It is important for the Sunday School superintendent to understand his or her role as a vision caster for the Sunday School. We must move from a maintenance mind-set superintendent to a vision caster superintendent by following these three important tasks:

Vision Casters evaluate the Sunday School.

Three important questions should be raised and answered by the superintendent and the Sunday School Ministries board.

1.  What were our past successes? This question lays the foundation for fixing minds on success patterns. Improvement rather than total replacement often is a better way to help the Sunday School.

2.  What is our present situation? What currently works and what doesn't? What seems obvious isn't necessary. Also what needs repaired or replaced can affect emotions, psychological and spiritual feelings and realities. People can be offended, so tread lightly but with God's leadership.

3.  What should the future hold? Nothing can redo the past. Present work helps disciple lives now, but it also prepares us for future work for the Kingdom. Asking the right questions and following through may redeem, sanctify, and instruct your sons and daughters.
 

Important Questions

The following are questions a superintendent and SDMI board need to grapple:

• What classes are growing? Why are they growing?

• Which classes are declining? Why are they declining?

• How are we doing at getting return visitors to our classes?

• What classes do we need to add?

• Is our Sunday School inward or outward focused?

• What are some things we need to do to keep people attending?

• What electives should we consider teaching?

Vision Casters establish a plan of action.

Willard Peterson wrote, "Decision is the spark that ignites action. Until a decision is made, nothing happens."

As a vision casting organization, the Sunday School will want to develop a mission statement that gives purpose to the local congregation. That same Sunday School will also desire to write a vision statement that gives direction on how to arrive a the purpose.
 

Implementation 

A strategy to implement the vision will need to be developed.

The five laws of implementation are simple.

1.  Train more teachers.

2.  Provide more room.

3.  Start new classes.

4.  Find new people.

5.  Do more calling.

As these laws are pushed into action, the last principle of vision casting will be established.

Vision casters expect results!

What you expect, you will impact. Positive goals, principles, and statistical data will boost attendance, but a constant correction of the course will be expected.
 
Sunday Schools occasionally veer off their goal but a vision caster continually needs to inspect when it is off course and make corrections as follows:

1.  Relate your vision to others.

2.  Restate your vision regularly.

3.  Review your vision annually. What we state we need to do.

4.  Revise your plan of action as needed.

Tips to help your Sunday School grow: 

1.  Length of tenure. Although little can sometimes be done, long-term leadership by the pastor and superintendent is essential for long-term planning, stability, and growth of the Sunday School.

2.  Physical image of the premises. Make sure the meeting space is clean, painted, free of hazards, well-lit, and inviting to visitors.

3.  Outreach Events. Social events hosted by the church or Sunday School draw new people for our Sunday Schools.

4.  Teacher attendance patterns. Make sure your teachers are consistent in their availability to teach. If the teachers are inconsistent in their attendance to Sunday School, students will not be challenged to be consistent. Inconsistency will damage growth results.

5.  Flexible Schedules. One out of four Americans works on Sundays between the hours of 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Offering Sunday School classes or discipleship small groups at non-traditional times during the week will minister to those who must work on Sunday mornings.

6.  Follow-up with visitors as well as absentees. Demonstrating that the Sunday School class cares for them will be encouragement for them to return.