Picking a VBS
One of the daunting tasks of putting on a VBS, is which program to do. If you put it out that your looking to do a VBS a veritable flood of flyers and advertisements and the like will flood your mailbox and your inbox. One thing I did this year to help me with this decision was to attend a VBS fair at my local Christian Bookstore. At the fair they allowed me to look into all the starter kits and get a better idea of what the program really looks like. This is an advantage because, if you don't already know, a VBS starter kit can run up to $150 dollars, which can be quite expensive if you want to do this on your own.
When picking the VBS, I look for several things. (1) Is this the program I feel God is leading me to do in my ministry? (2) Does the message line up with my beliefs and the goals of the ministry? (3) How does the structure lend itself to what I have done in the past? Will it be easy to get my volunteers to buy into and understand the new curriculum? (4) Does it look like it would be fun for kids and adults alike? (5) Can I afford to put this VBS?
The VBS I chose was Group's VBS, High Seas Expedition. I have done Group's VBS for many years now, and I love their product. Not to mention their VBS outsold every other VBS product out there last year. Honorable mention goes to the Heroes VBS by Standard Publishing. I liked their program, but I went with the program I knew.
Whichever VBS you choose, I pray that you will be successful in your endeavor. The rest of my this blog will follow planning the High Seas Expedition VBS.
**Note:** I think it is important to caution someone planning to do a VBS from the previous year. While the starter kit may be less expensive, getting the materials for the VBS could be near impossible. Only choose this option if you know someone who has kept their materials, are willing to loan it, and you have a team of very creative volunteers. I know of a church that tried to do this, but they were only successful because of the three things I listed previously. I spoke with them after their event, and they regretted not doing the current VBS.
Some programs do offer their VBS year after year. Obviously the note above does not apply to these programs.
When picking the VBS, I look for several things. (1) Is this the program I feel God is leading me to do in my ministry? (2) Does the message line up with my beliefs and the goals of the ministry? (3) How does the structure lend itself to what I have done in the past? Will it be easy to get my volunteers to buy into and understand the new curriculum? (4) Does it look like it would be fun for kids and adults alike? (5) Can I afford to put this VBS?
The VBS I chose was Group's VBS, High Seas Expedition. I have done Group's VBS for many years now, and I love their product. Not to mention their VBS outsold every other VBS product out there last year. Honorable mention goes to the Heroes VBS by Standard Publishing. I liked their program, but I went with the program I knew.
Whichever VBS you choose, I pray that you will be successful in your endeavor. The rest of my this blog will follow planning the High Seas Expedition VBS.
**Note:** I think it is important to caution someone planning to do a VBS from the previous year. While the starter kit may be less expensive, getting the materials for the VBS could be near impossible. Only choose this option if you know someone who has kept their materials, are willing to loan it, and you have a team of very creative volunteers. I know of a church that tried to do this, but they were only successful because of the three things I listed previously. I spoke with them after their event, and they regretted not doing the current VBS.
Some programs do offer their VBS year after year. Obviously the note above does not apply to these programs.
