In a bustling city, a renowned symphony orchestra was known as the Harmony Philharmonic. The orchestra was celebrated for its exquisite performances and the magical way it could bring music to life. This reputation was built on the dedication of each musician, knowing their role and playing their part to perfection. One day, the conductor, Maestro Verdi, introduced a new, complex composition. It was a challenging piece that required every instrument to contribute precisely at the right moment. The composition was layered with intricate melodies and harmonies, demanding meticulous coordination among the musicians. During one of the rehearsals, the orchestra encountered difficulties. The brass section overpowered the woodwinds, and the percussionist missed several crucial beats. The harmony was off, and the music sounded disjointed. Maestro Verdi stopped the rehearsal and gathered the musicians. He reminded them that everyone has a specific role in an orchestra, like in life. “When you play your part with precision and awareness of others,” he said, “you create a masterpiece. The whole piece suffers if one section tries to outshine the rest or forgets its part.” The musicians took Maestro Verdi’s words to heart. They practiced diligently, focusing on their notes and how their parts blended with the others. The brass softened their tones, the percussionist sharpened his timing, and the woodwinds synchronized their melodies. The day of the performance arrived. The concert hall was filled with an eager audience. As the orchestra began to play, it was evident that each musician knew their role and played it beautifully. The sound was harmonious, complementing each section, creating a symphony of pure magic. As the final notes faded, the audience erupted in applause. The Harmony Philharmonic delivered a flawless performance, a testament to the power of unity and the importance of each member understanding their part. This experience taught the musicians a valuable lesson: knowing and executing your role is crucial, not just in an orchestra but in any team or community. When everyone contributes their unique talents and respects the contributions of others, the result is a harmonious and successful outcome.
The story of the Harmony Philharmonic serves as a powerful reminder that individual roles, when understood and embraced, can lead to extraordinary collective achievements. The same is true of a ministry team. It is very rewarding when everyone knows their part and fulfills their role.
Church Leadership
- Elders—We currently have three elders who work with us in our education ministry. They provide input on class topics and feedback on teachers and ensure we are staying on track biblically.
- Deacons—We have two deacons on our team. One of them oversees our children’s education (Nursery through 5th grade) the and is the point man of our teen/adult education (6th grade,. The other is the through all adults). They ensure the class rosters are up to date, keep track of Bible subjects studied, stop by the classrooms each week to see if the teachers need anything, and help greet guests so they can walk them to their classrooms.
Class Coordinators
We currently have two or three coordinators in each classroom. We have found that having only one coordinator can become too overwhelming, so the more, the merrier, as they say! They do much of the heavy lifting so that the teachers can focus primarily on teaching.
- Get teachers lined up for the year.
- Make sure the classes have the supplies they need.
- Put up the bulletin boards before each quarter starts.
- Provide teachers with detailed manuals and have the worksheets already printed and filed for them.
- Continually monitor and update the curriculum.
- Deal with teacher or student situations that need attention.
- Fill in for teachers or help find replacements when they are going to be absent.
Class Teachers
Our Bible class teachers are the face of our program. We want them to have everything they need so they can focus on the kids and students.
- Co-teachers are a must in every classroom. This protects the teachers and the students,
- Be prepared and be on time! Realize the importance of your time together.
- Greet the children as they enter.
- Take the roll and fill out the attendance slip.
- Bring energy and excitement to your class!
- Find creative ways to teach your lesson. (technology, acting, games, etc.)
- Tie your lesson back to Jesus or the gospel message.
Some things we stress to our teachers…
- Again…greet the students. Consider playing music as they enter, mingle with them to find out what is going on in their life.
- Consider a handout – Adults, as well as children, cannot effectively listen at the same time.
- Choose a Goal. Understand what Biblical truth you want the students to take with them.
- Be a Butterfly – Don’t just stand in one place. Float around the room.
- Don’t Plan for Sit and Get – lecture is not going to cut it! have the kids get up and move around. Plan for hands-on activities.
- Partner with the class coordinators and other teachers for creative teaching ideas and strategies.
- Understand the “do’s and don’ts” of PowerPoint. It is a great tool if used properly! (Don’t read word for word, limit text on a slide, use graphics to connect information)
Five Benefits to Everyone Understanding Their Role
- Clarity and Purpose: Knowing your role helps you understand your purpose and what is expected of you. This clarity can guide your actions and decisions, making you more effective and focused.
- Efficiency: When everyone knows their role, tasks, and responsibilities are distributed more effectively. This leads to smoother operations and reduces the likelihood of overlap or gaps.
- Personal Growth: Recognizing and embracing your role can lead to personal growth and development. It allows you to build on your strengths, address areas for improvement, and achieve your goals.
- Conflict Resolution: Clear roles can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts by setting boundaries and expectations. When everyone knows their responsibilities, it’s easier to address issues that arise.
- Accountability: Understanding your role means you’re more aware of your responsibilities and can be held accountable for them. This accountability drives performance and reliability.
Overall, clarity about roles contributes to both individual and collective success. Our mission is too important for there to be any hiccups or missed opportunities for success.
Well…this is how we are set up. I pray I have given you some ideas to bless you in your education ministry. These are only suggestions/recommendations. If you have something that works better for your congregation, keep doing it. Ultimately, we are all doing our best to teach, train, and impress faith for generations to come! May God bless each of us richly!
Kevin Langford
Kevin Langford has served as a minister of the gospel since 1998. Since April 2013, he has served with the Lewisville church of Christ in Lewisville, Texas, as the Worship and Education Minister. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Christian with a B.S. degree in Organizational Management and a degree in vocational ministry.
Kevin has been married to his wife, Susan Langford (an instructional coach for Timberview Middle School in Keller ISD) since August 2003. Kevin and Susan have two children: Connor and Kenzie
Kevin enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening, football, preparing great food on his smoker, and supporting his family in all their various endeavors.