“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Eccl 3:1, NIV). A time for worship, study, service, and silence. A time to work and play, to disagree and dance.
Stewarding the Gift of Time
God gives us the gift of time, and we have an opportunity to be good stewards of our time here on earth together. One of the ways that church leaders can do this is by helping their communities follow the seasons of the church year through worship, formation, fellowship, and outreach.
The challenge, however, is often in the planning. While tending to current demands is essential, dedicating time to plan for the long-term improves the quality and depth of the results. When leaders look across the entire year, they have more space to breathe and room to pace themselves. They can be intentional about when, how, and who will gather. When a longer view is missing, last-minute rushing can get in the way and use up a lot of church leaders’ energy. It can also detract from attending to what is sacred and holy about Christians’ life together in the present.
A Planning Tool for Church Leaders
The Ministry Planning Calendar from Episcopal Relief & Development is a free tool that can make planning ahead easier. It includes helpful tips to remind you to be ready for what’s happening now, what’s just around the corner, and for looking ahead.
The calendar includes every month from September 2024 – December 2025. The left column on each calendar page offers “Notes & Ideas” for the current month, suggestions to prepare for the next month, and “Planning Ahead” tips for programs and seasons a couple months or more away. It also has good reminders for evangelism and promotion so that you can let your communicators know what is happening and get that information out in a timely manner.
The bottom of each calendar page features a collection of linked resources all in one place to help you plan daily and weekly chapel, devotions, and classroom studies. The links include: the Venite Daily Prayer app, the Episcopal Church Lectionary Calendar with lectionary readings and collects, Children’s Sermons from rfour, the Episcopal Church’s Lesson Plans That Work, and resources from Episcopal Relief & Development.
Ministry Planning Calendar
You can access the free printable calendar and instructions through these links:
Editor’s Note: Please credit Episcopal Relief & Development when using or sharing this resource.
Additional Resources
- “Vestry Planning Calendars” by Angela Emerson, Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices – A webpage that offers several calendar and planning templates designed specifically for church vestries
- “How to Create a Church Planning Calendar: Ministry Planning for Senior Pastors, Leaders, and Creative Teams” by Cory Edwards, ArtSpeak Creative – An article that provides tips and considerations for approaching planning in churches
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