Summer is HERE!

Our family has a summer bucket list that includes things like see a movie at the drive-in, annual camping trip, and popsicle tasting party. (Take my word for it - a chocolate covered strawberry popsicle is second to none!) For us, summer is the most fun season but also the least predictable. For a mom who loves a routine this season can at times be overwhelming or frustrating, but I'm working hard to embrace the benefits of summer this year. There's extra time with my kids, a break from some weekly responsibility and the opportunity to make tons of memories.

It can feel the same for summer in ministry - lots of fun things happening but attendance is unpredictable, volunteers are often traveling, a different pace, and disrupted schedules. But this can also be the season with incredible wins, events, rest, and growth. There's lots of ways to lean into this season both personally and professionally:

*Prioritize your time towards goals that may be harder to accomplish in other seasons. Do you need rest? Take advantage of a shifted schedule and build it in. Are there relationships you need to build? Have weekly lunch meetings or host a bbq to invest in people in your community. 

*Re-evaluate the "wins". Some wins never change - a person encountering Jesus is always the greatest goal. But, there's also different wins (and goals) in different seasons. If we'll clearly identify the wins in each season we'll see growth, success, momentum, and breakthroughs we might have otherwise missed.

*Make your own summer 'bucket list'. What are some fun things you want to do this year - as a person, with your family, as a staff, and as a church? Identify them then put them on the calendar.

What are some ways you are leaning into summer? The best traditions you or your ministry have? Join the conversation over on our socials - we'd love to learn from you.

Can't wait to chat again soon!

Ashley Pritchett & the Southern Missouri Women Minister's Team ​