The Sunday school department director hurried into the room where three teachers, two men and a woman, already sat. "Whew! Sorry I'm late! I was finalizing plans for the Baptist Women's luncheon with Jane. Well! Thank you for coming. We have a lot to cover tonight." Settling into a chair, she donned reading glasses that had been dangling from a chain around her neck. She proceeded to open a loose-leaf folder on the table in front of her.

 "Roy, I appreciate you and Ellen stepping in as team teachers of the couples' class since Jerry left. You have a most . . . interesting approach, the way you two argue ideas back and forth in front of the class. Some people might think it's unseemly, but if that's the way you like to teach, it's fine with me. The class is growing, and that's what counts. Here is a list of prospects for your class. These names and addresses were gathered from our door-to-door People Search for those who are not presently in church. Now, don't call before you go visit them. If you do call, people just make excuses about not wanting to be visited. But if you show up unannounced, at least then they have to talk to you at the door.

 "I know, Ellen--Ann told me about your visit with Roger Thorson, when you two stumbled on him home alone with the babysitter while his wife was out with their boys. but I still say it was good you didn't call beforehand. Perhaps your visit convicted them of their behavior. Roger's wife has been sleeping around on him, too.

 "Now, Ellen--about Vacation Bible School--why can't you do it this year? It's only one week, and you don't work. We need everyone possible to contribute, because this is such an important outreach tool to get information on unchurched families in the area. Sam, you wife is working VBS, isn't she? Good. And how many cookies is she baking? Don't know? Okay, let's put her down for four dozen. You wouldn't believe how many cookies those kids eat!

 "Oh, yes, revival is next week! We have our own special pews to sit in every night so you make sure everyone in your classes comes every night! I am going to be so embarrassed if our pews aren't packed every night of this special event. The guest preacher is an old friend of the pastor's, and he wants to show him what a dynamic, growing church we are. Ellen, you need to bring a casserole Wednesday night--big enough to serve twelve--and Sam, your wife needs to bake a dessert.

 "Now, let's see . . . oh, yes, Lloyd's wife just came home from the hospital after her radical mastectomy. There were only going to do a modified, you know, but when they opened her up they found her so full of cancer, they had to take everything out. She's not doing too well, I hear. Here's our schedule for taking dinner to them. Ellen, we have an opening for tomorrow night's dinner--Thursday--and Sam, tell your wife she can do it Friday. And no casseroles--they prefer baked or broiled meats.

 "Now what? Oh, yes, Roy, your request to switch literature. I'm sorry that you feel our present literature does not touch on Scripture much, but our minister of education agrees we need to all be using the same thing, to facilitate breaking up classes. By the way, your class is getting too large, so we're taking half your group and starting a new class. That's essential for church growth, you know. And really, I don't see how we can cut down on announcements in the opening assembly. You have thirty minutes for your lesson as it is--isn't that enough time? And oh, don't forget to pass around these sign-up sheets for nursery duty.

 "Oh, our departmental fellowship is next Saturday night! This is going to be such a fun dinner! The ladies will all fix boxed dinners for two that the men will bid on. (The money will go to our Cooperative Program Fund, which we're behind on.) The ladies can do whatever they like to make their boxes stand out--put in candles and a tablecloth, or wrap it with a fancy bow, or whatever. You'll have to arrange for your own babysitting for the evening.

 "Well, that about covers everything. Oh--please remember that week after next is Christian Home Awareness Week. We need to all take time from our busy schedules to spend time with our families, and to pray and meditate on God's Word. That's so important, you know, for your personal growth as a Christian. Isn't that right? Certainly. Well, thank you for your input tonight. I see that it's already time to go on in to the prayer meeting--but first I need to check back with Jane. Excuse me, now."

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