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4 VBS Strategies for Such a Time as This

In this strange season of unprecedented circumstances, we’ve all found ourselves needing to get creative with different aspects of church ministry. As programming needs and methods shift, one thing remains the same—people need to hear the good news of the gospel, perhaps now more than ever. VBS is the single largest evangelistic outreach of the year for most churches. So we’ve got to get creative in how we effectively—and safely—utilize this important strategy to reach our communities this year. No one knows what public gatherings will look like a few months from now, but we know there are at least four forms that VBS might take this summer. Pick the one that works best for you and we’ll provide you with the tools and resources to accomplish it!

  1. Traditional VBS — This is the ‘VBS as usual’ approach. Go all in and all out! For some places it may well be that, by the time VBS rolls around, VBS can happen as it always has. You may have to pick an alternate date, but VBS can still happen as planned. You might even experience record-breaking attendance!
  2. Neighborhood VBS — Conduct driveway, front porch, backyard, or cul-de-sac neighborhood gatherings. This approach utilizes church-member “hosts” in multiple neighborhoods throughout your community to conduct a small-scale VBS at their homes. This could be a great solution if we are able to meet in smaller groups of 10-20.
  3. Alternate VBS — Embrace a creative approach using alternative timetables such as conducting VBS over five consecutive weeks (e.g. Wednesday nights, Sunday nights, Saturdays), as a back-to-school kick-off, or over Labor Day weekend or Fall Break. This approach allows you to still do VBS, but in a low-maintenance, low-prep manner.
  4. VBS at HOME — Deliver VBS directly to the home. Post or livestream media-driven Worship Rallies to engage kids as viewers, and utilize home delivery methods to equip parents to facilitate Bible study, rec, and crafts at home.

As we seek creative solutions, we are sure of this: VBS is worth it because the gospel is worth it! No matter the circumstances, we at LifeWay VBS pledge to continue to help churches reach kids with the gospel in Summer 2020.

In the coming days we will release practical helps, FAQs, and other resources to help you conduct Concrete & Cranes VBS HERE. Stay tuned!

VBS in the Wake of COVID-19

With the affects of COVID-19 continuing to unfold each and every day, you may be wondering what’s going to happen to VBS this summer. Well don’t worry, VBS is still on! In fact, we at LifeWay VBS are planning on VBS happening this summer in a big way. We know there’s a lot of uncertainty about how and when, but we are committed to serving churches in their mission of making disciples. So no matter when or how you do VBS this year, we’ll be there to help and support you.

At this point in time, it’s too early to make a definitive decision to cancel anything scheduled for this summer. Things are rapidly changing every day, and none of us knows exactly what the situation will be weeks from now. So right now we need to be prepared for VBS to happen as planned. You may want to have a back-up date reserved on the calendar just in case, but press onward trusting that VBS will go on as scheduled. LifeWay Kids and LifeWay VBS exist to serve you. We are monitoring the current situation closely and will be ready to help churches share the gospel of Jesus this summer no matter what happens with COVID-19.

We’ve had many conversations over the last few weeks with church leaders from across the country and have heard that most churches are still planning on VBS happening this summer. Some may push their dates a little later depending on developments; but many also believe this summer’s VBS has the potential to be their biggest VBS in years. In fact, many are planning for record-breaking attendance knowing that parents will be ready for their kids to get out of the house and kids will be hungry for getting back together with their friends and doing something fun.

Who would’ve ever thought we’d be where we sit today? God did! He knew exactly what we’d be going through in 2020. COVID-19 didn’t catch Him off guard. The message of this year’s VBS was divinely appointed for these uncertain times—He is our Rock and our solid foundation. A foundation built to last. A foundation that will not crumble no matter what life throws at it. The closures of schools, events, and even churches cannot thwart His plans and they do not change our mission. Satan would love nothing more than to thwart the largest evangelistic tool of our churches, but that won’t happen on our watch. I’m looking forward to hearing the incredible stories that will come out of this VBS because I know God is going to use the hardships we’re experiencing now to draw people closer to Him and to prepare their hearts to receive Him.

Here are some things you can do in the meantime:

  • Keep calm and pray. Remember that “this too shall pass.” Things seem unsure and a little scary now, but they won’t always be this way. You can be a calming, reassuring voice to your ministry leaders and to the children and families in your church. Pray for God’s guidance in your decision-making and for His protection during this time. Pray that He will protect your VBS and bring a swift end to this pandemic.
  • Continue planning, recruiting, and training volunteers. Follow our LifeWay VBS Facebook page for VBS sneak peeks and fun things to do while you’re stuck at home. Join our free VBS Directors Club and take advantage of the training videos there. Share them with your team as you enlist. Send digital copies of the leader guides to your leaders so that they can begin preparing to teach now.
  • Have a backup plan in place. A lot is going to change between now and the start of summer. It’s OK to have an alternate date later in the summer set aside as a backup—just in case. It’s OK to rethink how you might do VBS as a back-to-school kick-off or during 5 consecutive Wednesday nights or Saturdays or during Fall Break. The timing is not important, but doing VBS is. Kids, parents, your church, and your community need something on the horizon to look forward to.

How to Use Super Duper Decorations

The VBS 2020 Super Duper Sized Backdrop is all new this year. Bigger and better than ever, the Super Duper Sized Backdrop consists of FIVE 4-foot by 8-foot posters that, when hung side by side, create a colossal backdrop that’s perfect for Worship Rally or any large space in your church. Each 4-foot by 8-foot panel is sized to fit a standard sheet of plywood
or rigid insulation foam board, making it easier than ever to mount and stand freely. Construct a rear support system (such as theatrical flats or simple, right-angle braces) and secure the Super Duper Sized Backdrop panels using tape, glue, or Velcro®. Reuse the same supports year after year and simply change out the panels each year.

The Super Duper Sized Backdrop comes rolled in a tube, so there are no folds or creases to mess up the scene. Before removing the posters from the tube, reach inside and grab the innermost end tightly, then twist the tube to tighten the rolled-up posters. It will be much easier to remove the posters from the tube once their diameter is smaller than the diameter of the tube.

Here are some ideas for using the Super Duper Sized Backdrop throughout your Concrete & Cranes decorations:

WORSHIP RALLY: The Super Duper Sized Backdrop makes the perfect addition to your High Steel Worship Rally decorations. In fact, it can stand alone as your finished stage decorations without adding anything else to it. To take your Worship Rally décor to the next level, mount the Super Duper Sized Backdrop onto foam core (or rigid insulation foam), and then use a jigsaw to cut away the sky from the backdrop, following the outline of the skyscrapers and cranes. Tape the panels together from behind and stand them up 15–18 inches in front of an even bigger sky backdrop. This will give dimension and depth to your stage décor. Then, create giant cranes and wooden I-beams using the instructions from the VBS 2020 Decorating Made Easy book and DVD-ROM and place them in front of the Super Duper Sized Backdrop panels.

REGISTRATION OR CHECK-IN: Tape the Super Duper Sized Backdrop to the wall behind your check-in desk or registration tables. Hang the giant inflatable VBS 2020 Wrecking Ball from the ceiling in front of the backdrop using rope or chain. Accessorize with cutouts of large construction vehicles, the VBS 2020 Construction Barricade, and the VBS 2020 Flying Banner with Stand.

WINDOWS: Attach individual panels or sections of the backdrop to the outside of 8-foot windows to make it appear as though construction is happening just outside the window.

HALLWAYS: Separate the panels and hang them a few feet apart down a long hallway. This will allow you to fill more space and will still give the feeling of construction in progress. If desired, frame each poster to look like a window so that kids can walk down the hall and look out the “windows” at the construction taking place outside.

PHOTO OPP: Use the Super Duper Sized Backdrop as the background for a photo opp for families attending your VBS. Provide hard hats, safety vests, tool aprons, etc. for kids and parents to use as props. Find more photo opp ideas on page 8 of Decorating Made Easy.


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