Sunday School Support Lead

Department:                Church Activities Department

SUMMARY

The specific role of the SS Support Lead is to serve as a resource for SS superintendents and teachers, as well as other church members who are seeking additional support as they think and pray through how to strengthen and increase the efficacy of their church’s Sunday School activity. This role helps connect individuals and churches with resources that support a higher understanding of the purpose of Sunday School and its vital role in providing for the spiritual education of young people. In addition, the SS support lead serves as an advocate within TMC/CSPS by helping departments gain insight into opportunities and needs of Sunday Schools today. This position endeavors to connect all aspects of Sunday School support available from TMC to churches and to identify opportunities to expand our current offerings.

Since the Church Activities department is not a content creator, this position is charged with bringing together TMC and CSPS departments to think more specifically about how we can work together to help branches strengthen their Sunday Schools and provide “abreast of the times” resources that enable teachers to prepare students to apply Christian Science on a daily basis and have a healing impact on the world around them.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Remove impositions to successful SS activity

• Pray daily to realize the present opportunity of Sunday Schools globally and to break free of limitations currently opposing effective Sunday School activity. Meet regularly with the Church Activities Team to maintain a sense of the wholeness of church and all of its activities.
• Help churches see Sunday School as a resource for the youth of their communities and not simply for members’ children.
• Help Sunday Schools Superintendents maintain harmonious relationships between parents, teachers, and other church members, encouraging unity within all activities of Church.
• Encourage and nurture the innate ability of each church to pray through and be led to their own unique course of action for successful Sunday School activity
• Help churches see a vibrant Sunday School as an ongoing, church-wide, collective responsibility, not one belonging to just the Superintendent and teachers.

Create and maintain a cross-departmental support system for Sunday School activity

• Partner with TMC/CSPS departments to regularly create new resources to support effective Sunday School teaching
• Engage in regular in-depth conversations with Sunday Schools workers and church members, coordinating with others in the Church Activities department, managers, and relevant parties to ensure that communications are accurate and on-message.
• Serve as team lead for the Sunday School cross-functional team that is charged with developing and strengthening our ongoing SS support strategy.
• Facilitate and manage discussions on the Sunday School Google and Facebook groups
• Update and edit CS.com youth pages to ensure relevant content.

Facilitate workshops

• Facilitate workshops on strengthening Sunday School, making Sunday School a resource for the community, and bridging the gap between SS students and church. These workshops are often done over the weekend or in the evenings, usually offered remotely, but occasionally in-person.

STAFF MANAGEMENT AND JOB CONTACTS

Reporting Relationships

Supervisor: Manager, Church Activities

Supervises: none

Regular Contacts

This position has regular contact with Sunday School superintendent and teachers, branch churches and societies, and church members, as well as TMC and CSPS departments that produce content for youth.

JOB REQUIREMENT 

Education / Experience

• First-hand experience with teaching Sunday School and being a superintendent. High level of inspiration and vision about the potential of Sunday Schools to help branches fulfill their mission within their communities. Experience with public speaking as well as meeting and workshop facilitation.
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience with four or more years professional work experience is required. Several years of experience in customer service, communications, or related fields is preferred.
• An experienced, collaborative communicator and innovator able to approach others and impel new thought and patiently nurture the development of new ideas, expressing the vibrant qualities of Spirit and Love in practical, effective ways. Experience in serving in one or more branch church Sunday Schools.

Knowledge/Skills

• In-depth knowledge of the Church Manual.
• Demonstrated ability in planning, project management and managing internal and external relationships is necessary.
• The incumbent must be alive with the desire, the expectation, and the conviction about the power and purpose of Sunday School to prepare young people to be healers in today’s world. He/she must have the humility to actively listen for and hear new ideas coming through many individuals.

Technology Skills

Internet proficiency, including social media, Google docs and spreadsheets, and Zoom.

Work Environment

This position regularly works in an office environment in Boston with some travel expected.

Christian Science Information

Mother Church membership, Primary Class Instruction, and experience working in a branch church as an active member and a Sunday School teacher and/or superintendent are required. It’s expected that this individual shows constant dedication to be a strong metaphysician for Church.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.