For as long as I have been in ministry there has been discussion about how best to reform the Sunday School experience for children. I spent many months doing research on this topic nearly a decade ago as a part of my doctoral work. I continue to be intrigued by and appreciative of those who are on the front lines of innovating this important ministry of faith formation.
Day Smith Pritchartt’s recent blog post is one great example of how a congregation might choose to replace the traditional Sunday morning Sunday School experience with a more 2014 friendly blended learning experience. More specifically, St. Andrews Episcopal Church (Arlington, VA) has chosen to move the primary location of the experience from the church to the home. In order to empower parents and other adults involved in children’s lives as their primary sources of faith formation to engage in intentional and meaningful experiences, the education leader designed a website to explain things – including a blog that provides a weekly prompt and invites people to share their experiences. Periodically (so far this has been every 4 to 6 weeks) those involved in this venture gather in person following worship for a social time that builds on the prior learning experiences.
So What?
If your congregation is still doing Sunday School for children the same way you did back in the 1970s or 1980s, then something is wrong. While many congregations begin serious conversation about change in a reactive posture following significant decline, it is important that ongoing evaluation occur whether that ministry is declining, growing, or stable.
What does your congregation offer in the way of children’s faith formation classes, activities, programs, and resources?
- What items on this list are available online?
- What items are designed to occur on the church campus? at home? anywhere (not location specific in expectation)?
How has your congregation’s approach to Sunday School changed in recent years?