Pastor's role in VBS

[Tina]

Could any of you share what your pastor's role in VBS is? I know in some churches the pastor is actually the VBS director, but here he is not really involved (beyond being very supportive); he said he would be happy to do whatever we ask him to, and I think it's important for the children to hear from him each day of VBS. I would like for him to speak to them each morning for a few minutes, but what should it be about? My first thought was to have him introduce the Bible verse for the day, that the kids will be memorizing later. But I would like to hear other ideas, if anyone has any. Also I asked him if he would be willing to dress up and be, say "Space Ranger Stan" or "Cowboy Stan" or something like that, in keeping with our theme. He said sure, he'd do it. :)

[jruckman]

I certainly want our clergy staff to be a part of VBS; it gives the kids an opportunity to connect with them in a way they may not otherwise. It also gives the clergy a chance to make a connection with parents of new or visiting kids. Our pastors' roles in VBS have varied from year-to-year One year I positioned one in snacks and had her do some of the games with the kids. Last year I had her lead the opening (much higher profile!), but she wanted more interaction with kids than that "facing the mob" role, understandably. This year she's going to help with registration so she can meet and greet each child (and their parents) as they arrive and then hostess a "Lost Parents" corner with refreshments in the front portico. I think she'll find it irresistable to wander and enjoy all over SWAP! Another pastor (a guy who is excellent with youth) led that way-too-cool-to-be-here bunch of 5th/6th graders and was such the rock star by the end of that week! Those kids still have a special connection with him because of spending that week with just them, and I am grateful to him for that!
Janet

[kidstime805]

Last year our church had a coffee corner for parents after they dropped off their kids. Our pastor hung out there and talked to parents. Another pastor led the outdoor recreation games which gave lots of opportnity for relationship building,

[angie]

I have learned not to put my Pastor in an "important" position -- something always comes up! I do have him "tour" with a group each evening. I have 4 groups so they each get him for a night! He gets to have fun with all the kids and interact in every aspect of VBS. I also have him pray or talk a little up front. I mostly want him to build relationships with the kids and relax and have fun!

[houseparent]

We are a very small church and it takes everyone I can get to put on VBS. Last year and this year our pastor has been/will be the Bible Story Center Leader. He did a great job last year and I am looking forward to this year. He is one of my best volunteers. His wife is my craft leader this year.

[nana]

Our pastor takes the middle school kids to an off-campus site and leads them in their activities. Sometimes they go to a small lake close by, sometimes to a park, etc. That gets the kids away from the church and the "little" kids and they think it is way cool! They try to be back at the church for closing and on the last night he helps me with altar call.
Nana

[tiredsportsmom]

The last couple of years we have been making Friday night our family night. We gather in sanctuary do normal opening (prayers, pledges, skit, video ,etc.) we have a penny challenge each night between the boys and girls so if needed we do those to determine the weeks winner. Sing theme song (or songs) Our pastor has been dressing the part, (this yr was Peter, director didn't use Gospel Light) and tells the story, then he discusses the weeks events and does altar call. We then have a hot dog bar, chips, desserts & drinks for everyone, the kids take their crafts home this night also.


We have had a lot more parents attend closing program on Friday nights then on Sunday mornings since we switched. Also helps only needing crafts and snacks for 4 nights instead of 5. Kids don't seem to mind that we only do 4 nights rotating and teachers, helpers and everyone cleans up church after parents leave and don't have to worry about when they will clean their area before Sunday morning services!

[tiredsportsmom]

Our pastor also helps out wherever needed during the week, if a character is needed for the bible lesson, or someone can't make it or is running late, etc.

He also counts the pennies each night. We have a homemade scale that determines the winner by weight (nothing BUT pennies) but they have to be counted and some might have to be rolled.

By not assigning him a set job he's able to go here and there and if he is needed for something outside of VBS he's still available.

[TrinityJen]

Our past Assoc pastor lead the opening the last 3 years. She taught her 1st year but needed more freedom in her day. This year the pastors wife will lead the opening and our new assoc pastor will teach a Bible Story class, because she love VBS as much as I do!!!!

I am hoping to have the pastor at least walk through the halls 1 or 2 days and see and be seen.

I read about a church that had a meet the pastor time at snacks, he/she would pick a different class each day to visit and have q/a time.

[MomRev]

We just completed a week of SonWorld. I taught the Adult Class. They had ordered the recommended curriculum before I arrived, but I found that it had nothing to do with the theme :( and was related to another book which I hadn't read and didn't have. Sooo.... I created my own curriculum for Adults: The Roller Coaster Ride of Our Lives. We paralleled the day's themes.

I decorated the room with pictures of Roller Coasters printed from off the web. I made two inch wide paths of coaster sections that could be colored and placed end-to-end on the room wall to make our own Group Coaster (think dominos, but with twists, straight aways, U bends, loops, etc). Adults attended the opening program and saw the videos of the Animatronics' adventures. We then had class time, until 15 minutes of music before the day's closing plenary. (I did pray each night toward the end of the closing plenary)

The VBS Director gave all the classes names of amusement parks - and the adults were "Happy Land!" It sort of sounded like the place the littlest kids would go - or the name of a cemetary - or pharmacologically supplied group....:D

Day 1. Believe. We drew pictures of the time we came to believe on legal paper. Some drew a Roller Coaster that showed who was in the car with them and whether they rose gradually or radically, when they plunged :eek: or looped-the-loop or plateaued, etc. One 85 year old man drew a great picture of his father carrying him to church school as a preschooler. We discussed our experiences and prayed for each other.

2. Act. We looked at times when we had to make choices about following faithfully vs. going another way. The group brainstormed major life decisions most maturing people face, then chose three topic areas to pursue: Vocation/Career, Friendships/Affiliations, and Response to Grief. They each shared in twos and threes of personal experiences (from leaving a business he started when his former best friend refused to practice business ethically, to the cost of choosing to not drink/drug in high school and how few friends were left). In group sharing, we noted how each found it important to have support - koinonia - and draw toward the church family instead of isolating.

3. Forgive.

Please forgive me. I need to pause and complete my sermons for tomorrow.

I have introduced VBS Sunday to both services for this congregation. At the first Service, the Adult Class will sing "their song" to the CD track; a montage of VBS pictures will be projected for the offering time accompanied by VBS music. My sermon will be on the text that goes with the Adult Class song. (Do other pastors preach on VBS scripture passages in the week following VBS? I hope my doing so validates the importance of this educational experience for adults and kids.)

Second service, all the kids and families have been invited. One Bible skit will be presented; the other four lessons will be read by children. Older and younger kids will sing "their songs" with CD track. The Montage will be shown. My sermon summarizes the week's learnings, so the kids can teach the adults what they have learned - and hopefully provide common vocabulary for intergenerational discussion. I created a 12 page bulletin that includes Bible lesson puzzles and graphics from the Resource CD.

I will be ringleader for a circus within an amusement park. I'm praying to hold on for a great ride!

[faith]

Our Pastor is my husband and he teaches an adult class during VBS. He's so awesome. I can't let him announce what he will be teaching about until after I have secured all the volunteers I need or they would all gravitate to his class.

I have been VBS director for the past 6 years, but was able to turn it over to my 20 year old daughter to be co-director with another lady from the church this year. Whew!! Of course I still have my hands in it, making sure they are going in the right direction with everything. My daughter is also teaching one of the classes and I am her helper. What a joy!

VBS is so much my passion, and I have found that when the Pastor(s) are passionate, the people are passionate. I have found out that as I give my best to VBS, the people will also give their best.

We put the finishing touches on last night, with the last of us leaving around 11:30 p.m. VBS starts today and I am so exited I can't stand it.

VBS - 7/14 - 7/18
New and Living Way
Rome, Georgia

[MomRev]

It is great that you are able to pass on the leadership to a new generation. That must make you very proud.
Have you tried to bring non-family members into the leadership circle? It can be difficult to shift to a new leadership pattern, especially when everyone knows how well you do it.
I hope that this week ministers to you and to the children and adults who participate.
Kathy

[faith]

:) The other lady is a non-family member. She's pretty pregnant right now, though and has really needed my daughter's help. My daughter is a junior in college and is so energetic and creative with the kids. Even as a teenager she taught in children's church. Don't get me wrong, we have some awesome leaders in our church and much of it is evident this week. I'm just especially proud of her, our oldest daughter (26 yrs old teaching the 3-4 year old group) and our son (13 yrs old as a park attendant this year, directing newcomers) joining their Dad and me in ministry. To God be the Glory!

faith