What Is a Successful VBS?

I recently saw a post in a discussion group by a VBS director who felt like a failure. My heart was immediately heavy. I wished I could have hugged and put my arms around this person and given them encouragement. Since I couldn’t, I asked myself, “What causes us to feel like failures as VBS directors?” The answer I came to involved unrealistic expectations of biblical success.

Biblical success was never immediate.

Biblical success was never immediate. Moses had 40 years of building to success. Joseph’s success certainly wasn’t right after his brothers chose to sell him. And let's not forget the biggest success story of them all—Jesus.

Jesus knew what must be done. He told his disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise” (Mark 9:31). If I were one of the disciples at the time, I wouldn’t exactly think that dying was a success. I may even call that plan a failure.

As we read the Bible and these accounts of how God’s plan works out, we have the benefit of hindsight. We see a complete puzzle and how the many pieces fit together. When we are working on a mission like VBS, sharing the gospel intentionally, we need to trust and have faith. We only have our little piece of the big puzzle. We don’t see the big picture, but God does. What may seem like a failure to us may be God working in a way that we don’t see.

In the moment, what appears to be failure or discouragement often is part of the larger picture of success.

Biblical success often isn’t an immediate success. In the moment, what appears to be failure or discouragement often is part of the larger picture of success.

As you prepare for VBS, have your meetings with volunteers, and solicit people signing up, remember that your definition of success may not be what God's is. Your part of the puzzle may be to just lay the corner piece, not complete the picture.

Remember, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Practically, when things look bleak, pray. Then pray more. Pray for encouragement. Pray for peace. Pray for wisdom. But most of all, pray God's will be done, and persevere.

Angela Larson (guest blogger) has been directing VBS for eight years and using Answers VBS for seven of those years, beginning with Camp Kilimanjaro and continuing through the current Answers VBS program. She began her VBS program with 65 kids and this year is planning for over 250 children. She has a volunteer base of over 120 people and offers VBS to ages 3 (and potty-trained) up through entering 6th grade.