p. 17 | Selection of Sabbath School Officers and Teachers

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 21, 1916

Selection of Sabbath School Officers and Teachers

By May Bell

Some Sabbath schools have had the experience of electing officers and afterward finding that they were not qualified or suited for their work. The school is thus crippled, but it gets along the best it can until time for the next election. Frequently such conditions prevail because due thought, consideration, counsel, and prayer are not given to the matter of selecting teachers and officers. Theirs is an important and responsible work in the cause of God. The Spirit of prophecy has given us many plain statements on this subject, which should be considered in electing officers. Here are some of them, from “Testimonies on Sabbath School Work:” —

“For Christ’s sake let the teachers and the leading workers in your Sabbath school be men and women who love and fear God,—men and women who realize the responsibility of their position, as those who are watching for souls and must render an account to God for the influence they exert over those under their charge.”

“The leaders in our schools should be men and women of quick intuitions, who

have the Spirit of God to aid them in reading character, who have managing ability, who can understand different phases of character, and display tact and wisdom in dealing with varied minds. There are many who can fill the place of superintendent in name, but what is needed are men who can fill the place in every sense of the word. There are many who can go through the form cleverly enough; but they fail to impart courage and hope, to inspire thought, to quicken energy, and to impart such life that the school shall become a living, growing power for good.”

“In selecting officers from time to time, be sure that personal preferences do not rule, but place in positions of trust those who you are convinced love and fear God, and who will make God their counselor. Without the love and fear of God, however brilliant the intellect may be, there will be failure. . . . Above everything else, select those who, in the simplicity of their souls, are walking in the truth, who love and fear God, and take their lessons in his school.”

Where there is a church organization, the officers of the Sabbath school should be nominated by the committee that brings in names for church officers, and then be voted upon by the church. The teachers are appointed by the Sabbath school officers or by the Sabbath school board. The board is made up of the Sabbath school officers, the church elder, and others that they may choose to act with them as counselors. Much wisdom and care should be used in the selection of teachers.

“All through our ranks are needed men and women who have learned at the feet of Jesus what is truth, and how to present it to others. It requires holy men, men who have humility, who are abiding in Christ, to be educators of our youth in the Sabbath school.”

“Every teacher in the Sabbath school should be a follower of Christ, and those who have not identified themselves as the disciples of Christ, showing by a consistent life that they are Christians, should not be invited to become teachers in the Sabbath school, for they have need that some one first teach them the foundation principles of the love and fear of God.”

“Those whose duty it is to select teachers should be guarded, and not urge those into the school who are not fitted to exert a good influence. How is the teacher’s behavior? Is he punctual? Is he cleanly and neat? This should have attention; for these qualities are essential in a teacher.” “It is essential that care should be taken when placing men and women in positions of trust. You should know something in regard to their past life, and the character that has been developed.”

“Those who are selfish, peevish, dictatorial, coarse, and rough, who do not carefully regard the feelings of others, should never be employed as teachers. They will have a disastrous influence upon their students, molding them after their own character, thus perpetuating evil.”

The Lord has a high standard for the Sabbath school, as well as for all other parts of his work. Let us not be discouraged because of this, but strive to reach the standard just as he has given it to us, not lowering it in any way.

Because teachers and officers should have the qualifications mentioned, we are not to get the idea that only the experienced are to act as officers and teachers. “The Lord would have teachers in the Sabbath school work who can give whole-hearted service, who will increase their talent by exercise, and make improvement on what has already been attained. The Lord would have working Christians in his church; for the worker has fewer temptations than those who have little to do.” “The Lord calls for young men and women to gird themselves for lifelong, earnest labor in the Sabbath school work.” MAY BELL.