A light bulb turned on on Monday night. I went to an associational meeting to talk about adjustments needed in response to the Sunday School post-pandemic. I shared what I had been hearing in the form of a Kentucky pandemic Sunday School story.
That story talked about Sunday Schools who ranged from not having restarted to those whose attendance were 95% back. The story pointed out that most churches had classes that had not returned. While attendance has been increasing in most churches as vaccinations have risen, it is obvious that some attenders will not return.
The story shared that 5-67% of teachers are not returning, and the most common percentage is 25%. Teachers that have worked hard through the pandemic are telling me they are burning out. If we are not careful, those churches will lose even more teachers. Fewer teachers and Sunday School leaders inevitably result in less care and less care leads to declined attendance.
My Pandemic Sunday School Story Light Bulb
My light bulb that went on was that leaders were discouraged. They have been experiencing the Elijah complex. What do I mean? They felt alone. They felt their church was the only one experiencing these problems and realities. Suddenly these leaders realized that there was hope to take steps in dealing with discouraging, depressing realities. They began to realize that God is not finished.
As we talked together, we all (including me) began to be convinced that the possibilities post-COVID are brighter. When we pray for workers for the harvest, our Lord will send them. New teachers are coming. People are waiting to be invited. New people are coming.
Sunday School in the days ahead will look different. God is an awesome Creator. Churches and Sunday School have been creative as a result of the pandemic. And that creativity and intentionality will required as we lead the Sunday School forward. Don’t retreat. Don’t give up. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
Photo by Riccardo Annandale on Unsplash
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