Thoughts on quitting (teaching SS class, that is)

I've been debating this thought for a while now: I think I need to end my tenure as Junior High Sunday School teacher after this year ends. Not that I really want to, mind you. But I find I can't give the task the time and energy I want to, and there's really nothing else to give up.

Part of this dilemma arises from my role at the church, and my necessary involvement in overseeing ministries and coaching leaders. I teach a Bible study at the local senior living facility (I consider that outreach since I can plainly present the Gospel every time I'm there). I coach and serve on the Connection ministry team (our monthly mid-week worship gathering), occasionally speaking as well. Then there's our newly started small group, which includes two couples who have a lot of questions (they're fairly young in the faith).

Eventually, my coaching role on the Connection team will no longer be needed (I hope), and I hope to involve more people with the Bible study. The center would love a weekly study, but it's during the morning (when most of the 70-, 80-, and 90-year old residents can best function), and that's when most other people work.

All this on to my of my regular duties developing the small group ministry, aligning church ministries to our church vision, handling the administrative needs of the church, etc. I successfully transitioned the weekly slideshow preparation, as well running the slides during services. And I stepped away from regularly playing in the worship ensemble a year ago.

So I have had more time for planning and research and more planning, etc. But I find the Sunday School class has become a late-Friday after thought. "Oops, I still have to put together Sunday's lesson plan!" And I certainly don't have the band-width to keep in touch with the kids and build relationships outside of Sunday morning (I wish I could).

Besides, I'm not the only one who can do this: with over 200 adults in the church population, there has to be someone who can and wants to work with these kids. But as long as I'm in place, these individuals will never step up to say they'd like a shot at the class. Last year, the senior high class teacher stepped down, and we actually thought we wouldn't have a class. But someone stepped up, and with a novel idea for the class structure, she has a regular attendance that we haven't seen in years.

So maybe it's time for the junior high class to be removed from my plate, so someone else can take up the opportunity.