For most churches, planning this year's VBS began the day after last year's VBS ended. Evaluations of previous program are important tools as you begin to plan. Ask those who were involved last year — workers, parents, students — to comment on the past VBS. Listen carefully to determine what aspects to keep as well as what to improve.
Use the suggestions that follow as implements to your planning. Plan ahead to insure a successful VBS.
Why put so much time and effort into a one-week program for children each year? If you poll the adults involved in your church ministry today, you will find that many of their testimonies include a VBS or camp experience. During a week like this, many covenant children realize that their walk with Christ must be a very personal one. They desire assurance of salvation. Through our curriculum, the gospel message is presented clearly and simply so that the children you are trying to reach in your community may come, hear and hopefully understand what Christ has done for them.
Click here to view tips on how to help achieve evangelistic goals in your VBS this year (PDF)
Promoting Your VBS
Great Commission Publications provides you with all the resources necessary to promote your upcoming VBS program. However, without a thorough and detailed publicity plan, your VBS may not effectively reach the community.
Click here to view an outline for good promotional techniques to support your church's outreach and evangelism (PDF)
Choosing the Right Team
How to Recruit and Train Staff
The time you spend with your staff before VBS starts will set the tone for your program. Try to develop a team spirit that will be evident to the children and parents you are trying to reach. Make certain your team members understand their roles and responsibilities and those of their teammates.
Training sessions should be thorough yet enjoyable. Familiarize team members with the organization of this year's program and the use of your facilities and time. Encourage them to be praying throughout their preparation and during VBS. Everyone, not just teachers, should know the daily themes and Bible stories. Make your staff aware of your statement of purpose.
Click here to view a list of possible positions, qualifications and responsibilities for your VBS workers (PDF)
More Tips and Ideas Concerning Staff
The number of age levels you have and whether or not you have crafts and recreation will depend on staff and time allowances. Many positions on staff do not require great teaching ability; so do not overlook any volunteers. Craft helpers, refreshment servers, recreation helpers, secretaries, pianists, registrars and janitors all have important roles in a successful VBS.
Have prayer partners for each staff member. Make sure each worker knows who his or her prayer partner is so he or she can tell each other about special problems or needs that may develop throughout VBS.
All youngsters need one-on-one experience with the men in the church. Encourage men to become an active part of your VBS. This adds an important dimension to your program and to the future of your church.
Where to Find VBS Workers
Recruitment for VBS workers should begin immediately. There is much work to be done before the children come! Put out the call for volunteers first through announcements in church and Sunday school. GCP has provided a form you may use as a bulletin insert to recruit workers.
It is your responsibility to ensure that staff members are recruited, whether you do it yourself or delegate the job to others. In either case, be sure to allot several weeks to recruit carefully.
Match people to jobs. Pray that the Lord will guide you.
Call the prospective worker and arrange a personal meeting.
During this meeting, explain the goal of this year's VBS, the job proposed and why you think the person is right for the position.
Pray with the prospect and ask him/her to consider your request. Arrange to contact the person at a later date for an answer.
Encouraging Staff and Students
Your staff and students will look to you to set the tone for the day. Let them know how much you appreciate them and are glad they are participating in VBS.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
Use any of the ideas listed below to offer encouragement:
Set aside time for staff prayer and announcements
Make "the rounds" to let staff and students know you care
Be available to encourage, troubleshoot, lend a hand and share the Lord
Publish a brief daily newsletter for staff and students, to encourage as well as inform
Arrange to have a VBS bulletin board for announcements, pictures and messages
Permission to Copy
Articles from the Go Teach online newsletter may be copied (unless specified otherwise) for use in a non-commercial printed or electronic form under the auspices of a local church. Reprinted articles may not be altered in any way. Please include the byline, other source information if provided and the following credit line: Published by Great Commission Publications, Inc., 3640 Windsor Park Drive, Suwanee, GA 30024. Used by permission.
VBS is the church's opportunity to show children how much fun we have as Christians, and how willing we are as adults to enter their world and show them Christ. Having a missions project at VBS is also an opportunity to show them how missionaries share Jesus with children in different parts of the world.
Click here for a list of missions' opportunities (PDF)
If you are interested in receiving more information concerning foreign mission fields and ministry opportunities contact:
Mission to the World
1600 North Brown Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8141
The Committee on Foreign Missions
Ms. Linda Posthuma
PO Box P
Willow Grove, PA 19090-0920
Children Caring for Children
The Bible League
16801 Van Dam Road
South Holland, IL 60473
Mission Presentation
Remember to make your missions presentation fun and exciting! We suggest you choose a tangible, reachable financial goal. Children respond better to meeting specific needs than to giving to an organization.
Create a visual to use in the opening assembly to mark the progress of your project. On a large poster board, draw the outline of a map with a starting point, perhaps your hometown. When your children reach a certain goal (perhaps $10) mark off the place so they can see their progress.
