The main reason to keep good contact and attendance records is not about numbers. It is about care. Sunday School records show the faithfulness of regular attenders, but they also call attention to absences.
Contact Records
Keeping contact records up to date (address, phone, and email) enables class member to communicate care to everyone, especially those who are not present. It is easy to lose an opportunity for care when we allow changes in contact information in Sunday School records to go unnoticed. My Sunday School class asks members to look over the contact list quarterly to note any changes. I believe the class has shared changes every time the list is passed.
Late Arrivers
Attendance records are important, but too often late-arrivers are not counted. Again, it is not about numbers, but noticing an absence in the records should set off a chain of intentional care by the class. When we fail to record attendance by late-arrivers, it can confuse care mobilization.
Intentional Care
Every time a person is absent one (1) Sunday, the class secretary or member care leader should enlist a class member to make a caring contact. Wait a minute. I know where Bill is; he’s on vacation. Then text him, and tell him you hope he’s having a great vacation, he was missed, and you look forward to seeing him Sunday. Every person should be contacted out of care every time he/she is absent.
Care can come in the form of text, handwritten mail, phone call, or visit, and care can be made by one person or a group. Ongoing care by one person is often very meaningful, but care by several people can also be a strong indicator of relationship and care. Care, whether by one or many, is critical.
Sunday School Records Matter
Someone must record absence in Sunday School records, and they must notice immediately. Someone must take the lead in assigning the caring contact. Care cannot wait. Help your class secretary or member care leader know how important their work is. If you don’t have these leaders helping your class with care, enlist them. If they don’t know what to do, train them. Don’t leave care to chance. Be intentional. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
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