Summer in kids’ ministry is often a time of disconnect.
Families are vacationing, travelling or enjoying nice weather.
Even the most faithful families are often missing from our pews (or chairs!) during the summer months.
This is even more true this year – as many churches are in the very slow process of reopening amidst COVID-19.
How can we stay connected to families in this season?
Last week, I shared one of my favourite ideas for staying connected and on track for summer: creating a take-home box.
Another important tool for staying on track during the summer months is social media.
I know, I know – we all have “screen fatigue.”
You are running out of ideas of things to post -and are people even engaging!?
While I know it can be tough, I do think that using social media strategically is a great way to keep families connected over the summer. Here are 3 quick tips:
Get families talking (or posting!).
One of the hardest things about this season of “online church” is wondering – are families even listening!? Are they reading what we are writing?
One of the best ways you can use social media during the summer months is to get families talking.
Instead of simply sharing information or resources, give opportunities for families to post, share and talk with each other!
Here are some ideas:
- Do “Weekly Check-Ins” on different days of the week, asking families to post a photo of what they’re up to on that day!
- Share family challenges, like the ones in the Camping for God Kit, and encourage families to post pictures or videos of them participating! If you’re looking for challenges already done fo you, check out these SUMMER CHALLENGES!
- Snap a photo on your own summer adventures or travels, and post it! Encourage parents to reply with a snap of their adventure too.
- Do fun Facebook polls – on favourite summer treats, best summer dance tunes, family movie night picks, or whatever else you can think of!
- Encourage families to get competitive. Offer a prize for families who post in the challenge you share for the week!
- Use fill in the blank posts like: “Our favourite part of this week’s lesson was….”
Families don’t always read long posts or watch lengthy videos – especially when they’re on the move for summer! Simple, engaging posts that are meant to get them responding are a great way to use social media to your advantage.
Share the content they may be missing!
One of the things I’ve learned in children’s ministry is that nobody likes to miss out.
FOMO is real – even with parents!
You can keep parents from missing out by using social media to share your weekly content. Here are some ideas:
- If you’re encouraging families to use a devotional at home, like this one on Exodus, share the weekly pages on social media so they can stay engaged.
- If you’re using a curriculum, share weekly recaps & take-home elements on your church’s social media channels (and if you’re looking for one that already has take-home elements “done for you”, check out Journey through Jonah).
- Share a quick 1-minute recap video of your Sunday morning message – whether it was online or in person!
- Did you show a video on Sunday morning or play a worship song? Send out a YouTube or Spotify link so families can stay in the loop and listen during the week!
Give parents practical tools.
Another great way to use social media during the summer months is to give parents practical information and tools they can actually use.
This has been a challenging season for parents, and there are a lot of things happening in our world.
Why not use your social media channels to give them some of the tools they need?
Here are some ideas:
- Share easy activity ideas for rainy days or road trips with families! Here’s a Pinterest board with some ideas you can share.
- Link up to blog articles, resources and videos on hot-topic issues they’re talking about with their kids! This free PDF on Easy Ideas to Teach the Bible at Home is a great start!
- Give parents the tools they need to talk about issues like diversity & social media with recommending resources, discussion question ideas, and accurate information. This Talking About Things That Matter Bundle is a great way to do just that!
While social media can feel draining, it’s also a great tool to keep connected to families during the summer months.
Whatever you choose to do on social media , do it with purpose & intention.
See it as a legitimate way of doing ministry – and meeting people where they are! The results may just surpise you!