Preface<br > This volume discusses the important and recurring problems<br > which are found in the administration of a church Christian<br > education program whether that program be in a church with<br > a membership of two hundred of one with two thousand. It<br > deals with those problems from ~e perspective of the pastor，<br > the minister of Christian. education~N(or the director of Christian<br >education)， and lay officials who assist the church staff in its<br >teaching ministry; yet， it does not neglect the interests and<br >concerns of other lay personnel such as teachers and youth<br >sponsors. It is a manual not only of theory but also of practice;<br >it stresses the what， the why， and the how of administration.<br > At the end of most of the chapters the reader will find refer-<br >ences to administrative techniques which illustrate the principles<br >which have been described and explained. No attempt， how-<br >ever， has been made to be comprehensive; rather， the aim has<br >been to make the most significant contribution to the theme of<br >the chapter without being repetitive. The techniques have<br >been carefully selected and are drawn from actual church situa-<br >tions. Because of this， the reader is provided with a realistic<br >application of theoretical principles to the educational work of<br >the church. Through a study of the techniques， the reader should<br >gain creative ideas for the development of a vital and dynamic<br >Christian education program for his own church as well as for<br >the improvement of any program which may presently exist.<br > The publication of this book should not have been realized<br >except for the generous assistance and encouragement of many<br >persons. In particular I want to express my gratitude to Mrs.<br >Mar~orie Long and Mrs. Madrene Bierma， whose secretarial help<br ><br >