Summer Breaks?

At many churches we've attended, we've noticed that the habit of the church is to take a break from many church activities during the summer. The choir stops performing; the Bible studies stop meeting.

When I've asked "why?", I usually get an answer something like this:
"Nobody wants to come in the summer."
"We need a break."
"Attendance is down during the summer."

Undoubtedly this is so. But I've also seen this become a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you cut out the normal routine for the summer, you send the message that summer services are optional, that Bible studies are optional. Your average attendance will naturally fall as people begin to go to the lake rather than go to church. Unfortunately, some of those people won't return in September.

But what else can you do?

Take advantage of the fact that many people have extra time during the summer. School children and schoolteachers are not working their normal routine, so many extra activities can be scheduled.

Consider this:

• In addition to the normal Vacation Bible School, have special weekday sessions for the children. Let one person teach handbells to the kids - let another work up a really good kids musical program. Add an ongoing kids class one day a week to prepare for first communion or for baptism.
• Have a Mother's day out program for the Mothers.
• Pull together a woman's chorus just for the summer composed of those that can meet during the day.
• Invite in students from a local Christian college or seminary to handle services.
• Schedule traveling Gospel groups.
• Add a regular Christian movie night on a weekday evening during the summer. Take a classic movie, introduce it, watch it, and talk about it.

In short, change your program, but keep up attendance through new and creative ideas!