This article was written by Myriah Snyder, a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — A child, around 12 years old, and her parents walked through the front doors of Bryan Rose’s church one Sunday a few weeks ago. Rose, Auxano’s manager of engagement strategy, and his wife were serving as greeters and welcomed the family. As they spoke with them at the first-time guest table, Rose asked the daughter, “Do you want to go to our kid’s program, or do you want to stay with your parents? It’s really fun over there [in the kid’s ministry area]!”
The girl replied, “Oh, I know it’s fun! I was just here for VBS! But, since it’s my mom and dad’s first time, I want to stay with them and make sure they’re OK.”
This family served as an example of the ongoing importance of Vacation Bible School, even in this post-pandemic world. An entire family was visiting Rose’s church for the first time because their child was impacted by VBS. Not only was the girl impacted, but she also already felt some ownership—this was “her” church—and she needed to stay with her parents to make them comfortable.
Clarity First
VBS was just one of the topics discussed in Auxano’s June 2024 Clarity First Live Conversation webinar, “GENspirational Leadership.” Hosted by Bryan Rose with Jana Magruder, Lifeway Kid’s director of strategic initiatives, the webinar centered around the idea of generational disciple-making within the church.
Auxano, Lifeway’s church consulting arm, regularly hosts similar webinars geared for pastors and senior leaders. They’re typically on the last Thursday of each month, but in July and December, Auxano uses a “best of” approach, showcasing two or three of the previous months’ webinars. July’s can be found here.
These webinars have been ongoing since the pandemic shutdown in March 2020, Rose shared.
The next webinar will be part of a two-part series on Clarity First Staffing. The first part will be August 22, at 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET on the topic, “3 Ways Vision Clarity Shapes Church Staff Structure.” The September webinar will be on September 26, at 10 a.m. CT/ 11 a.m. ET on the topic, “5 Keys to Leading Church Staff Meetings with Vision Clarity.” Both will be hosted by Bryan Rose, featuring Jim Randall.
Discipleship tools for the next generation
In the most recent webinar, Rose and Magruder explained why VBS is such a vital discipleship tool. Citing Lifeway Research, Magruder shared that 69% of American parents will encourage their child to participate in a VBS event at a church they don’t attend if invited by one of their friends.
“Americans know what VBS is, even if they never went to VBS,” Magruder said. “There’s a trust there that we realized American parents will actually encourage their kids to go to VBS even if they don’t go to that church or any church. It is a tool in the tool belt of reaching kids and families in our communities.”
She said the gospel impact of just one week of VBS totals seven months of typical kids’ ministry discipleship.
VBS is just part of the critical crossroads facing children’s ministry, according to Rose. Magruder agreed, adding there is “an urgent opportunity for the church to provide community and real-life experiences for kids to come to and for families to be around one another.”
A Lifeway Research study found some of the main reasons churchgoing teenagers stopped attending as adults were relational—church members seeming judgmental, never having a sense of belonging in youth ministry, and generally feeling disconnected from the church.
Magruder said Lifeway Kids is focusing on “FLIPing the script—disrupting tradition for the sake of the next generation,” as detailed in their book, “Flip the Script.”
Kids and students need relationships in church with:
F-friends
L-leaders
I-influencers
P-pastors
Magruder explained how Lifeway’s new curriculum, Hyfi, incorporates the latest research and equips leaders with intentional strategies to reach the next generation.
Discipling every generation
Magruder and Rose shared five strategic ways to make disciples across every generation:
· Study God’s Word together from different perspectives and even experiences that may conflict. Rose encouraged listers to “establish small groups that encourage families and individuals of all ages to participate, promoting intergenerational relationships and discipleship.”
· Serve your community in ways and places that everyone can help. He said, “Coordinate service projects that bring together members of all ages to serve the community, fostering teamwork and compassion.”
· Send parents and kids somewhere unfamiliar to everyone. “Organize missions trips that involve members of different ages, providing opportunities for service and cultural exchange,” he advised.
· Sing together to celebrate meaningful styles and inspiring lyrics. Rose challenged leaders to hold “special worship nights where each generation has the opportunity to contribute, celebrating the diverse gifts and talents within the church.
· Steer emerging spiritual gifts and ministry interests through leadership. “Form leadership teams with representation from different age groups, promoting diverse perspectives and collaboration in decision-making,” he said.
As a bonus, Rose said churches should encourage families to seek the face of God as a family in a focused setting away from the everyday. “Host retreats focused on spiritual renewal and community building, with activities for all ages to participate and connect,” he added.
“Clarity starts at the top,” Rose reminded listeners. “Our ability to have intergenerational disciple-making leadership starts at the top.” He reminded pastors, church leaders and kids ministry leaders that they must keep intergenerational disciple-making at the forefront of their minds.
For more from Magruder and the Lifeway Kids teams, including articles, podcasts and other resources, visit Lifeway.com/kids. Learn more about the work Auxano does at auxano.com.