I have been involved in the bus ministry in various capacities for the past 18 years. In that time, I have yet to see a bus route that implemented the ideas and principles listed in this article that was floundering or struggling in its endeavor to make a difference in the lives of riders. In fact, the routes that have faithfully practiced this “bus ministry math” have seen great numeric and spiritual growth and have enjoyed the blessings that come with a thriving bus route.
In school, we learned that 3 x 3 = 9. In the bus ministry, the answer to that equation
is different—3 x 3 = a thriving bus route. Let me explain what I mean by this. For a route to thrive, there must be consistent, dedicated investment each and every week. I have come up with this formula to encourage bus workers in their ministry for the Lord. I encourage our bus workers to invest 3 hours at 3 different times per week for their bus route whenever possible.
1. 3 Hours on Monday through Friday
If there is no prayer and preparation throughout the week for your bus route, you will not experience the great weekend on the bus that God wants to give you. Here are several ideas on how to invest 3 hours during the week:
A. Prayer – Pray over your bus list.
B. Notes – Write a few notes to your riders during the week.
C. Visit your route on a week night. – You will find children that you have never seen before if you visit at a different time every so often.
D. Promotion – Plan and purchase your promotion for the coming week.
E. Handouts – Design and print flyers, memory verses, coloring sheets, bus news, and other items for your riders.
F. Phone calls – Your riders will be shocked to hear from you on a day other than Saturday or Sunday.
2. 3 Hours on Saturday
A. Church bus meeting – Be on time every week!
B. Visit regular riders – Pray with them; invest in them.
C. Prospects – Visit prospects from previous weeks.
D. New door knocking – Spend time every week inviting new people to church.
E. Saturday night phone calls – If you will make a short call through your bus list on Saturday night, you will see a 10% increase in your Sunday attendance.
3. 3 Hours on Sunday – make them count!
The world gets these riders for about 163 hours a week. We get them for 5 or so hours, 3 of which they are on the bus. Make this time count for Christ!
A. Talk to your riders one-on-one.
B. Pray with your riders.
C. Lead visitors to Christ while they are on the bus. You have a captive audience!
D. Have fun with a small group of kids on your bus.
E. Have a program EVERY Sunday. Make church FUN!
This little mathematic equation can transform your bus route if you will begin to faithfully practice it. Your bus route can thrive and experience the great rewards of seeing lives changed on a weekly basis, but it will not happen by accident. You must pour yourself into that route to see results!