I love the Sunday School and appreciate its influence on my life. I was first introduced to Sunday School when Jimmy Breland, a Sunday School teacher, asked me if he could take me to Sunday School. As a small boy, I faithfully attended Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia, where I was grounded in Bible content and doctrine. I was taught to bring my offerings in a special envelope.
Because my values in life were taught to me by my mother and reinforced in Sunday School, when I heard the Gospel preached by a Baptist evangelist, I received Jesus Christ as my Savior.
Because our society is changing, some have suggested the age of the Sunday School is past. But the future of Sunday School is bright, and I believe God will continue to use the Sunday School as the evangelistic and educational arm of the church. Still, the Sunday School must adapt to continue its influence. In my seminars, I often challenge audiences, "The Sunday School that has been the steeple of the church must become its foundation." The Sunday School must not change its purpose but it must go "back to the basics," for the
old is again becoming new.
I believe that any church, anywhere, any time, can grow when it is revitalized. That’s because I believe in the power of God and the influence of the Word of God. Growing a church is like growing a garden. The ground must be prepared and the seed planted properly at the correct time. The seed must be watered and be exposed to sunshine. These are principles for growing a garden, and when properly applied, new life will spring forth. There are principles for growing a Sunday School. If you apply the principles, your Sunday School will grow.
This book is based on a seminar I conduct entitled 154 Steps to Revitalize Your Sunday School and Keep Your Church Growing. Notice I refer to 154 steps, not 154 ways. There is only one way to grow a church and that is to reach people for Jesus Christ. And there is only one way to revitalize your church, and that is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. But there are many steps to get you there!
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We are living in exciting days. Churches are still growing. I began keeping records of fast-growing churches 20 years ago; and some of the fastest growth is now taking place. (One church, for instance) grew from 5,300 to over 7,500 in one year. Many of the steps used by this church are emphasized in this book.
This book will reemphasize the traditional biblical principles of evangelism and perhaps express them with new emphasis. But you will also be exposed to new techniques. Open your mind and your heart. Perhaps you can't use every suggestion, but don't close your mind to ideas just because they are new. Let this book s-t-r-e-t-c-h you to trust God (Mark 11:22-23).
I still believe that the Sunday School has a bright future and that your Sunday School can grow.
Elmer L. Towns
Liberty University
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