I hope you got a chance to enjoy some BBQ, baked beans, just plain, good ole fashion grillin’ as my uncle would say. Memorial Day, traditionally, marks the beginning of a season of family fun in the sun: beaches, vacations, time with family and friends.
While for many this time of year commences an influx of road trips, summer camps, and much needed family get-a-ways, for most churches it often represents a season of stark decline. Decreased attendance, sporadic giving and lack of participation in church activities are on an all-time rise now that summer is almost here.
It doesn’t have to be this way! Your ministry CAN have different results. How? It’s simple. Change the game! Here are 5 game changing ways to soar into this summer season:
- Take stock – Evaluate what’s going on in your church or ministry today. What is the current participation level? What’s the mood of your current parishioners? Are you seeing consistent number of visitors? Before you look to “change the game” you need to assess what you are already doing.
- Include everyone – Ask, seek, knock. You can find out a lot about people if you take time to talk to them. What exactly are the summer plans of your current members? What does your ministry offer during the summer months that are of interest and relevance to your current audience?
- Be proactive – You know summer is quickly approaching; actually it comes every year around this same time. Why sit back and wait for things to decrease and decline? Launch out! Begin seeking ways NOW to engage your current audience and attract new people BEFORE you get deep into the summer months.
- Take Action – Once you have heard back from your loyal, local church members, – take action. If necessary, change things, do something different, use what you learn from your members to make your church the place to be this summer.
- Have FUN! – Did you know that “summer” is defined as a period of greatest happiness, success, or fulfillment? Does what you offer in the form of activities, programs, and ministry contribute to one’s happiness? Do your ministry’s programs or activities include a strong “fun-factor”? If, not do something different! If happiness is the order of the day, be sure to include it in your ministry efforts.
Summer is swiftly approaching, what will you do differently? Will your ministry soar or will it settle?