Pre-Startup FAQS:

• How long does it take to IMPLEMENT the WoRM?

• When is a good time to START the WoRM?

• How much money does it take to IMPLEMENT the WoRM?

• Overcoming Teachers Resistance to Change

• Strategies for Introducing the WoRM to Your Church

• Publicizing the WoRM

How long does it take to IMPLEMENT the WoRM?
When is a good time to START the WoRM?

See this other post below for a full discussion of "when" to implement the WoRM.

• The answer depends on the time of year, condition of your classrooms, budget, volunteers, and vision for transforming your classrooms. Some classrooms need a lot of help to become inviting workshop spaces. Painting and murals are quick ways to change the look.
• Many churches have found it useful to use the SUMMER to transform their spaces.
• Some have created workshops one at time, in the year preceding their WoRM launch.
• Some have created a summer VBS that will need a special room or two that can be quickly turned into workshops for a fall launch.
• Don't forget the hallways and new signage.
• Most WoRM Sunday Schools will tell you that they got their biggest boost by focusing on transforming the space.
  
  

How much money does it take to IMPLEMENT and run the WoRM?

(See the discussion about budgets here, initial startup costs, and yearly budget.)

The answer depends on the size of your program, condition of your existing rooms, available supplies, and vision for transforming your space.

In general, a "getting started" budget of $500 to $700 is not unreasonable for a small or medium-size church setting up 3 or 4 workshops unless you need to buy furniture or add lighting. Keep in mind that some of your transformation costs will no doubt be paying for things that should have been taken care of in the past!

Prioritize your workshop and hallway transformations, deciding what needs to be done for launch, and what idea can wait. Invariably, WoRM Sunday School evolve its spaces and ideas throughout their first year of operation.

If you use Rotation.org Writing Team Lesson Sets, your curriculum cost will only be $45 a year! So there's a GIANT saving.

Cost can also depend on who you ask to help. For example, if you recruit an adult class to "donate" time to transform your art space, they may also donate the paint, etc.

Some "themes" are less expensive than others at implementing. A "beach" theme, for example, can utilize the multitude of inexpensive "tiki" party decorations available for purchase, and beach toy/decor supplies cheaply available and fun to decorate with.

Overcoming Resistance to Change

• Change is always resisted by someone, so expect it.
• Involve everyone in the evaluation and envisioning process. Once teachers, parents, and leaders share what they think could be better, and what their hopes are, they often see that those asking for change share their heart for teaching God's kids, and that puts them at ease.
• Show people how the WoRM is trying to fix certain problems.
• Help resisters see parallels to other times where your church has used similar teaching approaches, such as VBS.
• Some traditional teachers may oppose changes because they feel the changes reflect poorly on what they've been doing. Reaffirm their gifts to help in new ways.
• Oftentimes people will change their opinion when they see someone they respect and look up to getting behind the change, and when they know the pastor is excited about it.
• Sometimes it's easier to replace a few teachers than convince the resisters.
• Get long-time teachers involved in the transformation of their classrooms.
• Doing some "test runs" with teachers repeating their lessons to different groups will often convince some of the resisters.
• Many Rotation churches report that "resistance melts" when people begin to see the exciting new space take shape, and excitement of the kids and parents.
  
  

Strategies for Introducing the WoRM to Your Church

• Launch a "mini-rotation" of workshops during a special time of year such as Advent, or in the spring or summer when attendance is low and teachers are often looking for something different.
• Plan your VBS this summer to be a Workshop Rotation-style Sunday School so that teachers and parents can quickly understand by seeing how things "rotate."
• Plan a special "Open House" Rotation Sunday that includes adults, rotating into the different workshops 10 minutes at a time.
• The "big introduction" to most people will be visual when they see your transformed spaces.
• Produce a flyer, but don't worry about having to "sell it" to the kids or parents. They will be happy to be happy!

Publicizing the WoRM

Photos! Facebook! Videos! Slides in Worship! Newsletter blurbs. Press release to the local paper.

Keep in mind the LONG TERM NEED to remind people WHY we changed to the WoRM. This will keep them from "going back" should things struggle or leaders change.