Church Growth

Hello and praise the Lord. I am a new Sunday School teacher for 1st and 2nd grade. My husband is the Sunday School Super, and we are looking for ways to help our church grow. If anyone has any ideas on contests or other ideas that have worked for your church, I would be pleased if you could share them. We want to work our hardest for our church and get to those lost souls that need the Lord. Thank you so much for your ideas. Denise

Responses:

After trying many outreach programs, contests, etc., the thing that has worked best for us is Backyard Sunday School.  We ask the church to help (even those not involved in SS).  We meet on the designated Saturday at the church, pray together and then carpool to the chosen location. We always use a school yard or park. We choose the location and time by driving around our city for several weeks at different times, looking for areas where there are a lot of children playing outside.
We set up our puppet stage, turn on music (jam box), put up a sign that says "puppet show in 30 minutes," and leave one person to stay with the equipment.
We divide into 2 teams, with a clown or other costumed character on each team.  Everyone synchronizes their watches, and we agree to meet in 30 minutes. The teams walk in opposite directions, talking to children and adults that they see along the way. They walk away from the school yard for 15 minutes, then turn around and walk back (usually on different streets). We DO NOT knock on any doors, but we have been known to carry noisemakers or a jambox in a wagon.
When we return it looks a little like the pied piper, with children and adults following along. We ask everyone to sit in the grass around the puppet stage. We sing a couple of songs, have a short puppet skit of song, do one or two illusions, sometimes play a game. We give out candy attached to a church card. Then we say "we do this every Sunday at our Sunday school. How may of you would like to come to our SS tomorrow?"  For every child that raises their hand, an adult (preferably 2) walks them home and gets permission to pick them up for SS. We have a card that they fill out. We do not have a bus, so we assign children to different adults to pick up.  CAUTION - the clowns or costumed characters NEVER walk anyone home.  You would not let your child go with someone whose face you could not see (clowns are disguised by big noses, etc.).
We have had great success with this. The first time we did it we had a parent raise her hand and say "I'll come and bring my 3 children if someone will pick me up." She came and received the Holy Ghost a couple weeks later!
We go back to the church, divide up the children to be picked up for SS, talk about what happened and ways we can improve.  
We always carry a large water container (filled with ice water) and cups. Our workers appreciate this!  Sometimes we take an ice chest filled with sodas.
The entire outreach takes 2 hours or less.
Teresa Bohannon, Beginner editor
La Marque, TX

Denise,
The SS division of the United Pentecostal Church offers an excellent book of contest ideas by Bro. Michael Easter. You can call 314-837-7300 and ask for the SS division. They should be able to help you.
Our church particularly enjoyed the War on the Empty Pews contest because it allowed us to work together against a common enemy—the empty pews. Each Sunday we had a skit relative to our church and community to keep the excitement high.
This Easter we did a "Come and Dine" theme and divided into two teams: "The Whoppers" and the "Big Macs." We divided the congregation by families, allowing families to work together. We had a theme song to the tune of "Come and Dine." Each Sunday the captain of each team was given "equal time" to motivate his team and rib the other side a little bit (key words here—a little bit). At the end we had a potluck dinner. Everyone brought food, but the losers did all the work at the dinner and had to eat last.
One common pitfall of contests is the after-the-drive let down. It is important that the Sundays following the contest are not completely flat. The excitement needs to continue (although maybe not on quite as high a level). When planning a contest, plan the follow-up, too. Otherwise, your efforts will be in vain.
Make sure all rules are written down in black and white. Try to think through every possible problem ahead of time so there are no misunderstandings.
Barbara Westberg
Cushing, OK

Help!

Youth Involvement

Need to find something for your youth to be involved in? Mentor them and train them to be teachers. Use them in children's church as assistants, mascots, gophers, decorators, servers, janitors, peacekeepers . . . the list goes on. As they observe your teaching methods, the way you handle children, and how you entertain the presence of God, they will learn to do the same. Their lives will be changed, for not only will they see their own potential, but they will draw closer to God through involvement and prayer (prayer time is a must if they are to help).

VBS

Are you planning to conduct a VBS this summer? Consider using a kids POWer hour unit for your curriculum. It's inexpensive, conveniently packed in one manual, and allows you to continue to reach the children after VBS as you conduct children's church. New to our kPh material is a kit that contains posters, newspaper ads, promotional tools, and wall decor items, making your job as leader much easier. The kit comes with a manual and a CD, and sells for $49.99. Tour the Holy Land with Simon Bar David, our tour guide from "Adventureland Guided Tours." This manual includes lots of ideas for VBS.
Order today from http://www.pentecostalpublishing.com.

"Warriors in Training"

Sister Francine Hancock, teacher of the PreTeen class in Fountain, Colorado, writes that her class has chosen to call themselves "Warriors in Training."

One special project they enjoy is developing a newsletter. One quarter each student was assigned to write a foreign missionary, expressing their gratitude to be connected to the big picture. They received replies from several missionaries, including some photos, which were published in the newsletter.

Other features of the newsletter are humor, success stories of the local church, and Sunday school teacher interviews. The publication of this newsletter is a team effort. The finished product gives the preteens high esteem and creates a bond between them. At the suggestion of the Sunday school director, Brother Alex Tupper, the class sells their newsletters for $1.00 each (or a donation). The class then contributes the money to projects of their choosing.

Outreach

Here is an outreach idea that has worked greatly. If you have a day off or an extended lunch period, try going to eat lunch with one of your Sunday School children. We usually give a form to the parents for them to fill out to send to school explaining that we are the child's SS teacher and the day we will be coming for lunch. The form has our SS logo on it with the church's phone number. When we go, the children and the teachers are impressed. I have never had so many eager questions asked to me about my church. In the past I have brought stickers with our SS logo and church phone # on it to give to the child I am visiting to give to the children (most public school systems do not like adults passing out church-related things). This type of outreach will usually only take you about 30 minutes not counting travel time.
—Jacob Hedrick

Children's Choir

We have a number of children attending our Sunday school who are not church children. We want to make them feel a part of our church by starting a children’s choir. But trying to bring them in at another time during the week provided more problems than it solved. Then we realized that each Sunday, there is a twenty-thirty minute segment before class time when the children are gathering. We have decided to use this pre-session for “choir practice.” As the children arrive, they can join in.
Another problem we have to address is the matter of dress. These children come to church in various forms of dress (and undress). We have not made an issue of it, but know that shorts and tank tops are not appropriate for the platform. While we do not want unchurched children to feel embarrassed about their clothes, we want to teach them respect for God’s house. So we plan to make choir robes. (Ready-made robes are beyond our budget.)
Since we are just now starting to put this plan into action, we would appreciate suggestions, ideas, tips from those who have “been there, done that.” (Does anyone know where we can get a good choir robe pattern?)
Barbara Westberg, Cushing, OK

Missions Ideas

Try a quarterly Missions Sunday where all the classes come together to learn about missions. Select a country/region to visit, then begin gathering materials: games, food, flags, flowers, names of missionaries. Visit the library, check with local school teachers, and visit the Foreign Missions web sites at www.upci.org/fm for official information, or www.upci.net/missionaries for missionary information. Work with your Sunday school teachers to make this a Sunday the children will not forget.

Foreign Missions Web Page

Have you visited the Foreign Missions site yet? This site is a must see, with profiles, stats, and the latest information and pictures of many of our missionaries. Go to www.upci.org/fm

Light Breakfast

We noticed that a lot of the kids in our Beginner class didn't pay attention during the lesson because they really wanted to get to the snacks that we offered every class period. After asking our kids, we learned that several of them did not get breakfast at home before coming to Sunday school. One of the teachers in our class had the idea to use the time at the start of class when every one is filtering in to serve a light breakfast. We have had toast with peanut butter, or jelly, or cinnamon, waffles (Thomas' makes pre-made waffles that you don't have to freeze!), and Pop-Tarts. We either serve milk, orange juice or apple juice with it. All of them have worked out very well. The children aren't focused on food during lesson and prayer time, we don't have to stop in the middle of a good class session to feed them, and we are making use out of that spare time in the morning when the kids are coming in one-by-one. 
 
I hope some other churches can use this idea. Thank you for having the idea exchange available. It's a great tool! I will be sure to spread the word to our other teachers!
 
Thanks, and God Bless...
 
Sis Tara Hall
Apostolic Lighthouse Church
Dayton, Ohio

EDITOR'S NOTE: Be aware of possible allergies when serving food . . . nuts, chocolate, dairy products, and strawberries are high on the allergy list.

Veggie Tray

Another refreshment idea came from Rusty of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. His church offers veggie trays at refreshment time. The kids love them, and so do the parents. Thanks, Rusty!

Fall Quarter Construction Theme

I have several ideas I would like to share for the fall quarter construction theme:
Keebler sugar plank cookies and marshmallow cream make great bricks and mortar. Each child can build their own snack. Also a simple gingerbread house could be constructed and decorated for a special treat one Sunday.
Brach's makes fruit gummy snacks with a "Bob the Builder" theme.
One trip to the local thrift store earned enough plastic hard-hats, a toy toolbox and plenty of tools for the whole class. A small ant-farm purchased at a toy store and filled with dirt and ants from my yard is going to make a neat addition too.
Thanks so much for this idea forum. Before I received my new materials, I was searching the web for ideas to help me make the most of the new quarter. It is worth all the time and effort to make each class a success. After all, we are tools building God's kingdom for tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Aimee Raggio, Bible Tabernacle, Birmingham, AL

Use the Fellowship Hall

Here is one idea we have used (and actually it is very neat if I do say so myself). We hold our POWer Hour services in the fellowship hall of our church. A brother in the church made "walls" on wheels as dividers. We attach huge sheets of cardboard to them and paint. For the Winners Series we put the cover on a transparency, projected to the wall and left out the features of the faces for all except the angel. We had a drawing for the placement of the faces, and with a digital camera we took the pictures of the kids. Sis. Rhonda took the film and blew up the faces on her drawing software to fit the sizes of the faces on the wall, printed out the photos on plain paper and with tac-it adhered them in the faces. It actually looks very neat! The kids see their faces and it adds a really personal touch.

We did the same basic idea with Upright children. We projected air balloons and took pics of the kids with their hands holding onto the back of a chair and then blew them up, cut them out and inserted them into the balloons!!! Oh, so fun!!!
I hope this helps!
Sister Rachel Mirelez

Sticker Cards

To encourage best behavior, I created sticker cards for each child. After selecting an appropriate shape (seasonal or generic), I would cut from 5x5 squares of construction paper a card for each child, laminate it, and add his name. Then I would purchase stickers to accompany that shape. The children were told in advance how to receive stickers to place on their card: good behavior, cooperation, effort, good deeds, following instructions, and so on. I didn't restrict it to one sticker per session; the opportunities were there to earn multiple stickers. Each sticker was given with much praise and thanks. At the end of the month (or sooner if the card was full), the child took home his colorful reward.
Sister Mary Lou Martinez

A Gentle Hand

If bad behavior refuses to go away, lay a gentle hand on the shoulder of the child. Look him straight in the eye, say firmly but quietly (to him, not the class), “We don’t act that way in children’s church. Do you understand?” Assign a helper to sit next to him. If disruptive behavior persists, quietly separate the child from the center of attention.

Do not use the pastor as the “whipping boy.” Portray him as the children’s friend. However, do let him know when you are having a problem. He can probably help you.

Never lay hands on a child (except the gentle hand for attention). Pray for him instead.

Kids R Kool

God has a purpose and a plan for each child. All children, no matter what their circumstances, have potential. "Kids R Kool," our newest kids POWer hour series, is designed to help them cope with adverse circumstances and show compassion.

"Kids R Kool" deals with issues relevant to our world. Many of these lessons have no pat "1-2-3" answers with "they lived happily ever after" endings. A deep trust in God and the students' ability to overcome bad situations tie these stories together.

You will have fun setting up the Sundae Soda Shoppe, a 50's ice cream parlor filled with memorabilia—antique Coke signs, a fake soda fountain, white round table and chairs, posters of cars, and a jukebox loaded to play the children's choruses from the Kids R Kool CD/tape. A kit is also available with this series.

An exciting addition to this manual is information for conducting a kids crusade. As children prepare to return to school later this summer, bring them together for a time of worship and dedication so that they will be prepared to face whatever comes their way. Our children need the assurance that God is with them!

You may order yours today by visiting http://www.pentecostalpublishing.com.

Kid's Club

We use power hour materials in our Sunday Morning 'Kid's Club'.  The lessons are good and I felt that the previous lesson needed to be reviewed each Sunday.  I sat down a wrote puppet scripts reviewing the previous lesson and hinted about the lesson for the day.  I used a different puppet each Sunday and the puppets talked about each other.  I gave the puppets all a name and the children loved them.  This encouraged the children to be on time and started off the session with reviewing and giving them a hint on what they would be studying that day.  The script doesn't have to be long.  I used a Teacher on the outside of the puppet stand to talk with the puppet.  Also if you have any trouble getting your younger children to sing, they will usually always sing with a puppet. 
Sister Nelson - Claremore

Wall of Jericho

In our POWer hour we had a lesson on the walk around Jericho. The teachers wrapped boxes in brown paper and stacked up the boxes. All the children took off their shoes and were given party horns. After walking around the wall quietly seven times, they were instructed to blow the horns and shout. The children had a wonderful time making the wall come down.
Sister Nelson—Claremore

Need an Assistant

Young people make great assistants in kids POWer hour.
They can:
* help children find verses in their Bibles;
* fill in gaps when circles are made and children are reluctant to hold hands;
* choose for their partners children who often are left out by their peers;
* lay a gentle hand on the shoulder of a child who is distracting others;
* sit between children who are punching and poking one another;
* be in charge of energy outlet activities and the review games.
* visit with the children (not one another).

Use the Fellowship Hall

Here is one idea we have used (and actually it is very neat if I do say so myself). We hold our POWer Hour services in the fellowship hall of our church. A brother in the church made "walls" on wheels as dividers. We attach huge sheets of cardboard to them and paint. For the Winners Series we put the cover on a transparency, projected to the wall and left out the features of the faces for all except the angel. We had a drawing for the placement of the faces, and with a digital camera we took the pictures of the kids. Sis. Rhonda took the film and blew up the faces on her drawing software to fit the sizes of the faces on the wall, printed out the photos on plain paper and with tac-it adhered them in the faces. It actually looks very neat! The kids see their faces and it adds a really personal touch.

We did the same basic idea with Upright children. We projected air balloons and took pics of the kids with their hands holding onto the back of a chair and then blew them up, cut them out and inserted them into the balloons!!! Oh, so fun!!!
I hope this helps!
Sister Rachel Mirelez

Idea Exchange

Categories:

Resources

Resources on the Internet (these sites have been recommended to us; they are not maintained by nor are they in any way connected to Idea Exchange/Word Aflame Publications)

http://www.goodcharacter.com

http://www.charactercounts.org/ideas

www.Childrensministry.net

http://christiancrafters.christharvest.net

www.kidology.org

www.childrensministry.com

http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com

www.gospelcom.net/cef

www.cmmag.com

www.daniellesplace.com

www.kidzblitz.com

www.teacherhelp.org

www.fea.net/bobsnook

www.io.com/~lcowper/resources.html

www.mssscrafts.com/oldtestament

Submissions

Word Aflame offers all ideas submitted "as is." We have not tried and tested them. We reserve the right to select which ideas will be published.

Kids Valentines Banquet

The Sunday school children at the United Pentecostal Church in Princeton, IL, pastored by Brother Ron Townsley feel very, very special. They were treated like royalty and given a never-to-be-forgotten lesson in social etiquette at a Valentine Banquet last year. Notes were sent home with the children telling the parents what was planned and asking for their permission.

On the Saturday of the banquet, the kids came to the church to get ready. First, the staff took care of the children’s hair. When the children arrived, they were given shampoos and their hair was styled. The girls were given Pentecostal hairdo’s (as much as possible), and the boys were given hair cuts, as needed. One little girl wanted her hair done exactly like the "pastor’s wife’s."

In the weeks before the banquet, church folks had brought in "dressy" clothes for the children. Each child was allowed to pick a new outfit to wear to the banquet. This was his/hers to take home.

During the time of "washing and fixing of hair," group sessions were going on so that the children did not get bored waiting for the others to get done. A couple of people were in charge of each group, and they had an activity planned that the children could present at the banquet as entertainment. Some did a song, some a skit, some a poem, etc. It turned out very interesting, and the children actually presented the entertainment. It was their banquet.

At the banquet the pastor and wife were in the center of the table setting so that all the children could be in view of them and the children in their view. Each child’s picture was taken, and double prints were made so that they could each have one and leave one for the church album. A lot of work and preparation, even expense? Yes. But think of the impact such a banquet would make on a bus child’s life.

Thank you, Sister Townsley, for sharing this marvelous idea with us.

No submissions received at this time

Books of the Bible

This game will familiarize the children with the themes, spellings, and pronunciations of the books of the Bible.
Start with a 6x6 grid of squares for each child. Find a piece of art to represent each book (Genesis: earth; Exodus: Red Sea; Leviticus: open book of law; etc.). Copy it onto a square of the grid, and write the name of the book below it. Place these randomly on the grids (each grid must be different).

On 3x5 index cards, copy the art and the name of the book to use as call-out cards.

Distribute beans or pennies to use as markers. When a book is called out (show card), the child places a marker on that square. The first person to fill a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally is the winner. Occasionally allow the winner to be the caller (this not only makes him feel important, but it helps him learn to pronounce the name).
—Mary Lou Martinez

Early Birds

I found dry erase boards at Walgreens Drugstore, but it is possible that other places that carry poster board would carry them as well. They were 99 cents but at the time I purchased them they had them 2 for $1.00. It is basically a piece of posterboard with the white board finish. I'm not sure it would work on an easel unless you had some other support behind it (maybe place it on top of an old chalkboard?). I also used it as a before-class/end-of-class activity where the kids could sit at the tables and draw on them until a few more arrived, or the stragglers who were waiting at the end of the class could have something to do while they waited. The kids loved it. If I used it at the end of the class I prompted them to draw something related to the day's story.
Barbara Braswell

A Few Ideas

Write questions, references for key verses, topics, assignments, etc. on craft sticks. Let the students draw.

Add liquid soap to finger paints to prevent staining and make clothes washing easier.

Seal an envelope and cut it in half. Presto! Two game pockets.
—Barbara Westberg

Your Ideas Are Appreciated

"Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever" (Isaiah 30:8).

It is important that we write what the Lord has done for us, to share with one another and especially with those yet to come. While we know that "there is no new thing under the sun," all things have not yet been made known to all people. Take a moment to think of ideas that have worked successfully for you, ideas that perhaps may be new to someone else. How do you handle discipline in your class? What do you do to keep your class exciting? What is it that draws your students to class week? Have you found a new recipe that makes a great object lesson? Do discussion groups work for you? How do you store your supplies? Where do you buy your supplies?
Send us your ideas, helpful hints, timesaving tips, and answers so that we may pass them on to others. Perhaps you have a question that someone else could answer; ask it! The Idea Exchange is designed to help you communicate to and with others to be a more successful worker in God's kingdom.