Vacation Bible Schools Change With The Times

by Frances Stebbins

As church activities slow down in the hot weeks of summer, Vacation Bible Schools enliven many a congregation. Though they’ve changed somewhat over generations, they still excite leaders in many churches who say that more can be taught a child in a concentrated week of teaching and play than in a year of sporadic Sunday School attendance.

I didn’t care much for the ecumenical VBS held at our local Baptist church in my small-town childhood, but apparently a lot of children enjoyed it –or were forced to go. I expect that’s still true especially in this day when so many parents both work and Bible school provides a free child-care service.

I encountered Bible schools again in a big way when as a young reporter of church news years ago I spent hours editing items for publication in Roanoke’s daily newpaper. In those days, when church activities got a lot more space in papers than they do today, I sometimes had to list a dozen or more teachers, not a job I enjoyed. Fortunately today that’s considered an extreme of “names make news” and even weekly publications don’t give that much space.

I still re-write Bible school notices for brevity including only the basic facts and a telephone number which those interested can call. Actually these notices have a more useful purpose than much that is carried in newspapers because the schools are often attended by children without any affiliation with a congregation. Friends take friends.

At one time the schools were always held for three hours in the morning, usually in June. Then they shifted to evening. Today we find both.

Commenting on the value of VBS, a long-time Southern Baptist pastor, the Rev. Dr. Bob Moore of Bonsack Church pointed out that through community promotion, every year among the 400 or so who enrolled at the church he serves a fairly high percentage will be exposed to the message of “Jesus loves me” for the first time.  For Baptists it’s gratifying when some of the older pupils profess their faith in Christ as the result of their learning. Baptisms often follow.

Bonsack Baptist probably has one of the largest schools in the valley with an estimated 150 adults and youth leading music, teaching the Gospel and helping younger children. It’s a highlight of the summer along with the mission trips adults take to impoverished areas.

However, in many smaller congregations there aren’t enough children to hold a well-rounded VBS. The obvious answer is to get together with other small groups especially in suburban towns on neighborhoods. Thus Fincastle has had a combined school for years with the Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration serving as the meeting site.

In Salem this year at least two neighborhood collections of churches have gone together for their schools mixing Lutherans, Presbyterians, United Methodists, Church of the Brerthren, Baptists and Episcopalians in two separate schools. This is enriching for the adults as well as children.

Although my experience with VBS has been mostly getting them publicized, I once was talked into co-teaching a sixth grade class when my small church joined with another in the Williamson Road area.  As usual, I enjoyed my association with the two other teachers more than I did imparting knowledge or making craftsy things with the somewhat reluctant 12-year-olds. By this age, youngsters are often pressed into service to help with the little ones who haven’t become jaded. My daughter fell into this category.

When my unchurched granddaughter from Georgia visited me 15 years ago, she attended in successive summers four different Bible schools because I was able to pick one for the weeks it was convenient for her parents to send her to visit. She made no complaints and who knows how much she learned.

Finally there was a year that my late husband and I agreed to lead a marriage enrichment class for adults in a suburban church. That too was an interesting experience since two couples dominated the group with their troubles and we felt unable to impart much.

From church bulletins today I notice many schools seemed to be using a prepared program which must be easier than having to create one as we formerly did.  They are called “The Big Apple Adventure,” “Hometown Nazareth,” Kickin It Old School” and “Kingdom of the Son: A Prayer Safari .”No doubt Bible schools will go on forever.

 

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