poor strategy. The reverse is not true.

As I grow older, I guess I'm less interested in fighting and more interested in making friends. It seems to me that sometimes two movements that have similar goals and interests can sometimes spend more time arguing over less important issues and forget about all we have in common. Sunday School and Small Group leaders can learn a lot from each other, and I believe we could help both movements become stronger as a result!

Comments

[Steve Cross]

I have been teaching Sunday School for 2 years. I have also read and incorporated several of the things that were in August 09's 31 days of Sunday School. I was just hit up last night after church to restart the Sunday School Directors position. My background is teaching-public school, college, and corporate. I am currently an A-III teacher with my focus on our primary mission-reaching people for Christ with methods as the support role. Our SS is small <100 in total, about 35 adults,30 children N-6 thgrad,20-30 youth and a small support staff. Most of the teachers are long term and pretty set in their approach with methods playing a bigger role than message. I don't have to decide to take the job until the new SS year in fall, but I need to make my decision now if I'm going to prepare adequately. The reason for SS is not a problem. How to get it done is not insurmountable. Dealing with entrenched personalities to get everyone working from the same songbook is the one thing that will keep me from pursuing this. We are a small church and know everybody else's business and I don't need or want the hassle. Any comments, suggestions, referrals you would like to make would be appreciated.

[Jim Burkett]

Bob, this was timely article! There are too many who need the ministry of the Gospel. Romans 14:19 is still a significant directive. Thanks.

[Bob Mayfield]

Steve, you're right! You do need to respond pretty soon if you feel led to do this so that you can be prepared for the fall of 2010. Here are a couple of ideas and as other people read this I'm sure they will offer some help as well.

I would build upon a positive foundation. Have a leader appreciation banquet and ask your keynote speaker to emphasize something that you want to accomplish during the fall semester of 2010.

Build momentum through your relationships with the teachers. In addition to possibly doing an appreciation banquet, do a couple of fun things with the leaders as well. I have had good success over the years inviting all of the SS leaders to my home for an "open house". It is informal, come-and-go, and it gives me a chance to visit with them in my own home.

Develop a game plan and let them know what you are wanting to accomplish. For example, in the fall you might emphasize ministry. Ask your leaders to contact everyone on their roll a couple of times. Have a "Nametag Sunday", etc. In the spring, you could emphasize outreach and have an emphasis on inviting friends to Easter services.

You might consider doing a PowerUP emphasis. The basic PowerUP Your Sunday School resource is 7 weeks long and is relatively easy to accomplish. Go to www.bgco.org/sspowerup to peruse the materials there.

I've generally found that Sunday School leaders respond well to a challenge, as long as the challenge has predetermined goals, objectives, and timelines. Most leaders will come around over time if they are given consistent leadership.

Bob