Will Your VBS Have an Act Two?

Have you ever thought of VBS as a play or theatrical production? Not in the sense that what we do during VBS is make believe or just a show, but in the sense of VBS having multiple acts, scenes, or parts.
At our local performing arts theater a typical production is two acts divided by a short intermission. Act One introduces the characters and establishes the plot. If done well the audience is so drawn into the experience they are disappointed when the curtain falls signaling intermission. There is visible disappointment as clusters of people hesitantly leave the theater. Will the story be brought to a satisfying end?
The audience needs completion to the story and thankfully 15 minutes later both anticipation and the curtain rise for Act Two.
Can you imagine the disappointment if the curtain didn’t rise, if the actors didn’t return to the stage, or if Act Two was a completely different story? What if an announcement was made thanking the audience for attending and stating the producer and director had decided not to continue the play? Talk about disappointment! There would be anger expressed, demands for refunds, and possibly a full-blown riot.
By now approximately 50% of all Bible schools (Act One) have been held for 2016, which means there are a lot of churches in the intermission portion of the production. The audience has excited the auditorium for intermission, but in many cases the performers have exited the entire building!
Far too many churches choose to quit with the conclusion of Act One. Since the curtain never rises on Act Two the audience is left disappointed and disillusioned. The experience, while it had a great start, has been left incomplete.
By now you have figured out that Act Two – the most important part of the show – is follow up or continuing the connections begun during the week of VBS.
How about your VBS? Will there be an Act Two?
Thankfully it is not too late. Although it is intermission there is still time to plan and executive an Act Two. It’s time to let the curtain rise and bring the story to completion.