One of the things the PCC staff is continually trying to balance is our desire to provide strategic discipleship opportunities (like Summer Funner Theatre happening this week and the High School missions trip later this summer) without overloading people’s calendars. Sometimes I think we get it right, other times I’m not so sure. That’s the nature of church ministry.

As an attempt at that balance we will be scaling back many of our regular programs and classes for the month of July. While there will still be care for our early childhood kids on Sunday morning, just about everything else will be taking the month off. Our hope is that this will give many of our ultra-dedicated volunteers some well-deserved time off while also clearing space on everyone’s calendars. We also hope that folks will take advantage of this down-time. Here are a couple of ideas that have been bouncing around my head:

• For those with kids, come to Sunday morning worship as a family. Yeah, it may be a little distracting for you, but that’s OK. Worshiping with your kids is a good thing… and it’s great for your kids to see their mom and (or) dad worshiping.
• Plan a neighborhood BBQ. Invite everyone on the block. Even the people a few doors down who never mow their lawn. Yeah, you know who I’m talking about. Or, for the apartment and condo folks, how about a progressive dinner with everyone on your floor?
• Invite some PCC friends over for lunch after a Sunday service. Do people still do that?!
• Pick a book that you will read during July. Something enjoyable.
• Here’s an idea from my friends Bob and Anna. Find some completely random reason to throw a party. For example, July 24 is Amelia Earhart‘s birthday. July 28 is the anniversary of the first use of fingerprints as a means of identification. The more more obscure the reason for a party the better. You can get creative with this one.
• Two words: ice cream.

I think July can be a great reminder to all of us that being the church is about much more than our programs, classes, and events… as great as those things are. So, what creative things will you be doing to be the church in July?