Monday Morning Checklist – Finalize Training Event Plans
Training is a necessary action of VBS planning. Yet, too many VBS leaders do not provide it, and far too many VBS workers do not take advantage of it.Why is training important? Simple answer: trained and equipped workers are more effective and reliable workers. And, trained and equipped workers, as confident workers, tend to return year after year.
The first of February is the perfect time to schedule your training options. First, regional training events are typically held in February, March, and April. And second, you want to stress the importance of training by promoting the opportunities well in advance – preferably at the moment of enlistment.
Following are options to include in your training plan.
- Regional training events provided by a state convention of Southern Baptist Churches, or a local association of Southern Baptist Churches. (For contact information search for SBC plus your state or city name.) These training events typically provide in-depth, age-specific sessions based on Lifeway’s VBS resources.
- In-house training you provide to cover specifics (logistics, expectations) unique to your VBS. These training events should also cover evangelism, safety and security, discipline, as well as expectations for continuing connections following VBS. You can find training plans for in-house training in the VBS 2016 Administrative Guide for Directors.
- Free on-line training – designed for equipping workers enlisted at the last minute to lead Submerged for preschoolers and kids in grades 1-6 – will be available early April at ministry grid.com/web/vbs.
- One-on-one mentoring by pairing inexperienced and experienced workers. Meet with experienced workers in advance to help them understand how to use the opportunity to intentionally train and encourage inexperienced workers for future leadership.
- Student or youth leadership training to prepare teens for their specific responsibilities and to insure young workers add value to the VBS week.
- Specialized training for teams such as greeters and registration.
Is there going to be a training in central Florida or Tampa Bay Area this year the other closest was in Tennessee and we could not go. I am the director for Ridge this due to Diane Canon being ill.
Contact Billy Young at the Florida Baptist Convention for Submerged training opportunities in your state.