Generating Fall Momentum
Co-authored by Kathy Zelman & Britney Hinecker (ABNWT CM Intern)
Here comes the wind of fall; can you feel it? It’s time for schools and churches to get back into the swing of the academic schedule. This schedule is regular programming from September through June, with the exception of the Christmas and Easter holidays. The church, in general, follows the academic calendar. However, most children’s ministries ramp up in the summer with day camps, park events, and other community gatherings for children and families.
Strategic children’s ministries will have a type of “launch, kick-off, or round-up” event in the fall to get back to regular services and mid-week programming, along with their new schedule of recruited volunteers. Starting with an event in September creates excellent momentum for getting back into routine, which should include coming back to regular church attendance. This kind of event generates excitement, a draw to be back, and it marks a new start. It should absolutely be outbound, an event that churchgoers can invite their friends to – focusing on engaging kids.
The event should result in a surge of attendance at your church services. Remember to plan an event that families would want to come to. Promote it well on social media and urge your church people to be “inviters” (remember, the best inviters in your church are kids). Handing out promotional material at a fall kick-off event would be highly strategic, and an autumn event in October is strongly recommended. A number of our churches host well-attended fall events like fall festivals, carnivals, block parties, and “Trunk or Treat” events.
Here are a few examples of this:
Abundant Life Worship Centre in Slave Lake – Jersey Sunday was their kickoff in 2023
Family Christian Centre in Fort McMurray - Trunk or Treat event
The Freedom Centre Church in Edmonton - Block Party
The Freedom Centre Church in Edmonton - Block Party
Are you considering doing a fall event but don’t know where to go from here? See below for helpful links to plan and promote a Fall event:
Kathy has worked with kids and families for over 30 years in church settings (small, medium, cross-cultural, large, and mega-sized churches), school settings, and early childhood settings. She is presently the Children and Family Ministries specialist at the ABNWT District Resource Centre. She thrives on collaborating and coaching leaders, helping them thrive.