“For recruitment of Sunday School Teachers, letting them know what to expect helps them envision themselves in that ministry.”
Recruiting Sunday School Teachers
Looking for volunteer teachers for the coming year? Just as with any ministry or “job,” having a position description helps individuals discern whether they have the gifts for the ministry as well as an understanding of what you are asking them to make a commitment to. Here’s an example of what one might look like:
Sample Job Description
Purpose:
To assist in the nurture, care and spiritual feeding of children in a Church School class setting. To share one’s faith with others and share God’s story as related to us in the Old and New Testament as well as what we believe as (your denomination).
Responsibilities:
- To nurture and show concern for each child in your class
- To follow the curriculum assigned for your class, choosing activities and experiences within the lesson material or of your own creativity to correspond to the theme of the session
- To attend teacher meetings when scheduled (note how often and/or when they will be scheduled)
- To attend Safe Church training for the protection and safety of children as well as yourself
- To spend time prior to your teaching session in preparation (at least one hour)
- To arrive in your classroom at least 15 minutes early to welcome the children
- To attend worship regularly
What Our Church Offers You:
- A (name staff person, coordinator, advisor, etc.) who will be available for support, consultation, problem solving and to supply resources if necessary
- Curriculum materials that make teaching fun and lead to your own spiritual and intellectual growth
- Teacher training
- A well stocked supply closet to support the activities suggested in the curriculum you will be using
- A clean, age-appropriate room / space for teaching
- A calendar for the school year of lesson topics and special church related events
- A teacher’s handbook
- Opportunities for friendship and problem solving with other teachers at teachers’ meetings and social occasions
- The prayerful support of clergy, staff, congregational leadership and church members
Time Commitment:
- To teach ____________ (fill in the blank with dates or time period – such as 8 weeks, a semester, etc.)
- 60 minutes per week with your class of children
- 1 hour preparation time weekly at home
- Teacher meetings (note how many – monthly, quarterly, semi-annually)
Benefits:
- The joy of learning from and being with children
- Meeting new people
- Growing in faith
- The chance to make a difference in a young person’s life!
Conclusion
Volunteers love to know the parameters of their commitment. For recruitment of Sunday School Teachers, letting them know what to expect helps them envision themselves in that ministry.
More helpful hints for Sunday School Teaching can be found in The Episcopal Christian Educator’s Handbook.
Sharon Ely Pearson is a 30+ year Christian formation veteran, currently serving as an editor and the Christian Formation Specialist for Church Publishing Incorporated. Wife, mother, grandmother, and author, she enjoys connecting people with each other and the resources they need for growing in the knowledge and love of Jesus.
