It’s that time of year again! Kids are home for the summer and parents seek fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Often, families look to a local church’s calendar for events to participate in. This is terrific news for churches because studies show that special events inspire a greater connection to the ministry.
Vacation Bible School is one of the largest outreach events for ministries. Roughly 68% of churches offer VBS to their local community and millions of children participate across the United States.
If you get excited flipping the church calendar from April to May, you’re not alone! May is a favorite month for many because it livens up the spring season. Flowers begin blooming, the air turns warm and inviting, and outdoor activities start popping up in the community.
Churches are no stranger to the summer slump. In fact, attendance drops an average of 28% in June and July. Summer vacations and outdoor activities can distract even the most avid churchgoer, and fewer attendees often lead to a decrease in giving as well.
Over the years, churches across the country have experienced first-hand the increase in online giving. And this year, the trend continues to rise in popularity. Not only did we see 12.1% overall growth for online giving in 2017; January started the new year off with a 16.4% online giving increase for faith-based organizations.
Greeting new visitors to church is essential if you want to grow your ministry. According to Pew Research Center, 79% of people said feeling welcomed played an important role in choosing a new place of worship. And Easter sees a surplus of newcomers, giving you a big opportunity to make a lasting impression.
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