WORSHIP LEADERS
SUMMER SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR WORSHIP LEADERS | Matt Miller
Photo by Davide Biscuso on Unsplash
7
SANITY-SAVING MOVES TO THRIVE WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS AT THE LAKE
Congratulations. You’ ve made it through another school year, two major holidays that nearly broke you( looking at you, Christmas and Easter), and you only cried once during VBS worship. That’ s a win.
Now, summer has arrived. And while everyone else is Instagramming their beach trips and bonfires, you’ re staring at a planning center schedule that looks like Swiss cheese.
But don’ t panic. The summer slump isn’ t a curse— it’ s an opportunity. A weird, beautiful window where expectations are lower, attendance is sketchy, and you can actually breathe.
Here are 7 brilliant( and slightly ridiculous) ways to make the most of the slow season in worship ministry.
1. TAKE MORE TIME OFF( LIKE, ACTUALLY) If you’ re going to spend 37 hours preparing to leave for a 3-day weekend, you might as well go big. Take two weeks off.
Yes, you’ ll work double-time before you leave, and yes, it’ ll take you a week to catch up afterward. But think of what you’ ll gain:
• Actual rest
• Reduced email trauma
• Fewer dreams about ProPresenter crashing
And if this summer is already packed tighter than your church storage closet, do yourself a favor and plan that break for next year. Block it now. Hide your phone. Run.
2. SHRINK THE BAND( AND YOUR STRESS LEVEL) Half your team is on vacation. The other half is“ just really feeling led to rest this season.” Cool. So instead of begging, bribing, or emotionally blackmailing your people into filling the schedule, embrace the minimalist life.
Try a three- or four-piece setup. Use pads to fill in space. Pretend it’ s intentional and call it a“ stripped-down worship experience.”
Even if your whole band is available, schedule them lighter anyway. They’ ll appreciate the breather, and you’ ll remember what it feels like to rehearse a small group without losing your mind.
Bonus Level: Go full acoustic. Cajon, piano, guitar, and one singer who doesn’ t sound like a goat. Boom— vibes.
3. CUT A SONG( YES, REALLY) This one’ s gonna ruffle feathers. Cut one song from every Sunday set.
I know, I know.“ But that’ s tradition!”“ But we always do five songs!”“ But the set won’ t feel complete!” Trust me. One fewer song =
• Less prep
• Shorter rehearsal
• A team that silently thanks you
• A congregation that wonders why church suddenly feels... better?
And if the senior pastor doesn’ t just fill the empty time with extra announcements, you might actually end service early. What a concept.
28 June 2025 Subscribe for Free...