ESSENTIALS for EXCELLENCE...ministry, and worship. Organize the class to support that work effectively. • Set a positive example for others by living as an authentic witness of Christ

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forESSENTIALS EXC E L L E N C E

CONNECTING SUNDAY SCHOOL TO LIFE

Division DirectorAn Adult Division director is responsible to theSunday School director for the total ministry of theAdult Division, which includes planning, organiz-ing, enlisting department directors, and evaluatingthe work. The division director serves on theSunday School Leadership Planning Team(Sunday School Council) and works closely withother members of that team as well as with theAdult Division and department leaders. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet regularly with the Sunday SchoolPlanning Team meeting.

• Coordinate the work of the division anddetermine organizational needs.

• Discover, enlist, and train new leaders.• Evaluate, encourage, affirm, and direct adult

leaders in their ministries.• Meet regularly with department leaders for

planning and evaluation.• Evaluate needs related to space, budget, Bible

study curriculum, supplies, and otherresources. Recommend actions related toneeds.

• Set a positive example for others by living asan authentic witness of Christ and being fullyinvolved in the life and ministry of the church.

Division Outreach-EvangelismDirectorThe Adult Division outreach-evangelism directorworks with the Adult Division director and theSunday School outreach-evangelism director tolead the Adult Division in outreach and evangel-ism. This leader works closely with adult depart-ment leaders. In churches using FAITH SundaySchool Evangelism Strategy®, this person shouldbe a FAITH Group Leader or Team Leader.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES• Coordinate all evangelism and outreach

activities of the division.• Coordinate prospect-discovery efforts for the

division.• Assist in training division and department

leaders and members in evangelism andoutreach.

• Evaluate, encourage, affirm, and direct adultleaders in their evangelism and outreachefforts.

• Promote outreach and evangelism objectiveswith other leaders and members.

• Maintain active division and departmentprospect records.

• Greet visitors and guide them to the meetingplace for their Bible study group.


Division SecretaryThe Adult Division secretary provides vital support related to record keeping, reports, andother communication; ordering Bible study curriculum materials, supplies, and resources; andcoordinating distribution of resources. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet regularly with division leadership.• Process and maintain general records for the

division and compile reports as requested,including prospect information.

• Coordinate ordering and distributing Biblestudy curriculum materials, supplies, and otherresources.


Responsibilities of Adult and Young Adult Sunday School Leaders

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Department DirectorAn adult department director is responsible to theAdult Division director for the total ministry of thedepartment. The department director works closelywith teachers, encouraging them and assistingthem in fulfilling their responsibilities. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead in planning and administering the totalwork of the department.

• Meet regularly with teachers for prayer, planning, and making assignments related toevangelism and outreach, fellowship, ministry,and Bible teaching.

• Serve as a greeter or host for the department. • Evaluate needs related to space, budget, Bible

study curriculum materials, supplies, and otherresources. Recommend actions related toneeds.

• In nondepartmentalized Sunday Schools,maintain attendance records and otherparticipant information that strengthens thegroup’s pursuit of the overall purpose andmission of Sunday School.


Department Visitation-EvangelismLeaderAn adult department visitation-evangelism leaderworks with the Adult Division outreach-evangel-ism director, adult department director, and adultteachers to lead an adult department in outreachand evangelism.

In churches using the FAITH Sunday SchoolEvangelism Strategy®, this person works with thedivision outreach-evangelism leader to administerthe department’s involvement in FAITH.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES• Coordinate all evangelism and outreach

activities of the department.• Coordinate prospect-discovery efforts for the

department.• Assist in training department leaders and

members in evangelism and outreach.• Evaluate, encourage, affirm, and direct adult

leaders in their evangelism and outreachefforts.

• Promote outreach and evangelism objectiveswith other leaders and members.

• Maintain active department prospect records.• Greet visitors and guide them to the meeting

place for their Bible study group. • Set a positive example for others by living as

an authentic witness of Christ and being fullyinvolved in the life and ministry of the church.

Department SecretaryAn adult department secretary assists departmentand class leaders by providing vital support relatedto record keeping, reports, and other communica-tions; ordering Bible study curriculum materials,supplies, and other resources; and coordinating thedistribution of resources. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet regularly with the department leadershipteam.

• Process and maintain general records for thedepartment and compile reports as requested,including prospect information.

• Set a positive example for others by living as an authentic witness of Christ and being fullyinvolved in the life and ministry of the church.

Responsibilities-Adult and Young Adult

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BASICBegin by developing a Basic organization for theclass and then develop leaders based on EXPANDEDand EXPANDED PLUS+ organizations. The adult classorganization should always be expanding as itenlarges and as members leave to assume areas of service. Ultimately, the goal of every adult classis to birth new classes at least every two years.

TeacherAn adult teacher is responsible for leading peopletoward faith in Christ and guiding them to serveHim through evangelism, discipleship, fellowship,ministry, and worship. In pursuing this mission, ateacher must understand that teaching movesbeyond the Bible study session into the daily lives of participants. A teacher must look foropportunities to mentor participants before andafter Bible study sessions; ensure that a positiveministry environment is provided during the session that facilitates the work of the Holy Spirit;invest himself or herself in building positive relationships with participants; and involve learners in meaningful Bible study. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare his or her life as the primary leader ofthe class.

• Enlist a ministry coordinator who will helporganize the class to function as an open group.

• Enlist an apprentice to mentor, toward the goalof starting a new unit or serving in another agegroup within two years.

• Lead the class to encounter God’s Word duringthe Bible study session.

• Encourage and share ways the class mightcontinue personal Bible study after the classsession.

• Lead the class to multiply by working withchurch leaders to start new units and bysending members out to serve.

• Lead participants toward faith in the LordJesus Christ and guide them to serve Himthrough evangelism, discipleship, fellowship,ministry, and worship. Organize the class tosupport that work effectively.


Ministry CoordinatorAn adult ministry coordinator leads the class tofunction as an open group by working with theteacher and other church leaders.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Register guests and keep accurate attendancerecords.

• Develop and implement plans for leading theclass in evangelism, including training and follow-up of guests and prospects.

• Assume leadership in developing processes tocare for class members.

• Assume leadership in involving the class in fellowships outside of Sunday School to buildongoing relationships.

• When appropriate, enlist leaders in theExpanded and Expanded Plus+ organizationswho will multiply the work of the class.


ApprenticeAn adult apprentice is enlisted from an adult Biblestudy group to assist a teacher in his or her majorresponsibilities and/or to prepare to start a newBible study unit within two years.


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PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES• Serve as a substitute when needed. • Teach a minimum of once every six weeks and

more often as the class prepares to start a newunit.

• Work with the teacher and the ministrycoordinator to lead the class to function as anopen group.

• Assist the teacher in facilitating the spiritualand service growth of class members.

• Plan, promote, and participate in discipleshipstudies beyond Sunday School.


EXPANDEDClass Visitation-EvangelismCoordinatorAn adult class visitation-evangelism coordinatorworks with the class ministry coordinator, teacher,and apprentice to develop and implement a classevangelism strategy. In churches using the FAITHSunday School Evangelism Strategy®, this personworks with the department visitation-evangelismleader to administer class involvement in FAITH. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate prospect-discovery and prospect-enlistment efforts of the class.

• Oversees process which assure that guests areproperly welcomed and registered.

• Plans for consistent follow-up of guests.• Responsible for overseeing processes to train

class members to share their faith.• Personally enlists class members to help

implement visitation and evangelism processesand strategies.


EXPANDED PLUS+

Class Fellowship Coordinator Works with the ministry coordinator and other classleaders to develop ways to encourage thedevelopment of closer friendships and personalrelationships. This assignment includes planningongoing activities and events that bring peopletogether for fun and fellowship. This leader isresponsible for providing opportunities for the classto build a sense of community.

Prayer CoordinatorGuides the class toward spiritual transformationthrough encouraging personal daily devotional andBible study activities. This person leads the class tobecome involved in the church’s prayer ministryand coordinates the prayer ministry of the class.

Missions CoordinatorLeads the group to support missions giving andparticipate in mission education and ministryprojects. This leader works with the ministrycoordinator, other class leaders, and church leadersto plan and coordinate class involvement in church-and class-sponsored mission and ministry projects.

ParticipantsAll Bible study group leaders, teachers, directors,and pastoral leaders needed now or in the futuremay be found on the membership or prospect listsof today’s Bible study groups. Every participantshould receive the opportunity to serve accordingto the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Those oppor-tunities are offered through Adult Sunday School.


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ESSENTIALS for EXCELLENCE...ministry, and worship. Organize the class to support that work effectively. • Set a positive example for others by living as an authentic witness of Christ