# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S347 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) PARISH EDUCATION AND SERVICES 347 1963 ____ sé, 986 50,118 393,738 1964__ ss S:sC«iB9'7, 220 50,424 409,915 1965 ss S:s«83 99,103 53,051 412,768 1966 = SS:*«éB’, 18.9 58,580 404,962 1967____——CsC—*é«éGB, 449 59,780 396,981 Enrollment in most agencies reached an all-time high in 1965 and then began to decline slightly. The only exception was the weekday school enrollment, which continues to grow. Perhaps the most significant reason for the declining enrollment in the Sunday school and vacation Bible school is the declining birth rate. The following table of live births in the United States indicates the extent of this decline. Year Births Year Births 1957___———s 4,308,000 (peak) 1965 _________ 3, 767,000 1959 ______. 4,295,000 1966 _______ 3,629,000 1961 _________ 4,268,000 1967 _________ 3,533,000 (est.) 1963 __________ 4,098,000 1968 3,487,000 (est.) A continued decline in enrollment in our educational agencies may be anticipated for several years as a result of the birth rate decline. Aggressive recruitment and evangelism efforts can counteract declines. Our concern for Christian education is not prompted by statistical reports but by God’s love for us in Christ. Through the church’s educational agencies God’s love reaches out to His children, young and old, so He might enfold them and care for them. Some congregations utilize the nursery roll to serve children not yet ready for Sunday school. Nursery classes for 2- and 3-year-old children are being added. Sub- stantial progress has been made. Today twice as many eligible children attend nursery classes as did 15 years ago. These children learn through experience the love of God in Christ and the joy of attending Sunday school. Some congregations provide weekday nursery schools. Such schools provide Christian settings in which little children learn to socialize, form attitudes, and develop interpersonal relationships outside their own family. Moreover, such schools serve the community and introduce the church to unchurched parents who are invited to participate in the religious training of their children. Steady gains continue to be made in the high school Bible class enrollment. In 1967, 94,388 young people were enrolled in high school classes. When one considers that only 129,374 were enrolled in all post-high-school classes in Sunday school, the high school enrollment is more impressive. Many high school youth ask why they should attend Bible class when parents and other adults do not. To gain youth’s interest and participation in Bible class, it is important that the Bible class be identified as an adult activity shared by parents and other adults of the congregation. One phenomenon that has become evident in the past several years is the number of Sunday school dropouts of children after age 9. At one time the Sunday school enrollment remained fairly constant until after confirmation. Today pupils seem to be dropping out at an earlier age. This suggests the need to be more dili- gent in “‘soul-keeping.” 3) Staffing for Quality Education. Considering the limited time available to part-time agencies, it is impor- tant that church school teachers be thoroughly compe- tent so that the available time is used most effectively. Moreover, because the quality of instruction in church schools is frequently compared with that offered in the public schools, and because the methods of communi- cating the Gospel are compared with the polished com- munication techniques employed by the mass media, the best possible teachers ought to be selected for Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and weekday school classes. The problem of recruiting and training an adequate staff of teachers for the part-time agencies is compli- cated by the turnover of teachers. It is estimated that from 20 to 25 percent of teachers are new each year. These new teachers need some training courses before they are given a class. In addition to such preservice training all teachers need regular opportunities for in-service training. Such programs may be provided by the individual congre- gation, by arrangements with sister congregations in the community, or by circuit Bible institutes. Findings from numerous studies indicate that the effectiveness of the church's program of Christian education is significantly affected by the interest, involvement, and support of parents. The family is an influential environment in the formation of Christian faith and life. Parents who by precept and example demonstrate that they are committed Chris- tians and who show that they value the church’s teaching ministry are necessary for undergirding the church’s educational activities. 4) Involving Parents. b. How the Board of Parish Education Has Dealt with the Issues 1) Quality Curricular Materials. During the past biennium the editors of materials for the part-time agen- cies have tried to provide study guides and teachers manuals that would help congregations develop quality education programs. New materials have been described in the report of the Editorial Division. The development of new coordinated curriculum materials will provide congregations with still better materials for quality education. 2) Services to Districts. The Board of Parish Educa- tion has for many years tried to be helpful to Districts in their service to congregations for the part-time agen- cies. Some years ago the position of secretary of Sunday schools was established. Dr. A. H. Jahsmann provided significant service to Districts in this position. The editors of vacation Bible school materials and weekday school materials provided similar service for District leadership training programs. With the organization of a Field Services Division the position of secretary of Sunday schools was changed to secretary of part- time agencies and Rev. Dale Griffin was appointed to this position. This change will provide better coordina-