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Uncategorized
April 12, 2021

Reunite at ETCH Family Ministry Conference

By Melita Thomas

ETCH Family Ministry Conference is back—live and in person—with the opportunity to attend in Nashville or online via live simulcast. We’re looking forward to REUNITE together in person in the safest way possible. To that end, we’re limiting the number of attendees for the in-person event. ETCH 2021 will sell out, so be ready to reserve your spot as soon as registration opens! Although space is limited for the in-person event, there are no limits for the simulcast. So if you can’t make it to Nashville, we want you to join us from your neck of the woods! 

You’ll have two options to attend: (1) Bring your team to Nashville. We’re so excited to be back together again with you! (2) Gather your entire team and watch the simulcast together live. (Special pricing is available for churches hosting a watch party.) You can’t go wrong with either option! Both will allow you to participate in breakouts (in-person attendees will get to choose which breakouts to attend), worship together, learn from age-group ministry experts, be challenged by great Bible teachers, hone your skills, and equip your entire team for the next season of ministry.

2020 was a difficult season for everyone. It’s time to come back together. It’s time to celebrate. It’s time to REUNITE. It’s time to praise God for His faithfulness through the difficult times and to celebrate coming together again as the body of Christ!

The focal passage for ETCH: Reunite is Ephesians 4:4–6: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

As we study Ephesians 4 together in the main sessions, you will be challenged to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1). As you attend breakouts, it is our hope that you will be equipped for and reenergized in your calling.

Whether you choose to join us online or in-person, we hope you will reunite your team and experience ETCH together.

Get your tickets today at etchconference.com

Melita Thomas serves as Lifeway’s VBS and Kids Ministry Specialist. For the past 14 years she has also been an editor of Lifeway’s VBS resources. Melita holds a masters degree in Childhood Ministry from Dallas Baptist University. A passionate advocate for kids ministry in the local church, Melita enjoys teaching kindergartners and preteens at Nashville First Baptist Church.

Reaching, Uncategorized, Vacation Bible School
March 31, 2021

Yes to VBS

By Melita Thomas

2020 was a challenging season for ministry—and 2021 is (so far) proving no less difficult! But that doesn’t mean we can continue to delay or postpone strategic ministry opportunities until a time that is (hopefully) more convenient. Ministry to children cannot be deterred or deferred. It’s simply too important! For most churches, 2020 meant that they couldn’t conduct regular church programming and special events in the same ways as usual. Sunday School went virtual. Worship was livestreamed. There was certainly a learning curve, but many churches saw that once they broke out of the same old mold they’ve been using for years, their creativity kicked in and the work of ministry continued in new, fresh, and exciting ways. 

It’s time to do the same thing for Vacation Bible School! VBS is one of the largest evangelistic outreaches of the year for many churches. It consistently accounts for one-quarter of ALL baptisms in a given year. It has the potential to open more doors in your community than any other single week on the church calendar. That’s why it’s so important to say YES to VBS this summer—no matter what it looks like! You can have a VBS in-person, in the park, in the home, or any way in between. Where and how doesn’t matter … it’s the WHY that counts. It’s worth it to your kids to say yes to VBS this summer! It’s worth it to your community to say yes to VBS! It’s worth it to the kingdom to say yes to VBS!

This summer, whether you’re in person, online, or somewhere in between, Lifeway wants to help you say yes to VBS! We’ve identified four creative (and safe) ways VBS can happen in 2021 and a whole set of resources to help you be successful, no matter which option you choose. I’m particularly excited about the new resources designed especially for virtual VBS, which include:

  • Daily Bible story videos (5 for preschoolers, 5 for kids)
  • Virtual VBS Directors Guide (with activity adaptations for Bible study, rec, and crafts)
  • Family Connection Bundle (take home resources for families to do together)
  • Kids Craft Bundle (individual, pre-packaged crafts for each day)
  • VBS at Home on Ministry Grid (videos and written prompts to equip parents to lead a VBS experience at home)

The time to say yes to VBS is now. Pick a format and commit to it. Begin preparing now so that you are well positioned to pivot as needed. Remember, no matter how you say yes to VBS this summer—Lifeway’s got you covered! Learn more at https://vbs.lifeway.com/yes-to-vbs/

Uncategorized
February 24, 2021

How VBS Can Help You Win Back Church Members

By Melita Thomas

A July 2020 study from Barna suggested one in three practicing Christians has stopped attending church during COVID-19. Specifically:

  • 1 in 3 practicing Christians is still and only attending their pre-COVID church.
  • 32 percent of practicing Christians have stopped attending church altogether during the pandemic.
  • Half of practicing Christian millennials are not viewing services online.

Those are staggering and sobering statistics! The research took place over a two-week period at the height of U.S. social distancing measures during the pandemic (late April–early May 2020), so the findings have likely shifted. But it does point to a trend that many churches are experiencing as in-person gatherings resume—only about one-third of the congregation has returned. So what has happened to the remaining two-thirds of our otherwise active and engaged church members? Perhaps more importantly, what will it take to get them to come back?

Some have suggested that the two-thirds who have not yet returned should be treated as “prospects” rather than merely as absent members—at least in our approach to outreach and efforts to enfold them (back) into the life of our congregations. Experts suggest it will take that level of effort—the same amount of effort, the same frequency of contact—to win them back. There are many good and legitimate reasons people feel uncomfortable returning to “business as usual” at church. I am not suggesting they have all become complacent or lazy church members. But I do believe the reality of a slow return to “normal” will require extra effort. And I believe it has several implications for Vacation Bible School this summer.

First, a hesitance to return may impact your volunteer pool for VBS. You may not be able to count on some of your “go-to” volunteers to automatically sign up without needing to be actively recruited. It may take a personal phone call (or two), a personal ask over coffee, a reminder of the big picture and the importance of VBS to your church’s evangelism and discipleship strategies in order to get some volunteers to say YES to VBS. You’ll need to inspire them with the “heart” behind VBS and impress upon them the urgency of the task at hand. You’ll need to share your passion for the gospel and why we cannot afford to push it off until a time when it may feel more convenient. You’ll need to convince them that the job you want them to do during VBS is kingdom work and that it cannot be done by anyone else but them. 

VBS is a great opportunity to attract people back to church. It’s a short-term commitment with measurable results that also provides opportunities for literally anyone and everyone to serve. Don’t feel comfortable being on campus yet? No problem; you can be in charge of online registration! Don’t want to be around kids yet? No problem; you can help prepackage snacks the week before! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to reacclimate your congregation to serving. Use VBS as a way of strategically enfolding adults and teens back in as they volunteer for VBS.

Secondly, if two-thirds of your church are not attending regularly and/or are not yet coming back, you may need to change the focus of your VBS this summer. As the largest evangelistic outreach event of the year for most churches, VBS is typically a community-minded event. This year, however, we may need to shift focus slightly to target our own church members first, and the community second. That is not to say we abandon the evangelistic mission of VBS. Rather, we use VBS as a strategic opportunity to reengage with kids and families who have not yet returned (and who may have missed out on VBS last year) and challenge them to bring an unchurched friend or family with them. Plan to follow up with each family after VBS (treating members the same as unchurched prospects) and use VBS as a springboard for enfolding that family into the broader church family.

Finally, we need to take a look at our strategy and adjust our plans as necessary. Many churches have already committed to an approach for VBS this summer—whether on campus, in a park or neighborhood, online, or a hybrid combination. That’s great! It’s important to commit early and make a plan. But as you do so, keep in mind the statistic about millennial’s engagement in online church activities. If 50% of millennials (these are the parents in your ministry) are not tuning in for church, can we realistically expect that they will tune in with their families for an online VBS? While a virtual VBS is certainly convenient (though no less work) and perhaps necessary for families who still need to remain safely at home, we need to keep in mind that these are temporary solutions that do not provide the same kind of engagement as in-person gatherings. If you’re planning an exclusively virtual VBS this summer, ask yourself: “What can we add or do to provide intentional opportunities for relationship-building and engagement through our VBS?” Look for ways to provide families more than just something else to watch. Create engagement and community—not consumers. Consumers will watch if they feel like it, don’t if something better comes along. Consumers don’t feel the same level of commitment or the longing to be part of what’s going on. Remember that the best way to share the gospel is in the context of relationship. Regardless of which direction you go for VBS 2021, look for ways that will allow relationships to develop naturally and draw people first to Christ, then back to His Church.

Vacation Bible School
October 19, 2020

ANNOUNCING VBS 2021 PREVIEWS!

By Melita Thomas

I look forward to January all year long. Why? Because January = VBS Previews! My absolute favorite time of year! It’s always so exciting to be with VBS leaders from across the country as we get our very first look at the brand new VBS. We all get amped up and inspired to make this year our best VBS ever!

VBS Previews have typically taken place in four different cities across the country. And while that was great for people who live within driving distance of those cities, many people have expressed disappointment that it’s too far and too expensive for them to ever attend. That’s just not fair! We believe everyone ought to be able to experience the magic that is a VBS Preview!

So for the first time ever, VBS Previews are going virtual in 2021! That’s great news! You won’t have to take off work to attend, there will be no travel expenses, and you can bring even more of your team! Plus, you can pick the date and time that works best for you!

Rather than a two-day event, VBS Previews 2021 will be condensed into a single morning or afternoon. (Each person on your team will need his/her own ticket. When purchasing multiple tickets, PLEASE make sure to register each person using his/her own email address in order for each person to get his/her own login.) Tune in LIVE during those hours and you’ll get to attend an energizing main session that overviews the theme, Bible content, and choreography for Destination Dig as well as take your pick from over 20 breakouts to train, equip, and prepare you for VBS 2021.

Will it feel like I’m just watching videos by myself? Absolutely not! You will be able interact with everyone attending with you from around the country live and in real time. We’ve even designed special spaces within the online event that will allow you to turn on your camera and microphone to participate in live discussions with the Lifeway VBS team and with VBS leaders just like you! You’ll be able to network with one another and share ideas as well as get individualized help. Oh, and did I mention that there will be PRIZES and giveaways? Oh yes! Throughout the live event you will have opportunities to play games and win prizes—just for attending.

Tickets are just $49 and include live access during the event, specialized countdowns and bumpers for Destination Dig, and a free VBS t-shirt. Click here to reserve your spot today!

This article originally appeared on the Lifeway VBS Blog here.

ETCH Family Ministry Conference, Training
October 5, 2020

ETCH Family Ministry Conference Live

By Melita Thomas

The ETCH Family Ministry Conference is coming soon—October 13–14, 2020—and this year, it’s a completely digital conference. Despite not being able to gather together in person, we’re so excited to be able to gather together with you virtually! ETCH Live will bring the very best of the ETCH directly to your computer or mobile device in an incredibly immersive and engaging experience. Sure, ETCH 2020 will look different than it has in years past. But is there anything about 2020 that isn’t different? 

The theme for ETCH Live is REACH! We never guessed that while developing this theme more than a year ago that it would be so timely for 2020. We’ve all had to learn how to reach differently, creatively, and strategically over the past several months.

Now more than ever, we need to reach deeper to find our worth in the gospel—especially when the world seems so uncertain. We need to reach better—in new and different ways—as we seek to serve kids, students, and parents. We need to reach beyond our comfort zones to impact the culture around us. And we need to reach together with our colleagues in ministry, with our church family, and with parents to reach the next generation. 

That’s our goal for ETCH Live—to help you Reach Deeper, Reach Better, Reach Beyond, and Reach Together.

ETCH Live will feature inspiring main sessions, practical breakouts, virtual group discussions on timely topics, opportunities for networking with other ministry leaders, live Q&As, a fully stocked online store, and some pretty cool gaming features that will allow you to earn points throughout the event and win prizes. 

Make plans now for your entire ministry team (preschool, kids, preteen, middle school, high school, and even leadership) to join us October 13–14, 2020 for ETCH Live. 

There are three ticket levels to choose from, General Admission allows each team member full access to the content each day of the event. Premium ticket holders get two weeks to view the main sessions and breakouts. And VIP attendees receive a FULL YEAR of access to the digital library of all of ETCH’s content. Choose the level that works for you. Register today at ETCHConference.com.

Vacation Bible School
July 29, 2020

Dig In to Bible Stories for VBS 2021

By Melita Thomas

Pack your bags and grab your gear, VBS 2021 is headed to present-day Israel where an epic adventure of discovery awaits. Discover long-hidden treasures, amazing finds, and exciting evidence that proves biblical events were not just stories. They really happened.

Each day during Destination Dig, junior archaeologists will use a real-life artifact from Bible times to help them discover more about who Jesus is and why He came. Let’s take a closer look at the Bible stories connected to each artifact.

Day 1: Jesus Was Born (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:18–2:6)

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God told prophets to write about His plan to send His Son to be our Savior. Many years later an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph. The angel told him Mary would have God’s Son, and they were to name Him Jesus. Just as God promised, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. God promised He would send His Son, and He did.

Day 2: Jesus Healed a Blind Man (Psalm 146:8; Isaiah 35:6-6a; John 9:1-41)

Prophets wrote about what would happen when God’s Son came to earth. They wrote about miracles He would perform such as healing people. When Jesus began His ministry, He did everything God said He would do. One day while in Jerusalem, Jesus passed a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud. He spread the mud over the man’s eyes and told the man to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man did as he was told, and he could see! The man told people what Jesus had done. Later, when the man saw Jesus, he worshiped Him.

Day 3: Jesus Experienced Betrayal and Rejection (Psalm 41:9; Isaiah 53:3,7; John 13; 18:1–19:16)

Jesus shared one last special supper with His disciples. During the meal Jesus explained that one of the disciples would betray Him. Jesus knew His betrayal and death would fulfill God’s plan. After the meal, Jesus and all the disciples except for Judas went to the garden in Gethsemane. While they were there, Judas brought the soldiers to arrest Jesus and take Him to the high priest to begin the trials the prophets had written about many years before. Pilate, the Roman governor, tried to find a way to release Jesus, but the crowd shouted, “Crucify Him!” Jesus remained silent just as the prophecy said He would. Finally, Pilate gave in to the people’s demands, and Jesus was handed over to the soldiers to be crucified.

Day 4: Jesus Is Alive (Isaiah 53:5,9-11; John 19:17–20:18)

God told prophets that Jesus would be born and that He would die for our sins. God also said that Jesus would die with the wicked, be buried with the rich, and be raised from the dead. Just as God said, Jesus was crucified between two criminals and Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man, buried Jesus’ body in Joseph’s tomb. A stone was rolled in front of the tomb. On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. The stone had been rolled away, and Jesus was gone. Peter and John came to the tomb and saw the burial clothes, but Jesus was not there. While Mary stood outside the tomb crying, a man she thought was a gardener appeared. The Man called her name and immediately Mary knew He was Jesus. She couldn’t wait to tell the disciples that Jesus is alive!

Day 5: Philip Told the Good News (Isaiah 53:7-8; Acts 8:26-40)

While Philip was preaching in Samaria, an angel of the Lord told him to go south to the road that goes to Gaza. Philip obeyed the angel. Philip saw a man traveling in a chariot. The man was reading a copy of the Isaiah scroll. Philip asked the man if he understood what he was reading. The man said he did not and that he needed someone to explain it to him. Philip explained the good news about Jesus to the man. The man believed what Philip told him and believed in Jesus. Philip baptized the man, and the man went on his way rejoicing.

For more information about Destination Dig, visit lifeway.com/vbs or check out THIS blog post.

Vacation Bible School
September 23, 2019

Why come to a VBS Preview Event?

By Melita Thomas

If you’ve never before attended a VBS Preview event, you are missing out!

VBS Preview Events are the best way to build excitement for VBS, train your leadership team, network with others who are just as crazy about VBS as you, and get inside tips and tricks from the VBS experts. Whether you’re a brand new leader or you’ve been doing VBS forever, you’ll discover practical strategies to make this your best VBS ever!

Bring your entire team to enjoy specialized training for each area of responsibility during VBS (e.g. VBS Director, age-group Bible study leader, rotation leader, etc.) so that every team member can excel in his or her responsibilities. Your team will also have access to a wide range of breakouts from which to pick and choose—giving each team a training experience that is completely customized to them!

VBS Preview Events get your creative juices flowing. You’ll get to explore incredible decorations from every angle, take pictures, and come away inspired to bring Concrete & Cranes to life in your church! It’s also your chance to learn all of the songs and motions before anyone else. You’ll experience large group games perfect for Family Night and discover new strategies for recruiting volunteers and following up with families after VBS.

Plus, each Preview will have a fully stocked VBS Store where you’ll be able to touch, see, and take home everything you’ll need for VBS—including curriculum, decorations, and promo items. VBS Previews are also the only place you’ll find exclusive VBS swag and discounts on T-shirts!

VBS Preview Events are a chance for you and your team to get motivated and be encouraged. It’s a time to focus anew on WHY we do VBS. When we embrace the WHY of VBS, our individual and collective passion is stirred to take VBS beyond “what we’ve always done” and challenges us to reach more, teach more, and evangelize more!

Come discover what Concrete & Cranes is all about. Sign up for a VBS Preview today! Find out more here!

Melita Thomas serves as Lifeway’s VBS and Kids Ministry Specialist. For the past 14 years she has also been an editor of Lifeway’s VBS resources. Melita holds a masters degree in Childhood Ministry from Dallas Baptist University. A passionate advocate for kids ministry in the local church, Melita enjoys teaching kindergartners and preteens at Nashville First Baptist Church.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Vacation Bible School
May 22, 2017

VBS Checklist

By Melita Thomas

VBS is almost here! For many churches, VBS is only weeks away. By now most of “the big stuff” is done and checked off the list—things like purchasing curriculum, enlisting volunteers, training teachers, promoting within the community, and opening registration. But now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty details. These extra touches often are the difference between a smooth launch and a rocky start to VBS. To help with your last minute preparations, here’s a checklist organized by specific areas within your VBS. Don’t try to tackle all of these alone. Delegate responsibility for each area to a different person or team. After all, VBS is a team effort!

Registration Area

  • Blank registration forms for walk-up registrations
  • Tablets or computers for electronic registration (via KidEvent Pro) 
  • Printed class rosters with the class max highlighted
  • Pens and Sharpies®
  • Name tags and security tags (or whatever security method your church is using during VBS)
  • Media Release forms
  • Allergy and medical alert forms
  • Display board with each day’s snack listed for parents to see (as an allergy alert)

First-aid Station

  • Enlist a nurse from within your congregation to be on-call during VBS.
  • Basic first-aid supplies (such as adhesive bandages, cold compress, antiseptic wipes, hydrocortisone ointment packs, etc.)
  • Nonlatex gloves
  • Printed list of all allergies, medical and/or special needs of children attending VBS—including emergency contact numbers
  • Any medications supplied by parents (NOTE: Authorized medications should be administered according to your church’s policies—ideally by the parent or designated medical personnel.)

Bible Study and Rotation Rooms

  • All needed curriculum [A good rule of thumb is one leader guide per teacher, one leader pack per room, and one Starveyor Kit per child (Bible study only).]
  • All requested supplies
  • New Sharpies®—Sharpies on a lanyard or keychain make a great (and useful) teacher appreciation gift!
  • Name tags and security tags
  • Printed class roles
  • Daily schedule (including rotation locations) prominently displayed
  • Adhesive bandages
  • CD players
  • TV/DVD players for music and missions rotations
  • Disposable tablecloths for crafts and snack rotations

Resource Rooms

  • Fully stocked with basic supplies (such as construction paper, markers, crayons, tape, scissors, pencils, stapler, glue sticks, etc.)
  • Specialty items related to the theme (such as thematic puzzles and books for preschool rooms)
  • Communicate with volunteers the process for borrowing AND returning supplies during and after VBS.
  • Label shelves and cabinets to make it easy for volunteers to put things away after use.
  • Designate bins or buckets for volunteers to return supplies if they don’t know where things go.

What else is on your list? Comment below to share your ideas with others.

Melita Thomas serves as Lifeway’s VBS and Kids Ministry Specialist. For the past 14 years she has also been an editor of Lifeway’s VBS resources. Melita holds a masters degree in Childhood Ministry from Dallas Baptist University. A passionate advocate for kids ministry in the local church, Melita enjoys teaching kindergartners and preteens at Nashville First Baptist Church.

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