Learned from Twitter: week ending June 13, 2009

With VBS this week, I did not get to see as much Twitter goodness as some weeks. But there were still some great stuff that came across my twitterstream. Here are a few of the things I learned this week.

1. kentshaffer (Kent Shaffer) sent a link to a blog post about a family photo getting used to promote a foreign product. Could this happen to you and me?

"Your social network picture may end up advertising some foreign brand - http://bit.ly/KAiGi"

2. pattigibbons (Patti Gibbons) had a not-so-pleasant experience at a choir concert. As youth workers, haven't we all been to at least one concert/program like this?

"The lady behind me is singing along w the choir. Bonus - her kid is kicking my seat!"

3. ypadam (Adam Reed) shared his excitement about Vacation Bible School. Its always a joy to see the kids excited afterward - its like a mini version of summer camp.

"VBS celebration service was great and so was the ice cream! the kiddos are worn out and heading to bed"

What did you learn from Twitter this week?

VBS: Unspoken thoughts

Summer is VBS season for churches. If you are a youth minister or children's minister, you understand this yearly tradition all too well. In honor of this long-time ministry tradition, I thought I'd share some unspoken thoughts going through the ministers or directors mind. This is what they are really thinking. :)


Pre-VBS - full of excitement. "I can't wait for VBS to get here, this year is going to be better than last year."

Week before VBS - still excited. "I can't wait for VBS to get here, I'm getting tired of planning and waiting."

VBS day 1 - full of excitement. "I'm so excited VBS is finally starting."

VBS day 2 - excited. "I am happy the kids really seem to be enjoying everthing."

VBS day 3 - happy. "We're halfway through, I don't want this week to end."

VBS day 4 - getting tired. "I can't believe more kids show up each night."

VBS day 5 - running on empty. "Just have to make it through one more day."

VBS closing program - very tired. "I am so glad this is the last thing to do."

Post-VBS - completely exhausted. "I will never do that again."

a few months later and here is how the conversation goes....
Minister, "Do you want to direct VBS again next year?"
Director, "Sure, I'd love to."

Poll Results: VBS & You

The summer is almost over. For youth workers that means its time to kick off the regular ministry year again. But during the summer, many of you were involved with a multitude of ministries - one being the VBS at your church.

According to the latest poll, all youth workers were involved with VBS in some form. Here are the results:

100% (2 people) are involved by teaching a class or leading an area.

I'd love to hear some stories about what made VBS memorable for you this year.

New Poll: VBS & You

Summer means Vacation Bible School for most churches. As youth workers, this means that you are most likely involved in one way or another. Just how much involvement is the question this time around.

How much involvement do you have in VBS?
- in charge
- help plan
- teaching a class/leading an area
- helping where needed
- make my appearance then go home
- no involvement
- church isn't doing VBS

Answer according to the one that most fits your involvement. I know some of you are in charge and you also teach a class - your answer would be "in charge."

Have you had any really funny things happen at a VBS?

Photo Friday #27: VBS decor & more

Here are two pictures or room decorations from our VBS.




Here is a picture of my class (part of it)

VBS: Day 5

Day 5 was Day 5 (You could tell it was the last night).

We plunged into service. Our story was Jesus washing the disciples' feet.

Highlights:
1. Music time was a blast all week.
2. Staying dry all night :)
3. Knowing VBS raised almost $1500 for two people from our church who are going to Ghana with FAME this year.
4. Listening to my son excitedly talk about the story and what they did in class.
5. Challenging the 5/6 graders to serve someone this week (in some way they normally don't).
(we had 20 students again)

VBS: Day 3

Last night, we plunged into courage.

The mood was back up. The kids were excited and the evening was just plain fun.

Day 3 highlights:
1. wearing a yellow rain suit all night (our story was Jesus calming the storm)
2. cramming 19 kids and 2 adults into a room made for 10 people
3. no spills or fights occurred while stuffing 21 people in a small room
4. giving away some "Jesus Dolls" (that came with permission slips)
5. JP Penguin (mascot) almost knocked a microphone in a tub of water

VBS: Day 2

Last night was day 2 of our VBS. It had a different feel to it and I'm not sure why. Maybe it was do to the fact that (for me) it wasn't the end of an extremely long day which included 4 hours of driving and a game of softball in 95 degree heat.

Last night we "plunged into worship"

Highlights:
1. coloring with colored pencils
2. wearing sunscreen on my face (without rubbing it in) - started a few conversations
3. talking about the woman at the well
4. the kids were excited
5. having a baby doll splash around in some water (to talk about how we worship)

VBS - Day 1

Last night was Day 1 of our VBS. This year, I am teaching the 5/6 grade class. Its a big difference than the 7/8 grade class I did last year.

5 highlights from Day 1
1. Packing 16 students and 2 adults in a room sized for maybe 10 people.
2. Getting to use my "chin strap" (that's what people call my facial hair) in a game in which you run to a pool and dip your head in to carry water back to a bucket you're trying to fill up with water.
3. Watching 4 students try to retell the story of the "miraculous catch of fish" using only finger puppets (nativity finger puppets).
4. Avoiding being soaked with numerous buckets filled with water.
5. Having the entire class "waddle" everywhere we went.