7 Tips for Creating a Strategic Ministry Calendar

In a couple of weeks, our staff will be working on our ministry calendars. Here are 7 tips we will keep in mind as we plan. These are 7 tips you can use to create a strategic ministry calendar.

Plan your calendar with other ministries.  

Get in a room with all ministries represented. Mesh your calendars and make sure you are working together. This is not the time to be a silo.

Planning together will keep you from having two big events planned on the same week, over booking things, etc.  This will help each ministry maximize their calendar dates.

Team work is essential when planning your calendars.  

Prioritize.

What events or programs are essential for your ministry?  Prioritizing your events and programs will help you know what to keep and what to drop if needed.

Think steps.

Each date on your calendar should be a step toward the ministry goals and vision.

Ask yourself "what spiritual step will this event help kids take?"

"How is this program going to move the ministry toward the overall vision?" 

Be proactive, not just busy. 

It's easy to fill up your calendar with events and programs.  But your goal should be productivity...not just being busy.

Remember...less is more. 

Focus on doing a few things well. It is a better to do a few things with excellence rather than a long list of things mediocre.

Sometimes the best thing you can put on your calendar is eraser marks.  

Review everything you do before placing it on your calendar.

Ask these questions about what you do. 

Why are we doing this? 

Is this bearing fruit?

Is this helping kids take spiritual steps?

Is this program effective?

Is this a duplicate of something else we are doing?

Is this the best use of our ministry resources?

Consider local school calendars when you plan.

When does school start and end?

When are their sporting events?  

What will be the holiday weekends? 

Coordinating your events and programs with local school calendars will help you maximize the events and programs you do.

Work a year out.

By July of this year (2025),  I will have all of my 2026 ministry calendar done.  I like to work at least a year out.  This is very helpful when you are inviting guest speakers, starting new programs, and setting timelines for big events.

Your turn. What are some other things to keep in mind when creating your calendar? Share your thoughts and insight with us in the comment section below.