Tips for Midweek Programming

by Michael Harper
Associate for Curriculum Development for Youth and Young Adults

Midweek programming is a great idea, right? It means gathering the congregation between Sundays, creating extra learning opportunities and getting more use out of your church facility. Why then, can midweek programming be such a challenge? Here are a few ideas to consider when you’re planning it.

Develop Clear Goals
Before you do anything else, ask “Why are we doing this?” Be honest with your answer. Doing something because it worked last year or because the congregation down the street does it are not good reasons to hold a program. Would a midweek program enhance your congregation’s mission? Are your congregants ready to plan, help and participate? Developing three to five clear, measurable goals will create purpose for your program, focus your participants and leaders and provide a basis for evaluation. Then make sure your programming remains faithful to the goals you’ve developed.

Strive for Creative Solutions
Let go of any preconceived ideas about midweek programming in your congregation and get creative with developing new ideas. Maybe an all-church family night each Wednesday is not the best plan for your congregation. Could you do a topical lunch once a month for working people? Could you hold a weekly prayer breakfast at someone’s home?

Listen to the People You Want to Reach and Focus on Quality
Many of our church members are overcommitted and stretched too thin. Why should coming to church one more time be added to their list of commitments? Midweek programming needs to be more than just another line on people’s daily planners. Listen to the spiritual needs of your participants and respond with a high-quality, meaningful experience. In an age of many options, people need to feel that their time is being well used.

Share the Leadership Responsibilities
When you respond to the needs of your participants, be careful not to let them become complete consumers. Develop an organizational model in which everyone is nurtured and everyone serves in some capacity. If you have children and youth, find jobs or leadership roles for them, too. Each participant needs to have an investment in the program.

Appeal to Every Age Group
If you are trying to attract families, create an environment in which each age group in the congregation (children, youth and adults in all stages of life) has a high-quality connecting point. Though it is not necessary for all age groups to be together during the program time, it is important that all of the groups follow the same general schedule.

Food Is Important
Eating a meal together provides a relaxed context for conversation and sometimes creates extra motivation for participation. If you include a meal in your midweek program, make sure that it is an intentional part of the program. Keep the quality of the meal as high as possible and the cost of the meal as low as possible. Remember that offering the same simple meal alternative for children and youth each time you gather will make things easier for parents and kids.

Consider the Timing and Location
As you plan for your program, be thoughtful about its time and place. Can you meet with a group during the business day at a restaurant for lunch? Can you meet with nonworking parents during school time? If a program begins too early in the evening, you lose people who work during the day. If it begins too late, you run into bedtimes for the children and homework time for youth. If you are programming for families, remember to keep the start and end times for each age group the same so they can share transportation.

Develop Rituals
Developing rituals in your time together can offer comfort and stability during a busy day or week. Rituals may include a sharing time for joys and concerns, celebrating birthdays in a particular way or singing favorite songs together. Give yourself permission to include creative changes in your rituals to prevent falling into a rut.

Try the Special Event Approach
If your congregation is not able to commit to an ongoing, midweek program every week, try the seasonal or special event approach. This may feel less overwhelming to your participants and leaders. Create a program series for Advent or Lent, offer something during one month of the year or sponsor a monthly lunch for a specific group. Consider special events like a congregation-wide talent show, a chili cook-off, a cookie or pie baking competition, or a special holiday program for Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Think about paralleling your program with events like the Olympics, a state fair or a sporting event.

Complement — Don’t Compete
Planning and leading midweek programming can be frustrating. Sometimes you may feel like you are competing with the other priorities of church members. Leading programming with a competitive spirit can create a negative atmosphere, so find ways to complement your participants’ other priorities.

Remain Positive
Above all else, remain positive, hopeful and centered in Christ’s love. People respond best to optimistic, encouraging leadership, and they are yearning for meaningful, spiritual connections. Remember that we are called to “strive first for the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).