Male Sunday School Teacher Shortage in Early Grades

Is there a shortage of male Sunday school teachers in the early grades? I believe there is. So, why is it so difficult to get men to serve as Sunday school teachers of young kids in today's churches? What impact does this male teacher shortage have on kids and the church in general?

It's possible that the shortage of male teachers in the Sunday school classrooms is giving young kids the wrong message. It may be saying that men aren't capable of nurturing or that men don't value Sunday school education. Sunday schools need men in teaching roles. Male role models are essential at all grade levels--not just in youth ministries and adult ministries.

Men need to teach Sunday school in the early grades. By doing so, men teach the importance of discipleship training, teach that men are capable of nurturing the young, and set good role models for kids.

It's been my observation as a teacher in the public school classroom, that children (many from single parent households where the only authority figure is female) often seem more responsive to male authority figures in the classroom. My guess, is that the same holds true in Sunday school classrooms, as well. So, why are the majority of early grade Sunday school teachers, female? Why aren't more men serving in this capacity in churches? No doubt, it's for many of the same reasons public schools have considerably fewer male teachers in the early grades.

Reasons for Shortage of Men as Early Grade Sunday School Teachers

There are several reasons for a shortage of male teachers in Sunday school teaching positions--particularly in the early grades. Here are seven reasons.

1. Men are often promoted to administrative positions rather than teaching positions.

2. Men may fear child abuse accusations or fear for their reputation.

3. Parents may be opposed to the idea of men teaching their young child.

4. Some men may not pass background checks.

5. Men in the church may not be aware of the need for male Sunday school teachers.

6. Men may not feel adequate for the position, lacking proper training.

7. Men may not see the position as holding enough status or recognition.

Getting Men to Volunteer as Early Grade Sunday School Teachers

The church bulletin is a great place to announce a need for men as Sunday school teachers, as well as to recognize current teachers in the program. If men in the congregation aren't made aware of the need for male Sunday school teachers, volunteering to teach Sunday school may not cross their minds.

Another way to get more men into Sunday school teaching positions is to team-teach. Husbands can teach with their wives. This offers a sense of security for reputation and reassures those parents who might doubt the motives of a male wishing to work with young children.

A third way to promote teaching in the Sunday school for both men and women who feel they lack skills is to offer a mentorship program. Team new recruits with seasoned Sunday school teachers, and build a Sunday school staff one new teacher at a time.

Many churches are eager to find men willing to serve as Sunday school teachers. Men offer different styles of teaching and classroom management techniques, men establish important role models for young children, men give the message that Sunday school is important for males, and men demonstrate that teaching is an important activity for men to do.