Where Have You Been?

Life gets crazy sometimes.  Sometimes, you have to break your routine.  So you miss Sunday School a few times.  But no one called.  No one emailed.  Does anyone care that you missed?  Do you really want to go back?

These are the thoughts of too many people who have been enthusiastically invited and welcomed to church, but after coming for awhile, have an interruption.  Do we as Sunday School teachers notice?  Do we do anything about it?

In the near future, I will put a post up about how to show care and respect to others.  One way to drop the ball is to fail to contact someone who misses class.

Here are a few ways to do it:

1. Postcard.  OK, it's a little old-fashioned, but everyone likes to get mail.  There are colorful cards available at Christian bookstores that can be filled out by hand on Sunday afternoon.  If you drop it in the mailbox right away, your student has mail - showing you care and you missed them - on Tuesday.
2. Email. In this digital age, you can send a quick note through email.  Many young people use Facebook instead of email, so get an account and send friend requests to your class members. I hope that someday, the Sunday School attendance book will have room for email and Facebook name.  There are even some free digital cards you can send.
3. Phone call.  I know someone who hated to miss Sunday School, because they know if they missed, they would get a call from someone.  Now guilt is a poor motivator, but sometimes it's the only thing that does the trick.  If you teach a children's class, call the student's parents, let them know why you are calling and ask permission to talk with your student.  I've never had a parent say "no," and many times, it is even more important to communicate to the parent about the absence than the student.  After all, the parent is often your student's only transportation to Sunday School.  Just touch base to see if everything is OK.
4. Home visit.  There are situations that just seem funny, and you suspect that something crazy is happening at your student's home.  If you it would make you feel more comfortable, bring someone else along - maybe the Sunday School teacher from the older sister's class.  Just go to the home, and have a friendly visit.  Let the whole family know they were missed.  Ask if there is something you can pray about.  Then pray and go.  Don't stay forever.  They have things to do, and so do you.  Remember, everyone can make home visits; not just the Corps Officer.

This Sunday, pay attention to your attendance sheet.  Make note of who is missing and how long they have been missing.  There may be students in your class who are ready to fall through the cracks.  Don't wait any longer - contact them and let them know you care that they are missing.

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.