From VBS to Fall Strategy: The Secret to Year-Round Volunteers

TAKE A DEEP BREATH—YOU DID IT!

The props are stored, the confetti has been swept up, and your VBS 2026 is officially in the books.

If you feel like you crossed the finish line on pure adrenaline and a prayer, take heart—your community saw a thriving, joyful ministry in action. You and your team poured out so much heart into making Jesus known to kids this summer. Way to go!

Now, as the post-VBS dust settles, the ministry clock keeps ticking. Suddenly, the horizon is filled with Promotion Sunday, Fall Festivals, and Christmas productions (not to mention the regular rhythms of Sunday morning!).

Feeling tired just thinking about that list? I hear you. But before you jump headfirst into the fall hustle alone, I want to share a timeless leadership truth.

MANY HANDS MAKE MORE THAN LIGHT WORK

C.S. Lewis once wrote in The Weight of Glory: "Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses."

When we look at our volunteers, we aren't looking at extra pairs of hands to cross tasks off a checklist - we're looking at believers God gifted on purpose, and those gifts were meant to be used.

We've all heard the old proverb that "many hands make light work," but in ministry it goes deeper than sharing the load. When you invite people into real leadership, you're equipping them to step into a valuable, transformative moment.

The goal isn't delegating busywork; it's giving your strongest potential leaders ownership and responsibility. When you onboard and trust them well, a beautiful shift happens:

• You gain room to shepherd and lead from a place of health.
• They step into purpose, growing in confidence and faith.
• Your church builds a sustainable culture that lasts for generations.

So, how does a summer program like VBS connect to your fall calendar? Your VBS is actually your greatest advantage for securing volunteers for the year.

SPOT YOUR RISE-AND-SHINE LEADERS

Think back over your VBS week. Who showed up with extraordinary energy, reliability, or care? You already have the raw data—now it's time to leverage it:

• The Kid Magnet: Whose group didn't want to leave at the end of the day? That's not just a fun personality—that's the most valuable gift in your building. Invite them to lead the same group of kids every week this fall. The biggest event on your calendar doesn't shape a kid's faith; it's shaped by the person who keeps showing up. You just watched them earn that trust in five days.
• The Hospitality Superstar: Did someone shine at welcoming families and keeping check-in smooth during VBS? Don't let that gift sit idle until next summer! Invite them to own the greeter experience on Sundays or for your fall festivals and holiday events - and to keep learning the names of the families who walk through your doors.
• The Creative Visionary: Who threw themselves into building your VBS sets and stage environments? Re-engage them now! Give them ownership to pitch ideas, scroll Pinterest, and lead your stage design team.
• The Master Organizer: Who crushed it running your VBS rotation stations, crafts, or snack prep? Put them in the driver's seat to lead sub-teams for your resource room, weekly prep teams, or your upcoming special events.

People don't want filler tasks—they want to participate in ministry that matters.
PEOPLE WANT TO BE ASKED TO DO SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT.

YOUR POST-VBS GAME PLAN

Ready to build a leadership pipeline that lasts past July? Here is your 5-step playbook:

1. List your VBS 2026 MVPs: Pull out a notepad and write down the top 5–10 people who impressed you during VBS.
2. Match gifts to real relationships: Map their specific strengths to actual roles—starting with the ones that put them in front of the same kids week after week.
3. Set up a low-pressure chat: Grab coffee or hop on a quick call. Acknowledge how awesome they were during VBS.
4. Start with a small ask: Invite them to take point on just one specific group or project for the fall.
5. Cast the bigger vision: Once they find their rhythm, invite them into a longer-term leadership role for the ministry year ahead.

When you invest in your leaders early in the fall, you're building the core team that will lead VBS 2027 alongside you when the time comes.

You don't have to carry the season on your shoulders alone. Look at the team God already brought you during VBS, and pass the baton!