Vacation Bible School Blog

Vacation Bible School is a religious education program that takes place in the summer. This program is usually held for 1-2 weeks. The duration of VBS varies among churches. Vacation Bible School has been a Protestant based concept almost since it's existence. In the past, Catholic VBS experience has been either non-existent or very limited. It is clear, that Vacation Bible School continues to be growing activity.Vacation Bible School education has been focused on children and youth for many years. Curriculum has been geared for children ages 5-18. Recently, however, the program has begun to add adult education as well. Again, this aspect of VBS varies among churches. Usually, participants are divided in to different classes by age. Even though, the same principles are taught to each age level, it is presents differently for all.

Fowler, in his work Stages of Faith, argues that there are 6 levels of faith in all parishes or churches: Intuitive-projective faith, Mythic-literal faith, Synthetic-conventional faith, Individuative-reflective faith, Conjunctive faith, and Universaling faith. With this in mind, it is clear that Vacation Bible is effective in it's mission.

One would think that because the classes are broken up by age, each stage of faith is covered. It is difficult to concluded that because the adult faith levels are not being addressed. In my church, there is only one class for adults. Grant it, there aren't many adults that attend because of work or other schedules, but because there is only one class for adults it is not addressing the various faith levels among them.