Hello folks,
I hope everyone is staying cool through this heatwave we have been experiencing. While I have been trying to stay cool I have also been reflecting on VBS. We had a record number of kids from our neighborhood this year attend VBS (over 120 on the first night). We had a strong showing by the men (4)in the church showing up to be group leaders.We had the largest crowd ever for Unity Service Sunday (over 200)! I was also pleasantly surprised that over half of the adult leaders attended the training sessions. All of this went very well and thank you one and all!
After looking back over the last 7 years I would like to share with you some challenging observations I have made about Community VBS, and then invite you share yours. Then let us brainstorm and prayerstorm to find solutions to these issues in order to have an even more effective ministry for the kingdom of God.
Here are some problematic observations I have made:
* Adult leaders who cannot make all 4 nights due to busy schedules
* Too many teen helpers for too few needs
* Too much rowdiness from kids when station activity finishes early
* First night stations schedules disrupted due to kids registering and connecting with their group leaders for the first time
Do you have some other observations to add? What do you think would be a good solution to these problems? I would ask that you would join in a dialog over the next several weeks on the blog page (follow the link on the email). Please post your thoughts and concerns so we can all join in the discussion online. It is easy to do, just click on the comment section and type your heart out. As more people join in the conversation it will grow and we will be able to see where we are going and we will be asking God to show us His direction along the way as well. Please join in and visit the blog site so that we can have a VBS sit down meeting sometime in the future (winter time possibly) to evaluate where Community VBS is at and where God is leading us. Thank you and I look forward to the conversation!
Proverbs 15:22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
many advisers bring success.
come on in the water is fine!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure a four or five day program is still feasible. It is hard to get commitments from leaders for the entire time. Even when we do get commitment, there is sometimes a lack of follow through and leaders don't show up every night. Also, there is usually a drop in kids as VBS progresses. Thursday (our last night) was our lowest in attendance. I also think crafts have gone by the wayside. It's hard to hold the kids interest with crafts and they seem to only appeal to the girls.
ReplyDeleteI agree with llacy - four nights are becoming a stretch. We may need to revisit a 3 day format. What are the thoughts on that?
ReplyDeleteHi All, I feel that a 3 day format would be better, unless we are having more to fill that craft time. My boys were definately a rowdy bunch since the crafts did not fit the theme and did not hold their attention. Maybe combining the craft game time in some way or even doing away with crafts. My group loved visiting with Paul and the jailers very much and really got into that part.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if we are committed to God and doing his work to reach others then everything will fall in place, It takes dedicated leaders
ReplyDelete(this being my first year- it seemed you had several) to lead those to Christ and spread his word to children. You may want to get inb touch with OBF to see how they dealt with behavioral issues during their clubhouse ( it lasted 4 weeks). It seems yu have several comments aboiut the crafts- you and I spoke about this and my suggestion was to have 1 night for each group- to make it more appropriate. Why bother with 3 days. The plays were enriching and needed to have their own time slot. It seems as if ever one wants to complain- yet no one want to take action.
If we continue the multi-day format, I like the idea of maybe only having crafts one night (that way the kids who enjoy them would still get to do them, and it also usually provides a nice keepsake for the week). We would then need something else on those other two nights that would be a "one time treat." Maybe something like a longer skit or something with the puppets, maybe a quiz show format one evening in the time slot. I don't know, just thinking out loud here!
ReplyDeleteLlacy- If I know in advance I can get 25 to 30 puppets from crayons to computers ( would need to know ASAP) They deal with confience etc- they are simple puppets with a lesson and could be used by the teacher with child getting one to take home- they come with a lesson- Just a thought- I can David a set for you to see
ReplyDeleteHey guys,
ReplyDeleteFirst, this cooperative ministry with community churches to share God with kids is a very special gift from God. As I mention it to other Christians from other communities and pastors, too, many are encouraged.
I share a few thoughts based on what I've observed the past few years, from what I knew would happen this year from hearing from leaders and from things which some leaders shared with me this year as I asked how things went. I was out of town visiting my sister during the week, so I can't give as specific comments as if I was there. As I started, this is really cool and all of you on the leadership team and those who helped out this year are a big gift from the Lord - thank you for reaching out to kids this year.
1. Days Format. I think three days at least is best. Of course I haven't led a group in a few years as I feel my main calling is to informally build friendships with kids, teen helpers, other adult leaders and parents as they come and drop off and pick up their kids. Three days at least gives the opportunity for connections to develop and deepen. This wouldn't happen as well in a one day format. The main thing I hear is commitment of leaders. In church life this happens. I don't know if adult leaders gave you heads up if they wouldn't be there or not. A call by a head family group leader organizer or talking to them each night to see if they are coming could help. Having more adult help is needed. The other think mentioned about discipline could be handled by a "kind disciplinarian" adult in the group who could help kids who distract the others. Maybe that one is designated already - don't know what happened this year. One year, this was me and I chased a boy all around the Grove each night as the main leader spoke with the group. I came to enjoy him and also to be frustrated at the same time. Kids are kids and learn things at home which gives me compassion.
I sense that a head adult group leader would help also in training. A group leader shared that she got the material the first night of VBS and having it a week ahead would have helped her prepare better. Details could be shared a bit better in the training. I'm not sure what the training looks like - I think a video. Having a head small group leader trainer / coordinator who has led the smalll groups before could cover some of those details. That person or a coordination team could set up how to follow up with leaders, too. Possibly e-mail, call, talk to the leader after the group to see if the adult will be back and if there are any prayer requests for kids. Individually targeting and talking to people who we see have kid gifts is key. Volunteer sheets are a start, but the percentages of people who come aboard is much higher when asked personally and called, too. Some people are gifted at that. My mom could recruit about anybody it seems! She asked someone personally and they came to help lead a group.
Some thoughts here and again to say great job. I'm proud to be here, to miniter together and to see God glorified and known!
Jason Bantz
(I wnt over the 4,000 or so characters on the last post, so here is the rest. I'll work on succinctness!)
ReplyDeleteThe story time with Mikey and DJ sounded like a hit. Kids love stories and following a story through the week. A few years ago the Hampton family did this and Jane Thurmer, as well. Two of the better years I thought of engaging kids in the opening, closing, and Sunday worship time time.
Lastly, follow-up with kids is something at which to look. Maybe it's happening - I think Mick got some names. A leader and pastor could head that up. I can help. Visiting kids the next few weeks to connect and meet parents is important. I fall short sometimes in ministry in following up with people after an event or counseling session. Ideally, I guess, the adult leader can visit their own kids, perhaps with another person. I'd suggest a VBS leadership team leader since they've been seen. A pastor can help, too, and I will be glad to go with someone to meet back up with kids / families. In our church, initial followup has been done by a member and then I, as a pastor, will make the second visit / call to follow-up if the person visits again a few times. This is me, but then I feel it doesn't look like I am trying to recruit members to our church. Someone who they can talk with each Sunday is doing the initial ministry work - this spreads out ministry to the whole church and body. A shepherd / family leader can then invite that family to their church or connect them up with another community church where they may already have friends. Our churches are becoming more about the Kingdom in our town in our town which is great. As long as people are connected with Christ and connected with the Body of Christ somewhere, that's what matters!