Organizing and Building Up the Sunday School / Modern Sunday School Manuals

by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut

The superintendent has been found, has been chosen, and is in his place—what are the prerogatives and the duties of his office? These may be considered under three classes: (1) His general duties. (2) His duties during the week. (3) His duties in the session of the school.

1. General. (1) Supervision. It is his right to supervise and direct the work of the school without interference as to details from the teachers, the officers of the church, or the pastor. The pastor may be the admiral of the fleet, directing the general movements of the sea campaign; but the superintendent is the captain of the ship, through whom orders are to be given to all on board.

(2) Selection of Teachers. He should have the chief word in the choice and appointment of teachers, but in the choice he should obtain the concurrence of his pastor; and their election should be made upon the superintendent's nomination by the teachers and officers.

(3) Assignment of Scholars. He should possess the final authority in the assignment of scholars to classes, in any changes from class to class, and in promotions from lower to higher departments. In these responsibilities he may be greatly aided by an associate superintendent, to whom his authority may be delegated.

(4) Program of Services. It is the superintendent's prerogative to plan and direct the services of the school session. It may be the part of wisdom for him to consult with the musical director or organist in the selection of hymns, but it is the superintendent's right to choose and to announce them, in common with all parts of the program.

(5) Support. He is entitled to a loyal support from all his fellow workers; but if he is tactful he will take them into his confidence, will present his plans for their consideration, and will not attempt important reforms or changes without their concurrence.

2. Week-day Work. He is the superintendent of the Sunday school for seven days in every week; and will find much work to be done between the sessions. His week-day duties will include some that have already been mentioned.

(1) Program. Before he comes to the school he should invariably prepare a well worked out program for each session. It is a good plan to have a large blank book, in which two pages opposite each other are assigned to the session for the day. Every hymn should be selected in advance and noted in its place; every announcement to be made should be written; the outline of a lesson review, if one is to be given, should be indicated; and space should be left for memoranda of miscellaneous matters which may need attention. This program should be laid upon the desk, so that if for any reason the superintendent should be out of his place upon the platform an associate can go forward without delay.

(2) Lesson Study. In schools where the uniform lesson is still followed in all or most departments, the superintendent should make himself thoroughly acquainted with the lesson for the coming session. As has been intimated, he should be prepared for any work expected of his teachers and scholars. He should be ready after the class study to give a practical summary of the teachings in the lesson, in a crisp, well-outlined talk, which will be aided by a blackboard illustration. And in the increasing number of schools which are employing graded lessons, not uniform in the departments, the superintendent should have at least a general knowledge of the subjects studied in each department. The more thoroughly the superintendent fills his own mind and heart with the truth, the more efficiently will the truth be taught in his school.

(3) Social Duties. The superintendent should know all his teachers, and, as far as possible, his scholars also. If it be practicable for him to visit teachers at their homes, the visitation will greatly increase his influence and his usefulness. If in his own home, or in the parlors of some family in the congregation, a social gathering of the teachers and officers can occasionally be held, it will add to the social power of the school. And in the social relations much can be accomplished before and after the church service, the school session, the prayer meeting, and the other gatherings of the congregation. There are superintendents who keep before them up-to-date lists of the classes, and by study of faces during the school session, with judicious inquiry, are able to call large numbers of the scholars by name. Such greetings will strengthen the superintendent and heighten the loyalty of the school.