Very Preliminary Results from the Sunday School Practices Survey

Last week, I wrote in a post entitled Leaders Needed to Complete a Sunday School Practices Survey about having completed an online Sunday School Practices survey. It was designed for Sunday School teachers, directors, pastors/staff, other Sunday School leaders, and even members. The survey was open to anyone involved in Sunday School in any church around the world and had 37 multiple-choice questions. All responses were anonymous. The survey focused on your understanding of what is happening in your Sunday School.

In my previous post, I mentioned that this survey had the potential to help me understand what is happening in Sunday School, but it can also help you. Below is a quick and early overview of some of the results. Realize that these results are from a small number of surveys completed to date. Persons have responded from churches with under 50 in Sunday School to those with 501-1,000. Allow me to share some of the more interesting results (which are subject to change with more survey submissions). I share these results without commentary–reserving that opportunity for later when a larger number of surveys have been completed.

The numbers are percentages of survey participants whose Sunday School has grown, stayed the same, or declined since last year who responded with the answers in parentheses:

• Are name tags used in your Sunday School? (yes) grown–60%; same–25%; declined–0%
• Does your church offer visitation–a regular time for visiting members and prospects? (weekly): grown—60%; same—38%; declined—14%
• As best as you can remember, how often are Sunday School teacher/worker training events offered? (more than once each year): grown—100%; same—13%; declined—29%
• My Sunday School keeps good records of guests and prospects and expects classes to contact them regularly . . . (yes, to good records and expectations): grown—60%; same—50%; declined–29%
• The last time I remember a new class (for preschoolers, children, youth, or adults) being started in my Sunday School was . . . (in the last year): grown—60%; same—25%; declined—29%
• Sunday School members are regularly contacted by phone, card/letter, e-mail, or visit . . . (weekly to monthly): grown—80%; same—38%; declined—57%
• My Sunday School has challenged classes to invite more people through a high attendance Sunday emphasis . . . (in the last year): grown—80%; same—50%; declined—29%
• My church sets aside time to pray for Sunday School, teachers and workers, prospects, new classes, and other Sunday School needs . . . (weekly): grown—60%; same—25%; declined—0%
• From the pulpit, my pastor invites people to Sunday School . . . (weekly or twice monthly): grown—40%; same—38%; declined—0%
• When I think of space in current Sunday School classes, most classes are . . . (full or almost full): grown&m dash;80%; same—38%; declined—14%
• Class fellowships are planned in my Sunday School . . . (monthly or every other month): grown—80%; same—25%; declined—43%
• Most classes in my Sunday School tend to start the first class activity–announcements, prayer, fellowship, teaching, etc. . . . (late): grown—80%; same—63%; declined—57%
• When a guest attends my Sunday School, they are invited to join . . . (on the first visit): grown—100%; same—25%; declined—43%

Did any of the results surprise you like they did me? We should give our best efforts to God and the people He has called us to serve. Reach. Care. Grow. Be revolutionary!