Summer Church Growth: A Complete Checklist

By Malik Washington

Summer can be challenging for churches as attendance and donations tend to dip due to people traveling. However, don't just survive the season; embrace it as a blessing in disguise.

Here is your checklist to grow and keep the energy up during the summer.

1. Actively engage online

This is crucial! With an online presence, your congregation can stay engaged with the church wherever they go. Here are some practical tips:

• Connect your YouTube channel or other video platforms to your website so people can access your services.
• Be intentional about your social media; it allows you to interact with your community and grow engagement.
• Share your events, summertime photos, and serving opportunities. 
• Ensure that people keep God at the forefront of their minds by posting Bible verses and quotes from the sermons. 
• Set up an online giving platform. People can worship God through tithes and offerings even if they are not physically present in the church building.

Do you need help with online giving? We can help! Call us at (844) 857-6023 and ask about Giving Halo.

2. Boost attendance by hosting family activities

In the summer, engaging in fun family activities is an effective means of gathering your church families and local community members. You can try hosting:

• Sunday Festival with concessions, games, raffles, and yard activities.
• Family picnics or potlucks
• Movie Night on the lawn with popcorn
• Fourth of July party with food and fireworks.
• Vacation Bible School (VBS)
• Community outreach to serve your local community

When organizing any church activity, it's essential to have policies and liability forms, especially for activities that carry physical risks. In our Documents Suite, you can access various editable forms, including a Liability Release Form and a VBS Application Form.

3. Use this time to rest 

Leading a congregation is challenging. Rest is essential for pastors and church leaders to maintain physical, emotional, and spiritual health to be more effective in their ministry. 

Take advantage of the summertime and make sure to:  

1. Schedule some time off and protect this time as you would any other commitment.
2. Do activities that you enjoy and can help you relax and recharge.
3. Disconnect from technology during this time.
4. Take care of your physical health: Eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise to reduce stress.
5. Spend quality time with your family.

4. Implement a kid-centric summer

With the summer season being a time of travel and relaxation, getting everyone ready for church on time is challenging, and families can be tempted to skip church altogether.

Here are some practical ideas:

• Create a service or program that caters to the needs and interests of children while remaining faithful to the gospel. Families are more likely to attend church regularly during the summer months by including fun and engaging elements.
• Consider activities not typically done during other times of the year: outdoor activities such as scavenger hunts, water balloon fights, field day, or even bubbles and chalk day. 
• Introduce a monthly family-friendly worship service. This service can include interactive storytelling, creative arts, and lively worship music to engage the whole family. 

These are powerful ways to grow your church and create opportunities for families to attend church, connect with one another and draw closer to Christ.

5. Plan for the rest of the year

Use the quieter summer months to strengthen administrative tasks within your church, especially if you have some ministerial responsibilities sitting on the “back burner.” 

This “lack of attention” typically affects your ministry's administrative and legal compliance sides. Here are some things that you could do to catch up on such responsibilities:

• Plan for future budgets 
• Plan sermon topics 
• Hold a board meeting
• Organize your board meeting minutes and other important documents. 
• Review and update your bylaws
• Implement policies and procedures
• Explore new opportunities for outreach and service 

Rather than allowing summer to slow down your church's mission, use it as momentum to keep your congregation and the Great Commission moving forward.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about how StartCHURCH can serve you, give us a call at (844) 857-6023

If you haven't time to talk today, schedule a call below!

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