Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Even though the official end of summer isn’t until September 1, the signs of the final dog days are here. Back-to-school sales. Last trips to the beach. Baskets of tomatoes and zucchinis in the parish hall, free for the taking.

As one season nears its end, machinations for the next one begin. Congregations are planning for the fall, scheduling Rally Days or potlucks to kick-off the Sunday School year. In our congregation, we’re blessed to have a part-time (8-10 hours or so a week) Christian formation director who has tons of experience. On Sunday, after worship, she gathered folks who were interested in adult Sunday School to talk about the curriculum for the fall. She presented three very different options (one with homework, another using DVDs, one that explored on a single book in the Bible). She asked the class for discussion and feedback.

Then came the interesting part: she told the group that they had to choose which course they wanted to study. She wasn’t making the decision.

To be honest, as I sat there, I had almost raised my hand to say, “We trust you. Whatever you decide will be great.” But when she announced that the participants would choose, I felt the balance shift. By this simple action, she had changed the dynamic. Suddenly we were invested. We would make the decision together. And together, we will explore the topic this fall.

I’m sure that veteran teachers and leaders recognize this style, but for me, it was eye-opening to see how people responded when they were asked to be active participants and decision-makers. I wonder how this will play out as the class begins. Will attendance be higher—and more consistent because people selected what they wanted to explore? If a session turns out poorly or a discussion takes a wrong turn, will people as easily dismiss the class, or will they feel more invested in its success?

I don’t know the answers to these questions yet. I just know that deciding together already made a difference in increasing my commitment to Sunday School.

So I’m wondering: What do you think? Is this an effective way to increase investment and commitment? How does your congregation decide upon the curriculums? What has worked well? And what ways have failed?