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What’s Up:
The summer slump isn’t a seasonal curse, it’s often a self-inflicted wound that churches keep repeating.
So What:
Cancelling programs, combining services, and cutting commitments in summer isn’t strategic … it’s surrender. And it tells your church (and community) that nothing important happens here till fall.
The Point Is:
Don’t Plan to Decline
Slashing summer programming trains your congregation to check out. Want people to keep showing up? Give them a reason.
Keep the Lights On
Canceling Sunday School, small groups, or choir communicates irrelevance. Keep ministry alive and visible … or don’t act surprised when the church dies in July.
Leverage, Don’t Languish
Use the season for strategic outreach. Plan one killer event that your target audience actually wants to attend.
Ask the Right People
Your church members aren’t your growth consultants. Get feedback from your unchurched avatar before you schedule that ice cream social. Find out what kind of event they would REALLY like to show up for.
And … ?
Summer doesn’t need to be the church’s annual ghost town. Yes, people take vacations, but they don’t all take them at once. The idea that we need to pull back just because attendance might dip is bad strategy and worse theology. The gospel isn’t seasonal. Discipleship doesn’t get summer hours. And life transformation doesn’t get to take a break just because the band needs one.
Instead of scaling down, focus your energy. Don’t overprogram. Choose one big outreach event, and make it count. Confirm that it aligns with your target avatar’s real interests, not your planning committee’s best guess. Schedule it away from community conflicts. Market the event like you mean it. And then follow up on every contact like eternity depends on it.
Action!
Pick your one summer event this week and start having real conversations with your unchurched avatar about what would get them to show up.
