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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 6/28/2009 10:07:19 PM
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I live in a rural area. The Church I attend is a small spirit filled congregation. One of the problems we have is that one Sunday we may havw 30 kids in SS and the next week we may have 3 kids. The problem is that the parents don't attend the Sunday School so they don't show up till time for Church. We (the Pastor and core congregation) have prayed about this and we have a fall festival yearly trying to stimulate area interest. Any suggestions on getting parents and new members excited. I have taught SS in the past (years ago) but I've just taken the 8 to 12 year olds at this Church and I want to do so much. I have so many ideas and I want to get them excited about an intimate relationship with Jesus but I need the kids there to do it. Help please with any ideas.
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Forum Guru
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we kind ahave the same problem, small number of kids in ss. i send postcards every now and then or make a phone call...this is usually effective but attendance not always consistent. i do think the postcards help. we also send postcards for birthdays, we have a bible super store where kids earn bible bucks and the kids are excited to come....hopefully, they will make enough noise that the parents will bring them , God's blessings to you and your church.
jackie
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Moderator
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| We're in the SAME boat (rural, small, etc.) It's so frustrating. One thing I'm going to try to implement this year is getting 6-8 older folks in the congregation who don't teach or help in SS rotate sending our kids cards and/or calling on Saturday to encourage them to come the next day. We just had VBS and had over 200 kids there. Of those 200, 40+ ELEMENTARY kids listed no church home. But how on earth do we draw them in? I'm having a backyard VBS in August for three days just to try to keep up the contact. And then my husband (the pastor) and I are going to visit each of these families in August. And LOTS of prayer. I just don't know what else to do!
Pictures taken on vacation at Lake Junaluska, NC.
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Forum Expert
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| Maybe changing the name from Sunday School to something else. Like small group or something else. Sunday school as a bad thought in some peoples heads. They remember when they were little and this happened or that etc. Also if you don't already do this maybe add some fun time like singing (worship) time, craft time, game time etc. Maybe rotate the different times so you don't have to do it all each Sunday. Sometimes the little changes are what makes a difference. Also if you get parents excited to come kids come, so what about instead of adult Sunday School use adult electives and serve coffee, tea, bagels etc. If there is food most adults come, plus it makes it a more informal environment and they feel more comfortable. If there are cl where they can share their thoughts, problems, ideas etc., the adults feel more at ease.
Hope that helps!
Melissa - NY
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