Sabbath School Superintendent

1 The Sabbath School Superintendent The Sabbath School was developed to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in response to the command of Jesus, in the setting of the Three Angels' Messages. In loyalty to this original purpose, the Sabbath School continues to communicate the Good News with the objective to win, hold, and train for Jesus Christ, men, women, youth, and children in all the world. These objectives are carried forward through the Maintaining a clear and far-reaching vision of the following four areas of emphasis: global mission of the church. Constantly fostering in children, youth, and adults Bible Study a desire to serve in gospel promulgation wherever the This emphasis includes: Lord may lead. Making the saving gospel of Jesus Christ central Teaching and promoting systematic and self- in all Sabbath School plans, projects, and programs, denying stewardship in support of world missions.

2 Ensuring that all activities and materials are Christ- centered, Bible-based, and person-oriented. The Superintendent 's Role Cultivating the attitude of prayer and devotion on The work of the Sabbath School Superintendent can the part of all members. be accomplished only by Holy Spirit's empowerment Fostering spiritual growth through regular study of the gift of administration. One should no more of God's Word, and sharing the faith with others. think of doing this work, without an infilling of the Holy Spirit, than the Children of Israel could march Fellowship upon Jericho without the ark of God. This emphasis includes: Consider this quote: The Saviour knew that no Fostering Christian fellowship in every aspect of argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts or the Sabbath School program throughout the week.

3 Break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. Working together to develop and implement He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly programs and projects for recruiting new members. endowment; that the gospel would be effective only Enlisting the help of all leaders, teachers, and as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips regular members in helping to restore missing church made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is members and absentee Sabbath School members to the way, the truth, and the life. The work committed regular attendance and active participation in the life to the disciples would require great efficiency; for the of the church. tide of evil ran deep and strong against them. A. Carefully nurturing the spiritual interests of newly vigilant, determined leader was in command of the -baptized members.

4 Forces of darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right only Outreach through the help that God, by His Spirit, This emphasis includes: would give them. 1. Making every part of the Sabbath School program It is the responsibility of the and class contribute to the Christian experience of Superintendent to administer the entire each member so that he or she serves as a spiritual Sabbath School , coordinating the various magnet to draw others to Christ. divisions and ensuring that all are Making certain that all teaching is soul-winning functioning efficiently. The smooth and soul-holding in nature. operation of the machinery, however, is only Being alert to opening providences that present to the conduit through which the power of the Holy the Sabbath School or its individual members, Spirit is conducted.

5 Spirit-filled leadership will be opportunities for soul winning. manifested in a passion for equipping the saints for the task of seeking the lost. Mission In most Sabbath Schools, the practice is that the This emphasis includes: Superintendent functions as the adult division leader, but in larger Sabbath Schools another person is following: appointed to lead the adults, leaving the super- Carrying the responsibility of planning and intendent free to coordinate all divisions. presenting to the Sabbath School Council the plans He or she should be a member of the church, and of for organizing Branch Sabbath Schools of various good report among the membership. Those called to types, Vacation Bible Schools, and related Sabbath act as Superintendent of a Sabbath School are called School evangelism enterprises within the missionary to a sacred work.

6 As the Superintendent thinks and territory of the church, in cooperation with the feels, so will he or she act. One cannot inspire others evangelistic plans of the local pastor or evangelist. with what he or she does not feel, and this peculiar Developing and sustaining an interest in Branch task is to lead others to high endeavor. Sabbath School evangelism on the part of the whole As a leader and director, the Superintendent should church. possess executive ability. He or she will have much to Being prepared to present to the main Sabbath do with others, and this will require tact, skill, School plans and reports of Sabbath School resourcefulness, patience, and sympathy. The evangelism. Superintendent is the manager of the School , but he or Keeping the conference Sabbath School and she cannot manage others without first learning the Personal Ministries director informed concerning secret of managing self.

7 Branch Sabbath School evangelism developments. A successful Superintendent must be persevering and energetic. The duties require hard work and much Assistant Superintendent for Membership earnest thought. He or she should be studious and The Department of Sabbath School and Personal observant, endeavoring daily to add to his or her store Ministries recommends that in every Sabbath School of knowledge, particularly in the work for which he an intensive, conscientious, and persevering year- or she is responsible. round effort be put forth to enroll all church members The Superintendent should constantly study how to and their children as regular Sabbath School make the Sabbath School more efficient in reaching members. its great objective by studying its general The assistant Superintendent (first assistant where organization, its teaching force, its pupils, its order there is more than one assistant) should be designated and discipline, and above all, its main objectives.

8 He as the Assistant Superintendent for membership. It is or she will find much aid in doing this by reading understood that the major part of his or her time will literature on Sabbath School methods and procedures be devoted to the following duties: and in counseling with the conference Sabbath School To sponsor full Sabbath School membership, and Personal Ministries director. especially concentrating on enrolling all church members and their children, and promoting faithful Assistant Superintendent Sabbath School attendance. This officer should serve, as the title indicates, as To be responsible for keeping up-to-date an assistant to the Superintendent in carrying forward membership records, securing the needed information the regular work of the School , and in bearing such from the church clerk and Sabbath School secretary, responsibilities as may be assigned by the thus determining which members are missing.

9 Superintendent . He or she should be ready to respond To bring to the Sabbath School Council, with to any request of the Superintendent for assistance in teachers present, a complete list of the names and the administration of the Sabbath School affairs. In addresses of missing members, at which time the the absence of the Superintendent , the assistant takes council will assign each missing member to a class, full charge of the School . The Sabbath School is a entering the name and address in the prospective- training School for workers of all classes. As a result member section on the class record card. of giving the assistants the proper training and To submit to each regular monthly Sabbath experience, future leading officers will be provided. School Council meeting up-to-date reports of In the larger Sabbath Schools more than one assistant progress being made in enrolling these prospective Superintendent may be required.

10 Members as regular members, and also reporting on regular membership and attendance. Assistant Superintendent for Evangelism To cooperate closely with the Sabbath School One of the assistant superintendents should be extension division leader, making sure the leader has designated as Assistant Superintendent for all the names of those who, because of circumstances, Evangelism. The duties of the Assistant find it physically impossible to attend Sabbath School Superintendent for Evangelism shall include the regularly. All such should be faithfully enrolled in the extension division and regularly contacted by the and policies of the General Conference Department of extension division leader. Sabbath School and Personal Ministries by becoming To seek to encourage each Sabbath School familiar with the latest available Sabbath School teacher to lead a prayer and visitation ministry for Manual and other literature and by giving attention to reclaiming missing members.