The church term “Summer Slump” has been around for decades and I think it’s time to retire the phrase.
The idea of an anticipated attendance “slump” will deliver on its promise every time.
This is more than a numbers thing; it’s about how you perceive your church in the summer.
I certainly acknowledge a change in the rhythms of life during the summer, mostly centered on family. The kids are out of school and vacations kick in!
But there are equally large rhythms that remain steady, like the adults still go to work most of the summer and continue to go about their normal daily routine.
The church is very similar.
Summer is a different season; it brings some welcomed change with it every year. But it doesn’t need to be considered the “lost three months.”
Church continues, visitors attend, and lives are changed. In fact, summer can be some of your best months!
Intentional leadership can make the difference between a ho-hum, half throttle two to three months, and a season that is one of your church’s favorite times of the year.
Think of it this way, you are going to have church, so why not make it great? Don’t settle for a “B” Sunday. Make each weekend great!
You communicate exactly what you anticipate during the summer by your words, behavior and what you deliver on the weekend. Read More
I can personally attest to the truth of the observations Dan Reiland makes about the so-called "summer slump." At St.Michael's we decided not to cut back our two Sunday morning services to one and not to give the choir the whole summer off. Rather we had a "summer choir." We invited anyone who was interested in singing with the choir to sing with the "summer choir." We often picked up new choir members in the summer in this way. We also selected simpler choir pieces for the summer and we were more flexible with the choir rehearsal schedule. Our Sunday morning services were well-attended throughout the summer. We also offered a summer children's ministry as well as VBS and a nursery for the infants.
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