USING PROMOTIONS ON THE BUS ROUTE
Why do we use promotions and give things to the kids? What does this accomplish. There are many reasons we do this. Here are a few:
1. It adds excitement to the route.
2. It is part of the program on the bus.
3. It is a tool for the bus captain.
4. It gets new riders for the bus.
5. It shows that you really care and love the kids.
6. It is a ministry to those that dont have much.
7. It rewards faithfulness.
8. It keeps the workers excited.
9. It keeps the kids bus.
Matt16:27 For the son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with his angels, and then he shall REWARD every man according to his works.
Some people that dont understand what we are doing are critical of using promotions. Some say it si bribing kids to come to church.. Dr. Jim Vineyard used to say that a bribe is when you try to get someone to do something wrong. It is not wrong to go to church.
Why is it all right for everyone else and every other organization to give things away, but it is not all right for the church and Bus ministry? It is simply and incentive for doing what is right. Some people give their children money for good grades etc.
WHERE TO GET PROMOTIONS AND GIVE-AWAYS FOR THE BUS
If your church is normal, money for bus ministry is tight. With the costs of gas, tires, parts, maintenance, and insurance, there is not much left for promotion. Some good places to shop for deals for your bus route are:
1. Salvage stores
2. Warehouse stores (Sams, Costco)
3. Grocery stores
4. Day Old bread stores
5. Bakeries
6. Fast food chains
Always be on the lookout for a good deal. If you have too, it is better to buy it and store it for a while and you will save money in the long run.
MAKING FLYERS
I always use a flyer when I visit a bus route. It may not be a special day, but just something to leave with the riders to remind them about Sunday is fine. It is good advertising for your church and bus route.
Your flyer should include a phone number where the bus captain can be reached or the bus director can be contacted. I have found it best just to put my cell phone number on all the flyers so folks can get in touch with me at any time. Make sure the lines of communication are always open. This way, it is almost impossible that I can't be reached.
When you make flyers, use big pictures. Smaller kids can relate better and dont make the
flyer too "wordy".
WHAT KIND OF PROMOTIONS CAN YOU USE?
I never use anything that would be considered not right for church use. For example, I would not give away rock music tapes or CDs or promote anything that would be contrary to the Bible. Basically, I have divided all my promotions into 4 categories:
1. Food promotions (candy, pizza, hot-dogs, etc).
Actually, this seems to be the best type of promotions. Kids love to eat! We usually have something to eat almost every Sunday. Sometimes this is not really a promotion, but a ministry because the kids don't eat before they get on the bus and then they are late getting back home for lunch.
2. Activities promotions. These would include the kids participating in some activity. We have had horse back riding, carnival type days, foot races, basketball games, etc.
3. Trip promotions. These would include acutally going somewhere. Some of the things we have done on our bus route include: The Zoo, Picnic at the Park, to my home, etc. These require extra effort and communication with the parents to let them know you are going to be late getting home.
4. Item give aways. We have given away toys, pencils, books, Bibles, you name it. I would not give anything away that would be "worldly" like move star or rock star posters, candy cigarettes, etc.
