Vacation Bible School
Today's "Five on Faith" on the Saturday Religion page asks: Churches will wrap up vacation Bible school classes over the next month. What are your favorite memories -- good, bad or odd -- about this weeklong summer tradition? If you have another similar faith tradition, I'd pose the same question.
Here are two responses about VBS that did not appear in the column:
"I think that the motivation of Vacation Bible School is good: to reach children with the gospel. However, I don't really think it is as effective as people may think, as children usually receive a watered down gospel and mostly are 'entertained.'
"We need to preach Jesus Christ-crucified and resurrected who calls us to take up our cross and follow Him, not the pop gospel which teaches Jesus as a cosmic Santa Claus. Also, we need to reach the fathers and mothers first and foremost. They are the ones who are called by God to teach their children about Him.
--Michelle Pulido, Greensboro
"Mayodan United Methodist Church just completed a week of Bible School. Our Fellowship Hall and classrooms were transformed into the most amazing safari scene imaginable. We are so fortunate to have the creativity and spiritual guidance provided by Lane and Gary Talton, who along with their volunteers, plan and implement our Children's Ministries. As adults, I think we all enter into it thinking that only the children will get something from it. But this event was different.
"From the planning stages through its completion, I think all of us knew it was going to be special. I personally received a blessing from working at Vacation Bible School. The enthusiasm of the children and the dedication of the volunteers, including our youth, was truly inspirational.
"When the children ask, "Are we going to do this again," you know you have had a successful program. bible School was a special event at our church this year."
Pat Perdue,
Madison
Comments (2)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
While I understand Mr. Pulido's frustration about a watered down Gospel, it seems like an inappropriate concern at VBS. I think any form of the Gospel is a great thing for children.
At Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, the congregation goes to great lengths to simulate biblical lifestyles in conjunction with the Bible teaching they will cover during the week. Dedicated parents, staff and young adults recreate authentic dress, cooking and living conditions to enhance the VBS experience.
My mother saw to it that each of her 15 grandchildren attended each year. Of course, the older the children became, the more they complained about attending. However, the combination of family, friends, a creative effort and especially a portion of the Gospel (even if it may have been watered down) enriches the lives of our family to this day.
Posted on July 17, 2005 3:07 PM
As a means of indoctrinating children into practical aspects of the Christian religion, I agree with Chip that it's most effective when the kids are younger. At least, I assume that's what is being talked about when they say "watered-down version of the Gospel."
My days in church as a youth were hardly touched by VBS, mainly because the event was engineered toward the younger kids. Youth members like myself tended to prefer to volunteer to teach, rather than bother with the dull material the SBC sent out for youth groups.
Posted on July 18, 2005 11:14 AM