Spring…Not The Season For A "Sunday School Slump"

Each spring, far too many Sunday schools see the same pattern of attendance. As the weather improves, attendance goes up until, around Palm Sunday and Easter, it comes to a peak. Then after Easter, attendance begins to drop off until it hits a low during the summer vacation season.

Does your attendance have to decrease after Easter? We don’t think so. In fact, with a little planning and effort, this time of year can be a very successful time for any Sunday school.

The key is to keep your Sunday school fresh and exciting, especially at this time of year when spring fever can cripple an unprepared Sunday school program. What can you do? Here are a few ideas…

The entire Sunday school can be involved in special "Heritage Sunday," "Rally Day" or "Home Coming" activities and services. Fellowship meals and "Sunday School Family Night" events can also help bring your Sunday school people together in a different setting for fellowship.

Planning special events and activities for classes and departments is important, too. Special activities such as a balloon launch, poster contest, craft projects, displays and special missions projects can help keep classes exciting. Special guests, videos, Bible games and other special activities can also add much to weekly lessons for all ages of students.

Small awards or recognitions for students with perfect attendance each month or who invite or bring others with them to Sunday school could also help make this time of year special.

Finally, why not plan some special promotion for your Sunday school at this time. A bulletin board or small table display can tell your entire congregation about Sunday school, its value and the special activities that you are planning. Bulletin inserts and personal invitations to those who do not attend can also be quite effective.

The important thing to remember is this: Your Sunday school doesn’t have to have an "after Easter slump." A little planning and a little extra effort will help keep your program strong and growing all year long.

(This article appeared in the "Spring, 1991" issue of "The Herald.")