Fun Summer Ministry
Summer 2025 ISSUE | 5 minute read
Fun Summer Ministry!
Some Pastors have thrown in the towel on local church ministry in the Summer. So many folks on vacation, people at the lake or beach, kids' sports… how can a local church compete with all these options? Of course, we're not to be in competition with other entities, but so many people literally consider church as one of many options. If nothing better comes up, they may go to church!
Pastors get tired of this battle. Some get frustrated with lower attendance and giving. All momentum coming out of Spring is lost. They assume that the church is “stuck” for the season. Then, they must “jump start” again in the fall. If we are not very careful, our frustration can evolve into apathy. We go through the motions of ministry all Summer long, with no productivity or progress. Far too many churches have surrendered to the idea that Summer is dead, ministry-wise.
Not so fast!
Why can't we approach Summer as a fun time for the church? Perhaps James Watson was on to something when he said, "If you can't beat 'em, join ‘em!" Summertime can create some innovative ministry opportunities for the engaged church. I'm not suggesting that we make church time, play time. And those of us who try to attract and retain people by entertaining them are in for a surprise. But what if we approach Summer with some Spirit-inspired creativity? Would it be wrong for us to plan events that allow for some fun and fellowship?
People love the outdoors in Virginia. Why not tap into that interest? Outdoor worship services used to be the norm. Maybe setting up a big tent (check with local authorities for required permits) or renting a pavilion at the park would inspire people to come to church on a sunny day. Old-fashioned church picnics are still attractive to many. Baptism at the beach or lake is a great public testimony. How about an outdoor concert or "singspiration" on a Sunday evening? These, and other Sunday activities, can create some excitement.
Not all summer fun church events need to be on Sunday. A kids’ fishing tournament, a pickleball league, a hiking club, a chili cook-off, a golf tournament, or a park cleanup day can be a great way to connect with the community throughout the week. Outdoor family movie nights, a youth soccer league, or karaoke can be an excellent way of engaging people. Vacation Bible School still works in many places. And don’t forget about the Outreach Trailer rental made available through the State Office.
You may ask, "What do these 'fun' things have to do with winning people to Christ?" It's rather simple: if people abandon the church in the Summer, if the church "shuts down" for three months, one quarter of the ministry year is wasted. Removing 25% of an individual's discipleship opportunities is a bad idea. We must keep people engaged in the church year-round. While we can't expect everyone to be at every event, we can offer such exciting opportunities that when people don't come, they know they missed something great!
Pastors and church leaders, consider what God may be saying to you about your ministry this Summer. While activities can become an obstacle to doing ministry, they can also be redeemed in a way that helps connect people to the Lord and the church. Why not turn the enemy of summer fun into a tool that changes lives? Wouldn’t it be marvelous if the Spirit of the Lord descended on our churches this Summer? How loud would our praise be if several were saved in our ministries this Summer? It's possible! But only if we pray, seek the Holy Spirit for creative ideas, think "outside of the box," and make the ministry effective in reaching people. I am praying that this Summer will be an extremely fruitful harvest season for the Church of God in Virginia.
Let’s not approach the Summer with dread. Let’s try to make Summer 2025 the best ever!
Bishop Rick Whitter
State Administrative Bishop
Virginia Church of God State Office