CREEDE HINSHAW: Bible school complaints heat up again

It’s Bible School time again … that summer ritual probably mentioned somewhere in the book of Numbers. What else did those parents have to do with their children for 40 years of wandering? By the time they’d reached the land of milk and honey, those kids must have known the Torah forward and backward.

Earlier this week I took my almost-4-year-old grandson to his very first Bible School … helium balloons in the courtyard announcing to the children, parents and grandparents we’d come to the right place.

Taking this toddler to the church for what will become a multiyear ritual, his tiny hand in mine, was a tender moment. One day he won’t need a parents’ or grandparents’ hand when he arrives at Bible School. Instead he’ll charge through those church doors unescorted, ready to see friends and have adventures.

Complaints about Bible School have probably been around as long as the first event. Here are some of the most common sources of griping:

— “These kids tear up the church.” True. Things will be broken, walls will be marred and floors will be scuffed. Some adults will enter their classrooms next Sunday and find things haven’t been put back in order. The church kitchen will be in disarray, and the carefully cultivated lawn will be trampled by kids romping through the grass and flowers. Custodial staff (paid or volunteer) will have a mammoth cleanup job after Bible School.

— “Parents take advantage of the church at Vacation Bible School.” True for some parents. Too few parents volunteer. Too many parents expect somebody else to teach or supervise their children. Some parents never consider the expense of Bible School might necessitate them contributing for the cost of materials and refreshments. And then there are those who don’t bring their kids on time or, even worse, pick their lonely child up 45 minutes after everyone else has left.

— “Bible School has degenerated into a babysitting service.” True. Some frazzled parents or caregivers may be looking for any activity to get their children out of the house, which explains why some kids attend two or even three Bible Schools per summer.

— “The same people end up teaching/leading year after year after year.” True most of the time. In many situations, it is difficult to find volunteers, especially for a daytime Bible School.

So why not just call it quits? Why hold Bible School?

I’ll answer with another question: Who knows what might be the defining moment in the life of a child? Take every complaint listed above, multiply the grousing tenfold and it is still worth every possible trouble, inconvenience and frustration to raise up children in the way of the Lord. Churches can be creative in the way Bible School is offered, but there is no avoiding the privilege and responsibility of loving our children. The responsibility to mold and shape children to love Jesus and know and serve God never changes. Summer is here. All hands on deck.

Email columnist Creede Hinshaw, a retired Methodist minister, at [email protected].