Should Faith Formation Explore Subscription Kits?

My eyes glowed with excitement as I read the subject line, “Your first delivery is on the way!” We had just signed up for a fresh produce delivery system. When the subscription box arrived, we opened it up to not only find delicious fruits and vegetables but information on better eating and sustainable farming. This box was not only a delivery system for a product; it was a resource for better living in our family.

With shelter in place, subscription boxes became more of a norm for our family, and one of the things that have struck me is the experience that comes with the box. And food delivery isn’t the only kit you can receive; there are personal styling and physical fitness kits, which begs the question, “Should the Church explore subscription kits for their parishioners?”

In some ways, parishes have already explored this idea during the quarantine. If you made graduate care packages or turned Vacation Bible School into a home study, you’ve already started. What if your children and youth ministry programs used subscription kits?

FAITH WOULD COME HOME IN A TANGIBLE WAY

We tend to leave faith at the Church. When our formation experiences are all about the weekend or coming to the church building, we forget that our discipleship is a 24/7 ordeal. While ministry in a box does not solve all problems, it can serve as a useful reminder that faith can come home.

Not only would a subscription kit help the child or teenager you are serving, but it’s a reminder to the parent that their child’s faith is receiving significant investment. Creating these kits can be conversation starters and provide materials that not only engage the young church but their families as well.

COMMUNICATION  WILL FIND A NEW MEDIUM

In your kits, you can provide links that bring people back to your website to read articles, announcements, and watch videos. It’s an opportunity to remind them of your social media platforms. Again, what you put into these kits can be for both kids, teens, and parents. On top of the information and resources you put in there for teens, you can include a special edition of the parish bulletin or an important letter from the pastor. While people won’t receive kits as often as a newsletter or bulletin, it’s a tangible reminder that your parish has something to offer.

PASTORAL CARE WILL GET MORE PERSONAL

Your kits can get personal. During seasons like Christmas and Easter, you can include treats that specific households might request. If a household member is receiving a sacrament, you can throw in an extra note, resource, etc. What you put in the box can be as personal as you want, just remember it might create a little more work.

But, the part of the subscription box that can get even more pastoral is how you distribute the boxes. While you can invite people to the church to do a pickup, you could also create a ministry of drivers to drop them off at houses. Even better, you could have coworkers deliver them, and while they might have to remain socially distant, making an effort to go to someone’s home, drop off a gift and say, “Hello” would be unique. It’s a reminder that parishioners don’t have to go to the building to be a part of the Church because the Body of Christ will also go to them.

Are subscription kits something the local church should look into as a model of discipleship and evangelization? I think so, and it’s something we’re going to explore here more at Marathon Youth Ministry. I’m willing to bet that we aren’t the only ones thinking about this, and if that’s you, then share your thoughts on our Facebook page or send us your thoughts at questions@marathonyouthministry.com.

What would you want to include in a subscription box that was delivered to the kids or teens in ministry?