VBS Day Two – Reimagining Church

On Day Two of VBS I couldn’t help but notice how a VBS is as  church should be.

Everyone has a part. One of the joys of a VBS is that everyone gets to do something. Some volunteers provide snacks, some lead small groups of children, some provide teachings in separate “tents.” Even the kids participate; they don’t just quietly watch. Our tent is popular. In it the kids, get to make simple necklaces. All the necklaces are similar but they have uniqueness. One mother shared with me how her child took her self-made necklace home, wore it until bed time, placed it on the side of the bed and put it back on in the morning. Shouldn’t church be something we cherish and take home with us?

Small groups are important. The participants are divided into small groups. The groups are divided based on age; but they could have been divided based on interest. You can see special relationships springing up in the groups. In our tent, the small groups helped each other. They shared markers and helped each other with their necklaces. It may be the most effective utilization of the small group concept that I’ve seen in church.

Experiential teaching. Our pastor plays the part of Paul. He does it very well. He talks to the kids as Paul and teaches by relating, as Paul would, his own experiences. He asks the kids about their experiences. He makes it all relevant to their lives. Sometimes I think we make teaching and preaching a bit too theoretical. When we get together shouldn’t we be sharing our lives? Shouldn’t we be excited about what God is doing in our lives as much as we are about what he did in the lives of characters thousands of years ago?

Participatory Worship. The kids are excited about the music. They don’t just listen to what a worship team is playing. They sing. They dance. They clap their hands. They hold hands and circle about. Wow. If our Sunday worship could be that excited and participatory.

Witnessing. When we picked up our great grand daughter for day two of the VBS. She had told her friends at day care about her experience and several wanted to come. Shouldn’t our excitement about Sunday invigorate our discussion during the week? Shouldn’t it make others want to come?

Why can’t church always be a lot more like VBS? 

Be blessed.

Nick