While at the Orange Conference this year, my mind was turned upside down. The Big Deal Guys held a breakout session, where they take creativity in storytelling to a whole new level. They build Rube Goldberg contraptions on stage, using people as moving parts to demonstrate or tell part of the story. At first, I couldn’t get my head around it. How can something so unpredictable and outlandish work without taking away from the message? I cornered Andrew after one of the main sessions and talked at length about it. He pointed out that the message was never compromised. In fact, it is heightened by the dramatic fashion of the human machinery on stage taking part in telling the story. Everyone becomes invested and even forgiving if thing don’t always work.

I began to think about the possibilities with Andrew. Our Vacation Bible School was a few months away. How could we demonstrate what we were collecting would affect a village in Malawi? Our goal was to raise $10,000 to help build a deep water well with World Vision.

We talked about the start, first pouring dirty water into a scale. Next, pouring money on the other side, which would trip the start of the contraption. I followed up with  our children’s ministry director and began to brainstorm. She also mentioned the memory verse for the week.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:37-39

How could we show this along with the contraption? Here’s a walkthru…

It was a blast not only to come up with the idea but to build some of the pieces and parts. Hammer, nails and saws were assembled. The smell of fresh-cut wood permeated my carport leading up to VBS. Finally, we began the week. We slowly introduced the idea at the end of each large group. I would come in and interrupt Jan, the head of the program. We would talk about a certain aspect of the memory verse (heart, soul and mind). For the heart, I brought a late Valentine’s Card. We had shoes and James Brown playing to symbolize soul. We talked through the verse and I promised I would get it right by the end.

Our family night concluded on Thursday night. I was extremely nervous throughout the day. Family night is always tough, it’s the end of VBS, the kids are restless, the volunteers are exhausted and the rest of the parents are trying to manage chaos. We closed the night with the contraption with minimal rehearsal time. And here is what happened….

I can’t say enough about The Big Deal Guys. Michael and Andrew’s presentation and time spent with anyone and everyone really helped me dream big. I also can’t say enough about the Rethink Group and the Orange Conference. Every year, I come away stretched enough to come back to my church. And speaking of which, I am so thankful that Jan, Julie and the rest of the folks at Peachtree Presbyterian don’t try to keep me from doing anything short of sin for God when it comes to the next generation.

(BTW: The Big Deal Guys are currently walking through the thirteen essentials you need for your children’s ministry program. A little lengthier discussion. But, I highly recommend it.)