I am finishing up VBS this week. But I am not finished with VBS for the year. I'm just getting started.
I believe some of the most important, strategic steps you can take are AFTER VBS.
I'd go as far as saying the steps you take after VBS are just as important as the steps you take before VBS.
If you want to see fruit that remains and continues after VBS, then these steps are crucial.
Write thank you notes.
Write a handwritten, personal note to everyone who served on your team. There would not have been a VBS without them. If you have the budget for it, you can include a small gift like a Starbucks card.
Invite the volunteers who served for the first time to join your team on a full-time volunteer basis.
Make sure you help them have a good serving experience and then make the ask the week after VBS. I've had as high as 85% of them say yes to joining our team.
Clean up.
After VBS is a good time to clean and de-clutter your spaces.
Do you have any closets that are scary to go into? I do and the week after VBS I am going to do something about it.
Whether we realize it or not, our storage areas send a message. Your volunteers know if your space is clean and organized or a junk pile. Everything must walk the talk.
Take...rather make some time to organize and clean your storage areas.
The last time I was at Disney World, I snuck a peek and checked out their sound booth area at one of the attractions. It was spotless. No clutter...no mess...no dust...it was immaculate. Seeing that reminded me Disney is committed to excellence in every area...and it shows. We can learn much from this.
Debrief.
Be purposeful about gathering feedback. Ask your volunteers to answer these questions.
What went well?
What needs to be changed or adjusted?
What can we do to make VBS even better next year?
The feedback you gather will be valuable information that will help you improve the experience next year.
Follow up with guests.
Connect with guests that attended. Reach out to these families and invite them to return. This is a great opportunity to reach unchurched parents who brought their child to VBS.
Celebrate and share praise reports.
Many people invested in your VBS. Now is your opportunity to pay them. Pay them? Yes, pay them. The pay they want is to know who God used the time, talent, and treasure they invested.
Share with them how many kids indicated they want to enter a relationship with Jesus.
Share with them how many kids attended.
Share with them about families who were reached.
Share with them about the volunteers who invested in the kids.
You can take it to the next level by making a recap video to show them.
Have a salvation / baptism class the week after VBS.
In a recent article, I shared why I don't do large group salvation prayers at VBS.
Instead, I offer a salvation class called Starting Point. The class is for kids and parents to attend together. No drop offs. In this class, I thoroughly share the Gospel with kids and their parents. At the end of the class, many parents lead their children to Jesus. The cool thing is this...I usually always see some parents come to Christ as well. I host the class the Sunday and Wednesday after VBS.
You can get the Starting Point class at this link. It is used by hundreds of churches to lead children and parents to Jesus.
So...there you have it. 7 Key Steps to Take After VBS.
What are some other steps you take? Share with us in the comment section below.
