A few things- How do you invite other PCA children's directors for blogging or are we limited to who the administrator invites?
Also, after having one VBS under my belt, I have a slew of questions for anyone that would like to share what works and doesn't work on the administration side in their church and why. But for starters I will just limit myself to one topic: One of those, prodded by our senior pastor, is-does anyone have any room decor pictures while using the GCP curriculum? Who in the PCA does GCP Vacation Bible School well?
Does anyone use specific VBS staff just for researching and decoration ideas?
How can you make put up and take down less overwhelming?
How are your teenagers incorporated in decorating?
Do you have any deaconal restrictions on what to decorate with-for example-we are limited to hanging only with sticky tack?
Thank you for any input!
1 comment:
Carrie,
I'm a former children's ministry director is 2 PCA churches (now a SAHM and part-time 6th grade coordinator) so I'll share what I've done in the past.
1. Sorry, not much help here. though I've done all 3 GCP programs, none recently. VBS Reachout adventures here for the last 5 or 6 years.
2. I have always had a director just for decorations - sometimes two friends who want to work together. Start them EARLY - like February - thinking about ideas, materials and checking out other churches' ideas.
3. In one way, I don't want it to be less overwhelming - because I want a BIG effect and that just takes lots of work. On the other hand, we have limited our main decorating to common areas - where the assembly will be, major hallways, story-telling areas etc. and left classrooms very simple. We standardized classrooms decs by age group - the decoration team providing the stuff for teachers to put up. That way all the Kindergarten rooms are simlilar and one group doesn't get a "cool" room when another gets a fairly plain one. Also, those who sign up to teach should not have to make decorations. They signed up to TEACH. Let people work in their area of giftedness. Another stress - reliever for us has been starting early putting things up - especially in areas that are unused during the week. And we have had a firm deadline of Saturday at about 4pm - what isn't done then doesn't get done, so that people can have a real sabbath day.
4. We have definitely invited and encouraged middle and hight school kids to jump in to decorating. Give them real responsibility and they will usually live up to it!Sometimes - as with GCP's "The King Is Coming" we had assembly line type work - in that case making and decorating a zillion shields. We supplied the materials, demos and idea photos and turned them loose. Three hours later we had about 100 foam-board shields.
5. Yes, I've had some restrictions - though mostly on where rather than how to decorate. I generally ask forgivenss, not permission and try to create such a fun, exciting atmosphere with the decorations that no one notices or cares about a bit of paint which comes off one the tape. I have also had a "let's get real" conversation with some people about priorities. The spiritual value of VBS is WAY more than a gallon of paint or a few nail-holes or scuffed walls. If you have a problem in theis area, you need the senior pastor to speak up for you in a directive way and some ruling elders too if you can get them (ones whose kids or grands are VBS age!)
Sorry to ramble on so long. hope it's helpful! Have fun!
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