I lead a Sunday School class (referred to as a Connection Point for Adult (CPA) class in our church) that is officially categorized as an "Adult, 22-29" grouping. Unofficially and more widely known, is that my class is "the Newlywed Class". I HATE both of these methods of organization. Why? I'm glad you asked. :)
First, churches today need to understand that while "Promotion Sunday" where kids graduate from one classroom/age group to the next works and serves very valid purposes, adults don't bother to graduate classes as they age. I've never seen it happen widely (meaning that there are individual, rare cases of obedience) at any of the churches I've regularly attended. So, the whole age-based ministries really doesn't work insofar as what the goal of SS/CPA classes should be. (Hmm...that sounds like a future post, "The Goals of Formal Small Bible Study Groups")
Second, while I understand the principle of constructing a class of folks in similar life-stages, I whole-heartedly disagree that this is a solid principle for how to do organize SS/CPA classes. My problem is that this method of organization assumes that everyone going through the same life-stage can identify with each other. While that's true, we risk limiting our exposure and influence by those that are in different and potentially later life-stages and the experience those lives bring. Along with that principle, there's also the needlessly confusing and excluding about the term "Newlywed Class". Does that mean singles can't come? Does that mean that if you're married longer than a year, you have to leave? Does that mean if you have kids, you can't come or you have to leave when you do? I certainly hope not! (Although, my wife and I have been told that very thing.)
The bottom line is that any of these current, popular methods lead to confusion and leads to resistance for those that believe age isn't a legitimate reason to leave their friends, study- and worship-fellows to join a new group and have to reestablish both the friendships and perhaps the worship comfort that existed in the first class. (Your SS/CPA class is a "worship" time, right?)
My desire is to organize a Sunday School/Connection Pont structure based on a set of criteria that does two key things:
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Cause the teacher/leader to consciously determine why their class exists and why someone would attend their class as opposed to another class. Is it teaching format? Is it emphasis on "social" elements? Is it life-stage? (which isn't entirely invalid, if "advertised" as such, i.e. Parents of Teenagers, etc.)
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Provides the prospect/potential attendee with accurate information on what the class seeks to offer. Is it "life application"? Is it an "Inductive Bible Study" format? Are they focused on meeting the needs of abused women?
While this helps the attendee figure out where to go, it also forces the teacher to think beyond their "quarterly" or their "lesson" and determine why their class is different than the other similarly age-named classes the same or other hours. I hope no classes just leave the decision of regularly joining the class to whether or not an attendee "clicks" with the rest of the members. It's more than a popularity contest - "Do they like us?"
I strongly encourage folks to "shop around" when they're looking for a SS/CPA class. Some classes are great for some folks, but not others. That's OK! But there's usually a class that's right for you if you'll get engaged. Why not help folks know what to expect when they step into your area?
Later.