Texas Baptist Church Weekday Education Association

Purposes of the Committee/Team

The purposes of the church weekday education committee are to:

•  establish a biblical foundation for the weekday early education program(s), 
•  coordinate the activities and ministries of the program(s), and
•  serve as liaison between the weekday program(s) and the church.

As an integral part of the total ministry of the church, a church weekday education program reflects the overall goals of the sponsoring church.  To ensure that these goals are accurately reflected in the weekday program, the church elects a weekday education committee and assigns the committee specific responsibilities.  These responsibilities include establishing, supporting, and coordinating the weekday program(s) within church guidelines.

As the weekday education committee carries out its responsibilities, it sets the standard so that weekday and other preschool/children’s leadership work from the same philosophy and principles to meet the needs of young children —physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual—while they are at church.

The church weekday education committee may be responsible for one or more weekday programs.  These may include:

·        Full-day child care

·        Parents’ Day Out

·        Preschool

·        Before/after school care

·        Christian school

Whatever types of church weekday education programs a church decides to include in its ministry, quality programs will include age-appropriate learning environments for each child and a Bible-based, Christ-centered philosophy of education.  The church weekday education committee can assist in making each program a vital part of the church’s total ministry.

Committee/Team Selection

The church weekday education committee members are selected by the church nominating committee or committee on committees and are elected by the church.  The director of the church weekday education program(s) serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.  Members must understand and be committed to a biblical philosophy of education that would undergird a quality church weekday education program. A balanced representation of the church’s membership on the church weekday education committee provides natural spokespersons for church weekday education ministry in key groups throughout the church.  Especially helpful on the committee are people with a background in early childhood education, legal matters, medical fields, business and finance, personnel management, public relations, and social work.

Membership of the committee will rotate in accordance with other church-elected committees.  Many churches find that a six-member committee on a three-year rotation seems to work well. Under this system, two members rotate off each year, and two new members rotate onto the committee.  A chairperson may be elected by the church weekday education committee members or designated by the nominating committee or committee on committees.

Responsibilities of the Committee/Team

Each church may formulate the specific responsibilities of its church weekday education committee, but there are some basic responsibilities, which will help develop effective administration of the weekday program.  The committee has four basic functions:

• ___To set policy
• ___To hire and develop the director
• ___To approve an annual, written budget
• ___To plan for the future

These functions are carried out in the following ways:

·        Determine policies and procedures for operating and administering the program.  These guidelines should reflect the purpose and philosophy of the program and outline the practical aspects of day-to-day operations (admission requirements, tuition and fees, record keeping, insurance, etc.)

·     Work in cooperation with the church weekday education program director to staff the church weekday education program.  Job descriptions, benefits, and personnel policies will establish the foundation for hiring weekday staff to support a quality ministry.

·        Assist the church weekday education director in developing an annual budget.  Project annual income and expenses in a workable, written budget.  Review the monthly financial report of the church weekday education program in the regular monthly meeting of the church weekday education committee.

·        Periodically review compliance of legal, licensing, and safety requirements of the church weekday education program.  Be aware of changes in city, county, and state laws related to licensing, health, and safety.  Conduct regular reviews and check-ups  to ensure a quality church weekday education program.

·        Make public relation efforts to inform, involve, and educate the church and community about the church weekday education program.  As the liaison between the church weekday education program and the church, enthusiastically share with the church family the ministry that takes place through the church weekday education program.  Positively publicize the church weekday education program within the community.

·        Encourage positive relationships between the church weekday education program and other church organizations involving young children.  Sharing space, equipment, and resources requires guidelines, coordination, supervision, and cooperation.  Serve as a positive role model for sharing space.  Provide times for those who share space to meet together, arrange rooms, and become part of a team that ministers to young children and families each time preschoolers are at church.

·        Report regularly to the church.  Include outreach successes, ministry opportunities, names of church weekday education staff, special events, involvement in Vacation Bible School, and use of WEE Learn curriculum.

·        Attend parent meetings, open house, and special events.  The presence and hospitality of church weekday education committee members builds relationships and demonstrates genuine interest in the ministry.

·        Encourage church members to volunteer in the church weekday education program.  The program benefits in many ways from people volunteering their areas of expertise such as secretarial, bookkeeping, maintenance, resource development, organization, and others.

 ·       Pray for the weekday director and staff, for the children enrolled, for families who bring their children, and for the church who supports this ministry.

         In addition to the regular responsibilities of coordinating and supporting the church weekday education program, each committee member can contribute to ministry and outreach of young children and families by:

·        Regularly praying for the weekday director, the weekday staff, each child and family.

·        Actively communicating with and ministering to families enrolled in the weekday program during times of crisis.  A personal note, card, telephone call, or meal expresses caring concern for the family.

·       Cultivating outreach opportunities with church weekday education families.

·        Planning appreciation events for the weekday staff.  A banquet, Sunday morning recognition, birthday remembrances, or a lunch can express in special ways that the weekday staff members are appreciated.

  Training the Committee/Tream for Effective Work

The church weekday education committee will be more effective if it meets at a designated time and place each month.  Use regular meetings to develop relationships, to update policies, and to monitor finances.  An involved, active committee provides positive relationships between the church and the church weekday education programs.

As the church weekday education committee begins its work each year, a time of orientation and training is essential.  This time helps new committee members become familiar with the weekday program --  purpose,  philosophy, ministry -- and to develop positive relationships with existing members.  Ideas for orientation and training include:

·        Participating in training provided by the church for all committees.

·        Providing a copy of this guide for each committee member prior to the first meeting of the committee (permission is granted for duplicating).  Discuss its contents and answer questions regarding the work of the committee at the first committee meeting.

·        Reading and discussing the biblical principles in Kingdom Education (LifeWay Christian Resources, 1-800-458-2772) to develop a proper biblical foundation of education.

·        Taking a tour of all rooms and areas used by the church weekday education program, noting positive environments, resources, and offices of the church weekday education program. Document areas of need for future planning.

·        Preparing a notebook which contains names, addresses, work and home phone numbers of committee members; list of weekday staff and classrooms; policies; financial information; budget; enrollment; personnel policies; recent newsletters; parent handbook; enrollment packet; and any other pertinent information.  Distribute a notebook to each committee member who rotates onto the committee.  Secure  notebooks from members who rotate off the committee.  Update as needed to begin a new committee year.

·        Displaying resources which support the church weekday education program -- WEE Learn Curriculum Guide and  Picture Set for each age group, Weekday Early Education Administrative Guide, Teaching in Christian Weekday Early Education,  Read-to-Me Bible for Kids (LifeWay Christian Resources, 1-800-458-2772).

·        Learning about training (local, regional, or national events) for church weekday education directors, teachers, and committees and making plans to participate in training events and to budget for weekday staff to participate. For dates and locations contact:

•  the local Baptist association office
•  the state Baptist convention office
• Christian school associations, such as regional office of ACSI 
• other church/denominational state and regional offices
•  www.lifeway.com/schoolresources

  ·        Mailing articles relating to the weekday program, special announcements, and newsletters to committee members on a regular basis.  Communication is a key to an informed, effective committee.

  ·        Observing the weekday program in operation.  See first hand the learning environment, staff, parents, and administration of the church weekday education program.

  ·        Gaining understanding of the procedures for outreach and ministry to families enrolled in the church weekday education program and becoming an active participant in this ministry.

  ·        Exploring other ideas for effective ministry and outreach through church weekday programs with other churches in your area.

  The church weekday education committee has the opportunity to give guidance and support to a ministry that touches the lives of young children and families on a daily basis.  Be creative!  Be diligent!  Be supportive!  Be prayerful!  Be positive!  May God bless you as you serve.