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    		•
    APPENDIX ELEVEN OF THE DISCIPLINE
    Sunday School Constitution
    I. OBJECTIVES
        A. To Teach the Scriptures to students of all ages.
        B. To lead each student to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and serve Him as Lord.
        C. To challenge each student to make the Bible the foundation for their values and behavior.
        D. To develop Christian growth and maturity through the knowledge of the Scriptures.
        E. To prepare students for leadership and provide for them opportunities for Christian service in the church.
        F. To provide opportunities for Christian fellowship.
        G. To build up the church through solid Biblical understanding.

    II. ORGANIZATION
        The Sunday School is an integral part of the church, and as such, shall be identical with the Church in its purpose and doctrine, and shall be amenable to the church as its governing body.
            A. GENERAL ORGANIZATION:
                1. The general supervision of the Sunday School shall be the responsibility of the Board of Christian Education.
                2. Officers: Superintendents, secretary, treasurer, and assistants.
                3. There shall be a superintendent for each Department of the Sunday School.
            B. MEMBERSHIP:
                1. New members shall be added to the Active Roll after three (3) consecutive Sundays in attendance.
                2. Names shall be dropped from the Active Roll at the discretion of the local Sunday School (suggestion: after 13 weeks).
            C. GROUPING:
                1. The following is the suggested division of the students:
    Cradle Roll Birth to 2 years of age
    Beginners 2 to 4 years
    Kindergarten 5 to 6 years
    Primary 6 to 7 years (grades 1 & 2)
    Middler 8 to 9 years (grades 3 & 4)
    Junior 10 to 11 years (grades 5 & 6)
    Young Teens 12 to 14 years
    Senior High Teens 15 years & up
    Young Adults Post High School to 24 years
    Adults 25 years and up
            D. PROMOTION:
                1. Promotion from one department or class to another should be held annually. The second Sunday of September is suggested.
                2. Proper acknowledgement should be held for the occasion and certificates awarded.
            E. VISITATION:
                1. The Sunday School should have an active visitation program.
                2. The visitation program should be under the direction of the Superintendent and Pastor, with an appointed chairperson.
            F. OTHER DEPARTMENTS:
                1. Cradle Roll
                    a. Purpose - To enroll infants into the Sunday School as soon as possible in order to tie the Sunday School to the home; to encourage parents to begin the Christian training early in their child’s life; and to introduce the child into the Sunday School program.
                    b. Personnel - The Superintendent shall be elected by the congregation and should be amenable to the Board of Christian Education.
                2. Home Department
                    a. Purpose - To extend the Sunday School into the home, hospitals and convalescent homes to aid in meeting the spiritual needs of the aged, the infirm, and those whose employment prevents their attendance at Sunday School.
                    b. Personnel - The Superintendent shall be elected by the congregation and should be amenable to the Board of Christian Education.
                3. Missionary Department
                    Purpose - To aid in teaching the purpose and meaning of the “Great Commission” of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to promote the programs of the denomination’s National Mission Board and International Mission Board within the Sunday School.
            G. SPECIAL DAYS:
                1. Decision Day - Since the matter of conversion or the New Birth is of the utmost importance, a special Decision Day should be observed in our Sunday School at least once a year, when students may be given the opportunity to make decisions for Christ. However, teachers should remember that the opportunity to make commitments to Christ needs to be a vital part of their ministry.
                2. Children’s Day - A Children’s Day program, under the supervision of a committee should be observed annually. The program could be an outgrowth of that which the students have learned, and a summary of the overall program of the Sunday School.
                3. Rally Day - A Rally Day program, with the regrouping and extension of the Sunday School as its goal, should be observed as directed by the Sunday School staff meetings.
    III. OFFICERS AND TEACHERS
        A. SELECTION:
            1. Teachers and Officers shall be nominated by the Board of Christian Education or the Sunday School teachers and officers, and elected at the Annual Society Meeting for the Election of Church Officers.
            2. All officers shall be active members of the Church, and shall subscribe to its doctrines and practices, and shall support its programs.
            3. All nominees for Teachers and Substitutes must be approved by the Quarterly Conference prior to their nomination. The Quarterly Conference shall base their approval upon the following qualifications:
                a. Does this person demonstrate a born-again experience?
                b. Does this person have enough Bible knowledge to teach? (i.e. knowing the books of the Bible; where to find major stories and teachings, etc.)
                c. Does this person demonstrate some gifts or abilities to teach?
                d. Does this person agree to teach Scripture in harmony with the doctrines of the Primitive Methodist Church?
        B. DUTIES
            1. Superintendent:
                a. Shall oversee, promote and implement every phase of the Sunday School program.
                b. Shall be responsible for the pre-session activities of the Sunday School.
                c. Must see that each class is provided with a teacher each Sunday, or join two or more classes for that Sunday.
                d. In cooperation with the pastor, will present suggestions for promoting growth of the Sunday School.
                e. Shall preside at all Staff Meetings.
            2. Assistant Superintendent:
                The Assistant Superintendent shall render to the Superintendent all the assistance required and officiate in the absence of the Superintendent.
            3. Secretary:
                a. Shall be responsible to keep minutes of Staff Meetings.
                b. Shall be responsible for the ordering of Sunday School literature and supplies.
                c. Shall be responsible for the making and keeping of Sunday School records for the entire Sunday School.
                d. Shall give a report to the Church as required.
            4. Treasurer:
                a. Shall receive and keep in charge all monies belonging to the Sunday School and keep a proper account of the same, and whenever officially requested, present accounts for inspection and audit.
                b. Should not pay any bills not authorized by a staff meeting.
            5. Primary Superintendent:
                a. Shall plan department work in full harmony with the general officials of the Sunday School.
                b. Shall be responsible for the opening and closing services of said department.
                c. Shall be responsible to see that the teachers are present and encourage promptness.
            6. Teachers:
                a. Shall be responsible for the lesson preparation and presentation each Sunday.
                b. Shall be faithful to the public services of the Church. Those in positions of leadership need to set the example for those who follow.
                c. Each teacher shall be responsible to keep a regular account of student attendance and to contact the absentee who has not been in class for two (2) consecutive Sundays.
                d. Shall attend Staff Meetings, and when unable to attend, shall notify the Superintendent. Regular staff meeting attendance is strongly encouraged.
    IV. STAFF MEETINGS
        The work of the bi-monthly (or monthly) meeting of the Officers and Teachers of the Sunday School seeks to:
        A. Keep the Sunday School on a straight course toward its objectives (see Article I.)
        B. Facilitate smooth operation for the good of the individual student and the whole Sunday School.
        C. Be responsible for the supervision of the work in such a way that things will operate with efficiency in accomplishing Sunday School goals.
        D. Plan a time for workers’ conferences or teacher instruction, a vital part of ministry to teachers.

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