| Christmas is just a few weeks behind us. So naturally, if you serve a congregation as a Christian educator or as Vacation Bible School director, the time is nigh to begin planning for the second most wonderful time of the year: Vacation Bible School 2007! Nine publishers consented to the Outlook's request to review their products. Here is a quick assessment of each. General observations of elements common to most, if not all, the VBS programs are followed by specific comments with regard to 1) Reformed compatibility, 2) small church adaptability, and 3) special features.
Christmas is just a few weeks behind us. So naturally, if you serve a congregation as a Christian educator or as Vacation Bible School director, the time is nigh to begin planning for the second most wonderful time of the year: Vacation Bible School 2007! Nine publishers consented to the Outlook's request to review their products. Here is a quick assessment of each. General observations of elements common to most, if not all, the VBS programs are followed by specific comments with regard to 1) Reformed compatibility, 2) small church adaptability, and 3) special features. Common features shared by most of the VBS curricula reviewed: Bible: Each program features stories from the Bible rather than the more discursive (Pauline and other New Testament letters) and poetical writings (Psalms, Proverbs, prophetic literature). Producers of VBS materials seem to agree that children of all ages respond more readily to story than propositional truth. Additionally, New Testament stories are represented more than those of the Old Testament. Connecting children with the stories of Jesus appears to be a prime objective. Theological perspective: Rarely do the VBS materials identify an explicit doctrinal position. Most only offer implied theological perspectives (with a couple of exceptions), which reflect basic Christian orthodoxy in the Protestant tradition. The implicit theology of each VBS package corresponds in broad terms to the Trinitarian and Christological formulations of the ancient church. With some digging, one can find the mission/doctrinal statements of the publishing houses and their affiliated denominations on the Internet. Educational assumptions: An educator asks two fundamental questions: What is worth knowing? What is the best way to know it? The first question (content) is answered above. The second question concerns educational processes and strategies. To varying degrees, each VBS curriculum assumes an event-based approach to education, which includes weekly and daily thematic structures, drama, story telling, music, crafts, and games. These programs are activity-and media-rich, creative, and self-professedly fun. Large group assemblies frame the daily schedules with smaller groups also utilized. Most plans use a form of learning centers or rotation. Each of them demonstrates an understanding of different learning styles or multiple intelligences among children. Mission projects add an important dimension to the programs. Ideas and resources for publicity and promotion of the event are included. In sum, most of the VBS plans feature high energy, extravert-friendly activity; nothing of note is offered for the introverted child or teacher who might require more silent reflective time. Cost: Most are under $100 for the basic starter kit, with additional resources available for extra cost. Specific Curricula Around the World in 5 Days: God Calls Us Around the World in 5 Days: Living as Forgiven Children of God Around the World in 5 Days: A Visit to the USA Congregational Ministries Publications of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Reformed compatibility? For Presbyterians, by Presbyterians. These offerings are a part of the denomination's popular "We Believe: God's Word for God's People" curriculum line. Solidly in the Reformed tradition, these curricula often make use of the church's other important resources--Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study, catechisms, confessions, The Presbyterian Hymnal and the Book of Common Worship. These VBS plans assume that the covenant community gathers around the Word of God and gratefully extends the generous love of God to the world. Small church friendly? Only $39.95 for each title; adaptable for any size congregation. Special feature? Wonderfully imaginative journeys to different cultures with good connections to Bible stories. Especially in the PC(USA)'s current ecclesial culture of suspicion and mistrust, these programs can help the local church know that the PC(USA) is active and working with its global partners; and provide ways for the congregation to exercise its mission muscle. Be Bold! God is With You Mennonite Pub Network Reformed compatibility? This VBS program is written from within the Anabaptist tradition. Hallmarks of this tradition include: the centrality of Jesus Christ, the inspired nature of the Bible, and adult baptism upon declaration of faith. Mennonites follow Jesus' example of the way of peace. Many members choose not to participate in military service. Some take their belief further by objecting to government military expenditure; a few choose not to pay the percentage of their annual income tax that would go for military purposes. Mennonites are also known for their strong commitment to community, interest in social issues, voluntary service, and mission outreach (source: www.mennoniteusa.org ) Small church friendly? Most Mennonite churches tend to be small to medium; this program takes that reality into account. Cost: $129.99 for VBS box. Special feature? Unashamedly Anabaptist specific. Great Bible Reef Augsburg Fortress/Congregational Ministries Pub. PC(USA) Reformed compatibility? Cooperative effort of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and PC(USA). The implicit theology is broadly Protestant, with denominationally specific director's guides available. Attention is given to knowing God through Christ and living obediently in the Spirit and in the church. Small church friendly? Cost $65.99 for the Starter Kit; director's guide includes adaptations for small VBS programs. Special feature? Seawater Science Site features easy science experiments that serve a parabolic function in helping children appropriate the Bible story teaching. It is good to see that science and faith are not incompatible! Optional mission project: special offering to help schools in Vanuatu, islands in the South Pacific. Lift Off: Soaring to New Heights with God Abingdon Press Reformed compatibility? United Methodist affiliated. Small church friendly? "Lift Off! For the Smaller Church" is a key feature. Cost: $64.99 for the Starter Pak; $44.99 for the Smaller Church Starter Pak. Special feature? Media savvy, high concept product. This is at once the most process rich and daunting VBS program, depending on your available resources and energy. Learning about and practicing prayer are significant components of the daily routine. Options for adults and youth to participate in VBS. Quest for Truth Concordia Publishing House Reformed compatibility? This program is created for the churches of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It emphasizes the "watchwords of the Protestant Reformation: grace alone (sola gratia), faith alone (sola fide), Scripture alone (sola scriptura). Scripture is considered infallible and inerrant. Small church friendly? $74.99 for Starter Kit; $169.99 for Super Value Starter Kit. Special feature? High concept product; great for churches with a high-level of technological sophistication. SonForce Kids: Special Agents Gospel Light Publications Reformed compatibility? Gospel Light was the creation of the late Henrietta Mears of First Church of Hollywood, California. There is general compatibility, see www.gospellight.com/whatwebelieve.html for more specific info. Small church friendly? Starter kit: $69.99. This would be a daunting undertaking for a smaller congregation; perhaps cooperation with another church would help to provide the necessary people, time, and energy. Special feature? Media savvy, high concept product. See child evangelism section, "Prepare for Evangelism" (page 35); see the helpful articles in the director's guide on "Preventing Child Abuse" and "Ensuring Safety on Campus" (pages 41-42). Take the Plunge! Make a Splash with Jesus Standard Publishing Reformed compatibility? See www.standardpublishing.com for their belief ("position") statement, which includes the literal truth of Scripture. Noticeably missing from this statement is any mention of living one's faith in the public square (justice, mission, and evangelism are absent). Small church friendly? Starter kit: $64.99. Power Pak: $199.99. "The best way to do VBS is the way that works best for you!" Options galore! Special feature? The water park theme is focused on water stories through Scripture. Suggested mission activities focus on clean water projects. Media savvy, high concept product. The Race is On: Training Young Champions Great Commission Publications Reformed compatibility? This VBS seems to be the most doctrinally conscious of all those reviewed. GCP is a joint effort of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in America. They espouse a Reformed perspective, emphasizing the doctrine of grace. Scripture is the only infallible rule of faith and practice. Their theology is based on the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. Small church friendly? This feels like your mother and father's VBS. Fewer options in the VBS package, utilizes learning centers (called "checkpoints") in a classroom setting. Cost: $99. Special feature? Refreshingly low-tech; those who want to offer more of a VBS production will look elsewhere. Evangelism of the unchurched is a key objective. See the director's guide page 15 for information on "Making Your VBS Evangelistic." Mission project ideas range from denominationally specific (PCA and OPC) to local community suggestions. Walk with Me Faith Alive Resources Reformed compatibility? This VBS comes from the publishing arm of the Christian Reformed Church. It emphasizes the lordship of Christ and the church as God's covenant people; that every story in the Bible tells us about God; and that every story must be understood as part of the one story of God's redemption and restoration of this fallen world through Jesus Christ. Small church friendly? Ideas are included for adaptation in small, medium, and large congregations. Cost: $24.95 per leader book, all-inclusive. Special feature? Six available titles of five sessions each. These are the summer units of a Sunday school curriculum that are readily adaptable to VBS. They utilize a traditional classroom format, not rotation-based. Mark Hinds is a graduate of Union-PSCE and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He has just accepted the call to serve as general editor of the denomination's curriculum.
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