Summer in ministry can feel like you're either drowning in activities… or standing in an empty church hall wondering where everyone went. It’s weird. But it’s also a gift—because with the usual rhythms disrupted, you’ve got permission to try something new.
When expectations are lower and pressure is off, summer becomes a testing ground. It’s the perfect time to experiment—without the fear that you're messing with something sacred.
Over the years, we’ve used summer to beta test a bunch of ideas. Some worked. Some didn’t. But we always learned something.
Here are a few ways you can do the same:
USE YOUR BIG SUMMER EVENTS TO TRY SMALL INNOVATIONS
Running Vacation Bible School? That’s a perfect space to try out tweaks you’ve been dreaming about for your kids' ministry. We used the large group portion to test different ways to do Children's Liturgy of the Word. The result was a high energy and relevant way of passing on the faith during Sunday Mass.
We also looked at the activities incorporated in the camp and asked ourselves, "How could we duplicate this experience during the year?" We used VBS as a training ground for future Children's catechists, embraced more activity driven catechesis and gave leaders ownership around decorating their environments. The result was a more engaged culture of kids throughout the year.
GIVE TEENS A CHANCE TO OWN SOMETHING
Summer opens up new availability for teenagers. School’s out, schedules are (a little) looser, and you can invite them into leadership in ways that might not be possible during the year. We’ve had teens assist in the planning of camps for younger peers and kids. We had a few tech-savvy teens capture testimonies that we could use for marketing campaigns.
Teens had a little more time and flexibility; therefore, it was easier to train them during hours that worked for parish staff. Overtime our leadership opportunities became internships. Giving teens more ownership in the summer is a great way to build their confidence and skills—and you might just discover some future employees in the process.
TAKE MINISTRY TRAINING OFF CAMPUS
We’ve used summer to test out how we do training for adults. Instead of hosting it on campus we found casual hangouts, like local restaurants to create community. We also looked at experiential learning like going to a ball game, axe throwing and cooking classes. Yes, there was a lot of socialization but the opportunity to talk about learning something new about their teamwork and leadership.
By holding something a little different we created community, but also made it easier for people to say yes. When people know they are going to have fun in addition to growing they are more likely to commit.
PILOT PROGRAMS WITH BUILT-IN FEEDBACK
Got a new idea for small groups? Thinking about reworking your volunteer training or launching a parent ministry? Try a mini version this summer. Here’s how to test something without overhauling your entire ministry:
- Keep it short-term: Run a three-week pilot. Make sure the group is small so you can manage the participants with full-focus.
- Frame it clearly: Let participants know, “Hey, this is something new we’re testing out—your feedback is part of the process.” That lowers expectations and invites collaboration.
- Build in feedback loops: Use short surveys, end-of-session check-ins, or even informal debriefs over coffee. Ask: What helped? What was confusing? Would you show up for this again in the fall?
- Adjust as you go: Don’t wait until it’s over to make tweaks. If something feels off, experiment in real-time. This is your lab. Be the scientist.
IF IT FLOPS, THAT’S OKAY
Some experiments won’t go as planned. And that’s normal. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s learning.
Here’s how to fail forward:
- Detach your identity from the outcome: If fewer people show up than you hoped, it doesn’t mean the idea was bad—or that you are. It just means you’re doing the hard, creative work of leadership.
- Ask “What did we learn?” Maybe the time wasn’t right. Maybe the messaging was off. Maybe it was a great idea for a different audience. Write it down for later.
- Celebrate the risk: Take a moment to acknowledge that you tried something new. That alone sets the tone for your team and builds a culture of innovation.
- Debrief with your team or a trusted peer: Don’t just move on—talk about it. You'll uncover more insight than you expect, and you might even uncover a new version of the idea that’s worth trying again.
What’s one experiment you could try this summer that you wouldn’t risk during the school year? - Share in the comments below
Summer doesn’t have to be a dead zone or a burnout sprint. It can be your best chance to step back, try something new, and see what sticks. Whether you’re testing a new format, giving teens more ownership, or just moving a gathering off-campus, small shifts can reveal big opportunities. Don’t be afraid to tinker. Ministry is a living, breathing thing—and summer is the perfect time to breathe some fresh air into it.