Summertime Blues

Article by: Dr. Brad Davis

Lead Pastor at Living Word Church

Read the original article HERE

Alan Jackson once sang, “Sometimes I wonder what I’m gonna do, ‘cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues.” But when it comes to the church—I disagree.

There is a cure.

When summer hits, it can feel like everything slows down. Attendance dips. People travel. Schedules get loose. Kids are out of school.

But here’s the truth: Summer doesn’t have to be a slump season. In fact, it can become one of your greatest opportunities for:

• Connection

• Discipleship

• Outreach

So here’s the real question: How do we disciple people when everything feels disconnected? The answer is simple: Relationships. Connection. Discipleship.

Foster Relationships and Build Connection

Let’s start here because this is foundational. Summer is the perfect time to lean into what actually builds a church. Not just programs, but people. Think in terms of:

• Shared meals

• Shared moments

• Shared memories

When you create those environments, something powerful happens: People begin to feel connected. And when people feel connected, they come back. You might even create a little FOMO—Fear of Missing Out. They don’t just attend. They want to be there.

Here are a few practical ways to do it:

Family-Style Gatherings After Church

Pick a Sunday. Keep it simple. Fire up the grill. Provide food. Let people linger. Let them talk. Laugh. Build relationships. Ministry often happens after the service ends.

Midweek Community Events

Do something unexpected and fun: Rent a skate rink, plan a zoo trip, host a park picnic. Make it easy for families to say “yes.”

Vacation Bible School (VBS)

VBS still works. Don’t underestimate it. It’s not just childcare. It’s Evangelism, Discipleship, and Community. It opens doors into entire families.

Conference Summer Camp 

This is critical for your students. Get them there. But don’t stop with students; encourage the adults to serve. When adults invest in camp, you will see them build relationships,

They create lasting memories. They get spiritually refreshed. There’s something powerful about watching God move in the next generation. 

Intentional Discipleship

Don’t let summer just drift by. Be intentional.

Be Intentional with Your Preaching

Plan your summer sermons strategically: Summer Through the Psalms, Remain Rooted (a discipleship focus), or Road Trip (removing baggage from our lives). Give people something consistent and meaningful to grow in.

Be Intentional with Social Media

People may be traveling, but they’re still scrolling.

Use that space to disciple:

• Post 1–2 short videos each week

• Share a Scripture and a thought

• Repost message clips

Don’t just inform, shepherd digitally.

Be Intentional with Midweek Gatherings

Create spaces for conversation and growth. Try Dinner and Discipleship by sharing a meal, teaching briefly, and letting people discuss at their tables. That’s where discipleship really begins to take root.

Final Thought

Summer is not a pause in ministry. It’s a shift in strategy. Here’s my encouragement to you, don’t coast through summer, don’t just survive it, and don’t wait for fall to “pick things back up.”

Make sure to plan it, own it, and use it. Now, watch what God will do.

Have a great summer from your HGM Team.

Article submitted by: Bishop Mike Ainsworth

Conference Superintendent

Cornerstone Conference IPHC