STATE SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR’S ASSOCIATION
MAY MEETING
May 15, 2002
Overland Park, Kansas
Those in attendance were: Rob Lee, Sandy Coelho, Darryl Wilson, Norman Wallace, Gary Bearce, John Miller, Steve Sallis, Robert Stewart, Robert Grant, Ann Tonks, June Holland, Sam Cotter, Dayton King, Scott Williams, Jim Harvey, John Adams, Bob Mayfield, Michael Harton, Randy Tompkins, Jim Gifford, Bruce Morrison, Terry Arnold, Lynn Nikkel, Bernie Spooner, Jimmy Stewart, Marie Clark, Dennis Parrott, Richard Nations, Keith Wilkinson, Bob Hylton, Tim Holcomb.
Darryl opened meeting. He reviewed the schedule for the meeting.
Marie Clark gave information concerning meals and free time.
Norman Wallace presented a devotion. Norman read from John 8. "I tell you the truth".
Prayer requests for the wife of Tom Young, Tom Young, Steve Hopkins recovery in Ohio, Bill Taylor and wife Rose, Jim Harvey's secretary, Wanda, Margaret Meyers, special worker for Virginia, Keith Wilkinson house is flooded due to a water line break. Keith Wilkinson's daughter had gall bladder surgery.
Darryl led the group in a get acquainted activity.
Richard Nations presented a report from the Field Service Committee. The needs from the states primarily revolve around needing people to come and lead conferences. Needs that surfaced in the past year were met. Richard sent a e-mail to request a needs list. Few if any needs were listed but several states offered to render assistance. Richard raised the question as to the necessaity of the field service committee. The feeling of the group was there was a need to continue this committee in case there is an emergency need. Jim Harvey suggested that there be a project for the group to focus on a state or a couple of state each year. The work of the committee should be complimentary to LifeWay rather than in competition. Question was raised if there is a need for a committee or could one person do the job. Darryl suggested one of the vice-presidents be assigned the task. Alan Raughton spoke to the issue of Hispanic work that was raised by Richard. Every state has individuals who have been trained by LifeWay for hispaic Sunday School work. LifeWay will be bringing in a Hispanic multiplier team. LifeWay ministry consultants cover all events within the age group they serve. Multiplier folks are being trained with material brining them up to the level of an employee. They are training about 20 people per age group per year. The folks within LifeWay are called specialists. Consultants are the folks hired by LifeWay but who live on the field and work directly with churches. John Miller asked how LifeWay would deal with a request from a state for multiple persons for a specific event. Alan said they would look at the target audience. Sam Cotter asked when the states would receive word about field service requests for 2002-2003. Gary Bearce asked if LifeWay could bring back the field service models to give the states some idea as to what the multipliers will be trained to do. Alan said LifeWay did away with the models in order to give the states more flexibility in content of events. Rick Howerton is the lead person in cell group material.
Terry Arnold began a presentation from the Issues Committee. Terry has a PowerPoint.
Issues with LifeWay were about MAP, open/closed groups, literature & evangelism, field service. SBC issues were concerned over signing documents and the future of the SSDA. NAMB issues were 1) church planting people and the lack of communication with LifeWay; 2) relationship with evangelism people with NAMB financing conferences with pastors; 3) NEXT Level Leadership. Non-SBC organizations: Coachnet; George Bullard and Group Publishers; George Barna. Associationalism - staff positions are relating only to NAMB, ACTeams and regional training such as TeamWest. State conventions: geographical issues; money; restructuring of conventions makes it hard to find common ground; delivery systems for field services that come out of our offices. Churches - typology (large churches vs. small); purpose driven churches need to be treated different than traditional; Get pastor on board to be champions for open groups; the lack of time given by church members toward training. The big three issues the committees see: What will be the dominate ; Does MAP help or hinder open groups. What will the delivery system for assisting churches look like in the next 10 years? How will we partner with others in the next 10 years to accomplish our work through the SSDA?
Alan Raughton gave a presentation on LifeWay Issues & Dialogue.
100,000 new units initiative - interaction between LifeWay and NAMB. This will begin in 2005.
LifeWay Ministry Multiplier - the question was asked if the states will receive a list of names? Alan made a note of the question.
For 2003 they are working on a book dealing with Sunday School strategy. Alan is authoring the book.
The definition of Sunday School - Alan asked if there is a need for a new definition. He is of the opinion that the terms foundational and strategy are used too much. The question was asked why a defiition was developed instead of a purpose statement. It was developed as the Sunday School for a New Century was being developed. It was suggested that the current statement was good just too long. Alan would like to take the ten best practices and show how they could be done. He would like to put in some church testimonies to serve as a model.
Richard pointed out the CD in the back of the book was a good idea. Alan said the new book would have a CD with age group resources on it. In 2004 he anticipates hardback books for age groups.
Will there be an evaluation of the regional point person system after it has gone a year or two? Yes. It has already made an impact on the way some things are done at LifeWay.
What is the ultimate goal of the regional reps? The network partner specialists are the individuals under Bill Taylor and interact with state conventions to LifeWay. The church consultants are to help the church. They are responsible for all the churches in their region. They will not be calling on all churches due to time constraints. The question was asked if the church consultants would interface with the state conventions. The primary goal of the churh consultants is to help the churches. Gary Bearce questioned if the network specialists will be able to pass along the passion of a specific request from the state. Alan said you can always call the person at LifeWay directly about a concern or event. If there is something that needs immediate attention, such as change in a field service event, call the person at LifeWay directly.
Are there field service managers in each age group? They are called lead ministry specialists and they are in the publishing area. Alan thought there could be a time at December meeting to have the lead ministry specialists’ meet with the Sunday School Directors. Alan will send to SSD the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the lead specialists. The question was asked what the financial arrangements for conference centers for 2002? Network specialists should have communicated with state offices.
Question - how does Alan wok with Paul, Bill, and the ministry specialists. The lead ministry specialists and Alan communicate on a daily basis. They are at the directors meeting.
Jim Harvey commented the curriculum guide on the web is very helpful.
John Adams asked if there is any voice in the LifeWay that speaks on behalf of the small churches? Or associational Sunday School Directors? Robert Stewart voices the same concern. Alan said the associational Sunday School Director is on his radar. One of the primary responsibilities of LifeWay is to champion the pastor. John Adams suggested the commissioning of written pieces for the small church and place them in an electronic format and give the states freedom of use. Bruce Morrison brought up the issue of bi-vocational pastors.
Keith Wilkinson spoke to the issue of using material that is no longer in print and pointed out the LifeWay needs to rethink that everything needs to be cost recovery. Alan spoke to the fact of having print on demand material on the LifeWay web site.
June Holland spoke to the issue of having a catalogue for adult materials. Alan said there was one in the works. She also pointed out the free material information gets to the offices so much later than the material is brought out. Alan said this has been addressed.
Denis Parriot asked if LifeWay has compiled a list of churches that are producing their own material? Alan said he would check with marketing to see if there is such a list.
Marie gave instructions for transportation to the diner theater.
STATE SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR’S ASSOCIATION
MAY MEETING-SESSION 2
May 16, 2002
Overland Park, Kansas
The meeting called to order by Darryl.
Sandy Coelho presented a devotion. Jeremiah 1. During uncertain times rely on the Lord. Keep the focus on the Lord and the plan that He has for us.
Ann Tonks asked for prayer for the D. C. Convention, June Holland asked for Annie Mae Carswell, Richard asked for Joy Macafee's husband, Robert Stewart asked for Max Caldwell. Steve Sallis led in prayer.
Terry Arnold continued the report from the issues committee. Gary Bearce surfaced the need for some outreach Bible study material for mobile home parks, etc. Bob Hylton is using some WMU material (an inductive Bible Study). Robert Grant raised the issue of associational work - the difference between the input from NAMB and lack by LifeWay. John Miller raised the issue of working with NAMB. John Miller raised the issue of December Meeting changes and issues. Alan Raughton said the dates are December 2-5. Jim Harvey asked if there was a way to interact with LifeWay to plan the December meeting week. Gary Bearce asked if we needed someone from SSDA to meet with LifeWay on planning December meeting. Sandy Coelho raised the need to interact with LifeWay in the area of multiplier training. Robert Stewart said John Gardner said he has been assigned the responsibility of developing an associational material. Darryl raised the issue of small groups. Bernie said he has a resource for house churches. Gary asked about curriculum at times other than Sunday morning. Sandy asked about communication with LifeWay.
Bob Hylton made a presentation from the technology committee. Is the web site doing what we need done? Do we need to warehouse items on the web site? Do we need to create an awareness bulletin that could keep us informed as to new technology? A church helps inventory checkup that could be placed on line. Internet Sunday School training is a consideration. Linking from our web site to other web sites. In evaluating the current web site have we reached the point of hiring a professional service? What are cutting edge technologies that will help us with our churches? What impact can technology have on our work? Richard motioned the need for an e-mail newsletter. Bruce Morrison stated the need of a network similar to Ron Pratt's Minister of Education network. Marie point out that that issue may be better suited for a small group be appointed to work on that. Robert Stewart mentioned the need to understand distance learning. Robert Grant asked how much would it cost to get professional help in developing distance learning. Jim Harvey asked if we need to focus beyond ourselves.
Alan suggested that issues that relate to Sunday School be funneled to him through one of the officers and he would generate an e-mail to provide the answers.
Break
Workgroups:
Association/multiplier
Home Bible study & curriculum strategy
Strategy to address SS change over next 10 years
Business meeting:
Richard Nations - retiring member - Robert Stewart will retire within the year. New members were recognized: Ann Tonks - D. C. Convention, Sandy Coelho - New England, Steve Sallis - New York, June Holland - Maryland/Delaware, Lynn Nikkel - Wyoming, Jimmy Stewart - Alaska
Nominating Committee Report:
Jim Gifford
President - Clyde
President elect - Dayton King
Western Vice-President - Jim Harvey
Central Vice-President -Norman Wallace
Eastern Vice-President - Bob Hylton
Secretary/Treasurer-Randy Tompkins
Issues Committee - Bob Mayfield, Robert Stewart, Dennis Parriot (elect
Tech - Randy Tompkins, Jim Harvey (elect, Jimmy Stewart
Field - Rob Lee, Tim Holcomb (elect), Ann Tonks
Randy Tompkins gave a treasurer report. As of May 13 the balance in the bank account was $10,091.04. This places the association in a better financial position to assist states with field service and/or assist in travel to the May meeting. Randy also gave a schedule for travel to the airport. He also reported there were only 7 states that have not made a contribution toward the 2002 dues. A dues reminder will be sent in October. If anyone needs an invoice for the dues, please respond to the reminder and let Randy know how much you wish to contribute. An electronic invoice will be returned to you for that amount.
Gary Bearce discussed the December/May details. May meeting dates are set for Wednesday - Friday following Mothers day (May 13-15 2003), 2004 will be May 12-14. Is W-F the best? Question was if a Saturday date would be better. It was expressed that W-F gives an extra day for sightseeing.
Darryl gave general information about the 2003 meeting in Louisville. He suggested we meet at the Kentucky Convention Office.
Marie Clark gave instructions about the afternoon activities.
STATE SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTOR’S ASSOCIATION
MAY MEETING-SESSION 3
May 17, 2002
Overland Park, Kansas
The meeting was called to order by Darryl
Darryl announced that the speaker for next year might be Thom Rainer. He asked all directors to try and be in attendance.
Scott Williamson gave a devotion. "God's Night Cookies" book was referenced. 1Samuel 16:6 - God looks on the heart. Chuck Swindol's book "The Finishing Touch" was referenced.
Prayer requests: traveling mercies. Terry Arnold led in prayer.
Workgroup reports:
Tim Holcomb gave the Association/Multiplier Workgroup report. Two recommendations will be presented. Keith Wilkinson, Mark Miller, Phil Miller, and Robert Grant will meet to look at the associational documents that are in place in the various states to develop a common document that can be used by all states to develop SS work in the associations.
The second recommendation led by Jim Harvey, Tim Holcomb, Rob Lee to examine learning communities that will run along with associational SS work. Models will be developed that could be used by different state conventions.
A further report will be made at the next meeting.
Dennis Pariot has a tool to "Add Life to Your Sunday School". There is a notebook available from Dennis.
Gary Bearce gave a report for the Home Bible Study & Curriculum Strategy workgroup. A recommendation is to say to LifeWay and NAMB to make curriculum for house church in the isolated setting, new work, and . Gary will contact Rick Howerton at LifeWay to see what is coming; Dennis Hampton working in Nebraska; someone from NAMB; David Wyman about curriculum developed for Canada by Texas for home churches. Alan Raughton would like for states to send to him names of churches that use the cell group model.
Scott Williamson reported on the SS in 10 years workgroup.
What Will Sunday School Look Like in the Next Ten Years?
What Will We Need to Do to Prepare?
Issues:
· Urban/suburban don’t have the money to build space for Sunday School—thus won’t have SS space on Sunday morning
· Don’t see an advocate for Sunday School/Bible study/Home groups (nationally and locally)—may be decentralized
· 40% cannot come on Sunday AM
· Some of the strong evangelistic/growing churches are still doing Sunday School (from NC to CA)
· New church starts are doing so without Sunday School/home Bible studies
· Very varied according to cultural background, etc.
· Tension between open, evangelistic group (more introductory) and curriculum by LifeWay which only has evangelistic lesson once a quarter and is deeper and the fact that the large majority of our classes are closed groups
· Technology: have to bring a disk, online, computers/handhelds in the classroom, etc.—will have tremendous impact on Sunday School
· Sunday School is going to change literature and literature is going to change Sunday School
· Curriculum plans will proliferate/megachurches and smaller are writing their own curriculum
· More intentional disciplemaking (proceeding around the spiritual bases) happening in Sunday School/small groups
· Affinity connection
· Train our teachers to adapt any lesson to open groups (relationship-building)
· Will have to become brokers, networkers, etc.; low program budgets will force pay as you go; convention offices will be functioning like a parachurch entity: consultations may be free but training will be pay as you go
· Use teaching churches, focusing on churches that can change, like farm extension
· Identify churches (that can be developed into model churches) that want to make a difference (success stories) and then invest time, energy, and money in those churches
· Partnerships/networking churches (strong with interested weaker churches)
· Option: Three churches enlisted to host events, showcase what they do well, provide faculty for the conference, invite keynote speaker from outside
· In order to grow a healthy church, must do more than focus on Sunday School—systems approach to church, not just an organizational focus
· Mentoring key leaders (developing learning communities) for Sunday School (for instance Jim Gifford in LA with MEs and SSDs)
· Refocusing, moving unhealthy churches toward healthy, starting with mentoring the pastor
· Because of the proliferation of literature sources and options, help churches evaluate literature; develop and share guidelines for evaluation
· Develop, network, recognize, and service affinity groups
Darryl divided the group into prayer groups. Keith Wilkinson called in a report that his daughter, Tammy, was in the emergency room with numbness. Jim Harvey's secretary, Michael Harton reported on Ann Davis.
Bill Taylor gave a presentation. Expressed appreciation for the prayer support for his family. The networks in the SBC make 100,000 contacts a week. The conference center policy was changed because of input from SS Directors taken back to LifeWay by the network specialists. Bill asked that we give the restructuring time. It will take time for the processes to come to completeness. Sunday School got the best deal in the restructuring, according to Bill. There is not 50 people in a division working on Sunday School. There are 300 to 400 people throughout LifeWay working on Sunday School. LifeWay needs to not only partner with the networks but also pull from them. Bill has asked Bill Henry to examine the cooperative agreements and the philosophy driving it. Bill has received an assignment of working with Ministers of Education.
Darryl led in expression to the new officers. To Marie and Bob Clark for the hospitality.
The group expressed appreciation to Darryl for his leadership this past year.
The group asked that we extend gift certificates for those who were tour guides.