Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 347
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 347

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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-