It’s Wednesday afternoon of VBS and I’ve hit the wall! The excitement and fun of the mornings has been followed by several hours at work and boy has it taken it’s toll.
You may be asking… "Why are you sharing this with me? I’m right there with you!" Well here’s why:
I served on full time church staff for 14 years before coming to LifeWay. Consequently, I was responsible for 14 Vacation Bible Schools. Each year those schools were bigger than the year before. I remember how much work and energy it took to make VBS happen. What I may have failed to realize at the time is what I’d like to remind you of today:
VBS does not happen without the hard work of many wonderful volunteers!
I remember working myself to exhalation. I remember thinking how much I needed to do and thinking that the week might just kill me one day. Now, I’m a lay person. I love VBS and all the implications of it. I love the fact that during VBS week more kids are in my church than any other time of the year. I love that VBS offers us the opportunity to have 5 concentrated Bible learning days. I love that VBS has made and will make such an huge difference in the lives of so many kids. I love VBS… so, I volunteer… and then I come to work.
How many volunteers does it take to pull of VBS in your church? How many of these sweet people are rearranging schedules, staying up late, shopping for last minute supplies, studying and preparing just to insure that kids at your church have the time of their lives? Here’s the answer…. LOTS!
Make sure they know how important and valuable they are to you. Make sure you greet them with a smile and share your thankful heart. Share a word of encouragement and appreciation. Some of your volunteers are really digging deep this week to give their best for the kids through this valuable ministry we call Vacation Bible School. And guess what, they’re tired, too!
You can’t do it by yourself. You wouldn’t want to! Thank and appreciate your workers. Let them know just how important what they are doing during VBS really is!
Bottom Line: VBS is a team effort. Without your team of leaders VBS can’t happen. Make sure they know how important they are!
