positioning your church Understanding the role of minister of education—An interview with Steve Lindsey Interview by Ron Hunter     For the best in church and ministry resources, visit www.randallhouse.com.

FOR 112 YEARS, NEW HOPE FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH has enjoyed a rewarding ministry in a rural setting. Today, the church is located in a fast growing suburb, 20 miles from a major city. In the last 15 years, the church has increased worship attendance by 53%, Sunday School by 76%, and youth by 190%.

Ron Hunter, director of Randall House Publications, recently spoke with Minister of Education Steve Lindsay about his role in church leadership. Until recently Lindsay worked alongside Senior Pastor Barry Simpson who recently became the director of development for the Free Will Baptist International Missions Department.

the interview

RON: Steve, the most incredible stat is your ratio of Sunday School attendance to worship attendance. What is it today?

STEVE: We average between 90 and 95%. We broke the 300 barrier in 2006 and averaged 304 with 280 in Sunday School.

RON: How has your position changed while at New Hope?

STEVE: I started as youth director in the spring of 1993. After graduating from Bible College I became thefull-time associate pastor/youth pastor. In 1996, I began the transition into the minister of education role.

RON: What does the position of Minister of Education (ME) look like?

STEVE: Ephesians 4:11-15 describes how to come work beside my senior pastor to provide opportunities toengage in both church and community. This involves organizing learning times like Sunday School, midweek programs, small groups, and teacher/worker training. The ME concentrates on people growing in their walk with God. Nothing is more gratifying to the ME than for a believer to use his or her gifts in the church. I help believers connect with a ministry based upon passion and capability.

RON: As an ME do you focus on one age group in the church?

STEVE: The ME must focus on the broad picture. While I provide training for specific age groups, I do not devote my time to just one specific group. As I transitioned from youth pastor to ME, I began to recognize my youth group begins in the nursery. Beyond this, my involvement in their development extends into adulthood. If the age groups are not tied together in principles and leadership then you face a whole new set of problems.

RON: Did your youth group suffer from this changing role?

STEVE: In retrospect, this broad approach enhanced our youth work. Our people became more involved in youth ministry. Now a team of youth workers accomplishes more and finds greater fulfillment. More people work together rather than relying on staff leaders, and this brings all ages together.

RON: What programs brought about most of this growth?

STEVE: While many good programs are available, programs come and go. What has proven to be the mostbeneficial to our ministry is to identify the principles of growth. We evaluate every program based upon the purpose and goals of our church.

RON: What principles have you found to be indispensable?

STEVE:“Flake’s Formula” is the perfect start. It has been proven through the years—even with the many changes in the church landscape—that is critical to maintain a lower ratio of teachers to students by age.

Another vital principle is that church and Sunday School must be outwardly focused rather than inwardly focused. When the church is ready to accept guests in the same way we do close friends, we make it as much their church as the people who have been here 20 years. We must remove the “insider mentality.”

This all points back to knowing your purpose as a body of believers. Find programs that match your principles; not the other way around.

RON: That’s great advice, but how hard was it for your church to understand these Christian Education principles?

STEVE: Overall, our people embraced the idea. Looking back, I am not sure any of us fully understood what the ME did outside of maintaining the Sunday School. We learned the ME position is far more encompassing than one age group or one program. As we began learning together, some were uneasy, even a little threatened by the idea of change. Nevertheless, our people have been supportive and willing to allow me to try, fail at times, and try again. This encouragement has given us many small and large successes through the years.

RON: What was the biggest hurdle to cross in growing your Sunday School?

STEVE: We had to be patient, working the principles without chasing the latest programs, but also allowing the necessary time for lasting change. Casting vision and keeping it in front of the church body is very time consuming and often drains leaders physically, emotionally, even spiritually. To communicate vision requires providing the information in many formats to be understood and embraced. But casting vision is not sufficient by itself; we had to equip our people and move forward with the changes to see the vision come to reality.

RON: What advice would you give any pastor contemplating hiring a minister of education?

STEVE: Take the time to learn the role of a Minister of Education. Be sure the church leaders and people understand the responsibilities of someone in the position. Be prepared to give the authority and respect that comes with the responsibilities. Be open to making changes as needed, because growth never comes without change. Be ready to look outward and not inward, meeting your guest’s needs rather than your own preferences.

RON: What would you say to someone who wants to find training for a youth pastor contemplating a transition into the role of minister of education?

STEVE: Find the right mentor—one who understands principles of Christian education. Network with others in the field. Read books about these principles and rely on Randall House as a great resource.