Here’s an article I wrote for our church’s newsletter…
There was a day when Saturday morning cartoons were a reality for some of us. One of the staple commercials you could count on was that silly rabbit trying to get a bowl of Trix, which always ended with the children chiding the rabbit and saying, “Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids.” I fear that when it comes to thinking about Vacation Bible School, many in the church have that same feeling. We hear about ministry opportunities and say to ourselves, “VBS is for kids.” And, while it may be true that much of the energy is directed to serving children, I’m hoping to show today that VBS isn’t just for kids. There’s much benefit to be had by the church at large through VBS. Here’s some reasons:
1) VBS helps bring people together in service. Most of us know that the law can be summed up as loving our neighbor as ourselves. We know that we are to, through love, serve one another. And, VBS is a great opportunity to come together with other like-minded believers and serve. This, in turn, helps build the unity of our congregation. When you are “in the trenches” with another believer seeking to serve, you will begin to be drawn close to that individual. This is what makes the church strong.
2) VBS builds consistency in your relationships with others. VBS is a week-long event. So, rather than just bumping into others in our church on a Sunday, you get the opportunity to fellowship with others day after day. Each night will present its own opportunities to glorify God and your consistent involvement in this will encourage you spiritually.
3) VBS looks outward. Much of our difficulty in the church comes when we are inward focused. We can become so intent on what we want and we would like to see happen, that our joy becomes tied to whether or not our desires are happening. Each year, however, VBS is a call to remind you that church life doesn’t revolve around you. There are others who need served. Specifically, we get the opportunity to serve children.
4) VBS communicates love for our neighbors who are younger than us. When you think about church life, you probably devote most of your energy to things that don’t involve children (unless you’re a parent of a child and/or involved in an ongoing ministry to them). What I love about VBS is that it gives adults and teenagers the opportunity to show children how dearly loved they are. We rightly feel this in our hearts. But, VBS puts feet to those feelings, showing children that we are excited to make known eternal truths to them. VBS allows us to tangibly love not just in words but in actions and truth.
Finally, 5) VBS allows you to practice a spiritual gift. Most of us know the importance of exercise or at least moving around so that atrophy doesn’t occur. God has uniquely gifted every believer in the church to serve. How often do you use those gifts? Are you looking for an opportunity to use a gift you don’t use as often as another? VBS is a great way to jump in and serve, employing your spiritual gift for the good of others.
So, those are a few reasons why I would encourage you to be involved in our VBS, June 10-14. There is more info on it in other parts of the Edifier. VBS isn’t just for kids, it’s for people like you and me who want to be a part of something that glorifies and enjoys God, forever.