The summer slump

Every summer, many churches experience a dip in attendance and giving. Converge church planting leaders Lee Stephenson and Danny Parmelee discuss what you can do to overcome the summer slump.

0:54 Danny talks about his experience with the summer slump at his church plant and what he learned.

2:00 Danny says he realized that while attendance is often down in the summer, it is a prime time to strengthen and grow the church.

2:40 Danny shifted his mentality to "plant in summer, harvest in fall."

3:42 Danny talks about the summertime culture in Milwaukee affected his church plant.

4:50 Lee discusses the challenges the summer heat in Phoenix presented for his church plant.

5:43 Lee says the summer can be a time to build momentum. It's important to address the summer slump before it hits.

6:05 Lee has found the biggest hit to be in giving, not attendance. He gives an example of what to say to your congregation heading into summer.

7:22 Danny says it's important to understand that you have to adjust your communication patterns and rhythms in the summer.

8:16 Danny talks about how to handle volunteers in the summer. Lee says it's a great time to think about development.

9:48 Danny and Lee talk about their preaching schedule in the summer.

10:12 Danny preached on his church's core values during the summer.

10:52 Lee chose a character-building series for June and used July to talk about vision and the fall.

11:17 Lee and Danny recommend thinking through the school calendar when planning your fall launch/big series kickoff.

12:25 Lee says if you even hold your numbers in the summer, you are actually growing.

12:52 Lee ends the podcast by emphasizing the importance of planning.