Download the 10 back-to-school church event ideas for outreach
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Beach vacations. Relaxing by the pool. Sporting events. No school. There are so many reasons people love summertime!
However, many churches experience a dip in attendance known as the “summer slump.” With busy travel schedules and school not in session, church often gets placed on the back burner as a result.
That’s why the back-to-school season matters. You can use this opportunity to reinvigorate church attendance, celebrate important milestones, and host special events for the whole community.
Back-to-school at church events can become a yearly tradition and a powerful opportunity for outreach. Here are 10 back-to-school church event ideas to inspire your planning and community outreach this year.
Looking for back-to-school bash ideas for church that are fun and family-friendly? Consider throwing a back-to-school or end-of-summer fest!
Let them know this event is an important kickoff for the back-to-school season. Encourage families to get excited and recommit to regular Sunday attendance. And turn this party into a fun outreach event for the local community!
Include fun elements such as:
Encourage your members to invite family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors! This type of celebration is high-energy and creates a warm, welcoming environment for new visitors and long-time members alike, giving everyone a reason to come back to church.
While back-to-school is an exciting season, it can create financial stress for parents. That’s where your church can step in—offering help and hope to local families in need.
A school supplies drive or backpack program is a tangible way your church can meet needs and serve both families within the congregation and in your community. Partner with local schools or nonprofits when distributing donations to families in need outside of your church.
Place a note of encouragement with your church’s logo and information, and write a handwritten letter to let students know you’re praying for them. This is a great way to draw recipients to your church and demonstrate the love of Jesus.
Many teachers today face the burden of purchasing school supplies for their classrooms. This hefty bill creates more stress for teachers in your local congregation and community.
Use this as an opportunity for outreach by encouraging your members to “adopt” a local classroom or teacher. Small groups or churches can fund a classroom’s initial needs, support a teacher or classroom throughout the year, write cards to students, or pray for the teacher and students weekly.
These back-to-school church ideas are a great way for your church to make a big difference in your local community!
Back-to-school season can bring major challenges for parents of pre-teens, teens, and even college students. There are so many tough topics young people face today, and parents may struggle with tackling these issues in a godly way.
One of the most impactful back-to-school church event ideas is offering support to parents through intentional discipleship. Hosting a parenting workshop or seminar provides both spiritual and practical tools to help parents in your congregation as well as in your local community.
Parenting workshop topics to include:
A parenting workshop equips and disciples parents, demonstrating how your church cares deeply for the whole family during this transitional season.
As students move into new phases—like middle school or high school—make it special! For young people, advancing into middle school or high school is a very important moment. Your church can make sure they feel supported, valued, and welcomed during this time.
Consider hosting a celebration or welcome night for those advancing. Include snacks, games, prayers or blessings over the school year, and a special message for the group. Recognizing these milestones gives students a sense of belonging and excitement for celebrating back-to-school at church!
One of the best back-to-school church ideas is hosting a youth group kickoff night. Plan it for the first week of school and host separate nights for middle school and high school students.
Activities can include:
This night can serve as a high-energy launch to a new season of discipleship and growth for young people. And by encouraging students to invite a friend, your church can turn this event into a meaningful outreach for local teens and pre-teens.
Don’t forget, back-to-school applies to college students too!
Use back-to-school season as an opportunity to minister to recent high school graduates in your congregation, ongoing college students, and even as an outreach for local college students. If your church is near a college campus, you can use this time to relaunch or build out your college ministry.
Ideas to consider:
College students need spiritual truth and community more than ever. Use the back-to-school season to meet them right where they are.
Apple ciders. Pumpkin patches. A corn maze. Who doesn’t love a fall festival?!
A fall festival is a fun alternative to an end-of-summer event, especially if your August calendar is already full. It can also be great for community outreach!
Ideas for your fall-themed event:
Hosting a church fall festival is a great back-to-school church event idea because it appeals to everyone in the community, not just families with school-aged kids. By offering these fun activities, you can host an exciting community event for all ages that will get people coming to your church!
Launching a new sermon series is a great way to get people to reengage with Sunday services after a summer away. Choose topics that speak to life rhythms, community, thankfulness and fresh faith to preach a series that aligns with the season.
Announce a new sermon series to coincide with your back-to-school at church event. Use free Subsplash graphics, create flyers, and utilize social media to promote your new series!
The back-to-school season is the ideal time to launch your fall small groups. Launching fall small groups is one of the best ways to get church members reengaged after summer vacation.
Many families are already looking to reestablish their commitments. Your church can give them a reason to reengage with a small group, encouraging teens, college students, parents, and all different types of people to consistently gather together for discipleship and community.
Don’t forget—with every event, it’s essential to promote your event throughout your church and community. This includes digital engagement, including social media posts and reels, running Meta ads, sending out emails, and promoting your back-to-school event front and center on your website.
Additionally, you can get creative with outreach ideas, such as passing out flyers in your neighborhood and at local events, advertising on the radio, or sending out exciting mailer invites.
There are so many ways your church today can promote your back-to-school bash ideas for church. Utilize as many as you can to get the word out!
Hosting a back-to-school church event is one of the most effective ways to help families re-establish weekly rhythms and feel excited about returning to your church. Additionally, you can use your event to reach your local area.
Regardless of which back-to-school church ideas you choose, celebrating back-to-school at church gives your community members a reason to reconnect, recommit, and recommend your church to others.
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