The Program Year is Coming: How Are You Preparing?

by Ashley Graham-Wilcox

It starts as a whisper behind your beach read and iced coffee: “The program year is coming…” You glance at your calendar and remember (again) that fall kickoff is less than two months away. Next thing you know, you’re Googling “fall church themes,” rewriting the same volunteer recruitment email for the fifth year in a row, and wondering if you’re allowed to put “Schedule weekly panic attacks” in your planning doc.

Let’s take a breath together.

July is a threshold. It’s the time when most church offices are very quiet, allowing us to gently shift from summer rhythms into intentional preparation. You don’t have to sprint—just take a few faithful steps. Here are two:

What’s already working that you can blessedly repeat? Even an hour of prep now can unclench your jaw later. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every September. Look back at what clicked last year. What communications resonated? Name them. Bless them. Repeat them with confidence!

What can you set up now so Future You says thanks? Now’s the moment to batch things that will save your October self, maybe:

• Draft 3 newsletter intros in one sitting

• Build your stewardship graphics folder

• Make a checklist for “Kickoff Sunday” logistics

• Automate that “Welcome to Fall!” email

You’re not behind; you’re discerning!