Part 1: How NOT To Teach Sunday School

Why we need not a revival or reformation, but a revolution

We Need Bodies!

There is an unwritten and inviolable rule in Sunday School: never turn down a living, breathing volunteer, especially if they want to teach. We're desperate (just as the denominational leaders are for pastors) even though we do some serious arm twisting and guilt motivation. And we do our best to condition the flock to never turn down such a "request", yet the pickings are slim.

Now when we're successful in acquiring some warm bodies to fill teaching positions, we must do everything possible to keep them locked in. If they want to quit or even ask for a break, we lay down a thick layer of guilt and shame for becoming weary in God's service. If they ask for materials or supplies to make their jobs a little easier, we suggest that they "donate" such items to the church so as to stay within the church's denial-of-reality budget. This would demonstrate their loyalty and devotion to the things of God. Besides, if they've brought in their own supplies they're less likely to leave them to someone else.

Which brings us to the other extreme: the "lifer". Even the most desperate churches sometimes encounter an individual who, to put it kindly, is doing more harm than good. This could be anything from making teens sing nursery songs to wanting command and control of all Sunday School activities and materials. This person may have considerable clout in the church, which is another good argument against the system of hierarchy we've all come to expect in every church. How do you discreetly dismiss such a teacher without splitting the church? If I may be so bold as to quote the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz", "These things must be done delllllllicately".

Then we have those who feel that they have been "called" to teach, regardless of never having demonstrated the Holy Spirit's gifting in this area. Like the "call to the ministry" of pastors, I would ask for Biblical support for anyone being given such an important responsibility on the basis of such a subjective thing. Where in the Bible do we see anyone being appointed for an important task simply because they "felt" something? Paul had witnesses to his encounter with the risen Jesus; Timothy had prophecies told about him; we see the command to elders in the New Testament to watch for mature believers who could be entrusted with proper handling of the Word. But no "feelings", no subjective "call" can be seen anywhere in its pages.