From Vacation Bible School to Sunday School

Vacation Bible School has become a major strategy for growth in many churches. Sunday School enrollment increases can be dramatic when the VBS to Sunday School - an Enrollment and Growth Plan is used. The concept is to transfer VBS learners who are not members of any Sunday School to your Sunday School roll.

The VBS director, pastor, and Sunday School director are responsible for interpreting and leading the church to implement this plan.

Get Ready Before Vacation Bible School
Preparation for using the VBS to SS Plan includes these actions:

• Interpret the VBS to SS Plan to the Sunday School Council, and propose that it be adopted as an enrollment plan.
• Present the plan to all Sunday School  workers. Request their participation in enrollment visitation and other after-VBS follow-up activities.
• Enlist VBS workers to assist with VBS to SS Plan visitation and follow-up.
• Train VBS leaders and others who are involved in VBS pre-enrollment to get complete information on each person when filling out VBS enrollment forms.
• Discuss with appropriate Sunday School workers possible schedules for home visits. This is the time parents would give their approval to enroll preschoolers and children in Sunday School.
• Lead the VBS Promotion Team to plan actions to reach unsaved and unenrolled persons to attend VBS.
• Use direct mail, the telephone, and personal visits to pre-enroll in VBS persons who are Sunday School prospects.
• Provide transportation to Vacation Bible School, and advertise the availability of this service.

Get Set During Vacation Bible School
These steps, when taken during VBS, can increase the potential impact of the VBS to SS Plan:

• Let learners know that while VBS is for a limited time, they can continue their Bible-study activities in Sunday School each week.
• Obtain complete information on every VBS attender. In some cases, workers may need to meet parents on the parking lot, send notes home with kids, or make phone calls or visits to complete the necessary information.
• Begin on the first day of VBS to identify prospects for Sunday School and to complete prospect cards on all parents and other unenrolled family members. 
• Make assignments to the appropriate Sunday School class or department.
• Schedule a joint meeting of VBS and Sunday School workers for the purpose of making visitation assignments. 
• When permission is granted, those making home visits may write transfer on the VBS Enrollment Card and turn it in to the Sunday School secretary, who completes the enrollment process. If permission is not given, the home visitors may write prospect on the card. The information then is entered on a prospect card and assigned to the appropriate Sunday School class/department for follow-up.
• Keep church members aware of progress through announcements, notices in the bulletin or newsletter, and mailing.
• Prepare and mail follow-up letters to new Sunday School members expressing appreciation for becoming a part of the Sunday School.

Go, Visit, and Witness after Vacation Bible School
After Vacation Bible School, Sunday School  visitation should focus on new members and prospects who already have been cultivated through VBS. Visitation should continue until all VBS learners not attending a Sunday School have an opportunity to enroll in your Sunday School, or to decline to enroll. Each person enrolling in Sunday School should receive a letter from the pastor expressing appreciation for becoming a part of the Sunday School. The appropriate Sunday School department director or class teacher should visit to get acquainted with the person enrolling and the family members.

Churches that use FAITH Evangelism will find strong support in following up on all VBS attendees not enrolled in Sunday School, and those who have not accepted Christ. 

The key to reaching new people for your Sunday School through VBS is to enroll as many unsaved and unchurched children, students, and adults as possible. Then conduct the follow-up actions necessary to cultivate and assimilate them into the life and ministry of your church.

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