• We believe that knowledge of our faith stories, both as Christians and a church community is an important foundation. Christian Education is a priority in our church. We recognize and rejoice that Christian Education does not occur exclusively in Sunday School.
• We believe that being a Christian is not just something we do on Sunday morning. We encourage all persons to live their faith throughout the week at school, at work or wherever life may take them. We offer opportunities to gather as a community and be in ministry together at times other than Sunday morning.
• We believe that our actions can impact the world. We offer and encourage participation in opportunities for service and mission.
• We recognize that we live and do ministry in a global context. Our ministries acknowledge and provide information about what is happening in our community, our country and the world.
• We realize that “our church” is God’s church. We attempt to discern God’s will for our ministry and realize that this discernment needs to occur on a regular basis. When necessary, we get out of the way and allow Spirit to work.
• We recognize that many wonderful ministries begin with the passion of a few. We maintain an environment where all ideas are welcomed and considered. We are supportive of individuals or groups that express a desire to start new ministries.
• We acknowledge that we do not live in the same context in which the Bible was written. We offer and make available contemporary Biblical scholarship.
• We recognize that change is critical for growth. We are open to trying new things. We make a conscious effort not to say, “We’ve never done it that way before.” At the same time, we do not advocate change simply for change’s sake. We remember to “Ask, Why?”
• We recognize that the church cannot continue to use “this is the way we’ve always done it” ministry models and expect satisfactory results in a constantly changing society. We are open to trying new things. (See above.) We embrace the use of technology when it is consistent with our values and vision.

How does your Sunday School ministry inspire change?

~Sally Hoelscher