The Craziest (and Perhaps the Best) Thing I Did as a Pastor, Part 2

I expect you might agree that what I've just described was the craziest thing I ever did as Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church. But you might be wondering why I suggest that it might also be the best thing I did as pastor. Let me briefly explain what I'm thinking.

I mentioned that the adults in the church loved VBS Sunday worship. They were equally enthusiastic about my in-character "sermons." Their positive response reflected their appreciation for my involvement in our church's children's ministry. Through my silly sermons and skits, I was saying, "Evangelism and discipleship of children really matter." Moreover, the adults in the church seemed to appreciate seeing their pastor in a playful mode. It gave them permission to be more childlike in their own faith and life.

But by far the most significant result of my VBS "preaching" was my relationship with the children in the congregation. Because I was so involved in their world, they felt personally connected to me. They sensed, I think, that I was working hard to be with them, to communicate in their language, and to have fun with them. My crazy participation in VBS helped the children of the church to feel as if I was their pastor too. After I started doing my VBS characters, all of a sudden the kids in the church would approach me on the patio, saying things like, "Hi, Pastor Mark. I know who you are. You're a pirate! Arrr!" Moreover, as a pirate or a surfer or a hillbilly, I was able to teach the children of the church some of the most significant truths of the faith.

So, was VBS role-playing the best thing I did as a parish pastor? In the final analysis, I would say that my faithful teaching of God's Word, week in and week out, was the most valuable activity of my sixteen-year pastorate at Irvine Presbyterian. But that's exactly what I was doing—albeit in an unusual form—through my VBS characters. Moreover, I was able to bring joy into our congregational life and worship while affirming children and building deep relationships with them.

It might have been crazy, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.