The church calendar for many begins anew in the Fall. Due to vacationing members and resultant attendance fluctuation, a number of churches disband Sunday School, small groups, and other normally ongoing ministry activities for the summer months. While ministry leaders certainly can use a break during these times, if not careful the summer ministry slump could lead to a frazzled Fall.
Wisely Use the Summer Ministry Slump to Avoid a Frazzled Fall
Why go into the fall frazzled because of last minute preparations? Enjoy the summer but also use it to prayerfully work ahead in a relaxed frame of mind.
Be wise in making the most of every opportunity (Eph. 5:15-16). Don’t let the Fall creep up on you, causing undo stress and cut corners.
Here are some suggestions for what you should already be working on:
- Spend time in prayer for God’s wisdom in planning and preparing for His desires to be accomplished.
- Make sure all curriculum and training materials are ordered and ready to be distributed in a timely fashion.
- Finalize any staffing needs so you don’t have to put out last minute recruitment pleas.
- Ask all ministry workers to take time to pray and prepare their hearts for the upstart of fall ministries.
- Schedule people early enough for them to put it in their calendars rather than leaving them wandering or frustrated but then make sure to provide last minute reminders.
Be wise in how you use the remainder of the summer, remembering the words in Proverbs 6:10-11. — “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” — Let’s not take away from potential ministry because we failed to use the summer slump to prepare.