A Sunday School "Makeover" Story
Late November 2019 ~ Rotation.org Enews
In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to share the inspiring Sunday School "makeover" story of Goodwood Church of Christ in Baton Rouge. It's the story of five volunteer teachers making big changes and the fantastic response it has received from parents and kids. When I first heard their story, it inspired me because my own church is embarking on a Sunday School makeover, so I got in touch with JoHannah Stroud, one the leaders of Goodwood's makeover who's also a member of Rotation.org. They are now five years into their makeover and going strong. Below are excerpts from our conversation. You can read her full story here with many more photos.
Amy Crane
Rotation.org President and volunteer teacher at Faith Presbyterian Church in Covington, La.
A Sunday School "Makeover" Story
from JoHannah Stroud
Goodwood Church of Christ
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Like many churches, we were experiencing problems with dwindling attendance and recruiting teachers. Discouraged, we knew something had to change. but what?
That's when a group of us got together to brainstorm. I had seen Rotation.org online and found the Rotation Model very interesting. We had taught our VBS like this and I did not see why it wouldn’t work on Sundays. Here's a photo of the original five women who gathered at my house to discuss what I had found. They too were excited and we celebrated our new-found enthusiasm and vision with ice cream!!
The church Elders were a little hesitant at first. I don’t think they fully understood the Rotation concept but I presented it as a program similar to VBS and they approved it. We laughed when one of our elders got up to announce before the entire church that he was confident in these new ideas because the teachers have "over 100 years of teaching experience combined!" Apart from feeling a bit "old" after that comment — the five of us leading the change were "seasoned" teachers — we were ready to lead in this new direction.
One of our biggest needs was the "renovation" of our old rooms and boring hallways...
Read the rest of the interview here. It has many amazing photos of their renovation and more to their story. Be sure to check out their video of Jonah's whale here.
Have a story of your own to share? Post it in the Member Stories Forum!
Don't forget! #GivingTuesday is December 3
This year two members have pledged to MATCH donations made to the Rotation.org Fund on December 3rd, 4th, and 5th! Every year we count on special gifts from churches and individuals (in addition to Supporting Memberships) to make our budget and plan for the new year ahead.
Watch for #GivingTuesday details coming to your inbox next week, and prayerfully consider your response. Thank you!