How to Start New Units

Establish the purpose for new units.

1. The birth of new units creates excitement.
2. The creation of new units enlarges the organizational base of the Sunday School, thus enabling it to grow naturally without sacrificing quality.
3. New units grow more quickly than older established units.
4. New units are easier for newcomers to penetrate.  This aids in the assimilation of new members.
5. New units tend to be more evangelistic.
6. The creation of new units allows more people to serve in leadership positions.

Process for Starting New Units

1. Create a climate for new units.
2. Build an understanding with leaders and members of how new units contribute to the growth of the church and Sunday School.
3. Show how new units have contributed to the growth of the Sunday School in the past.
4. Identify the target group.
5. Win the confidence of leaders of existing units before beginning new units from them.
6. Seek sponsorship.
7. Enlist and build the leadership team.
8. Provide space for the new unit.
9. Create an atmosphere of success for the new unit.
10. Promote the starting date and location to the target group.
11. Invite and enroll members.
12. Conduct the first session.
13. Celebrate the beginning of the new unit.

Three Models

1. Restructure an existing class or department
2. Assign a leadership team to an unchurched target group
3. Identify unreached persons and begin a nontraditional Bible study group

Possible Opportunities for New Units

New Adult Classes

1. Class with more than 10 year age span
2. More than 25 enrolled in a class
3. Room in which class meets is often filled
4. Single adult prospects w/o single adult class
5. Young adult prospects w/o young adult class
6. Adult prospects in any age segment w/o a corresponding class
7. Unenrolled church members
8. Classes with more prospects than members
9. Classes with more absentees than members present
10. Adult age spans you are not presently reaching

New Youth/Student Classes and Departments

1. All youth in one class or department
2. More than 60 youth enrolled in one department
3. More than 12 youth enrolled in a class
4. School grade with prospects but small attendance
5. Class/department with less than 50% enrollment attending
6. School grade with more prospects than youth enrolled

New Children’s Classes and Departments

1. Grade 1-6 in one department
2. Grade 1 in class/department with another grade
3. Grade 6 in class/department with another grade
4. Class/department with more than 30 enrolled
5. Class/department with less than 40% enrollment in attendance
6. School grade with prospects but small attendance

New Preschool Classes and Departments

1. Birth through age 5 in one class/department
2. Babies in same dept. with other ages
3. Kindergarten in same dept. with other ages
4. Class/department of younger preschool with 12 or more enrolled
5. Class/department of 3’s, 4’s, and pre-k with more
   than 16 enrolled
6. Class/department Of kindergartners with more than
   20 enrolled
7. Class/department where only “baby sitting” is done
8. More prospects than preschoolers enrolled