Bus Ministry

This list was found in my files while I was reading up on the bus ministry. We bought a 15 passenger van on Thursday and I spent the day getting it licensed and insured. Then yesterday I spent 3 hours taking the old vinyl lettering off of the sides and back getting it ready to put our church's new logo and information. We are hoping to get it ready for us to start using by the 18th of Oct to bring children in. I am excited about starting this new ministry and believe it will be a great blessing to our church. I will post some pictures of the van later.

Over the last several weeks I have been reading through the many books and pamphlets I have in my library about the bus ministry. I was hoping to learn a bit more about the philosophy and practical side of this exciting ministry. I was saved as a 12 year old boy through a bus/van ministry while living in Hawaii in 1972. We are praying that with our Bus Ministry will see many young people saved and families reached with the gospel.


12 Basic Laws of Church Bus Evangelism

1. The size of the church has no bearing upon the effectiveness of the church bus evangelism.
2. The location of the church (rural,small town, residential, suburban, downtown, or urban) has no bearing upon the effectiveness of church bus evangelism.
3. The age of the church has no bearing upon the effectiveness of church bus evangelism.
4. The population density of the area has very little relationship, for all practical purposes, upon the effectiveness of church bus evangelism (except in the desolate mountains and deserts of the west).
5. The income level of the area has no bearing upon the effectiveness of church bus evangelism. The response in the low income area, the middle income area, and the upper income area will be about the same if the proper procedures are followed.
6. The racial or ethnic characteristics of the community have no bearing upon the effectiveness of church bus evangelism.
7. Children do not think like adults. And adults must consider the thought pattern of children in order to be effective with them. For example, most adults are "turned off" at the thoughts of riding a bus to church but children love it. Most adults are "turned off" at the thoughts of riding an hour to church but children love it. They enjoy bus ride with friends!
8. Children like to go places-almost any place-and especially with other children. Most children do not have any place to go on Sunday mornings. Most children like riding buses, contests, awards, treats, socials, attention, activities, singing, and other such things.
9. The number of hours the bus workers spend visiting each Saturday determines the success or failure of church bus evangelism. The Sunday results are won or lost by sundown Saturday.
10. Many people will respond to God's love when they see it manifested in the lives of the church members every week.
11. The number of people attending any church and being baptized by any church is determined primarily by the attitude of the pastor and the church leaders-not by the buildings, the location, or the number of people in the community.
12. Change and growth go hand-in-hand. The church that never changes will never grow in a significant way. All changes do not produce growth but all significant growth must be accompanied by appropriate changes.