The aftermath of VBS!

For most churches particularly Southern Baptist, vacation Bible school is the single largest evangelistic event possibly just plain event of the church year. It requires a large volunteer labor force and even larger attendance. It is intense, energetic and tiring. It is also a highlight for many! At Crossroads Church our VBS is a camp. We invite children and workers to come and spend two nights during vbs. We also go swimming during VBS (I don’t think anyone else does that at VBS). It is Crossroads so what else is new!

For us as the week ended several children (unusually so) came to me with a big hug and thanked me for letting them come to camp. Initially, that struck me as odd. Why would they thank me for letting them come? Evidently they had a GREAT time which is always good. How did I let them come? I/we had spent some time and energy getting the word out inviting children hoping they would come. I guess because in our minds people need to be convinced it will be OK and then they act as if they did us a favor by coming. That probably is just in my head and not a real attitude but I act on that perception. Often we look at the task of Bible school with dread and possibly and attitude of “what’s the point?” These children and their appreciation just blew that out of the water.

As I have thought about my perception and their reaction I have once again realized we have the greatest message to be told. The Gospel is the ONLY message that gives light and life to a dark and dead world. Because of that truth it is worth every effort, every expenditure of time, talent and tithe to share. Not to share with a “ho hum” but with a lively, outrageous, vivacious exceptionality because it is LOVE! David Sharp said wouldn’t it be great to have Bible school everyday! Bite your tongue David Sharp! We would grow tired of Bible school everyday but what about the energy, the excitement, the overall exuberance of VBS each Sunday as we share the life giving hope of Jesus Christ to the folks who are here?

Paul reminds us in Ephesians1:20-23 (The Message): All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

I forgot! Did you? Let’s get with it. We are the church! The world is peripheral to US!   

In HIS Service and Yours,

Bro G