To VBS or Not To VBS: That Is The Question
To VBS or Not To VBS:
That Is The Question
Growing up, there were two things I looked forward to every year: no school and Vacation Bible School. I honestly cannot remember how many VBS programs I attended every summer, but I do recall how excited I would get. My sister and I would go to Bible schools at our church, family members’ churches, and even our friends' churches every summer. It was nice to get out of the house and hang out with my friends. Did I learn anything? Clearly not enough to remember. However, that was 20+ years ago and I barely remember what I ate for dinner last night. So, I’m not a reliable witness. However, now that I am a children’s minister, I can honestly ask the question, “Is VBS worth it?”
Nation-wide, churches are kicking VBS to the curb and cutting their losses. Why? What are they doing in place of it, or are they doing anything at all? Why are they “breaking tradition” and not offering it? I’ll tell you one main reason - unchurched children rarely come to VBS. I read an article from a pastor who said that roughly 75% of VBS attendees were their own children, approximately 20% of attendees were from other churches, and only 5% were unchurched children.* So, is spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth putting this on every year, or are we needing to change direction?
Maybe, just maybe, your VBS meets the mark and reaches the unchurched. Keep up the good work! But, for us, like many others, it isn’t working. To be completely honest, I think we need to change direction, and here’s why. We live in a different day and age. We live in a world where sports are “God” and the church is an afterthought. Parents will bend over backward to ensure that their children get to their sporting or academic event early, but they will always be 15 minutes late for church. People just do not care, and no amount of themes or gimmicks - no matter how catchy they may be - can change that.
To answer the debate of VBS or no VBS, you have to look at your community and think “what’s missing?” or “what can I do here?” Do you live in a sports town like me? Put on a summer camp with various sports and do Bible studies. Do you live in an outdoorsy town? Organize a summer camping trip and teach them about Jesus. Is your community proactive in STEM learning? Do all the science experiments and teach them about Jesus while you do it. Live in an impoverished town? Do weekly lunches and have a sermon ready. Every town is different and that is the beauty of it. However, there is always room for improvement and change may be scary, but it is beautiful. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the VBS box.
Even though I am doing VBS this year for our church (the first one in three years due to COVID), it will be the last one. We are branching out and doing new things to reach the unchurched kids and help get them in the door. Does it break my heart to see VBS go? No, because better things lie ahead. We have to adapt to the modern world. Don’t twist my words; I’m not saying to conform to the world, but rather meet people where they are. Let God be your guide in reaching out to your community.
