The Formula 1 season ends in December each year, and the teams enjoy a long(ish) winter break before things ramp back up in February. That break in the action is often referred to as “silly season,” because that’s when shake ups at teams often happen—team principles (think football coaches or baseball managers) getting fired, drivers renegotiating contracts or shifting to new teams, etc. Silly season seemed like a bit of a misnomer this winter, as things have been pretty quiet on the news front.
Then news broke yesterday that Lewis Hamilton, perhaps the most decorated driver of all time, will be leaving his current team (Mercedes) to join Ferrari in the 2025 season. It’s a shocking development that’ll see one of the sports most popular and polarizing figures leave the team he’s won six (SIX!) titles with. But you’re not here for F1 news, so why are we talking about this? I’m glad you asked.
Kids ministry has its own silly season every year. It starts in the winter, and culminates in the craziest week of ministry a kids leader faces each year. That’s right - we’re talking about VBS! You may not be swinging multi-million dollar contracts, but you’re re-working budgets, tracking down leaders, pouring over curriculum, and trying to decide if you can fit an actual sailboat on your sanctuary stage. Silly season indeed.
My first week on the job as a kids director was our newly planted church’s VBS week. Obviously there was a whole team of folks who had been hard at work planning before I stepped in, but it was definitely a baptism by fire. I’d never stepped foot in a kids classroom, and now I was dressed like a pirate and perfecting my “Arrrrrgh!” as I passed kids in the hallway. It was a beautiful week, and a great start to my time serving in kids ministry.
One of the keys to a successful VBS, is to begin working on it looooooong before it kicks off in the summer. So consider this VBS-themed newsletter your reminder to get the ball rolling. Each article you’ll find below is worth your time as you’re thinking about your big week. Whether it’s your first rodeo, or you’ve been on the VBS journey for decades, there’s something here for you to glean or put into practice. So turn on a heater so it feels like summertime, and start dreaming about what the Lord might do in the lives of your kids, parents, and volunteers through this year’s VBS.
Winning VBS (Kids Min)
“Part of the reason I was scared to jump into VBS was that I assumed I had to do it all. Of course, this isn’t true.” My pal (and first time writer!), Abigail Westbrook, wrote about her first experience with VBS on our blog this week. She does a great job sharing her own fear and doubts as she started her VBS journey. There are lots of moving parts that have to come together to pull off a wild and wonderful week of ministry to kids and families. Abigail gives you four ways to “win” your VBS week. Read it, soak up the wisdom she provides, and set off on your own VBS planning adventure!
Accessible VBS (Kids Min)
“We want families to feel welcome in our churches, so we take steps to make their kids with special needs comfortable at VBS. Then they can hear, understand, and respond to the gospel.” Does Sandra Peoples sponsor this newsletter? No, she does not. But she does write great content to get kids ministry pastors and leaders thinking about how to make children with special needs, learning disabilities, or behavioral diagnoses feel welcomed in our churches. In keeping with our VBS themed newsletter this week, here’s Sandra giving you a quick rundown of a few quick things to include in your organization and planning that can go a long way to accommodating these families during your big week.
VBS Recruiting (Kids Min)
“Without the people that God provides to do His work, we don’t get to see what all He has planned. And watching servants grow in both their placement roles at our church and in their relationships with the Lord makes it all worth it.” It doesn’t matter how sharp your curriculum is, or how beautiful your stage decor is. If no one is there to lead and serve your kids, VBS ain’t happening. Erika Solidum walks us through why servants matter, and some strategies they’ve employed at her church to get the gifted people they need plugged into their VBS team. Check it out and be encouraged as you’re building your team for this year’s big week!
VBS Fails (Kids Min)
Shout out to my guy Zach Cochran for sending this beauty my way. If you’re planning anything like this for your VBS, go ahead and ax it IMMEDIATELY. 😂😂😂 I don’t care what the worship guy says, you’ve gotta shut it down. Enjoy the weekend (and the VBS planning) friends!
While we're on the topic of VBS... If by chance you're church is still looking for curriculum, check out these two curriculum sets from New Growth Press and GCF. https://gospelcenteredfamily.com/vbs-curriculum
I came for the VBS help and walked away with enough F1 knowledge to sound smart in a conversation with my 18 yo. Thank you!