Feb
2
Written by:
Different Voice
2/2/2009 7:00 AM
Sunday School is often an entry point to a church for visitors. This is especially true for families with children. Although they may be unaware of it, Sunday School teachers play an important role in reaching out to and welcoming visitors.
Here are some things you can do to encourage your teachers in their ministry of hospitality.
- Provide a nametag for each Sunday School teacher, and encourage them to wear it every week.
- Make sure that all teachers know what classes are available for each age group and where each class meets in case they are asked for help finding other classes.
- Remind teachers to introduce themselves to visitors. This sounds like an obvious thing, but in the rush of teaching a Sunday School class, it can be easy to assume that everyone knows who you are.
- Encourage teachers to introduce visitors to others. Sunday School teachers are in a natural position to connect parents of visiting children with other parents either before or after Sunday School.
- Have all parents fill out a Sunday School Registration Form at the beginning of each school year. Make sure each teacher has extra forms available for visitors to fill out. When visitors return another Sunday, registration forms can help teachers remember names! Having names written down also insures correct spelling, particularly important for young children still learning to spell their names.
It is often a small thing that makes someone feel welcome. What other ways do you have for helping your Sunday School teachers reach out to visitors? Post a comment to share your ideas.
~Sally Hoelscher