|
| | | Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/19/2008 1:47:47 PM
Posts: 124, Visits: 327 |
| | I am just wondering if I am demanding too much from my station leaders during the planning stage of VBS. I am asking them to help in manning the recruitment booth, help me with publicity, making them come up with a list of supplies, in the near future -ask them to assist me in staff training set up. Are these too much? I've been emailing them and asking them their opinion about their stations and even asked them who can man the recruitment booth for the services and they didn't respond. One time I also ask if they know some teenagers who can help etc.- no response also. As of now, I really feel alone in this thing and doing EVERYTHING. So is this really the job description of a VBS Director-DO EVERYTHING IN THE PLANNING STAGE AND YOU JUST GET HELP FROM VOLUNTEERS ACCDG TO THEIR POSITION AND BEYOND THAT- YOU CAN'T? Its a little frustrating. No wonder nobody wants this job in my church. Give me some encouragement my fellow directors. I think I need a hug right now! Nice
|
| |
| | | Forum Expert
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Today @ 8:48:56 AM
Posts: 475, Visits: 1,125 |
| | I learned that personal invitations to ministry are ten times more effective than emails and voice mails. If Station leaders come early to set up their stations each night, they surely have time to assist with registration. AND I've always understood the role of VBS director is more of a talent scout and logistics manager. If you are doing it all on your own, no wonder you express feelings of frustration! Call a meeting of your station leaders and parents. Let them know specifically how they can help you with planning and if they tell you they can't help, ask them to help you find someone who can. Bathe that meeting with pray and enter with excitement and enthusiasm for what God is going to do their your church's VBS. Go with a list of job descriptions and an expectation that God will provide all the helpers you need to fill those positions. He will not fail you!
Lisa B from NC |
| |
| | | 
Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 11:31:57 AM
Posts: 246, Visits: 1,498 |
| Lisab said it very well. I'd like to add that our director(s) have always asked for a core group of volunteers to be the "Steering Team" - which I've been on the last couple years. Some of our station leaders are usually a part of it, plus people who want to help but can't be there the actual days of our camp, and this year we have several of our teens join the team. Our Steering Team is the 'go-to' team that makes the major decisions (or helps the directors make final decisions) and helps find the people to fill the volunteer roles - the big and small ones.
What's important is to let your whole congregation know how you truly want to glorify God in providing this wonderful ministry to children. Share your excitement and vision for the great things God can do through PowerLab, ask your members to pray continuously for people's hearts to be touch with a desire to help in any way to make your VBS a glory to God.
Then, for those things you still need your station leaders to do (like help decide on supplies needed), call each one personally and schedule a time you can discuss what they will need to make their station lessons work for them - it could be individual face-to-face time or a phone call, or a time for all of you to get together for a group discussion. But they should understand that you need their involvement well before the actual VBS, and a personal call is best if you aren't getting email results. Email can be an unreliable way to get responses - especially if everyone thinks it applied to someone else on the recipient list and didn't apply to them.
God bless you and your VBS!
~Cassie
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~John 8:12 (NIV) |
| |
| | | Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/19/2008 1:47:47 PM
Posts: 124, Visits: 327 |
| | |
| | | Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/30/2008 7:59:31 PM
Posts: 667, Visits: 1,320 |
| Hi Nice,
I can not remember if you have a large church or small one. We have a small church so I take on a lot of the responsibility. Start with your strengths. Is there someone who did this station last year? Most will wait to be asked. Now my Pastor who I asked to do chadder when he first came to our church loves that station and will always say to me I get to do chadder, right? I also have a craft leader who is fantastic. She orders all her crafts. I never worry about that area. I agree with the other posts volunteers love to be asked personally.
Before I give any station books out I read them and make a list of items they will need day by day. I collect the items over the next few months. I use one room at my house and I line one wall with brown sacks marked Bible blast day 1,2, games day 1, chadder day 1 and so on and as I get the item I put it in the bag. I feel my station leaders are doing so much for the church as is, that I keep it simple. They really get ready by learning the lesson. Each day of VBS they will have a bag at their station with the items they need.
I usually throw a theme party or luncheon following worship one sunday and invite everyone to stay. This gets them powered up , they have fun and then you explain about VBS and what you need.
I hope this helps. God's blessings on you and your program.
Riverside Kathy |
| |
| | | 
Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/4/2008 5:17:10 PM
Posts: 796, Visits: 1,653 |
| | Nice- As much as I would love to depend solely on my email and blog and get people to listen and commit that way, it simply doesn't work. Go ahead and try making those personal interactions at the appropriate time. One thing I have learned is that if you are going to approach someone about helping with anything, timing is everything. Also, since this is your first year, it may be helpful if you can ask your Pastor if you could have a few minutes during one of your services to share with the congregation your heart about VBS. Sometimes people are just oblivious to the importance of something until they actually hear the passion coming from somebody about it. Lastly, hang in there! When VBS gets here and God reveals to you the fruits of your labor, you will be happy for all the hard work!
-
|
| |
| | | Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/19/2008 1:47:47 PM
Posts: 124, Visits: 327 |
| | Thanks so much guys! I have a large church which makes it doubly frustrating. We have 3000 members. I was asked to be the director just this February. The VBS director last year gave me all the info that she can give me- crew list and all. Problem is half of that roster cannot do VBS this year. I ended up asking back and forth from the Pastor and our Children's Ministry Admin for names cause I don't know much people who are available to do this. They gave me names and so far I only need 2 station leaders but Im going ahead to meet with the group for other items. Our VBS director for the past 2 years just told me she also did it on her own basically. This has been a major complaint that I hear from our leaders. I will definitely be personal alright with asking my station leaders in our first meeting this coming Wednesday. Pray for me. Pray for impartation of vision, enthusiasm to my station leaders. Pray for unity. This year I will insist on mix age crews which was never done before in the 4 years we are doing this. Pray that I will be motivating and patient. Because of this, I was able to read the whole book of 2 Timothy this morning! Paul expressed to Timothy his suffering and being abandoned by believers in the ministry. Somehow it really ministered to me that its part of the job-frustration, feeling alone etc. Paul stressed the hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Yes, I am already reaping the share of the crops by being fired up to minister and I know I will receive more from the Lord. God is faithful! He does not look in the arms of man but he delights on those whose heart is completely trusting Him! This forum is God's provision to me. You are all great! Thanks again- Nice
|
| |
| | | Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:36:05 AM
Posts: 258, Visits: 1,739 |
| | My first year directing I played dumb--I told the church I didn't know everyone and they would have to do some revealing to me to carry out VBS. It worked that year. Now--I ask God to show me my site leaders--He has not failed. Some return but others move on so there's always a spot somewhere to fill. He show them to me in interesting ways. 2 years ago I needed a craft person. I asked God to show me who. I walked out of the office area one day and there was a person working on a craft project for a luncheon. I asked God if that's who I was to ask. He answered yes. On Sunday she was a greeter at the door. I walked up to her and told her I had a question for her. Her answer was I've been thinking about being a part of VBS (she never had been--she had retired that year). Her answer was yes. Indeed God will provide--we have to ask then we go looking for the answer. You've already learned you will be blessed by directing VBS. Don't get discouraged and just go with your vision and passion. You'll be fine. |
| |
| | |
|