LifeWay Kids and LifeWay VBS Twitterers June 21, 2009

I’m gonna admit that a year ago, I didn’t like twitter. I didn’t understand twitter, and I thought it was kind of self-indulgent – I mean, who really wants to know that much about me (except my mom!) I also thought it was kind of a substitute for real community. Then I started using it on my blackberry and I became hooked! I’ve witnessed firsthand how it’s not really a substitute for community, but a catalyst. I’ve had many conversations with people I follow on twitter where I’m able to talk to them about something they tweeted about, which helps build deeper conversation and deeper community!

At LifeWay, we have some twitterers – Here’s a link to the list of official accounts

Here’s a list of LifeWay Kids official twitter accounts:
@LifeWayKids
@LifeWayVBS
@CentriKidCamps
@ParentLife

And here are some LifeWay Kids employees who twitter (some more than others!):

@mkhunt – Mary Katharine Hunt, Director of LifeWay Kids
@jerryvogel – Jerry Vogel, Director of Childhood Ministry Publishing
@lrholmes – Landry Holmes, Managing Director of Childhood Ministry Publishing
@sxwiley – Scott Wiley, Editorial Project Leader (Preschool)
@tpollard – Tim Pollard, Editorial Project Leader (Children)
@jeffland – Jeff Land, Editorial Project Leader (Preteens)
@jskulley – Jodi Skulley, Editor (ParentLife)
@NanaVancleave – Rhonda VanCleave, Editoral Project Leader (VBS)
@darparr – Darlene Parrish, Editor (VBS)
@canpowell – Candace Powell, Production Editor (VBS)
@lynnevbs - Lynne Norris, Editor (VBS)
@VBSKeith – Keith Tyrrell, Graphic Designer (VBS)
@vbscandy – Candy Gibson, Product Costing Specialist (VBS)
@lhowert – Lance Howerton, Director of Children’s Training and Events
@bemeott – Bill Emeott, Lead Childhood Ministry Specialist
@adukes – Andy Dukes, CentriKid
@CoachEchols - Jeremy Echols, CentriKid
@MeredithBMay – Meredith May, CentriKid
@LauraFillingim – Laura Fillingim, Children’s Training and Events
@lifewayvbsgirl – Becky Loyd, Marketing Strategist (that’s me!)

VBS 2010 Snack Photos June 17, 2009

So, I didn’t want Donny to have all the fun of giving you clues about the VBS 2010 theme.  By the way, I did get a picture of him in the hot dog suit, which goes along with this post since hot dogs are snacks, right?

Yesterday, I got some photos of a couple of the snacks for VBS 2010 – Thought I’d let you guys take a look and see if you can guess what they are.  (Ok – if I’m honest, one of them is a real 2010 snack and one of them is just to throw you off the trail). Which one do you think is real? And any guesses on what the snacks are?

Snack #1

Snack #2

Beth Moore is cheesy! June 16, 2009

Here’s some info on how to get Beth Moore to your church!

Can’t get it out of my head. . . June 16, 2009

So while I was driving to work this morning, all of a sudden I found myself singing “We Believe” from Ramblin’ Road Trip. Out of the blue that was the song that came into my head! Out of all of the VBS themes that I’ve been involved in (I started working on VBS at LifeWay in 2003, but did VBS in my church for years before that) that is the song that I can identify as my favorite VBS song.  What’s your favorite VBS song? Which one is the one that you can’t get out of your head? Are they the same?? There are a couple of songs from VBS 2010 (which you guys will hear very soon) that I can’t get out of my head!

Big kudos to Jeff Slaughter for writing the songs that make the whole (VBS) world sing

Are you thinking about evangelism and follow up? May 18, 2009

A couple of links to make you think:

Whatever happened to Evangelism? from thomrainer.com

Don’t Waste Your VBS Time or Money! from Facts and Trends

Funny, funny, funny May 11, 2009

I laughed out loud at this post on Stuff Christians Like about getting tricked into volunteering for VBS!! Hopefully, you are well on your way to getting all of your volunteers lined up for VBS! If not, you may want to lay off on the glitter before you approach your potential helpers

Why Vacation Bible School matters April 2, 2009

As some of you probably know, we (LifeWay Christian Resources) keep statistics on VBS participation in SBC churches.  Every time I take a look at these statistics, I’m humbled that God allows me to even be a small part of such a great ministry! I’m not sure that there is another church event that can have the impact on children and families that VBS does. It is an event that has proven itself year after year to be extremely effective in reaching unchurched families. Here are some statistics from 2007:

• 2,876,877 children, teens, and adults participated in a Southern Baptist Vacation Bible School.
• Of those participants,  267,771 identified themselves as unchurched – many more are most likely unchurched in practice.
• Of those who identified themselves as unchurched, 37,888 enrolled in Sunday School following VBS. Think about this – 37,888 sounds like a lot of people, but when you consider that each person represents a home with additional siblings, parents, and other relatives living in the home, that number can quickly becomes 1,000,000.
• One of the most amazing statistics is one of every sixteen 1st – 6th graders was enrolled in an SBC VBS in 2007.
• VBS 2007 accounted for 88,097 professions of faith during the week of or immediately following VBS, resulting in 26% of all 2007 SBC baptisms.

These stats are remarkable, but when we consider that 95% of the churches in a recent survey responded that their greatest need was help with follow-up, what would the stats be if every church intentionally used VBS as an evangelistic event and made sure the home of every participant was contacted, the gospel message shared, and follow-up contacts made? VBS truly has the potential of changing lives, churches, and communities.

Thanks to Jerry Wooley, our VBS Ministry Specialist at LifeWay, for helping me with these stats!

So – with all that said – today’s tips will be on how to get your community to VBS, and how to take VBS outside the walls of your church!

Merry Christmas from the VBS team December 18, 2008

Merry Christmas from the publishing team that puts together LifeWay’s VBS Curriculum!

VBS Music Permissions Request June 13, 2008

We get many calls from you needing permission to use the VBS music as background music for videos, for advertising purposes, etc. I wanted to let you know that you can request permission for this through our website at this address: http://www.lifeway.com/PermissionsRequest

VBS makes a difference June 13, 2008

I didn’t go to the SBC annual meeting this year (someone has to stay back at the office!), but have already heard great things about the pastors luncheon honoring 200 SBC churches that experienced the largest VBS enrollment increases over the past 5 years.  Did you know that one in four baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention last year happened as a result of VBS? 

I’m a little obsessed with Vacation Bible School  - in my defense, it is kind of part of my job. (And I guess there are worse things to be obsessed with.) I’m so obsessed that I follow what people are twittering about VBS using tweet scan. It so interesting to me the different perspectives people have about VBS – tired teachers, thankful parents, frustrated tech guys, and people who know that the results of VBS are worth all of the work that goes into it!

Why am I telling you guys this? Because I believe that VBS makes a difference. And I know it’s hard work for VBS directors, teachers, and volunteers, but I know that the results make it worth all of the work that you do. So be encouraged, and when you get frustrated, or overwhelmed, or you just can’t get the Wiki Wiki song out of your head, remember the opportunity you have to change kids lives forever – and know that we at LifeWay are praying for you.