Whatever happened to Vacation Bible Schools?

Whatever happened to Vacation Bible Schools? May 27, 2015

It’s getting to be Vacation Bible School season.  In 1997, 81% of churches offered them.  In 2012, that number dropped to 68%, largely due, reportedly, to the difficulty of finding enough volunteers.  VBS still seems pretty popular, particularly since unchurched people often like to have a place to send their children during the day since school is out, so this is a way to reach both the children and their families.  Read an account, which includes videos of all of the different programs.From Anna Dembowski, RealClearReligion – Vacation Bible Schools in 2015 – Vacation Bible Schools in 2015:

As the school year wraps up, the days are quickly approaching when kids will sleep until Noon only to wake up and sit around the house complaining of boredom.

But those days don’t have to stay for long.

Churches will offer various Vacation Bible School programs this summer for kids to attend and help make this summer one for the books.

Although the Barna Group found that Baptist churches host most programs, this year’s 2015 curriculum includes a few options for Catholics.

The Barna Group also found that the percentage of U.S. churches offering programs has decreased since 1997. In 2012, 68 percent of U.S. churches offered VBS programs, down from 1997’s 81 percent.

One reason might be because thirty percent of those surveyed said there’s been a lack of volunteers.

But this year’s batch of programs might force some missing-in-action chaperones to reconsider.

The post goes on to give promotional videos from ten or so VBS programs, including that of Concordia Publishing House. I’ll show that one here:

 

"I agree that our focus should be on living exemplary lives ourselves instead of trying ..."

The Vocation Option
"The threat to religious liberty remains and has indeed expanded Wait a minute, what are ..."

The Vocation Option
"This is one of those times when I think we do not really disagree about ..."

The Church Is Both Shrinking and ..."
"1 Corinthians 12 lists many spiritual gifts associated with the one Body. Surely what you ..."

The Vocation Option

Browse Our Archives