Five Follow-Up Ideas for Vacation Bible School
Certificates are passed out, the children have gone home, rest is imminent. Is there still work to be done? Yes! While rest is essential, there are things left to do. Here are 5 things to wrap up VBS and get ready for what’s next:
- CLEAN-UP
It’s time to take everything down, but what do you do with it? Before throwing everything away, check with your Pastor, Sunday School director and others involved in children’s ministry to see if they can use leftover supplies. If feasible, consider churches or missionaries in the area that may be able to use them. Perhaps there is a children’s shelter or program that can use leftover craft supplies. These leftovers can be a perfect opportunity for outreach!
- EVALUATE AND REFLECT
It is imperative to VBS success to create time to evaluate and reflect on what works, what does not, and how to improve next time. Pass out an evaluation form and give workers a couple of weeks to fill them out. Afterward, have a meeting and allow open discussion. Also, ask the children in your church what they liked and what they didn’t. Keep all of this to improve next year.
- GO VISIT!
Undoubtedly, you will have VBS attendees who do not regularly come to your church, so make sure to follow up with them. Take a bag, go to their house and make a surprise visit. This is a perfect way to show parents that you genuinely care for their children. Take this time to chat with parents, tell them about Jesus, invite them to church and let them know there is a community of people that want them to join!
- FOLLOW-UP
It is important to keep in contact. After a month or so, send a card to each family inviting them back to church. Invite them to like church social media pages and share events with them. Keep a mailing list, and send flyers for church events, especially those focused on children’s ministry. Reach out and God will bless.
- PREP FOR NEXT YEAR
It is not too early to begin planning next year’s VBS. Pass along next year’s theme—TIMELESS—to the decorators to begin planning. Ask volunteers if they would like the same job next year. Look for new ideas to involve more people in the church and get an idea of how big you can plan! Start thinking about missionaries and research needs on the mission field to consider helping with next year. God is already at VBS next year, so ask Him to show you what will be effective and start making plans!
Mark Clements,
Editor in Chief