Back-to-school season is upon us, offering your church a great opportunity to serve families, teachers, and administrators in your community. Much of our back-to-school outreach often centers around meeting physical needs. School supplies, free haircuts, new tennis shoes—all of those giveaways and donations are wonderful ways to help families in this busy, often expensive season. […]
Effective teachers ask: What do learners need?
“Jack, I want to do something else,” a new kindergarten teacher told me. “I’m ready to quit.” “But you’ve only been teaching three weeks,” I replied, “and you were so gung-ho. What happened?” “I don’t know, but the kids are off doing their own thing most of the time,” she said. “It’s just not working.” […]
Prepare now: VBS really is your church’s best outreach opportunity
Many churches tried to return to their full summer schedule last year, but 2022 may be the year it actually happens. And with the coming of summer also comes your church’s best opportunity to connect with the community. We say it often because it’s true. Vacation Bible School is the open door for evangelism for […]
Call it a comeback: Vacation Bible School is our opportunity for a fresh start
In 2020, churches of the Illinois Baptist State Association reported a drastic decline in Vacation Bible School enrollment. Churches saw 73% fewer people participate in VBS due to pandemic-related shutdowns. While some churches pivoted to offer VBS in small modules, in driveways, or online, many were forced to postpone the 2020 version of a beloved, […]
Disciple them, now
During this unique time, some unique discipleship issues have risen out of the sudden need to change almost everything about how we do church and ministry. Across Illinois, small groups and Sunday school classes are still meeting virtually. Some community groups or Sunday school classes are comprised of several families or couples; other virtual meet-ups […]