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Territorial Youth Department releases details of new Sunday school incentive.
Recognizing the vital role Sunday school plays in the life of the Army and in its growth, the Territorial Youth Department has announced a Sunday school campaign for 2006, “Six in ’06.”
“We have set a simple goal—that every Sunday school will increase its average attendance by six in 2006,” said Territorial Youth Secretary Captain Kyle Smith.
Smith noted that congregation-based Sunday schools not only provide outreach and discipleship for youth, they also help assimilate youth and their families into The Salvation Army. “There is a direct correlation between the number of people who attend Sunday school and how many become saved and active in the Army as soldiers and officers.
“We believe this is a S.M.A.R.T. goal––specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time specific. Some corps may exceed this goal and others may not, but I think we all agree, it is better to have a goal to shoot for than no goal at all.”
To encourage corps, 30 “Ministry Capacity Building Incentive” grants of $5,000, each based on Sunday school growth between January and June 2006, will be awarded. There will be a potential of three winners per division. “These incentive grants are unique in that we will not only reward the corps, but we will also reward the leaders responsible for Sunday school growth by giving them the opportunity to improve themselves,” said Smith.
Funding for the grants is already in place. For each of the $5,000 grants, $4,000 is earmarked to cover the cost of the corps officer and Sunday school teachers (divided equally) to attend a Salvation Army event, a Christian conference, and/or a mission or study tour. The remaining $1,000 will go to purchase Sunday school supplies or fund a special Sunday school event.