Vacation Bible School has always been one of my favorite events of the year. We are in the midst of our VBS this week at Cross Lanes Baptist. I loved VBS as a child and I enjoy it as an adult. There are several elements that need to be present for a great VBS.1) There must be solid planning and preparation. VBS planning for next year should begin as soon as you complete VBS for this year. A church should ask what they did well, what they didn't do so well, and how they can improve their effort.
2) Advance publicity and outreach lays the groundwork for successfully reaching into the community. Creative outreach can provide inroads into your community and to enable you to reach new families.
3) Adequate training is important for preparing teachers, and for providing a safe environment for everyone involved.
4) Sufficient staffing for your VBS from registration of children to their release is needed.
5) Prayer before, during, and after VBS helps to maintain a spiritual focus and provides fertile ground for the Gospel.
6) Timely followup with all visitors will give your church a better opportunity to reach new families. The longer the prospects lay dormant, the less likely you will be able to reach them.
VBS is still a very effective tool to reach out to children and families. Your level of investment in it in terms of time and resources will determine your level of return.
