Common Challenges When Starting New Sunday School Units

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Invariably there will be leaders and members that do not understand the need for new Sunday School units. Anticipate the following concerns and be prepared to respond to these statements before they are made:

• Our class members have become so close to each other.
• We're big enough now; we don't need to keep growing.
• You couldn't possibly find another teacher like me/mine.
• I fear that members I send to a new class will drop out because the class isn't very good.
• I'll help you by making an announcement in class. Announcement: "John wants us to start a new class in a few weeks. I know that you all love being here, but if you want to help the new class, I will understand."
• We've tried that before and the class failed.
• You want to do what? That splits our class!
• I will lose all my key leaders.
• I can't believe you would do this to us!

Our officers and teachers don't understand why we need to start new classes.
Because a team spirit is important, it is essential that your leadership team understands both the why and the what of starting new units. This is where transparency, patience, and communication skills pay great dividends. Explain the value of age grading, and keep the purpose of Sunday School at the forefront.

Our leaders are against starting new classes because they want to keep their present pupils.
This challenge is couched in the language of “fellowship,” but it is more often a reflection of a desire to maintain a comfort zone. Sunday School ministry needs to provide opportunities for fellowship, but starting new units will not hurt fellowship. Any plan that enables you to reach more people will require you to move students and create new units.

Our pastor or Sunday School director is afraid of the reaction from members and would rather leave well enough alone.
Reaching people for Christ and church growth are rarely found at the end of the road of least resistance.

Getting adults to be a part of new units is just too hard to accomplish.
On a particularly hard day you may find yourself thinking this. Even so, never be deterred from doing the right thing simply because it is difficult. Finding some way to create new units is the right thing to do. Celebrate the accomplishments and emphasize the results for the Kingdom.