This post is about managing expectations

Increasing Sunday School attendance has always been the goal of teachers and leaders. We've put a lot of heart and soul into the effort. Because we care, and because some have made it their livelihood, it's personal.

But "increased attendance" is simply not going to happen in many churches. Personally, I would trade away higher attendance for better discipleship every day of the week.

That's why I want you to read "5 Ways Tracking Church Attendance Can Mess With Your Soul" from Pastor Carey Nieuwhof. It's a word of grace to all of us who count heads on Sunday morning, or who have bosses who count our heads for us.

And while he doesn't mention Sunday School, his pastoral advice still applies. Only please read it to the very end where he addresses the uncomfortable paradox about the need for counting.

READ:
5 WAYS TRACKING CHURCH ATTENDANCE CAN MESS WITH YOUR SOUL
(and why you still need to do it)

Notes:
One of the great blindspots of Christian education has been the need to minister to the low attenders and non-attenders. We don't view them as a priority, or at least, pretend not to have the time for them (we're so busy, yada, yada).

I get it. Who wants to make that phone call asking "where were you?" I hate those kinds of phone calls, emails, and postcards when I get them, don't you?  (After moving out of town, a former church continued to send me their generic "WE MISS YOU" emails and postcards for TWO YEARS.)

Encouraging more attendance is hard. People are often set in their ways and attitudes (including the leaders ).

How to Engage Non-Attending and Low Attendance Members

In my experience, what often works is finding "that thing" that will get them involved somewhere, somehow. And "that thing" may not be your Sunday School right now (or ever). It will likely be some "simple "ask" that helps them get back into the habit and attitude of participating.

A few simple "asks"

• Can your family help pour drinks next Sunday?
• Can you help collect the offering next Sunday?
• Can you help with fellowship snacks next Wednesday?
• Can you help me be a game leader Sunday night?
• Can I sign up your family to walk in the CROP walk?
• Can I help you with transportation?
• I hear you like to ___________(local ball team, ski, sail, kayak, fish), wanna go sometime?
  
  Works about 25% of the time in my estimation. The other 75%?  Maybe they're just not ready yet, and that has to be okay with us.

Just be aware of what THEIR "asks" may be of you.
What's going on in their life right now? What are their needs, hurts, concerns, joys, scheduling issues? Do they have transportation needs, clothing needs, childcare needs? What faith issues are keeping them away?  etc.

They often feel judged or embarrassed. Some are even hostile. Approach them covered in fruit not judgment! (the fruit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).

And be equipped to care and respond...
Can't tell you the number of times I've poked my nose into a non-attending family only to discover dysfunction and real pain, and they weren't always welcoming. It can be sad, which is another reason we probably don't want to do it. And sometimes you discover that it was YOUR attendance that they needed, not theirs.

Don't lose heart. Instead, be steadfast. It may take months or years for someone to feel part of your church's community. And we're not called to "win people for Christ." they are already his --the sheep of his pasture, remember?

We're merely the assistant shepherds.

Looking forward to your thoughts...