Critical? Absolutely! Practiced a lot? Not exactly.

But, can that be changed? Yes, indeed.

Remember, twenty-four percent of all baptisms come directly through Vacation Bible School.  That could be improved dramatically if our churches would just do effective follow-up.

What do we mean?   Here are some practical guidelines to follow.

1.  Look through your VBS registration cards, beginning on your first day of VBS, pull out those cards of children not attending any church anywhere, but live in your area.  Have a follow-up team contact their parents just to say ‘Thank you’ and invite them to your VBS Family night celebration.
2. We must make certain that every child, and every family that attends our VBS is followed up with a ‘Thanks for coming’.  This can be done by phone, personal visit, post card, email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Take your choice, just make sure it gets done within the week after your VBS.
3. During your VBS, look through your registration cards for those children not enrolled in Sunday School/Bible Study.  Contact their parents/guardian and asked if they and their children would like to be enrolled in Sunday School/Bible Study.
4. When you have children make a profession of faith in Christ during your VBS, make an appointment with their parents/guardian to clarify/celebrate their decision. If the parents/guardian are not attending church, this is a great time to share the Gospel with them.

VBS Follow-up should not be considered an option, but a strong necessity.

Let’s just do it.

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Kiely Young is the Director of the Sunday School Department for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. He is one of the authors of The Missional Sunday School blog.

Usually one of the largest events that a church will do once a year is Vacation Bible School. It is also one of the largest events that attract prospects for your Sunday school classes.

It is interesting to hear churches talk about their planning and promotion of Vacation Bible School, but not a whole lot is said about their follow-up! By the time VBS is over so are the workers. They think their job is done but I beg to differ. It is only the beginning! Children from all over the community has been in your church for the week (and liked it!). Why wouldn’t we want them to come back and be a part of what we do all year long?

Here are some simple ideas I would suggest for taking the next step:

1. As Vacation Bible School Director make sure your VBS enrollment is as accurate and complete as possible.
2. Schedule a time with the Sunday School director to go over the list of prospects.
3. If your Vacation Bible School teachers are not your Sunday School Teachers, then bring them together to discuss the children that were in the class during VBS.
4. Have the VBS and Sunday School directors and teachers write separate letters to the children thanking them for be a part of Vacation Bible School.
5. When the VBS teachers make their follow-up visits (personallyto deliver the child’s last project from VBS week), make sure that the appropriate Sunday School teacher accompanies the VBS teacher during the visit.
6. Include the Sunday School teacher in the conversation. Make sure that the parents and child hear the excitement of what takes place every week in Sunday school. Offer an example or two of what the class has recently done.
7. Ask the whole family for a commitment. (What’s the worst they can say?) Go ahead and enroll them before you leave. Make sure all of your contact information is correct.
8. If transportation plans need to be made, make sure that it is arranged within 24 hours.
9. Thank the family for their time and leave on a HIGH note!

I hope that will help you see the importance of how VBS and SS work together!  

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Dwayne Lee serves as Associate Group Leader for the Bible Teaching/Leadership Team of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.