Your Team Needs Summer Hangouts
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1 NIV
Summer’s here, and while it’s a great time to relax and unwind, it’s also a perfect opportunity to strengthen your worship team relationships. Spending time together- especially outside- during these warmer months can really boost your team’s unity and friendship. Here’s why it matters:
Build Stronger Friendships: Worship teams work best when members know and care about each other. Summer hangouts help you connect personally, making rehearsals and services feel less like work and more like getting together with friends.
Recharge Your Batteries: Everyone needs a break. Hanging out during the summer can help you and your team relax and recharge, preventing burnout and keeping everyone excited about serving.
Spark Creativity: Sometimes, the best ideas come up when you’re not really trying. Informal hangouts outside the church can inspire new songs, fresh arrangements, or creative worship elements.
Create Unity: Spending time together outside of church helps build a strong sense of unity. This unity will shine through in your worship from the platform, making it more powerful and engaging to your congregation.
Admittedly, I am not the greatest when it comes to planning these kinds of hangouts… I don’t really consider myself the “fun” guy in our group. And if you’re like me, you don’t have to be the one planning all the details! Chances are there is someone on your team who shares the same heart as you and may be more gifted at event planning. Here are a few ideas to get your creative ideas flowing:
Beach Day or Lake Day: Plan a fun day at the beach or a nearby lake. Swimming, volleyball, or just sitting by the water can be refreshing for your team.
Backyard BBQ: Host a cookout at someone’s house. This laid-back setting is great for chatting, laughing, and enjoying good food- assuming they can cook. Bonus points if you bring a guitar and have a mini worship session around a fire in the evening.
Picnic in the Park: Organize a picnic at a local park. Bring some games like frisbee, soccer, or maybe even a few board games. You can also have a short devotional to keep things spiritually uplifting.
Outdoor Worship Night: Set up a casual worship night outside. Whether it’s in a backyard, on a rooftop, or at a park, bring some acoustic instruments and enjoy some praise and prayer under the stars.
Service Project: Find a local community project to tackle together. Whether it’s cleaning up a park, helping at a food bank, or supporting a local charity, serving together can strengthen your bonds and show the love of Jesus.
Retreat Weekend: If possible, plan a short retreat. A couple of days away with worship, prayer, and relaxation can be incredibly refreshing.
Father, thank You for the blessing of community and the joy of serving together. As we spend intentional time together this summer, help us grow closer to each other and to You. Refresh our spirits and inspire us with new ideas to worship You. Help us build strong, lasting friendships that reflect Your love. Amen.
