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MAKE SUMMER COUNT! Well it’s summertime and many churches experience a “drop” in attendance as families vacation, head to the beach, and enjoy other summer activities. I have noticed that many churches have begun a new “trend” of “relaxing” over the summer as well. I would like to take a few minutes today to encourage you to make this summer count and give you some ideas on how to liven up your programming for the summer and to make every moment count with the children and families God brings through your doors! When I served as a Children’s Pastor, I would totally “change up” our programming to make it more exciting for those summer months. For our midweek, we would use a VBS program and spread it out over the course of 12 weeks with a “Summer Kickoff Party” on the first week and then a “Back to School Blast” on the last week. We would decorate our large group room in the theme of the VBS and have all of our volunteers dress accordingly. We held the Crafts, Snacks, and Games in our smaller classrooms and then had a rotating schedule for each grade level. They would meet for Large Group at the beginning and end of the service time with their crafts/games/snack in the middle. Basically, each “day” in a VBS Curriculum gave us two weeks of midweek programming. Have a summer event for your families. We are holding one for our Preschool families at a local indoor playground and then we are holding a separate event for Elementary families at a local water park. You can go simpler and cheaper by just heading to a local park for a picnic and games or to the beach. These events will give our families an opportunity to invite unchurched friends and families to attend and just come and have a great time of fun. Also, it is a great time for our volunteers and staff to spend time getting to know some of our families as we “hang out” with them. Plan an outreach for your students so they are putting the Word into action. Talk with some of the local charity organizations in your community to find opportunities where your children and families can serve. Maybe packing school supplies for a “Supply Giveaway”; helping with a “Beach Cleanup”; handing out water bottles on the beach; doing a “Clean Up” day within in your own church having the kids help clean up the church, prepare for a special event, restock tithing envelopes, etc. You can start these events with a devotion, serve, and then end the event with a celebration maybe serving ice cream sandwiches or special snack. It’s not too late to put a little “splash” into your summer programming this year and make it count. It does not take much; even changing the way your families are greeted at the door this summer can make a big impact. Pray, let God lead you and make this summer count for the lives that walk in your doors!
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