GSUMC – Role Description
We are called to love, worship, and serve as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Role: Sunday School Organizer (¶256)
Ministry Area: Faith Development
Purpose:
Term: Annual, may be renewed.
Role Summary:
This person is responsible for supervising the Christian Education Program of the congregation, namely the Church School and short term Bible Studies.
The ministries of the local church are offered so that people encounter God’s redeeming love for the world and respond by participating in God’s action in the world. To achieve this ministry, people need to be involved in a variety of small-group settings. Some will be formed by the church council. Others will emerge with the approval of this body. Another type is historical, expressing itself in organizational structures that are related to counterparts in annual conferences and the general Church. These are referred to as program ministries and are related to the church council.
1. The Church School and Small-Group Ministries-In each local church there shall be a variety of small-group ministries, including the church school, for supporting the formation of Christian disciples focused on the transformation of the world. These small groups may concentrate on teaching and learning, fellowship, support, community ministries, and accountability. Members of small groups will build their knowledge of the Bible, the Christian faith, The United Methodist Church, and the societal context in which the church finds itself. In addition, small groups, including the church school, shall provide people with opportunities for practicing skills for faithful discipleship, including but not limited to worship, faith sharing, the creation of new faith communities, spiritual discernment, Bible study, theological reflection, prayer, community building, service with the poor and marginalized, and advocacy for peace and justice. Local churches or charges are encouraged to develop a policy to provide for the safety of the infants, children, and youth entrusted to their care.
a. The Church School-In each local church there shall be a church school for the purpose of accomplishing the church’s educational ministry.
b. The church school is challenged to create communities in which people of all ages experience God’s active presence in their lives; foster healthy, nonviolent relationships within the congregation and community; testify to the reconciling love of God through Christ; and live out their faith in the world as witnesses to the coming reign of God.
c. Accountable Discipleship-Historically class leaders provided lay pastoral leadership, and classes and class meetings were the basic structural means of Christian spiritual formation in the early Methodist societies.
d. Class leaders may be commissioned and classes may be organized within the local congregation for the purpose of forming persons as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ through mutual accountability and support for witnessing to him in the world and for following his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (See 103, “The Nature, Design, and General Rules of Our United Societies” [page 72], and 1118.)
Responsibilities:
1. Reports special dates for the church calendar and newsletter.
2. Recruits, encourages, and supervises teachers (finds substitutes if they cannot find one)
3. Encourages new classes when needed (Sunday School Classes or short-term studies).
4. Promotes Bible study which encourages our mission to “make disciples.”
5. Being alert to new materials reinforcing our mission.
6. Places orders and distribute supplies and teaching materials.
7. Lists resource materials at church/conference level.
8. Calls and presides over teachers’ meetings when necessary.
9. Directs and conducts Promotion Sunday (Usually the first Sunday before or after Labor Day)
a. orders and presents bibles to rising 2nd Graders
b. order and present perfect attendance pins
c. collaborates with Pastor in planning Promotion Sunday service.
10. Orders and presents gifts of recognition to graduates.
11. Coordinates and oversees Graduate luncheon.
12. Oversees the best location of the various Sunday school Classes.
13. Develops and oversees the education budget.
14. Prepares and provides annual budget requests to the finance committee.
15. Appoints short-term sub-committees for short term projects.
16. Attends Christian education workshops.
17. Makes teachers aware of teacher training events and encourage them to attend.
Skills:
1. Good listening skills.
2. Organizational skills.
3. Good interpersonal skills.
4. Multi-media communications skills.
Estimated Time per Month: Undetermined.
Faith Development_Sunday_School_Organizer.wpd 3 January 29, 2010