when vbs isn’t really about Jesus

We are about halfway through VBS season in our community. I would imagine you are too. My children attended one week at the church where they will be attending school in the fall, and our own congregation will host their own in just a few weeks. I love VBS! It’s an energized week matched by none other in most congregations. But, there are times when we need to step back and ask ourselves who this week is really about. In many many cases, VBS doesn’t end up being as much about Jesus as we think it is, as we envision it being.

Here are some things to consider in order to make certain your focus is on sharing the cross, instead of the taking the credit.

These are the times when we must ask ourselves, “Is VBS really about Jesus?”

When your beautiful hand painted scenery blocks the altar. You’ve worked hard on getting the trees to look just right. You’ve spent good money on those boogie boards. The baptismal font is in the way and the paraments just don’t match. I know all these details seem essential to your program having a great week. But, when you put up all of your fancy decorations, the place where we meet Jesus each week, is hidden. The place where God’s gifts are given to His people, where we are washed clean, where we receive a foretaste of the feast to come, is not the focal point that it should be. The children are coming to hear about Jesus and to see His work and the places where His miracles happen. They aren’t coming for the decorations, as difficult as that may be to hear. They’re coming to see Jesus.

When you boast the number of attendees all over social media. I am all for single every child in your community attending your program, and praise be to God when that happens, but when you tout that instead of the Bible story you studied, the verse you learned, the promises of God that were shared, perhaps your focus is not where it should be.

When the program is chosen because it looks like fun. This is not to say that we can’t have an awesome time during VBS. But, too often, WAY TOO OFTEN we choose a program based on the crafts, or the songs, or the fact that we can get the materials from the church down the street when they’re done using them. We turn our backs on the teachings of our own church, the faith that we promised to defend unto death, citing the idea that as long as we talk a little bit about a few Bible stories, there’s really no need to mention baptism or holy communion or anything else that might ruffle a few feathers. False doctrine? Bring it on! We have 51 weeks to repair the damage. Forget being a chosen people. Let’s find Jesus at VBS! Please, NO! Teach the faith. Do it well. Do it right. (Even if you don’t love all the songs that go with the program that helps you do this.)

When you’re so glad that it’s over with that there’s no follow up with any new families that have come. Jesus is for these children and their families yesterday, today, and forever. When we are satisfied with seeing them for five days and then bidding them farewell and sending them off to fend for themselves the other 360 days of the year, VBS isn’t really about Jesus. Not like it should be. Not even close.

As you prepare to welcome the neighborhood children into your church home this year, or as you consider your opportunities for next year, speak of Christ and Him crucified, speak of His resurrection and the promise He’s given that He’s coming back soon…maybe even on the last day of VBS! Watch for things that detract from the reason you are there and put them aside.

This week must, MUST be about Jesus.

 

what your pastor’s children want you to know about their dad

From my children…throughout the years…paraphrased.

He rarely leaves his work at work. He brings the sorrows of his congregation home with him. When members deal with death or disease or betrayal or unbelief. He grieves. Sometimes it’s in isolation. Sometimes it’s with all of us together. Sometimes it’s painful to watch. It makes them grieve too. It’s okay. Inasmuch as anything having to do with death and destruction can be okay, because he brings the joys home too. They get super excited at the news of a newborn baby within their church family and their dad brings home the most awesome brownies from his home visits. He gets to baptize them and confirm them and perform the ceremony at their weddings. That’s good stuff. They get a front row seat to watching him grow in his faith. That’s good stuff too.

He is dedicated to his congregation. He loves his people dearly. That love is contagious.

His schedule is beyond crazy and often times filled with the unexpected. It is seldom the same from one day to the next. He is gone many evenings and mom leads nightly devotions more often than they would like. Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Sometimes they miss him. Many times he misses them. His schedule also allows him great flexibility. He can go to school for lunch and take the baby to get her shots. He can stay home when they’re sick and change his days off to match theirs.

He’s cool and everyone knows him. (A direct quote from my ten year old) This means though that he can’t have a bad day. He can’t lose his cool with the checker at the supermarket. He can’t forget an appointment. He can’t get frustrated with those he serves. He can’t, but sometimes he does. His bad days are very public. That too can be painful to watch.

He sometimes struggles to make friends. That is simply to say close friendships within the congregation can be a little tricky. When it does happen, it’s like striking gold.

He walks the walk. It’s not a perfect walk. In fact, they would be the first to admit that. They see his imperfections and shortcomings. But he leads them the best way he knows how, and most days, it’s pretty terrific. He sings with them and reads them God’s word and teaches them to pray and shows them how to ask for forgiveness.

Before he was pastor to many, he was father to few. And, while they don’t at all mind sharing him…most of the time, they want to know that you know, he was theirs first.