Children's Sabbath School Leader - adventhope/churchmanual GitHub Wiki

##Introduction The Children's Sabbath School Leader reports to the [Children's Ministries Committee]] and relates closely with the [Children's Ministries Coordinator and other Children's Sabbath School division teams. Their goal is to help children know God through Bible study and discussion.

#Responsibilities The Leader oversees all Children's Sabbath School age groups from toddlers to teens. They meet regularly with the division team for planning and represent the age division on the Children's Ministries Committee. They should develop a division budget with the help of the Children's Ministries Coordinator, and are responsible for organizing the Sabbath School time and assigning responsibilities to teachers and assistants.

###Coordination of Sabbath School Ministry The Leader coordinates and delegates the following aspects of Children's Sabbath School:

• Record Keeping: Maintains information on children who participate in Sabbath School, keeps track of birthdays.
• Welcoming: Greets kids at the door, regulars and visitors.
• Mail: Sends birthday cards.
• Hospitality: Provides weekly snacks, organizes food for class potlucks and activities.
• Family Visitation: Divides students among leaders and teachers so that each receives a home visit once a year.
• Music: Chooses songs, leads singing, involves students in special music.
• Class teacher: Assigns one teacher per five students to guide discussion.
• Program leader/teacher: Teaches Sabbath School up front; may team teach with an assistant or delegate parts of the whole program.

###Screening Volunteers

• Evaluates written applications with the children’s coordinator.
• Interviews promising volunteers and helps match their spiritual gifts with a ministry need in the division.
• Allows no one to work with children who has not successfully completed the volunteer ministry information form and been approved by the screening committee.

###Leading and Teaching

• Encourages both children and volunteers to pursue personal prayer life.
• Looks for opportunities to invite children to accept Jesus; leads them through the steps to Jesus in age-appropriate ways.
• Mentors ministry team members by demonstrating ministry functions, giving clear directions, verbalizing expectations, and affirming their efforts.
• Mentors a promising assistant leader for future leadership.
• Sets a standard for classroom management and Sabbath School programming and expects assistants to maintain that standard so teaching will be seamless.

###Selecting Children’s Curriculum

• Places orders with the Sabbath School secretary for Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath School materials, published by the General Conference.
• Adapts the materials as necessary to fit class needs.
• Expects assistant leaders to use the same basic curriculum, adapting as needed.

#Qualifications Volunteer Ministry Qualifications

A commitment to:

• Jesus Christ and to a growing personal relationship with Him.
• Christ-centered ministry to children.
• The Seventh-day Adventist Church and its beliefs.
• A balanced Christian lifestyle.
• Teamwork.
• Cooperative ministry under the leadership of the pastor and church board.
• Personal growth and learning, continually upgrading methods and skills.

Special Qualifications

• An attitude of servant leadership.
• A passion for children and children’s ministries.
• Leadership experience in a ministry to children.

#Time Commitment: Approximately 10 hours per week for one or two years.

###Training

• Basic children’s ministries certification (on-going).
• Advanced children’s ministries certification (on-going).
• A volunteer management seminar (recommended).