Planning for Educational Ministries
If your team cannot clearly express a common purpose, your group and, possibly the whole congregation, will need more time to create a vision. Ask questions like these, “How has our ministry changed? Are we the kind of church God is calling us to be? What is God asking us to do and to be today?” A clearly defined sense of direction in mission is needed to plan educational ministries that nurture a living faith.
After determining the overall mission of the church, sketch the context―a typical week at-a-glance in the life of the church. Ask questions about the opportunities that exist, “Where are people making connections with one another and with God? How are people learning God’s story and hearing it as their own story? What are we doing to help people practice their faith within and outside the faith community?” Depending on answers to the initial questions, formulate a plan. Consider using one or more of the books recommended in this bibliography to help in your planning process.
Ministry evaluation
An important task for congregations is ministry evaluation. Whether assessing participation in Sunday school or determining overall strength of the congregation, churches thrive when they intentionally ask questions about their ongoing ministries. Where have we been and where are we going? What do we value in our life together? Taking stock is part of planning and dreaming. Evaluation helps churches establish worthy goals.
One focus area for congregational evaluation is the educational ministries of the church. Begin the process by creating a systematic review of the existing courses and classes for each age group. Ask individual members of the Christian education committee to conduct classroom visits. They may begin with the one they attend regularly. Encourage them to participate, to observe, and to listen. Some of the most important insights about the value of any study come from those who are actively engaged in learning.
Ask classroom observers to take notes from their visits. Create a uniform tool for recording important information. The form could include a simple checklist or a set of basic questions. Gather any information that your committee may need to plan for the future. For example consider space needs in relation to the learners. Was the room adequate? Did it seem crowded and uninviting? Another important observation is the number of leaders to students. This is especially important information to consider for children and youth classes.
Committee members may want to ask the leader or teacher for a brief amount of time to talk about the evaluation process and to have a conversation with the class participants. Older children, youth, and adults will appreciate time to express what it means to be students in your church and studying within the community of faith.
Consider creating an online survey through Survey Monkey or other Web tools. Remember to create a set of uniform questions or statements that will glean the information you need to plan. Ask participants to reflect on the strengths of your ministries and consider areas of growth to help them as a disciple of Christ.
Include an opportunity to evaluate curricula that is used during the year. Most publishing companies provide an online or printed form and appreciate feedback. It is important that your education committee evaluate the content that helps meet learning goals more than the flash or the packaging. Use this information to determine resources for the coming year. An evaluation of the materials through the Reformed faith lens is part of this process.
Equally valuable in the year-end evaluation process is an intentional process of “calling” to current leaders and for prospective teachers. Communicate appreciation to this year’s teachers with thank you letters and small tokens. Make plans for a celebration Sunday to recognize leadership. Extend an invitation to all teachers to reflect and discern their ongoing call. Include a covenant card or form to return for the convenience of current teachers. After determining needs for the coming year, create a separate letter of invitation for potential leaders, identified by the committee. Prepare a FAQ sheet about education at your church; follow-up letters with phone calls and personal visits.
Evaluation takes a certain amount of organization and administration. The benefits far outweigh the investment of time. Consider your church’s worthy goals!
Tools for Christian Education
Plan worship, commissioning services, and Christian education emphases using these resources and tools. Download, print, or send these tools to encourage disciples of all ages to grow in faith anytime, anywhere.
Tools for Ordinary Time:
Celebrating Milestones
Prayer
Tools for Extra-Ordinary Time
Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany
Pentecost
Plan a more in-depth study of Communion using God’s Abundant Table by Cynthia Campbell, a Witherspoon Press title from Congregational Ministries Publishing. This book, containing key biblical texts for personal reflection and a six-session study guide for adult small groups, is ideal for Lenten study, but the book can be used at any time of the year.