He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Did you have a great Easter? Many of you have had increased attendance. You offered extra services, including Good Friday. It’s been wonderful: families were healed, lives were restored, people came to faith. Wow! But, now what? What do you do after Easter?
LET’S TALK…
What we do AFTER Easter is just as more important as what we did preparing for it. Here are a few things we can do after Easter to be more effective and fruitful.
- Rejoice. Don’t forget to give thanks for God’s blessings this past weekend. Celebrate it. Remind your volunteers and staff why we do what we do. Continue to share the stories of changed lives. This past week I know of one pastor who took all his staff out for lunch and had a time of reflection around a meal. Great idea! Look for ways to celebrate and to connect the workers to the big picture of changed lives.
- Rejuvenate. No doubt you are tired. There was a ton of extra work over the Easter week! So, do whatever you can to replenish. Take a day off. Do something fun with your family. If you haven’t yet, it’s not too late. Make sure others are getting a needed break from the pressures of ministry, too. Even take a few hours off today.
- Respond. You all have people to follow up with. First time attenders. New commitments. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with people. Try to find the next steps that are needed for each person whether it’s a cup of coffee, a call to baptism, or an invitation to a small group. Follow up with them individually, in a timely and appropriate way.
- Refocus. One pastor expressed some discouragement after Easter. Often we can feel the “let down” of everything being over or possibly disappointment that our expectations weren’t met. Ministry is not a 100-yard dash, it’s a marathon so reach deep and take courage. Your Easter Sunday often shows the “reach” and potential of your church. Be ready for that first-time guest to return. Make next weekend count (and the next and the next)!
“Arise for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” Ezra 10:4 (ESV)
BEFORE YOU GO…
So how was your Easter? What did God do in and through your church? With Easter over, what are you planning to do? I’d love to hear from you!
Coffee with Randall 