The good news: VBS may be for children, BUT, VBS is for adults just as much!
I don't simply mean that adults need VBS because they secretly love to sing and dance and play games and have snack time. It is totally true, and VBS offers exactly that for most of us who otherwise live in a very serious, high-pressured world of productivity and responsibility.
BUT, what I really mean is this: the Biblical voice of Luke gives us a famous impression of the early church in his book recording the Acts of the Apostles (Acts), which is by far the most referenced New Testament scripture for casting the vision for the church. In Luke's description, he writes "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46-47).
So many times we try to encourage today's church by repainting Luke's description, urging those in the church to pick up this life, these practices. That's what the church should be like--even today! But so many times, we feel it a bit too far outside of our norm, or we simply can't see how to get there. Often we never make it there.
Yet, as I was looking around yesterday and soaking up the miracles of the opening day of VBS, I saw EXACTLY what Luke described happening right before my eyes. That is why VBS is for adults!
- There were tons of volunteers all day long, pouring their time and hearts into getting things ready.
- There is a family style dinner for all volunteers before the doors open, and I watched as the BOB grew full of families and volunteers eating together, at tables, on the floor, and anywhere they could find a spot.
- 401 children poured into the worship center, along with 200 volunteers, and Jesus' name was shouted at the top of our lungs as we praised a living, life-saving God.
- People laughed, worked together, cared for each other, wiped away tears, held hands, and caught up with each other as the night progressed.
- Leaders led and shared and directed and helped put God's plan into action, for the sake of helping lead others to Jesus' salvation.
THIS is the early church! I'm not saying Horizons is the perfect example, but I am saying Luke's example is alive, and Horizons has found a beautiful piece of it!
VBS IS FOR ADULTS! It's something we need in our lives and church far more than we can imagine! Praise God for VBS, the energy pouring into Horizons, and for the lives that are being changed because of it!
More to come!
Jason <><
Well said brother. We always tell the kids we hope VBS is the best week of your summer. This is usually true for the adults as well. The model of the early church is totally evident in this week. It's such an inspiring even to be a part of, and it's a great reminder to all of us what church should look like.
ReplyDeleteSo, I bet you didn't know this passage from Acts (2:42-27) is exactly what we focused on in DZ Sunday morning. We were talking about the different ways people in the early church worshiped God. Of course, the conversation turned to VBS. At one point I asked what we're collecting to share during VBS (meaning our service project). A very excited young person shouted, "Kids!" To be sure.
ReplyDeleteBut Jason, you hit it exactly -- we are also collecting adults -- people who volunteer regularly, people who usually don't volunteer elsewhere, and people who never volunteered before. And God will guide and use those people in all kinds of ways this week, and beyond!