During the summer, colleges and universities often rent dorm rooms out like a motel. Zoos and museums often have sleepovers for children, giving them the opportunity to experience things they couldn’t during normal hours. The church, likewise, has a unique opportunity to expand its ministry mind-set and Great Commission calling in some rather creative ways.

A church that is “on” when school is out determines school schedules in advance to anticipate the needs of children and families. What about a bowling party on President’s Day? What about a three or four day winter camp during one of the long weekends schools have during teacher conferences or statewide conventions?

And summer isn’t just for Vacation Bible School. Other things you could do for children all summer long include:

• A day camp each week with a different theme (drama, cartooning, music, sports, trip camp, canoe adventure, rock climbing, writing camp, and so on.)
• Junior camp, either run by your church and held at a camping facility, or supervised by your church but with programming conducted by an accredited camp (Christian Camping International is a great place to start. See http://cci.gospelcom.net for more information.)

Beyond summer and spring break there’s the winter break before, during, and after Christmas and New Year’s Day. Some churches offer familywide opportunities during this break, such as mission trips. They may be across the border, or inside a neighboring housing project to conduct “vacation” Bible school programs or simply to do work projects.

Outreach-focused churches are constantly reviewing their facility’s use to maintain maximum efficiency in both mission and stewardship. Community blood drives, election polling places, school districtwide teacher training, or even corporate training can be held in a church as easily as it can anywhere else. Your church benefits by getting people who wouldn’t normally enter a church to step inside your place of worship. Another benefit is the added income from doing these services for the community. Some churches might balk at this, but charging a competitive or greatly reduced rate actually pre-empts criticism that your church is doing this simply to proselytize.

Thinking outside church hours and even outside church walls can multiply the impact of your ministry.

What other creative uses of space have you seen churches use to be “on” when school is out? Drop us a note at editor@churchvolunteercentral.com so we can pass the tip on to others.

Keith Johnson has been a children’s pastor for 20 years, most recently at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and has served at the director of children’s ministry for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, International Division.

An expanded version of this article, with more details and tips, has been added to Church Volunteer Central’s Idea Depot. Get the whole story here.

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