Resources for Ministry Over the Summer Months

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God Made Summer and Winter - Ministry Resources to Point to the Season
Though the summer months may bring challenges for the Church, like a slump in attendance and giving, as well as fewer available ministry workers, it also opens doors to new possibilities in ministry not present during other seasons of the year. Since God created our world to experience seasons (Ps. 74:17; 104:19), let’s adapt and “make the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:16, Col. 4:5).

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Help with the Effects of Summer on the Church and Ministry

These articles address some areas affected during the summer months:

Ideas for Ministry Over the Summer Months

These articles look at summer outreach and other ideas for the summer ministry:

Ministry Resources for the Summer Season

God’s creation is on full display during the summer months so why not bring some of it inside through handouts and decor.

Bulletins for Summer:

Bulletin Boards for Summer:

Misc. Resources Without a Christian Emphasis But Could Be Useful to Some Ministry Events or Activities:

You Might Also Be Interested in Resources for These Summer Holidays and Seasonal Events:

For Other Seasons of the Year, go to: Seasonal Ministry Resources

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Will the Summer Ministry Slump Lead to a Frazzled Fall?

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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

Be Wise So the Summer Ministry Slump Doesn't Lead to 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.

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Seasonal Bulletin Boards: Summer

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After the flood, God promised, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Gen. 8:22).  Summer will therefore continue to be a seasonal topic for Sunday School and church bulletin boards.

A summer bulletin board theme based on Genesis 8:22 could be about how God keeps His promises.

More Bible Verses Using the Word “Summer”

I found the word “summer” used in the Bible 18 times but not all would make sense for use on a bulletin board.  In addition to Genesis 8:22, here are few that could be used:

Theme:  God’s wisdom and power seen in creation

“It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.”  (Ps. 74:17)

For a bulletin board design you could put the words to this verse in a typical summer landscape (i.e., sun, flowers).

Theme:  Signs of His coming

“Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Lk. 21:28-31)

While this parable told by Jesus references what happens in spring that leads to summer, it has the word “summer” in it. Perhaps it could be displayed right before the summer season begins.  (parable also in Matt. 24:32-33; Mk. 13:28)

Theme:  Learn wisdom from the ant.

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!  It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” (Prov. 6:6-8)

“Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;” (Prov. 30:25)

The bulletin board could be designed with  an ant mound using a summer backdrop (i.e., sun shining). You could have ants heading into the mound in a path each having a word from Proverbs 30:25  or you could have a picnic table with ants and Proverbs 6:6-8.

Theme:  It just isn’t right. It doesn’t make sense.

“Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.” (Prov. 26:1)

The board could have an obvious summer theme (maybe a picnic table & people in summer clothing with the sun brightly shining, etc.) and snowflakes falling.

Theme:  wise versus lazy … being a good steward

“He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” (Prov. 10:5)

This would be a good one to display toward the end of the summer.

Seasonal Activities & Phenomenon for Summer Bulletin Boards

Use your imagination thinking about summer activities to use as backgrounds:

Summer Bible Bulletin Boards Book
(Click for book in affiliate store.)

vacations, the beach, shovels & buckets, sea shells, beach balls, footprints in the sand, butterflies, the sun, butterflies, flowers, watering can, birds & birdhouses, lighthouses, boating/sailing, swimming,  gardens producing fruits & vegetables, ponds with ducks/frogs, bees and other insects, wash lines with clothes hanging on them, seasonal fruit like watermelons, flip flops, picnics, feeling hot/the heat, blue skies, sunglasses, playground, kites, ice-cream cones, frisbees, badminton

An example could be a bulletin board designed with a fishing theme. You could use the following Bible verse.

Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19, KJV)

Perhaps you could develop a theme around not forgetting God while on vacation.

Anything dealing with the wonder of God’s creation as observed in this season of the year could be appropriate.

In the U.S. you could have a freedom or patriotic display for Independence Day.

Or, you could feature summer church events like camp or Vacation Bible School.

Some Tips for Designing Your Summer Bulletin Board

  • Determine if your lesson theme could be represented using any of the above ideas.
  • Think of verses, poems, sayings, or concepts related to summer that could fit your study.

  i.e., “This is the day the Lord has made …” could fit a bright summer background.

  • Consider how you can get students involved in making the board.

something they can write on fish, flowers, etc. (i.e., prayer requests); flowers made with students’ hand prints; their footprints in the sand; photos of them on displayed items; students color or paint items to be placed on the board

  • Decide if it would be possible to make it three-dimensional or textured.

light-weight objects, real sand, etc.

  • Watch for abstracts and symbolism if the board targets young children.

Younger ages are concrete thinkers so a play on words using the sun and Son might not be understood by them but would for older ages.

 Teacher Training Resource: Make Bulletin Boards SUPER

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