VBS not just for kids anymore

Summer elicits thoughts of swimming pools, camps, lazy days and . . . Vacation Bible School. Opportunities are abundant for youth-focused VBS in our community, but ones for adults are more scarce. Reformation Lutheran Church had VBS several weeks ago with an average attendance of 50 children. Last week, however, they stepped out of the norm by offering the first-ever mature adult Vacation Bible School.

Twenty-five adults studied God’s Word, shared fellowship over dinner, made crafts and sang songs last week.

Arby’s provided the food for dinner each night. In addition to the participants, 10 adults gave of their time to help organize the program.  Janet McDonnell, church member and VBS volunteer, said the numbers fluctuated a little each night but anticipated a full house at the conclusion of the program on Thursday.

Brad Hales, pastor at Reformation Lutheran, calls this first adult VBS a smashing success. He said the church has a very strong mature adult ministry. Hales said the mainline churches (Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc) are growing at a rapid rate.

He adds that by 2040, 25 percent of the population will be 65 years of age or older. “We need to embrace the aging that’s coming,” said Hales.

This year, the mature adult Vacation Bible School was offered for only three nights. Robyn Gray, VBS volunteer, said, “I think we’re going to do this again next year.”

Hales seems to agree, hinting that they may extend it a bit next year, perhaps adding an evening or two.

Hales said that the average age in the United Methodist Churches is 57. The aging population is growing and that is where Reformation Lutheran church wants to focus, on the mature adult ministry.

“When we started focusing on our senior ministry, our youth and young adult numbers started growing,” said Hales.

The senior ministry, he points out, has brought renewal to Reformation Lutheran Church.

Amy Wagner covers church news for the Star Exponent. Have a story idea? E-mail her at