Let’s follow our people where they go, rather than work doggedly to keep them close to the Sunday pew. Their summer scattering, after all, is important to their well-being. Family time, vacation time, a “stay-cation” in lean times, even, dare we say it, “playing hooky” from normal duties, are all necessary for the soul.
Stay in touch by e-mail
Your e-mail newsletter will travel with them. Keep it brief, keep it positive, and include some stories about what church members are doing this summer. Affirm them in their summer scattering. Make sure they know that your concern, the church’s prayers, and God’s love are with them.
Groups should nurture bonds
Most active church members are in one or more groups, such as choir, study group, or work team. Group leaders should stay in contact with their charges by e-mail. Again, light, positive, affirming. Make them look forward to their next group time. Share prayer concerns, so they are reminded how much the group means to them.
Deal separately with financial pressure
It happens every year — giving lags during summer, even as expenses stay steady — and congregational leaders should have a strategy for dealing with it. That strategy shouldn’t include pressuring constituents for summer giving. Many are digging deep to manage vacation time. Don’t add to their financial distress.
Have fun
Summer is a wonderful time for the church to be playful. Lemonade on the lawn after worship. Shorts encouraged. Unusual music, like a barbershop quartet or a jazz combo. A different slant on preaching. Show vacation slides on a large screen as a backdrop during worship.
Try some off-site events
Swimming parties, backyard picnics, car washes, golf outings — have fun, and encourage people to see that the faith community doesn’t just exist on Sunday at the central site.
Use online resources
Summer is a good time to get members acquainted with online resources, such as videos from the playful services, vacation-themed prayers and writings, a section on your Web site for posting vacation pictures, a Facebook group for vacation photos.
In doing initiatives like these, you will be helping your constituents do the critical work of thinking beyond Sunday and the building. If you do these activities while clergy are taking their own vacations, you communicate an important reality: growth and multichannel life won’t depend on clergy presence.
Having fun might send the best message of all. The word that has gone around about mainline Protestant congregations is that they are bland and humorless. Insiders know that isn’t the case, but our image is one of dull worship and lifeless gatherings. What better way to turn around those perceptions than by having fun and hearing people laugh?
