Home Outreach Leaders Articles for Outreach & Missions 7 Tips for Outreach … Even During the Summer

7 Tips for Outreach … Even During the Summer

4. Plan for flexibility. Realize last minute trips will occur, and people you thought would be there may quickly decide not to be. I like for the summer series, for example, to have a central theme, but each week be able to stand alone. (This is not a bad idea any time of year, because people who attend less regularly are more likely to return if they aren’t intentionally made to feel like they missed something. Ideally, there should be an encouragement to want to be there next week, but not a slam for missing last week. That’s a delicate balance.)

Something is likely to come up with me also and someone else might need to preach. This makes it easier. We sometimes preach through a book of the Bible or some theme from the Bible. This summer, we are doing Bible stories of adventure … people who took risks for their faith. If anyone preaches for me this summer, there are plenty of stories from which to choose.

Carry this flexible attitude throughout all ministries of the church during the summer. It could be, in children’s programs, that you plan more large group activities for when teachers are on short supply. You may need to pull volunteers from one area to help in another area. However it works for your church, just create a summer culture of being flexible.

5. Do a few special events to boost averages. Special occasions build excitement and sustain momentum through the summer months. Ice cream socials. Outdoor baptisms. Pizza parties and swim parties for youth. Dinner on the grounds. Vacation Bible School. One-day concerts. They serve a purpose. We are doing a high attendance emphasis this summer. It’s really just a branding emphasis to “invite a friend,” and obviously the goal is lower than a similar day in the fall, but the hope is to boost attendance for a day. I hear from teachers frequently that they lose ground with students over the summer. It can be that way with churches too. Plan some opportunities to keep engaged.

6. Use the time to prepare for fall. People will return from vacation. School will start back. People will return to church whom you’ve been missing. Will you be ready? Rest up. Plan. Prepare some exciting changes to implement. Relaunch.

7. Remember the vision. Again, it can be discouraging when fewer people are around for the summer. You simply miss getting to see some of the people. That’s a natural reaction, but remember your vision is for when two or more are gathered. The number isn’t as important as the mission being fulfilled. Celebrate what is happening and whoever comes if they are growing in Christ.

Summer can be a special time if you use it intentionally. And remember, time flies. Fall will be here soon.

What ideas do you have for churches to “weather” the summer months?