It is summer in Central Arkansas and that means one thing in the city I live in...VBS! Yes! Vacation Bible School. If you are unfamiliar with this concept it is where a church invites and hosts any child that wants to attend (and some offer things for adults too) to come and spend anywhere from 1 day to a week learning about God. They are usually 2 hours and include drama skits, fun upbeat songs, creative Bible lessons, games, snacks, crafts, and tons of energy. Our particular church chooses to ramp up the decorations and create an incredible prop on stage to go along with skits and then every room and walkways decorated around the overall theme. It is a cross-generational event for our church.
I remember some of my own experiences of growing up at a church and visiting other churches that hosted a VBS. The push every day was to bring your Bible and bring someone new with you. On the last day of VBS we would announce our total tally of how many came during the week and cheer. As a child I was excited about many kids coming because it meant we were able to please those in charge who pushed, I mean encouraged, us to keep bringing more and more friends. Not to mention there were typically prizes for bringing the most. As an adult I realize that the push is about something more.
As an adult and a Sr. Minister, I realize that there are deep-seated reasons we count up all those kids at VBS. And why churches post contribution numbers, attendance of Sunday assembly, baptisms, salvations, rededications, service projects completed, missionaries supported, and more.
We are keeping score. It’s plain and it’s simple. We are keeping score. Now the conversation turns. Let’s look at both sides of keeping score in church.
My blanket thesis is that keeping score in church has both pros and cons. The score whether high or low should never be the defining factor that directs the church.
I remember some of my own experiences of growing up at a church and visiting other churches that hosted a VBS. The push every day was to bring your Bible and bring someone new with you. On the last day of VBS we would announce our total tally of how many came during the week and cheer. As a child I was excited about many kids coming because it meant we were able to please those in charge who pushed, I mean encouraged, us to keep bringing more and more friends. Not to mention there were typically prizes for bringing the most. As an adult I realize that the push is about something more.
As an adult and a Sr. Minister, I realize that there are deep-seated reasons we count up all those kids at VBS. And why churches post contribution numbers, attendance of Sunday assembly, baptisms, salvations, rededications, service projects completed, missionaries supported, and more.
We are keeping score. It’s plain and it’s simple. We are keeping score. Now the conversation turns. Let’s look at both sides of keeping score in church.
My blanket thesis is that keeping score in church has both pros and cons. The score whether high or low should never be the defining factor that directs the church.
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