Summer of Connection: Keeping Your Church Engaged During the "Slump"
June 2024 - Summer is on the horizon, days are getting longer, and for many churches, attendance tends to dip as families travel and routines shift. But the so-called "summer slump" doesn't have to mean a slide in ministry impact. In fact, effective churches build sustainable momentum by viewing summer not as an interruption but as an integral part of the ministry year. June is the kickoff to that season, and with intentional strategy - especially leveraging digital tools - you can keep your congregation connected, growing, and even reach new people over the summer months. Let's explore how to turn summer into a season of connection.
Acknowledge the Rhythm and Plan Accordingly
First, it's important to recognize the natural rhythm of the year. Many churches experience predictable seasonal patterns: spring was busy with Easter and end-of-school-year events, and now summer (June-August) often brings reduced programming and more competition with vacations and outdoor activities. Rather than fight this, embrace it in your planning. Perhaps June is a great month to simplify and focus on relationships over programs. For instance, if mid-week meetings go on hiatus, replace them with informal online gatherings: a weekly "summer check-in" via Facebook Live or Zoom where pastors share a short devotional and attendees can chat or ask for prayer. It's low-structure and acknowledges that people might be tuning in from the beach or their backyard.
Also, adjust expectations and set goals for summer engagement metrics beyond just in-person attendance. Track online service views, participation in virtual groups, and social media interaction as key indicators of connection. If 100 people are away on a given Sunday but later watch the sermon online from their holiday location, celebrate that! The goal is to keep people spiritually fed and feeling part of the community wherever they are.
Leverage Livestream and On-Demand Content
Summer is the time to double down on your livestreaming and digital content. When members are traveling or scattered, the church can go with them through their devices. Ensure your Sunday service live streams are reliable and high-quality; invest a bit now in any needed tech tweaks. As one church tech report noted, 86% of church leaders say live streaming has enhanced discipleship, and 87% of churches continue to stream worship services even post-pandemic. People appreciate having that lifeline to home.
In June, remind your congregation from the pulpit and in emails that "wherever you go this summer, you can take church with you." Encourage use of your church's app or website to catch sermons. Perhaps create a special summer sermon series that lends itself to continuity via video - something catchy like "Summer in the Psalms" or "Road Trip:
- Journeying with Jesus." Promote that if they miss a week, they can easily watch later. Some churches even put together a "Vacation Worship Kit"
- a page on the website with links to the live stream, a children's activity sheet for the car ride, and a giving link
- so families can intentionally have church time while away.
Another idea:
- daily or weekly devotional videos. With longer daylight and relaxed schedules, people might have a bit more margin for spiritual reflection. A short mid-week video devotional or podcast (5 minutes or less) by church staff or members can keep the community spiritually engaged together. For example, each Wednesday in June, post a "Summer Encouragement" video on social media
- perhaps filmed in a scenic outdoor spot
- with a thought for the week and a question for viewers to comment on. This not only feeds people but also sparks interaction as folks comment or share how they're applying the thought during their summer activities.
Foster Community Through Creative Online Interactions
When you can't gather everyone physically, create virtual gathering spots. June is a great time to launch an online community challenge or group that runs through the summer. One popular approach is a Bible reading challenge - for instance, challenge your church to read through the Gospels or a certain book of the Bible during June-July. Use a Bible app plan and set up a group within the app so members can see each other's progress and comments. It's surprisingly motivating and builds camaraderie ("We're all reading Matthew 5 today, whether in town or on vacation!").
Social media can also host fun engagement. Try a Photo-of-the-Week contest: each week of June, announce a theme (e.g., "Rest", "Family", "God's Creation") and invite members to post a picture that captures it, tagging the church. Highlight a few each Sunday or in your newsletter. This not only keeps people thinking about their faith in everyday life, but also helps members see each other's experiences and stay connected visually. (It's always heartwarming to see familiar faces pop up enjoying summer while still keeping faith in focus.)
For families, consider digital family activities provided by the church. For example, release a "Family Summer Adventure Guide" PDF - something with ideas like a family prayer walk route, a scavenger hunt to find signs of God's creation, or a simple home Bible craft - one for each week of June/July. Encourage families to post or send in a photo completing each activity. You could even turn it into a bingo card or checklist that kids can complete for a small prize at summer's end. This gives parents tools to spiritually engage kids during the break and subtly reminds them the church cares about their family time.
Tackle the "Summer Slump" Myth with Outreach
It's often assumed that ministry slows in summer, but June can actually be the start of creative outreach initiatives. With community events like festivals, sports leagues, and farmers' markets in full swing, your church can have a presence beyond its walls. Plan ahead to participate in community gatherings - and use digital means to boost these efforts. For example, if there's a city summer concert series, organize a group from church to attend together (wearing church T-shirts perhaps) and invite neighbors. Then share photos or a recap online, thanking everyone who came and mentioning upcoming chances to connect. This amplifies the reach beyond those who physically attended, potentially drawing interest from others online.
Another tip:
- start promoting any big fall outreach now, in summer-friendly ways. Some national campaigns like "Back to Church Sunday" (every September) have materials and social media kits available by mid-summer. In June, you might recruit a small "digital street team" of volunteers who will take charge of summer social media outreach
- scheduling posts, running Facebook ads for VBS or back-to-school events, etc. Those volunteers might appreciate a lighter summer schedule to do this work remotely from home or vacation. By proactively preparing in June, you won't lose momentum heading into fall; instead, you create a bridge from spring to autumn where each season's efforts inform the next.
Rest and Refill the Team
Summer is also a time for rest - and that includes your ministry team. Encourage staff and key volunteers to take some vacation in June or July to recharge. Digitally, this means planning for coverage: perhaps pre-scheduling social media posts or enlisting lay members to lead the online Bible study for a week. Churches can embrace a slightly slower pace in programming while maintaining relational warmth online.
Communicate openly with your congregation about the summer schedule. If certain ministries pause or meet less frequently, let people know when and how they can still connect (maybe a monthly all-church BBQ or online prayer night fills the gap). People appreciate clarity and will adjust if they feel they're not simply being neglected. Also, celebrate the unique opportunities of summer - maybe share a list of recommended Christian books or podcasts for people to explore on summer road trips, and then have an online discussion or two about them. This frames the narrative: summer isn't a spiritual time-out, it's a different mode of growth.
In short, June can be the launch of a "summer of connection" rather than a slump. By adapting to the season's flow, maximizing digital touchpoints, and creatively engaging through social platforms and streaming, your church can maintain a vibrant community. You might even find new people connecting in summer who wouldn't in other seasons - the neighbor who finally has time to watch a live stream, or the college student back home and joining your online Bible challenge. God works in every season, including the sunny ones!
In short, June can be the launch of a "summer of connection" rather than a slump. By adapting to the season's flow, maximizing digital touchpoints, and creatively engaging through social platforms and streaming, your church can maintain a vibrant community. You might even find new people connecting in summer who wouldn't in other seasons - the neighbor who finally has time to watch a live stream, or the college student back home and joining your online Bible challenge. God works in every season, including the sunny ones!
Ready to strengthen your digital ministry?
At Intent, we believe that with the right approach, summer can be a time of both rest and outreach for your church. If you'd like help implementing summer engagement ideas or need to upgrade your digital tools for the season, we're here to assist. Let's work together to ensure that this summer, no one slips through the cracks - instead, all feel connected whether they're in the pews, at a campsite, or anywhere in between. Here's to a summer filled with spiritual growth and genuine community, all while enjoying the slower, sweeter rhythms that June brings!