Caring for Associate Members

Written by David Francis

Sunday School leaders should do all they can to ensure their adult classes recognize and care for those who serve outside the adult division. We’ve called these folks by various names throughout the years: Members-in-Service and Associate Members to name two. Whatever you call them in your church, every one of these members should be honored and cared for by an adult class.

Are each of the workers in your preschool, children, and student groups assigned to an adult class? Do they know it? Does the class know it? What will each class do to stay in touch with these very important people? Here are some ideas:

1. Assign the “members-in-service” to a first-rate Group Leader or leaders. If you don’t have group leaders in your Sunday School classes, this is a good place to start! A good group leader will keep news and prayer concerns of associate members before the class.

2. Create a visual display recognizing the “associate members” of the class. At the very least, make a poster with their names and place of service. Or create a bulletin board for that purpose. Arrange for someone with a digital camera to photograph them “in action” and display the pictures with their names.

3. If you have a class newsletter or announcement sheet, highlight a service member in each edition. Take or mail a copy of news, prayer lists, etc. to associate members.

4. Invite members-in-service to class fellowship events.

5. If the associate member teaches preschoolers or children, create a list of volunteers who will supplement or substitute. (Be sure to follow your church’s policies regarding those who work with children.)

No Sunday School ministry can enjoy sustained growth without dedicated preschool, children and student workers. These leaders almost all come out of adult classes. And they need to stay connected with those classes. The real strength of an adult class is measured not just by how many are in the class, but also by how many class members are serving outside the class. Let’s challenge our adult classes to celebrate the “missionaries” they have produced!

Blessings!

David Francis is LifeWay's director of Sunday School. His latest book is Connect3 - The Power of One Sunday School Class. This is the fourth installment in the 3D Sunday School series following I-6 Invite: A Six-Lane Strategy toward an Inviting Sunday School and The Discover Triad: Three Facets of a Dynamic Sunday School Class. David has previously served as Minister of Education at First Baptist Church, Garland Texas, and currently teaches a preschool class on Sunday mornings.

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