By: Patricia Meyers, founder of www.ChildrensChurchStuff.com 

 

Are you in the middle of VBS? Recovering from VBS? Putting the final touches on preparations for VBS? Regardless of which stage of VBS you are in, plans for a follow-up event cannot be delayed.

 

That might sound utterly exhausting to you right now, and perhaps, it is the very last thing you want think about. But, now is the best and decidedly single most important moment to strike. You have in your hand (or in your computer or on your desk) a list of names of children and families that just enjoyed being at an event hosted by your church. Some, hopefully, were first-time visitors. All are in need of spiritual development. All have friends and contacts who might not have not been to your church before, and maybe they have friends that haven’t heard the Gospel before. Now is the time to get them excited about another event. They are 85% more likely to come to a second event in the near future than one that is a season or two away.

 

Children are always ready to discuss the next thing on the calendar. And while it is tiring for the adults, it is necessary for the kids. Have you heard the phrase “What are we going to do after this?” They are ready! Give them a reason to come back to church.

 

You don’t have to do all the planning right this moment, you just have to put a date on the calendar and get some simple publicity ready to go. The final plans can be done in a few weeks. Getting an announcement out is all that really has to be done immediately.

 

“What should I do?” might be the next question on your mind. There many ideas, and certainly there is no wrong idea (except doing nothing). I think it is a good idea to include spiritual impact in your follow-up event. While offering a simple game night without a purpose might be tempting, go the extra mile and include a fun object lesson or mini-message as well.

 

There are plenty of ideas ready to make this task a breeze:

• www.ChildrensChurchStuff.com  has a line of products called “Extreme Party Plans.” They are delightful, create lasting memories, and are extremely cost effective. You won’t believe how easy you’ll pull one together. They are even easy on your volunteer team. Each one takes one theme, like Popcorn or Flip Flops, and centers an entire party on that theme. The kids will have a blast. Plus the Bible message is powerful and full of impact.
• Many of the publishers are now offering follow-up events that relate to their VBS theme. Check with your publisher to see if they have something. If not, encourage them to develop one for next year’s theme!
• Take advantage of the myriad of object lesson books available at every single curriculum publishing house. For example, choose 3-4 object lessons that have something to do with nature and plan a “Back to Nature” event before summer ends. Take a simple hike, have a picnic, play field games, and sprinkle the object lessons throughout your time with them.
• Back to School is a perfect time for a fun event. Have the kids each bring a “cool” school supply and use these items as prizes during the event. Put them in a container and simply draw one (or more) for each game or contest you hold. There are a host of messages perfect for back-to-school, but you could just stick with the “supply” theme and use the passage that reminds us that “God will supply all our needs.” This is a good time to provide pencils with the name of your children’s ministry on them or even a simple “Jesus Loves You” pencil is a great reminder for any of us while we are hard at work.
• Fall Festival packages are available from most of the publishers as well. While a Fall Festival is a little distance away, if you advertise it well and keep the excitement level high, you could be extremely successful in bringing your visitors back.  

Whatever you plan, be sure to send a postcard soon so the families that just visited your VBS have something tangible to remind them. Then publicize with announcements and flyers, and as with VBS, make publicity fun and memorable!

 

Keep those visitors - and regulars - coming back to church!!! 

 

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