By Jan Cagno
Recruiting workers seems to be one of the most difficult problems facing Sunday school leaders today. Why does there always seem to be a shortage of teachers and officers? While, admittedly, finding the necessary personnel for your Sunday school may not be easy, it is not impossible. The Sunday school superintendent cannot do the job alone, but with the cooperative effort of a carefully chosen committee, the job can be done.
Your committee will need to begin with the first prerequisite and that is prayer. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (4:6) Farther on in the same letter, Paul reminded them, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (4:19) As your committee prays together, they can claim together the promise that God will supply the need. Following is a brief outline that may help your recruitment committee to get the job done.
Establish your need. How many workers do you need? What positions need to be filled?
Survey your field. Where is your best potential to be found? For example: Newcomers to your church, recent college graduates or young career people, senior citizens, local college or seminary students, former teachers and workers, or folks whose home situation may have recently changed. How can you best utilize your potential workers?
Work together. Establish who will be asking whom. Plan your strategy together carefully. Communicate with each other so that all of the commit members will be aware of the progress.
Recruit well! Be positive in your approach to prospects: never say, “I can’t get anyone to teach this class.” Be specific about the responsibilities: never minimize what’s required. Don’t require an immediate answer: ask them to think about it. Suggest mutual prayer: "Let’s both pray about it.”
Orient properly. Supply a written job description. Supply written policies for purchasing supplies, decorating rooms and any other pertinent facts. Hold a “get acquainted” meeting for all Sunday school workers.
Extend the hand of fellowship. Make sure new workers feel that they belong. Be available to answer questions or provide support in other ways necessary.
Systematic recruitment carried out with a positive approach and supported by prayer can work and help find the workers that you need for your Sunday school.
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