1. How to Start New Units Bob Mayfield Baptist General Convention Of Oklahoma Bob Mayfield Baptist General Convention Of Oklahoma

2. Starting New Units Reasons to start new units… Overcrowding/space To reach new people groups. To stretch the SS out of its comfort zone. Reasons to start new units… Overcrowding/space To reach new people groups. To stretch the SS out of its comfort zone.

3. Starting New Units When to start new units… a)Enrollment/Attendance EnrAttn Dept8050 Class2515 When to start new units… a)Enrollment/Attendance EnrAttn Dept8050 Class2515

4. Starting New Units b) When a unit has “leveled off”. c) When the unit is two years old and it has not started a new unit. b) When a unit has “leveled off”. c) When the unit is two years old and it has not started a new unit.

5. Starting New Units Misperceptions of New Units a)My class will be too small. b)We won’t get to see each other any more. c)We can stay the same and just add some more chairs (cheaper too) Misperceptions of New Units a)My class will be too small. b)We won’t get to see each other any more. c)We can stay the same and just add some more chairs (cheaper too)

6. Starting New Units d) People will leave the church if we start a new class. e) People like a full classroom!! f) It will disrupt the close fellowship and relationships our class enjoys. g) But didn’t you say, “You want our class to get closer?” So why are you splitting us up? d) People will leave the church if we start a new class. e) People like a full classroom!! f) It will disrupt the close fellowship and relationships our class enjoys. g) But didn’t you say, “You want our class to get closer?” So why are you splitting us up?

7. Starting New Units Every SS grows to the size of its organization. The Pyramid Example… To increase the height, you must add to the bottom of the structure!! Every SS grows to the size of its organization. The Pyramid Example… To increase the height, you must add to the bottom of the structure!!

8. Starting New Units Advantages 1)New classes grow faster 2)Leaders emerge faster. There is no pecking order. 3)Commitment to attend is higher. Advantages 1)New classes grow faster 2)Leaders emerge faster. There is no pecking order. 3)Commitment to attend is higher.

9. How to Start a New Unit 1.Remove the “s” word from your vocabulary (split). “New” sounds much better. 2.It takes a committed teacher. 3.Recruit “seed” couples. 4.The teacher must visit his/her prospects 1.Remove the “s” word from your vocabulary (split). “New” sounds much better. 2.It takes a committed teacher. 3.Recruit “seed” couples. 4.The teacher must visit his/her prospects

10. Starting New Units 5) Persevere. 6) Other teachers must encourage the new class. Develop a “new class” culture in the church. 7) Direct all prospects and new members to the new class 5) Persevere. 6) Other teachers must encourage the new class. Develop a “new class” culture in the church. 7) Direct all prospects and new members to the new class

11. Starting New Units 8) Pulpit support is necessary. 9) Allow for some failure. But don’t be pessimistic. 8) Pulpit support is necessary. 9) Allow for some failure. But don’t be pessimistic.