VBS and Martin Luther

Pastor C as Martin Luther

October 31, 2017, will mark the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation - the date that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenberg.  This week, to celebrate that anniversary, my church's Vacation Bible School is welcoming Dr. Martin Luther as our guest teacher.


 
This is the second year that I've overseen our VBS event.   It's not exactly what a Marine Corps officer would do, but whether you're leading Marines or heading up Vacation Bible School, leadership is the same, and I tend to approach and evaluate everything from that perspective.

We do a few things differently than the traditional VBS format, but what's surprised and delighted me is that VBS is a great opportunity for church members to plan, work, and fellowship together.  

It seems that everyone has a different talent to share - from decorating, leading music, teaching, cooking, organizing games, or just enjoying and playing with the kids.  And I've seen relationships and friendships cultivated, teamwork built, and encouragement given. 

In his Smalcald Articles, Dr. Luther says that God shows His goodness and gives His grace "also through the mutual conversation and consolation of brethren."

Life is hard; faith is hard; ministry is hard.  I struggle daily, as my flesh fights against the Spirit within me.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:17

It's important for our spiritual growth to spend time dealing with the issues of the heart; and this is an area that "consolation of brethren" is of great benefit.

I like that word - consolation.  It means: comfort, moral support, encouragement, relief, solace, reassurance, help.  

Our hearts can overwhelm us; relationships and problems can seem insurmountable.  

But laughing together, crying together, working in the kitchen, decorating, cleaning together...all of that, together with a brother or sister in Christ...it makes the load a little easier to bear.

And that's the way God intended it - as Jesus has borne the sins of the world, as He has borne my sins...we are to help, support, and encourage each other in this life, in our struggles, and in our faith.

I'm sure Martin Luther didn't have VBS in mind when he wrote the Smalcald Articles.  But all those outreach and fellowship events are opportunities for "consolation of brethren."

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25