An army rallies itself. They prepare for a coming onrush: establishing a chain of command, appointing accountability, training vigorously, building fortifications, planning logistics, stockpiling rations, equipping novices, marking out landing zones, rallying points, contingencies plans, retreat areas, uniforms, color codes, and more.
No, it was not the spring of the year, the time in which kings went out to battle (2 Kings 11:1). This is the summer of the year, the time when children go out to Vacation Bible School. The small army that is raised up is not to meet an enemy but to welcome little friends. But the comparison with the army is a welcome one. Every year from within our congregation members rise up in mass to join this astounding collection of diversely gifted and highly committed volunteers. They give themselves to the Gospel mission of seeing our covenant children along with the children of fellow churches and a healthy number of other community kids hear about Jesus in His person and work.
Why the effort? Here are six reasons we mobilize the congregation every summer for VBS:
1) Jesus said to let them come (Mt 19:14) – It’s not a cliché. It’s a command. Jesus desires children in his presence and his disciples need to help and not hinder. VBS is one was to say “yes” to Jesus and to honor His desire that children be brought before Him.
2) Providence gives us an opportunity – God has ordered our society such that summer mean disposable time for both children and adults. What better way to use that than by devoting a week of the summer to exalting Christ through the word of God (Eph 5:15-16).
3) Pedagogy – I don’t get to use the word enough. Pedagogy comes from the Greek word meaning to lead a child. Historically, the pedagogue was the slave who led a child to school, often thought of by the word “tutor”. VBS is essentially a robust summer intensive in the Gospel from a kid friendly perspective. Everything for three hours a day is scripted to support a common biblical theme with Bible lessons, memory verses, supporting hymns, and even crafts and recreation. We spend lots of money to get that as adults in professional seminars. At WRPC, we give it away for free.
4) Making memories – Making memories may not immediately impress us as spiritual, but truly it is. “Remember” is a popular bible word appearing some 230 times between the testaments. Special experiences stick with us for better or for worse and God calls us to remember both (Dt 7:18, 1 Thes 2:9). Without a doubt VBS makes memories, for most children making happy memories associated with the church. Skits, games, treats, warm and affectionate teachers and grade shepherds, friends new and old, and overarching themes all have a stickiness to which I have heard many people give testimony in later years.
5) Witness – Not only is there an internal message, but an external message as well. We send a number of clear signals to our community that point out that we are very different from our culture: We love children and think they are worth investing in. We love the Gospel and we think it’s worth repeating. We love our community and want to bless it with the best things we have to offer. And we are open for business; that is, the church is active and thriving and full of life and you are welcome to come inside.
6) Service – VBS is an opportunity for a large part of the church to selflessly sacrifice for others. As we noted before, it’s a small army. That means a lot of people will be working and because so many people are working a lot of people aren’t going to be fawned over. They will be working as unto the Lord not for the praise of men (Col 3:23). The children themselves, though appreciative in their hearts are notoriously thankless in their words. But that’s OK, because God sees and He cares and His rewards are worth the work.
So if you’re around the church this week and next, and you see people scurrying in and out through the building, if you see the grounds transformed, if you see workers with intense expressions on their faces, and tired looks, and occasionally what may seem like combat fatigue, you’ll know why. This army has its motivation. And if you time your visit just right, you may even hear a battle cry ringing out above the fray:
“VBS! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!”
Scotty is a native of Santa Anna, Texas. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1994 and completed his Masters of Divinity at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2005. Scotty’s Air Force service of eleven years included time as a Security Forces Officer protecting nuclear weapons and also instructing at Officer Training School before being called into pastoral ministry. He and his wife Kerry are parents of three children, Clayton, Avery, and Grace.
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