Vacation Bible School

Next week (July 9-13) Kosmosdale Baptist Church, the congregation of which I am a member, will be hosting a Vacation Bible Church (VBS). It is my understanding that we conduct VBS because families who would otherwise have no interest in anything to do with the Church will often send their children to this daily event. We feel that it would be wrong to miss out on the opportunity to deliver biblical, Christ-centered teaching to the children in our community, and to hopefully use this as a way to reach out to the community so that entire families will be impacted for the Gospel. There are, however, certain precautions that must be taken when conducting Vacation Bible School. For while we want to present the Good News of Jesus to each child and to be honest with each child about his or her need to repent and place their faith in Him, we do not want to in any way coerce a response from anyone who is not genuinely convicted of sin and the need for the Savior by the Holy Spirit. Likewise, we do not want to give children a false assurance of salvation based upon what may later prove to be nothing more than an emotional response without understanding.

On a recent broadcast of Calling for Truth, issues concerning VBS have been explored. The opportunity that VBS represents as well as necessary cautions were discussed. I believe that (at least) most of what is said on this broadcast is in agreement with the position of our congregation concerning VBS. I encourage everyone reading this post to listen to the broadcast HERE and to prayerfully consider what is said.