I Need Help!!

[lakeya]

I have been a Children's Ministry Director for 2 years and have been asked to start and direct VBS. I have never done anything like this before and I need a lot of help, so I won't feel anxious. I need help with the following:

What to talk about at VBS meetings? How often and long should they be? Is there an outline for the meetings? Recruiting? Ordering?

I need advice for everything!!! Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless.

[maanki]

First and foremost, we have all been there and all our hearts and prayers are with you as well as tons of support is on its way! This thread is going to fill up real fast!! I went from serving snocones at a vbs to becoming the first vbs director at another church , so God recieved ALL the glory (and still does 10 vbs's later :)) The director's manual that comes with the vbs cirriculum is EXTREMELY helpful with ideas for when to start meetings,recruiting,etc. and you learn to mold vbs to fit your church/staff/room availablity/budget,etc. Begin ordering as soon as you have the funds.The closer to summer, some things won't be available or will be backordered and you might not get it in time. Use your church bulletin ,put up a flyer in the church,post sign up sheets with areas for them to put down what they are interested in doing ,have an announcement from the platform to get volunteers.Trial and error..Youth are the best volunteers! I post my first vbs announcement on the theme in January! I start meetings right after spring break.Post your meeting times and days and call to remind.Sometimes I have the meetings right after church on Wednesday nights or Sundays (meet back at the church after lunch).Sometimes just mini meetings (like all the teachers for one,music for another,etc) Keep your meetings to the point and stay within 1-2 hours.Have handouts on rules,what you expect from them,your vision,important dates, the vbs schedule, etc.Get their phone #'s. Above all, during your meetings...SHARE YOUR PASSION and VISION for vbs with EXCITEMENT! Excitement for this ministry is contagious and if the director is excited ,the team will be excited ! I could go on..but I better leave room for everyone else!! WE are here FOR YOU !! God Bless! :) :)

[lakeya]

Can you post samples of your handouts on rules,what you expect from them,your vision,important dates, the vbs schedule, etc. Thank you so much.

[maanki]

I sure will; I will pull everything out from last year and meet you back here later on today :) God bless!:)

[maanki]

Lakeya,
I sent you a few of my documents from last years vbs to your "private message " box on this site as it would take up alot of room on here !! Let me know if you recieved them and I hope it helped you. God bless!:)

[Josh1]

Hey,
I would say to follow the Director Guide in your SonForce Kids Starter Pack or Super Starter Pack. It has alot of good information for your SonForce Kids VBS. I know that Gospel Light has redone their Director's Guide and now includes a CD-rom with it. I haven't seen it myself but I know it'll be good.:)
For staff meetings I would say 1-2 hours total. Give your staff an overview of SonForce Kids (how it's going to work, etc.)(That's a good time to hand out sample schedules of your SonForce Kids), and their responsiblities/jobs at SonForce Kids. I would get their phone numbers and e-mail addresses so you can contact them about meetings, etc. I would have one large meeting, separate one-on-one meetings with your Station Leaders and one small meeting with your teachers.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask and we'll try our best to answer them. I hope God blesses you and your SonForce Kids program.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[lavrn]

lakeya,

I know what you are feeling right about now-- last year was my first year, too, and I had NO CLUE what to do , or how to do it. All I can say is, the Lord lead me to volunteer to direct VBS, and it was a big hit!! He gave me all that I needed, every thing from a budget to work with, to teachers, volunteers, and eager kids!!! We had tons of decorations, food, and fellowship! I had been wanting to be more involved in church for some time, but my son was only 5, so there were a lot of things that were too time consuming,etc for me to take part of-- I prayed about it, and before I knew what I was doing, I volunteered for VBS director! Everything Maanki told you was good advice-- I would also tell you to just keep VBS in a little part of your brain at all times-- lots of things I have found to use I have just stumbled upon and thought " now what can I do with THAT for VBS????" You will be surprised how well things will come together for you. One thing that surprised me was how eager the people in church were to help-- they all enjoyed VBS, but didn't know exactly what part they wanted to play-- I tried to stress to them that there was room for everybody to be a part of it, and they could be of help in the areas they felt comfortable with-- some wanted to work the kitchen, some crafts, some recreation, etc... it worked great, because it allowed each of us to give of our own special talent. The key to a great VBS in my opinion is PLANNING--- START EARLY, and work on it often. I check these boards daily ( at least) , sometimes several times a day!
There is a great wealth of information and EXPERIENCE here, and before you know it, you will feel as though you know these people even though you are miles apart and have never met! May God bless you and your church in your
endeavor as VBS director!!!!

Lisa

[TrinityJen]

Lakeya,
It is always exciting to meet new VBS directors. I taught my first VBS in 2002 and I started directing in 2005. VBS has been alot of fun for me and a blessing. Remember this is for the Lord.

Did your church have a VBS last year (or in resent years)? If so, contact past directors and anyone who helped out. Find out what worked and what didn't. Find out how it was advertised and where. Talk to VBS directors in your area (hopefully you will find some here).

Read over the SonTreasure Island boards to see what questions and help came up last year. You are starting early and should buy what you can ASAP (Super Starter Kit if in your budget, or directors book, teachers books, snacks & rec).

I'd love to help however I can, I know everyone on this board feels the same. :)

[TrinityJen]

This might also be helpful. It is from last years GL websight. I hope they get the SFK stuff up soon.

http://gospellightvbs.com/faq.php

[Josh1]

Thanks TrintyJen for posting that link.:) I'm finding it very useful as well. The SonForce Kids one would be nice though.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[lakeya]

Happy New Year. I just wanted to tell everyone thank you for all of the great ideas. If you have any more information, please feel free to send it to me. God Bless You.

[Josh1]

If you don't have a Starter Pack or Super Starter Pack I would get one as soon as you can so you can starting planning your SonForce Kids VBS '007 program. The more time you have to plan the easier your VBS will turn out.
If you don't have your Starter Pack or Super Starter Pack, here's an any VBS Planning Guide and Timeline to help you plan your VBS.
http://www.christianedwarehouse.com/PDF/vbsPages/2007/VBStimeline.pdf (http://www.christianedwarehouse.com/PDF/vbsPages/2007/VBStimeline.pdf)
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[Josh1]

While I was surfing the internet, I came across this page with information on How to Start a VBS program and How to Have a Successful VBS. It's at the bottom.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/2006/001/3.50.html (http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/2006/001/3.50.html)
God Bless,
Josh Trommer:rolleyes:

[lakeya]

You guys are sooo wonderful. Keep the information coming. God Bless you.