January is when we begin planning the year for children’s and family ministry outreach. Last year, this planning felt so ordinary and perhaps even boring – until it wasn’t. As we enter 2021, how do we plan our spring and summer events? How do we cross the bridge of uncertainty to make sure family ministry continues to reach students and parents?

First, remember the church’s mission has not changed since the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Evangelism and discipleship remain our great mandate. Because Jesus has guaranteed the success of The Great Commission, you can trust in the sufficiency of God in your portion of this work. The Sovereign Lord has placed you in this position for such a time as this. God has already given you the right abilities, the right people, and the right resources. Be assured that this is the right time – the kairos time – all pre-ordained by God.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for calling me to serve you and help build your Church. By faith, I believe that since you called me, you also equip me to do the work. Infuse me with fresh encouragement, new ideas, and wisdom to spread your great message of salvation and hope to this generation of children in the contextual challenges of 2021.

Second, plan the best you can following current local and state conditions.

Winter restrictions are likely to be more constraining than next summer but prepare for the ‘worst-case scenario’. If you live in a state with few COVID-19 restrictions (that do not require masks and social distancing), include a “Plan B” accommodating for social distancing needs. When a vaccine is administered, and conditions improve, you can always return to more familiar ways of running VBS. Until then, plan and stay flexible.

Prayer:

Father God, your plans for us have never changed. You have plans for our well-being, plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Jesus, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). While my circumstances may change, you have promised that your Kingdom will grow no matter what difficulties or opponents might come. Help me to plan well. Please lead me, guide me, strengthen me, and give me courage.

Third, don’t wait.

Start now to assemble your team of leaders and other volunteers. Ask new people to help by speaking with them individually. It’s a perfect year to bring in new ideas and try something different. Procrastination never helps, so start early. Do whatever you can now, including choosing your VBS theme, determining your budget, and forming your team.

Prayer: 

Jesus, this virus was no surprise to you. You have unique and specific plans for our church, our families, and the kids you bring to us. You also want to bless many in our church community by allowing them to serve you by serving others. Bring more volunteers with cheerful hearts that they may have the joy of using their skills and talents for your glory. Help us bond together in a spirit of unity, work well together, and solve problems together.

Fourth, keep your “joy factor” high.

My grandfather had an old saying, “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” We ‘catch’ more volunteers to help, and we ‘catch’ more souls for Christ when we have joy, hope, and a positive outlook. Thankfully, joy and hope are not contingent on our circumstances. Remember that the same power that lifted Jesus from the grave lives in you (Romans 8:11). Further, Jesus promised that even the gates of hell would not prevail against the work of the church. You are destined to THRIVE, not merely survive because God is on your side!

Prayer:

Lord, help me to see the joy in small victories. Open my eyes to see the little things that are going well to see more clearly how you are working for good in this church, in our ministry, and in my life as a leader. The joy of the Lord is my strength! I choose joy – today, tomorrow, and every day. I ask for your grace to help me live Philippians 4:8 in very practical ways.

Fifth, communicate clearly with your pastor and with families.

Schedule your event dates and let people know in advance. If you need to limit the number of students in attendance, perhaps you can reserve more time on the church calendar to accommodate one week for each age group rather than all ages together. Also, let families know that plans are subject to change depending upon future circumstances.

Prayer:

Lord, you are the Good Shepherd. You feed your flock, carry the lambs in your arms, and hold them close to your heart (Isaiah 40:11). Please grant me the grace to care well for your sheep no matter their age or stage in life.

Sixth, learn from local educators.

Teachers and school administrators have learned so much about handling COVID-19 and state-required restrictions, particularly for children. Ask them to educate you. Talk to the principal of a local Christian school or connect with public school teachers whom you know.

Prayer:

Father God, I need wisdom. Your Word states in James 1:5 that if I lack wisdom, I should ask you for it, and you promise to give it to me in abundance. So, I am asking. Lead me to people who can help me, who can provide me with wisdom for the practical parts of holding successful summer ministry while keeping children and volunteers healthy and safe. I ask this in faith, knowing that you hear me and will answer me (1 John 5:15).

Seventh, stay connected with families and children all year.

Send postcards and birthday cards, make a phone call, bring a single flower to each household, deliver Lent and Easter activity packages at doorsteps. A simple text lets people know you are thinking about them and praying for them. You might be surprised at how much it means to people to hear from you. You may also have the joy of knowing that the Holy Spirit prompted you to connect with someone precisely when they needed encouragement.

Prayer:

Lord, your love never stops! You never sleep nor slumber, and your love never ends (Psalm 121). I pray for the families in our community to know you deeply care for them and are always with them. Lead me, Holy Spirit, to encourage the right person at just the right time so that they will feel your compassion at work through me.

Finally, the power of the gospel, our prayers for healing and miraculous divine help, our faithful service as ambassadors of light and love in this world can all bring change to our communities. At this moment in history, many are overwhelmed with worry, fear, and burdens. Hearts are yearning for security, safety, and significance. Jesus still has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He still sits on His throne, and His plans for the children and families in your church will come to pass at such a time as this. Those whom He calls, He also equips!

Be encouraged, friends.

Maryl Darko
Senior Product Editor
Christianbook.com

The post Family Ministry Planning Tips for Another Uncertain Year appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Guest post by Katie Mason, Children’s Pastor at Abundant Life Church in Maryland.

In September of 2019, the staff at Abundant Life Church in Glen Burnie, MD gathered together to plan the year 2020. Little did we know all those plans would evaporate faster than water on the hot summer concrete. Like most of you, ALC Kids has had to adapt, change, and rewrite plans last minute to try to minister to kids in a helpful way during the chaos of coronavirus and quarantine. And then of course, there was the looming question of VBS. Do we cancel VBS? Try to have it in person? Do we move it online?

At first, we began to plan for an all virtual VBS, but no one was in love with the idea. Screen fatigue was real, and our kids were less engaged with our video calls each week. As the cases in Maryland went down, we thought about trying to have a modified in-person VBS, but none of us felt comfortable with the risk factors involved with the kids, volunteers, and older members of the congregation. And then a foghorn sounded across the misty cloud of 2020; what if we did both? We’d have the large group portion online in the morning. Then kids could meet in their small groups of ten or fewer outside at different times during the day. And so the hybrid of a virtual and in-person VBS was born.

By moving our large group worship services for preschool and elementary online, we are able to limit the amount of exposure our kids would have to others and limit their ability to spread Covid-19 to others should they unknowingly be carriers. Our kids are used to online worship services as we moved all of our ALC Kids worship services online in March to help limit the spread of the virus. Thanks to the digital age, we were able to worship and learn about the Bible together safely from a distance. Still, we knew our kids were desperate for some safe in-person interaction.

We knew that if we could manage to do at least part of our VBS in-person, we’d have greater interest from our kids as well as the kids in our area who didn’t have a church home. Yet, we knew that whatever we did had to be safe for everyone, which is why our small groups will be meeting outside in groups of ten or fewer in a tiered system that allows no more than two small groups on church grounds at a time. Additionally, we are offering an online small group option for children who are high-risk or live with people who are high-risk. Kids who choose this option will be able to pick up a box of supplies for their crafts and games. We want everyone to feel included.

According to the CDC, the main way the virus spreads is through prolonged person to person contact. By limiting the amount of people on church property at a given time, we vastly limit the ability for the virus to spread, but we are also able to provide kids a time to enjoy being with one another and their small group leaders. There is no way to eliminate all the risk, but we are doing our best to be wise and give kids hope and joy during this difficult time.

Throughout the entire planning process, my team and I have asked one question: How do we give kids hope this summer? It has often been a difficult question to answer, but it is one that we come back to time and time again. We believe that VBS provides a time of fun, joy, and learning that kids can take with them as they grow and learn. This year, our goal is to remind our kids that God is still good, and there is still hope and joy to be found, even in 2020.

Guest post by Katie Mason, Children’s Pastor at Abundant Life Church in Maryland.

Follow at @alclivemd on Instagram

The post Creative Solutions for VBS 2020 appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

A guest post by Larry McCall author of ‘Grandparenting with Grace’

“I miss you, too.” How many of us grandparents have found ourselves saying that way too often during this coronavirus pandemic? The hugs and kisses and snuggles are beginning to feel like distant memories. Will things ever return to the way they used to be? How can we grandparents be intentionally involved in the lives of our grandkids during this season of social distancing and sheltering in place? Let’s ask God to help us to…

Be intentional!

How might you use available technology for video chats? What a blessing it is to live in this era when most of us have the possibility to connect with our family members through live video calls for free! With an internet connection on both ends, we can call family members one mile or 1,000 miles away or even 10,000 miles away having immediate voice and visual conversations. If social distancing is keeping you from being with your grandchildren physically, you can be intentional in using this means of being in virtual proximity.

Talk to your kids, getting their permission and input on the best times to make video calls to your grandchildren. Maybe you would want to schedule a regular time each week—or even more frequently—to connect with your grandchildren this way. Especially if your grandchildren are younger, keep in mind the importance of discussing with their parents when the best time to call might be to avoid nap and meal times.

Be intentional with your calls. What questions do you want to ask your grandkids? Is there a special project they’ve been working on that you could ask to see? What Scriptural truths do you want to share with them? Would you like to read them a story during your video chat? Work on a Bible memory verse together? Pray for them? There are so many possibilities to strengthen your ties to your grandchildren through technology even if you can’t be together physically at this time.

Be prayerful!

How might you connect with your grandchildren spiritually during this pandemic with all its restrictions? Even if you are separated from your grandkids for months on end, you can still engage with them spiritually. For example, if your grandchild is old enough to read, why not work out a plan in which you and your grandchild are on the same daily Bible reading plan? You might even consider getting two copies of a devotional Bible so you can give one as a gift and keep one for yourself. You can discuss with your grandchild what your plan will be for reading the same daily passages, then interact through emails, texts, or video calls about what you’ve been learning together from God’s Word.

Maybe you could have a regular time each week in which you ask your grandchild for specific prayer requests and share yours with them. Then, having prayed together for those concerns, check later with your grandchild on how the Lord is answering them. It takes intentionality, but these shared spiritual endeavors can have a deep bonding effect on the grandparent-grandchild relationship, even if you are physically separated for a time.

Be generous!

Why not send mail and packages? Remember letters? I mean real, handwritten letters that come in the mail? Children love getting mail with their own names on the envelopes. When you write, make it thoughtfully personal, maybe pointing out how you see God’s grace in your grandchild’s life or writing out a blessing.

Then, there’s packages! What child doesn’t love getting a package in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma? If you do send a package, how about asking your kids to let you know when the package has arrived and is about to be opened? Maybe you can connect via a video call to be there virtually when your grandchild opens up your package. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Be respectful!

Are you able to plan some outdoor visits? Though the restrictions that have come because of the Coronavirus pandemic may vary from country to country or state to state and change with the passing of time, outdoor visits are still possible in most locales. Do you have some grandchildren who live close enough to arrange an outdoor visit? Maybe you can invite your kids and grandkids to come to your backyard or you can travel to theirs. Could it be possible to meet somewhere for a hike or bike ride with your family?

If getting together during this era a social distancing sounds like it might work out, talk ahead of time with your kids about their comfort level. If your kids request no physical contact with the grandchildren when you are together, respectfully honor that. You can always smile and say to your grandkids, “Virtual hugs!” while you do an air embrace and blow kisses. As challenging as this may be for some of us, let us remember that this, too, shall pass in the Lord’s time.

Be fruitful!

When we do have contact with our grandchildren during this less-than-desirable season of social distancing, what attitudes should we be modeling for the coming generations? How does the gospel shape our words and demeanors? Galatians 5:22–23 reminds us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Let’s consider a few of those to prompt our hearts:

• Love: Love moves us to seek the welfare of another person, even if it means sacrificing our own preferences. It’s sad to see how polarizing responses to the imposed restrictions have been. Even sadder are grandparents who insist on their own way—either being on the overly strict side or on the overly open side of the spectrum even if that stubbornness jeopardizes opportunities to impact the grandchildren for the glory of God and their good.
• Joy: It’s true. This world we live in is broken due to sin and its affects. But, our Lord loves us. We need no further proof of his love than the cross and the empty tomb. Life around us changes, but the eternal truth of his love does not. Doesn’t that bring a sweet joy in our lives?
• Peace: Isn’t one of the most important lessons we can learn, “He is God and I am not”? When we’re interacting with our grandkids, whether in the backyard or via a video call or a text message, let’s demonstrate our confidence in our Royal Father. He loves us. He is sovereign. We can rest in him.

And, in the Lord’s wise timing, one day we’ll be able to add to “I miss you, too” the hope-filled phrase, “See you soon!” Let’s pray for that day!

A guest post by Larry McCall author of ‘Grandparenting with Grace’

The post Grandparenting During the Coronavirus appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Thankfully, in recent weeks we have passed the initial shock and adjustments to the Covid-19 pandemic. We now have more ability to move forward to normal. Depending on where you live, restrictions on summer activities will look and feel different. As we move forward together, be encouraged!

VBS may look different but it does not have to be destroyed. VBS may be delayed but gospel presentations will not be denied. Now, more than ever children and families need the hope of the gospel. This could be the best summer ever!

Here are 10 tips to help you navigate VBS Planning this year…

1. Plan for a Late Summer VBS

This gives you time to figure things out. Our normal VBS planning schedule was interrupted this spring, but now we can get back on track. For now, it’s good to set the date and ask volunteers to put the date on their calendars.

2. Pull Together Your Team Leaders

You have a great group of people you’ve worked with in previous years. Invite them back on a conference call and seek their suggestions about who else can help this year.

3. Pursue New People to Help

With more adults, college students, and teens not able to work this summer there might be an abundance of extra volunteers available who will welcome the opportunity to use their time in meaningful ways.

4. Position Your VBS for Online and At-Home

VBS publishers have made adaptations and given practical instructions for how you can do this. It is possible and easier than you think! Find out here: Planning for VBS During Covid-19

5. Pick Young People to Help

If you need help figuring out how to be successful over social media and digital events, invite a responsible college student or young adult to help. Ask their advice, input, and ideas and trust them to help the church connect with families and children through VBS.

6. Partner with Other Churches

Smaller-size churches may benefit by combining in the Spirit of unity for the purpose of the mission. Use the ‘multiplier’ effect of partnership to stretch budgets, engage more volunteers, and brainstorm creative ideas.

7. Preserve the Mission

Our mission remains the same while the method of delivery might change. We are on a mission to love children, point them to Jesus, and help them grow to be life-long disciples of Christ. Keep the relational aspect of VBS in the front of your planning.

8. Purpose to Have Fun

VBS can be summarized in three words: faith, fun and friends (family of believers). Build in some fun surprises in your video presentations just like you would do in a regular large group VBS assembly. Connect kids with their favorite group leaders and friends in video conferences.

9. Photograph the Moment

We are living in a historical moment! Take lots of pictures and document this season so that generations to come can remember all God did

10. Pray, Believe God, & Persist with Eternity in Mind

Remember that God is still working in our different circumstances and His Word will not return void. Our current circumstances are no surprise to God. They are not a setback, but rather present new opportunities last year did not offer us. More people are attending church online and this means more families may attend VBS online. Persist forward with joy and with eternity in mind.

God’s strength, wisdom, peace and creativity be with you,

Maryl
Former VBS Director
Senior Editor, Christianbook.com

The post 10 Easy “P”s of Planning VBS 2020 appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Interested in reading more? This book is currently available as a free download on our website – just click here to redeem. 

Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 1 to give you a taster…

This book is my invitation for you to join me on the solid Rock, Jesus Christ. What that means will, I hope, become clear. My aim is to show why God in Christ is the Rock at this moment in history—in this pandemic of the coronavirus—and what it is like to stand on his mighty love.

It matters little what I think about the coronavirus—or about anything else, for that matter. But it matters forever what God thinks. He is not silent about what he thinks. Scarcely a page in the Bible is irrelevant for this crisis. SOLID AND SWEET My voice is grass. God’s voice is granite. “The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Pet. 1:24–25). Jesus said that God’s words in Scripture “cannot be broken” (John 10:35). What God says is “true, and righteous altogether” (Ps. 19:9). His word is, The God Who Reigns over the Coronavirus therefore, a firm foundation for life. “You have founded [your testimonies] forever” (Ps. 119:152). Listening to God, and believing him, is like building your house on a rock, not on sand (Matt. 7:24). His word is the kind of counsel you want to heed. “He is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom” (Isa. 28:29). “His understanding is beyond measure” (Ps. 147:5). When he gives counsel about the coronavirus, it is firm, unshakable, lasting. “The counsel of the Lord stands forever” (Ps. 33:11). “His way is perfect” (2 Sam. 22:31). Therefore, his words are sweet and precious. “More to be desired are they than gold: . . . sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Ps. 19:10). Indeed, they are the sweetness of everlasting life: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Therefore, in the best and worst of times, God’s words bring unshakable peace and joy. Surely it must be so. My prayer is that all who read this book would share the experience of the prophet Jeremiah: “Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart” (Jer. 15:16). And mark this: the sweetness of God’s word is not lost in this historic moment of bitter providence—not if we A Solid Foundation have learned the secret of “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Cor. 6:10). We will see more fully later what this secret is.

But here it is now in a single sentence. The secret of “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” is this: knowing that the same sovereignty that could stop the coronavirus, yet doesn’t, is the very sovereignty that sustains the soul in it. Indeed, more than sustains—sweetens. Sweetens with hope that God’s purposes are kind, even in death—for those who trust him….

This is a firm Rock under my feet. It is not fragile. It is not sand. I would like it to be a Rock under your feet. That is why I am writing. – John Piper

The post Free Resources // ‘Coronavirus and Christ’ by John Piper appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 10 prayers you can pray during this pandemic. We hope you find this helpful.

We’ve also created Prayer Cards for those of you who want to print these prayers out and keep them at home. There are even some blank prayer cards for you to jot down your own. Click here to download. 

Stay safe!
From your friends at Christianbook

1. Pray for the Sick & Grieving

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. – Isaiah 53:5 [NIV]

2. Pray for Essential Workers

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23 [ESV]

3. Pray for Caregivers & Frontline Medical Personnel

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 [KJV]

4. Pray for Small Businesses

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. – John 14:27 [NKJV]

5. Pray for Leaders

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, – Psalm 46:1-2 [ESV]

6. Pray for Churches

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, – Colossians 1:9 [CSB]

7. Pray for the Virus to be Stopped

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? – 1 Corinthians 15:55 [KJV]

8. Pray for the Financial Needs of Families

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19 [NIV]

9. Pray for the Emotional Need of those Impacted

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. – Psalm 57:1 [NKJV]

10. Pray for People to Come to Know Jesus

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. – John 3:16 [KJV]

Click here to download the COVID-19 Prayer Cards

The post 10 Prayers for COVID-19 appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Guest post by Rob Flood author of
‘With These Words: Five Communication Tools for Marriage and Life’

This is such a unique time in which we are living. No one could have foreseen this global COVID-19 pandemic, nor the ripple effect on economies and the daily life of people across the globe. The spread of the coronavirus and all of the related shutdowns have brought us to a stark dichotomy. While we are separating from the rest of the world through social distancing, we are spending constant time with our immediate families. In real time, many are experiencing the opposing truths of two well-known cultural proverbs, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” and “Familiarity breeds contempt.”

But for the Christian marriage, for the marriage that seeks to bring God great honor and reflect Christ’s relationship with the church, we have the opportunity to throw those cultural proverbs into a blender. Christian marriages can create a new proverb: “Familiarity makes the heart grow fonder.”

As God ordained our marriages, he created one flesh out of two people. And, in times like this, we have the golden opportunity to live daily as one flesh in increased ways. This begs a very important question—what can we do to build into our marriages during this time of social distancing and isolation?

Here are four ways you can build your marriage during social distancing.

Create Memories

A lack of time together often keeps us from making great memories. Work schedules, long commutes, soccer practice, dance lessons, and social obligations often limit our time with our spouses. For many of us, this pandemic has drastically changed our schedules and has opened up an unlimited amount of togetherness. Take advantage of that opportunity by packing a picnic lunch and throwing a blanket on your lawn. Make your own movie theater popcorn and watch a new movie. Share your favorite memes with one another and enjoy the gift of laughter. Take a virtual tour of a museum together.

Catch Up on Conversations

If your marriage is anything like mine, there are important topics that can get bumped down the to-do list. This is a perfect time to catch up. Create a list of all of the things you need to discuss, both important and mundane, heavy and light, as well as personal and family-related business. Then pick a time of the day or a day of the week and gradually work through the list. If you don’t complete a conversation, that’s okay. You have tomorrow or next week to continue. You’ll be amazed at the growth God creates in your marriage when you discuss the things you’ve put off for weeks, months, or years. As both husband and wife earnestly desire to please God in these conversations, you’ll find more than sufficient grace from above to be make these times constructive.

For this idea in particular, you’ll find helpful tips in my book, With These Words: Five Communication Tools for Marriage and Life. It will provide help and guidance as you catch up on conversations.

Learn Together

Find some common areas of interest and learn something new. Read a book together on the topic or watch a related YouTube video or listen to a podcast. Also consider areas of your walk with Christ where you can learn together. Maybe you’ve heard your pastor share a number of quotes from an author you found helpful. This is a great time to get one of his or her books and read it. Perhaps you want to grow as a couple in a specific spiritual discipline, or joy, or contentment, or evangelism. Get recommendations for a resource from your pastor or a trusted friend and get busy learning side-by-side.

Develop Routine

Most of us are finding our daily routines entirely disrupted. Employees are working from home. Homemakers now have a spouse in the house all of the time. The kids are not going out of the home for school and they’re always underfoot. This can all result in a lack of order that can quickly generate anxiety and conflict. To combat this tendency, create a routine. Create a daily or weekly schedule for your new reality. Set aside specific time for your kids and specific time for your spouse. Keep a normal wake time and normal bedtime. Each of these practical rhythms can serve to establish a sense of normalcy and healthy relational habits.

Think Creatively

Some of these ideas will be more useful to you than others, depending on your individual situation. Use these suggestions to spur on your own creative thinking. We know that God desires us to cherish our spouse in all seasons and to grow together in Christlikeness. Hidden within this global pandemic are boundless occasions to do just that. Don’t miss them. Seize the opportunities of this unique season and come out of this crisis stronger and healthier as a married couple.

– Guest post by Rob Flood author of
‘With These Words: Five Communication Tools for Marriage and Life’

The post 4 Ways to Build Your Marriage During Social Distancing appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

Dear VBS Director in Uncertain Times,

As the old hymn reminds us, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. “ We hold fast to Christ and we strive to be ambassadors of Jesus in the midst of uncertainty and rapid change. As a VBS Director, you know that VBS is the perfect vehicle to do this. Not only does VBS unite people of all ages, it is one of the most exciting ways to share Christ with children and families. This summer people will have a great desire to gather and reconnect with friends, giving the church a wide open door to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. This could truly be the best year ever to invite kids, teens, and adults to volunteer and participate in VBS. However, VBS planning may look different this year and you may be wondering how you can adapt to the current situation.

Here are some helpful suggestions.

What do you already know?

• VBS fulfills the Great Commission by sharing the Gospel.
• VBS is an important outreach opportunity to your community.
• Parents search for healthy activities for their children during the summer time.
• People of all ages will be excited to gather again whenever that time comes.

What schedule adjustments can you make?

• Possibly postpone the decision to have VBS. Communicate online when a decision will be announced.
• Publicize registration if your VBS is currently scheduled for late June, July or August.
• Reschedule VBS from early summer to late summer and advertise it as a “Back to School Bash”.
• Schedule VBS during Labor Day Weekend and call it “September Surprise” or “Summer Do-Over”.
• Plan for an evening VBS that can still happen after school begins.
• Make VBS a Fall Family Festival during Columbus Day weekend.

What are some alternative ideas?

• Use VBS materials for a series of “Parents Night Out” on Fridays for a month after churches reopen.
• Use VBS materials for a series of Sunday afternoon events after churches reopen.
• Conduct VBS online.
  • Ask high school or college students to help you maximize digital and social media options.
  • Try VBS “take-out”. Create family packages with student activity books, craft supplies and give-aways for parking lot pick-ups or home drop-offs.
  • Run large group sessions using video conferencing or other live streaming platforms.
  • Run small groups using video conferencing, or provide instructions for parents to teach the Bible lesson at home.
  • Check back with us for updates, as many publishers are considering digital-friendly options that we can make available to you.

What are some budget-friendly options?

• Use your VBS Director’s Guide to adjust a 5 day VBS to 3 days.
• Purchase a Two-Day Weekend VBS, or another economical VBS .
• Create an online shopping registry and ask for donations.
• Ask families to save items for you as they do spring cleaning.
• Ask creative friends and family to begin working on decorations right now. Encourage kids at home to help!
• Plan a craft that utilizes empty toilet paper rolls and ask families to save them. J
• Revise your budget with our Budget Worksheets.

At Christianbook, we are more committed than ever to provide the resources you need to keep moving forward. We’re here to help you succeed in being the church – with or without a building. We’d love to hear your suggestions too. Please share your ideas on our Facebook Kid Min page, here.

Finally, if you need a little encouragement about the impact of VBS on lives may I suggest the book It’s Worth It: Uncovering How One week Can Transform Your Church. This is a Kairos time in history. Together, we can make a difference for the Kingdom of God.

Blessings,

Maryl

VBS Editor at Christianbook

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As our days of physical distancing continue, for who knows how long, I’ve experienced a restlessness in my spirit. While talking to Jesus, I’ve been asking the question: ‘what is this pandemic exposing in me that I need to address?’ I started a list and it’s growing.

Yesterday, author Alicia Chole, shared these thoughts on her social media accounts and her words resonated so deeply in my heart. I’m sharing them with you because, well, maybe they’ll cause you to pause and reflect like they have me.

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Today, a dear friend asked me what I was sensing in this crisis. God did not cause this but He will not waste it. My heart is filled with anticipation of a healthier Church emerging from these troubled days. Though I cannot speak of the global Church, here is what I hope for in the Western Church.

I HOPE THAT THIS CRISIS WILL…

awaken our hearts to the sacred.

loosen our attachment to the shiny.

jolt us into new respect for freedom.

transition our faith in faith to faith in God.

inspire gratitude in us for the simple and small.

remind us that Jesus is our Source, not our servant.

expose any wealthy worries as the thorny fruit of privilege.

unmask entertainment that has been masquerading as discipleship.

redefine “contentment” with more sustainable (and attainable) ingredients.

burn off unhealthy fat that has collected around (and weighed down) our faith.

empower us to never again mistake abundance for obedience or emotion for devotion.

shock us with our spiritual shallowness and drive us anew to the depth of God’s Word.

reveal anything that–though it may “sell” well in Western Christianity–isn’t strong enough to stand on.

wean us from the noise inherent to prosperity and give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.”

Take heart, friends. While our daily lives feel limited during this pandemic, there’s nothing that can limit the deep, purifying and strengthening work of God in our hearts. Lean into Him.

– An award-winning writer, Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s messages address both head and heart and are often described as grace-filled surgeries. Alicia is a speaker, author, and leadership mentor who enjoys thunderstorms, jalapenos, and honest questions.

You can find her books, Anonymous, The Sacred Slow, and 40 Days of Decrease here.

The post What Are You Sensing in This Crisis? by Alicia Britt Chole appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

How do you parent during a pandemic? You work hard to protect the peace of your home!

For children, how they feel at home has a big impact on their emotional health. Children need at least one, nonjudgmental space in their life where they can share and be heard. Parents, grandparents, caregivers – we get to be this space for the kids in our life.

Most children will be unable to grasp the fullness of COVID19: the impact it may have on health care systems, the stock market, small businesses, or church giving – I mean, goodness, at this point we adults are struggling to grasp and understand our new reality. What children can grasp today (and most days) is: do I feel safe? Do I feel loved? Do I feel secure? We can help kids answer these questions with a resounding yes and here are some tips on how to do it:

Tip #1 Listen to your kids talk

Make eye contact with them – listen not just to hear their words, but to understand what they are saying. Listen to what they are trying to say but maybe don’t have the words yet to fully communicate. Then talk.

Tip #2 Let them feel

Give kids space to express how they truly feel. Validate that their feelings are real. Their feelings may not be true but they are nonetheless very real. Help them work through their feelings and as you do that, remind your children that ‘with God all things are possible’.

Tip #3 Don’t shame or judge your children

Remember we want to create safe places for our children. We want to protect the peace of their hearts. Our relationship as caregivers with our children has a direct impact on their relationship with God, the Father. Ask yourself as the parent, ‘if I was bringing this concern to God, how would he react?’ Throughout Scripture we see the character of God displayed by his loving kindness, his gentleness, his patience, his Father’s heart – his heart is never to shame or belittle. Take that same approach as you parent.

Tip #4 Share from your heart

We don’t want to burden our kids with our grown up issues or transfer our insecurities on to them. But it is important for them to see and hear how you process life and its ups and downs. Share your experiences with an emphasis on how God has helped you.

As you parent during this pandemic – protect the peace of your home. Limit what kids hear from the media. Be mindful of their hearts as you talk about what is happening in the world. Talk about the pandemic with God’s nearness in mind. Read the Bible together.

To help you out a little, my ten-year-old daughter and myself created this printable to help you study Psalm 91 with your children. Click here to download! 

And remember, we are in this together- and together we will rise as stronger, more compassionate people.

How do you keep your home environment peaceful? Share your thoughts and suggestions with us.

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