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I have served in churches that had pitiful Sunday School attendance. Our church has a thriving Sunday School. I take 0% credit because my predecessor is the one who made it what it is. He chose excellent teachers to fill these roles. Much of our church growth can be attributed to Sunday School. Lots of people have come through the doors because someone invited them to Sunday School and they got plugged in.

What kind of setting is your church in? Rural or urban?

I must look back to my dad. Every church he pastored increased in attendance and finances. A couple doubled. He was SS minded. His thrust to his teachers was, give us 20-30 kids. Keep them for 10-12 years and add to it and in a little while we will have a more thriving church.He loved the kids SS classes and steadily visited the classes. It seems rather than raise a church and evangelize, the press is only evangelize or disciple and forget the children. Senior classes are good, but older folk don't seem to appreciate two sermons on SS morning. You really NEED a teacher for the senior youth and the adults Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Also, how do you evaluate teachers?What kind of criteria are you looking for in a good teacher?How do you move teachers that have been teaching the same class for decades?

In very small churches many times the SS super or Pastor has no choice. They must accept volunteers most times it pays to 'appoint' even reluctant qualified folk. In church I think an untrained loving Christian is better than a 'qualified' person with a terrible personality. (I know many times a pastor is very limited)Most churches I have attended have had that teacher that has been there since Paul was around. It can be a thorn in the flesh. (The new class might be good! )MO with no qualifications! Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

In very small churches many times the SS super or Pastor has no choice. They must accept volunteers most times it pays to 'appoint' even reluctant qualified folk. In church I think an untrained loving Christian is better than a 'qualified' person with a terrible personality. (I know many times a pastor is very limited)Most churches I have attended have had that teacher that has been there since Paul was around. It can be a thorn in the flesh. (The new class might be good! )MO with no qualifications! I have heard of pastors removing teachers. I wonder how that worked out?Looks like you and me are the only ones interested in a conversation about Sunday school, Cojak! Even the fellow that started the thread has wandered off

Sorry guys, I've been really busy and unable to respond. Our church is in an urban area. I'm not white but our church is predominantly Caucasian. Admittedly , most of the decisions and leadership in our Sunday School dept can be attributed to my predecessor. He was a tremendous administrator. I am more gifted in teaching but he was an outstanding administrator ! Cojak is right that most rural and small church pastors are handcuffed into accepting whatever volunteers are available. I've been there and done that. I've also been in the unfavorable position of pastoring, leading worship , teaching Sunday school , cleaning the toilets , mowing the lawn, and taking out the garbage

In other churches , I have had to remove teachers and leaders. In each instance, the individual in question ended up leaving the church due to hurt feelings. It's very hard to do, but you are much better off not appointing someone in the firstplace if you have any concerns or misgivings about their leadership. I have been guilty of putting people in place just to fill a void but it always came back to bite me. I have only appointed a few leaders in my tenure here but I take a lot into consideration. Not only their gifts and abilities as a teacher/ leader but also their

Hey Sheik, thanks for answering the questions there.I have been praying about starting another Sunday school class. Yeah, with me teaching. I know that would be a stretch, but I have done it before with New converts. It was working good, then got derailed by some nathering neighbobs of negativity.

I always enjoyed teaching Sunday School but I just have so many responsibilities with preaching two services it's just not feasible for me. If you're in a position to do so, then at least you know you don't have to worry about having someone faithful in that slot. Plus that gives your new members a way to connect with you outside of the pulpit !