Summer - For a Church Planter

I used to love summer….

I love cooking out, I love hanging out with my friends in my backyard, I love taking the kids swimming and man I love the 4th of July!

But being a church planter has changed some of that love to loathing…

Summer is rough on a young church. We started Sept. 16, 2007 and we had some serious momentum going. People were visiting, numbers were growing and we were outgrowing our building. Our small groups were getting traction and people’s lives were being changed for the better, albeit slowly. Momentum, growth, excitement, YES!!

Then summer came…. Did I mention I USED to love summer?

Now it’s more of a love/hate relationship. People have things to do in the summer, especially in Colorado. All winter we get cabin fever with the cold weather and the snow. So when summer hits, we are outdoors in a hurry. Weekend comes and we’re at the lake, in the mountains, at the flea market or just bar-b-quing in Tia Nencha’s back yard. Anything to get outdoors and enjoy the weather. Sundays morning services can be rough in this environment.

But summer’s almost over. It’s with bittersweet emotions that I write that line. On one hand, I love summer but on the other hand I’m honestly relieved that people will get back into a routine and we can take off again. Only 2 more weeks until kids go back to school.

Next summer we’ll be more ready for this lull in attendance, finances and enthusiasm.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.