A Burning Question: What Resources Do You Use?

As I have in the past, I am currently conducting a Curriculum Survey to learn what types of published curricular and program resources are currently being used with children, youth, and/or adults in congregations. It is also an opportunity for those who take the survey to share what their concerns and needs are for the future of Christian education. New for this survey are simple question about the education, remuneration, and ministry of individuals in our congregations. The survey will only take about five minutes and will close on June 10, 2016. Later this summer I will share the results.

Please take the survey HERE.

For those interested in the past three surveys I conducted, the links to the reports are as follows:

Now that June has arrived, most congregations are preparing for summer services and programming. Gearing up for mission trips, pilgrimages, and VBS will begin (if it hasn’t already) for many Christian educators and youth ministers. Church School and youth group may be scaled back if not on a summer hiatus. But before “moving on,” it is a time to evaluate what has occurred over the past academic year. This includes thanking volunteers and lining up those who will participate in this ministry again come August and September.

For many, it continues to be a time to evaluate the curricular resources that have been used, determining to continue using them for another year or discern what changes might be made. Through social media and various list-serves, I have noticed a surge in questions about processes for evaluating program models, time scheduling, and materials used as congregations are seeking new ways to address the changing landscape of attendance and participation on Sunday mornings. To that end, I offer my tools for evaluating programs as well as curricular resources:

Developing a Mission Statement
EvaluatingCurriculum
ChoosingYourCurriculum
The Diocese of Alabama put together Alabama Foundational Guide 2007, a document of learning goals and biblical stories to be told throughout the age span which may also prove helpful.