Download the 15 inspiring ideas to jump-start your church’s new year
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“Being in Christ, it is safe to forget the past; it is possible to be sure of the future; it is possible to be diligent in the present.” —Alexander MacLaren, Scottish minister
As the busy holiday season winds down and the new year begins, many churches struggle with how to approach the post-holiday new year. However, the month of January is an amazing launchpad—setting your church up for success for the year to come!
Take this time to evaluate current programs, consider new ideas, align church leadership, and rally your congregation around your mission and vision.
Check out all the ways your church can jump-start the new year and set the stage for an impactful year ahead!
Invite your church staff, leadership, and key volunteers to come together to dream and plan for the year ahead. To help get the creative ideas flowing, host a retreat or workshop to focus on your church's vision and goals. Encourage everyone to participate in the process of brainstorming and strategizing ways to move forward to better fulfill your church’s mission.
Dedicate some time to celebrate wins from last year and all of the behind-the-scenes work that led to their success. Honoring and cheering on your team will help get everyone excited about personally contributing to this year’s goals!
One of the most important things you can do as church leaders and staff is to plan for the year ahead. There are so many events on the church calendar that take place throughout the year, and all of them need intentionality, prayer, and thoughtful planning to be successful.
Schedule a day or even a few days in January as your official church calendar planning days, focusing on the next twelve months. Offer lunch and beverages, and even special planners for staff as gifts. This type of annual planning will help ensure everyone is on the same page for logistics, deadlines, needs, and expectations.
Pour back into your church staff and equip them for a successful year ahead. Set aside time for thanks, special training, worship, prayer, and more—aligning your team to each other and for your shared vision and mission.
An annual retreat is a great time for camaraderie and renewal after the busy holiday season!
Other ideas include: reading a book together, attending a conference, or learning a spiritual discipline.
Many churches host an annual “21 Days of Prayer & Fasting.” Using January as a time for fasting (food, social media, caffeine, etc.) and prayer offers a catalyst for transformation. It helps to open your church to the Holy Spirit, where healings, discernment, and spiritual renewal can take place at the start of the new year.
Additionally, churches that participate typically provide early-morning prayer sessions at least once a week, daily videos (streamed live or filmed in advance), and special devotionals in their church app.
However you go about it, praying and fasting at the start of the new year is a great way to put God first at your church and as a congregation together.
Note: Please consult your doctor before fasting from food.
Small groups are a great way for people to connect, grow, and serve together in a more personal setting. Consider launching a new small group focused on a specific topic or interest, or perhaps offer different types of small groups (such as parents with young children, sports groups, or single adults) to meet the diverse interests of your church community.
Be sure to have small group locations, descriptions, and signup forms available on your church’s mobile app and website.
For more inspiration, check out 5 tech tools to help your small groups thrive and the Interbay Community Church small group page.
Many churches struggle to keep volunteers, which is why it’s important to know how to set your volunteers up for success. Consider recruiting and training volunteers in January so that ministries are fully staffed for spring programs and events. Host a volunteer appreciation luncheon or an exciting volunteer kickoff to motivate people to get excited about being involved at your church.
Note that some churches offer bi-annual or quarterly volunteer training intensives so as not to discourage people from volunteering throughout the year. Either way, January is a great time to show appreciation for your volunteers and motivate new ones to join your dream teams.
January is the perfect time to take a fresh, honest look at your church’s financial health and set a strong foundation for the year ahead. Start by reviewing your church’s year-end giving and comparing it to your financial goals from the past year. Look at what worked, which initiatives resonated with your congregation, and where there may be room for improvement.
Next, work with your finance team or board to create (or refine) a budget that aligns with your church’s mission and ministry priorities. With clear planning, transparent communication, and intentional stewardship, January can become a powerful catalyst for financial health and ministry impact throughout the entire year.
January is a natural season for reflection and fresh beginnings, making it a great time to launch a New Year’s sermon series. Consider focusing on themes like spiritual growth, trusting God in the year ahead, healthy habits, or your church’s mission and values.
A strong sermon series helps your congregation refocus and start the year grounded in scripture. Go a step further and add practical next steps, weekly challenges, or short devotionals in your church app to deepen engagement!
By casting vision and offering biblical encouragement, a New Year’s series can inspire renewed faith, purpose, and expectation for the year ahead.
What better way to kick off the new year than by serving others! Plan a service project for your church to participate in as a way to give back to your community and make a positive impact.
Here are some service ideas to consider:
These efforts not only engage your congregation, but they also show your community that your church cares in very real and practical ways.
For many, the holidays are full of distractions and stress. Start the new year strong with a churchwide retreat or conference. Provide the time and space for members of your church to get away, rest, and be refreshed.
These events are ideal for helping attendees connect with God, each other, and for speakers to provide spiritual guidance and inspiration.
What are the most pressing needs of your church?
Consider launching a new ministry or program to meet your community’s most pressing needs.
This could be as simple as a new Sunday school class or as involved as launching a community food bank. Either way, it’s a wonderful way to support the people in and around your church.
As this year unfolds, your church has a wonderful opportunity to be a beacon of hope and love in your area. Host a community event—such as a block party, family picnic, or public concert—to connect and engage with people in your neighborhood.
Don’t be afraid to elevate your event with banners, invitations, and more, and to encourage your church members to invite friends. Get your teams involved with each step of the event, from greeting guests to cleaning up afterwards.
Take time to celebrate the big and small wins, and give thanks to God! One simple way to do this is by planning a special event to celebrate all of the good things that happened last year and mark the start of the new year.
Have your team make a list of accomplishments, goals that were reached, and challenges that were overcome last year. Have your creative team gather photos and videos to create a slide deck or video presentation that can be shared during your event. Don’t forget to honor your staff members and volunteers for their impact.
Reflecting on God’s faithfulness and goodness will help your church launch into the new year with gratitude and hope.
January is a great time to review your church’s website, social media, and email communication.
Start with your church website—your virtual front door. Make sure service times, ministries, staff info, and events are accurate and easy to find. Refresh outdated photos, simplify navigation, and highlight what matters most in the new year.
Next, review your social media. Identify which platforms are working well, which need consistency, and what content connects best with your audience. Set a simple plan for posting rhythms, themes, and engagement goals.
Finally, check your email communication. Clean up outdated lists, refresh templates, and make sure emails are clear, readable, and visually engaging.
A refreshed digital presence helps your church start the year strong, reach new people, and keep your congregation informed and connected.
January is the perfect moment to encourage your congregation to set up recurring giving. As people reset their habits for the new year, establishing consistent generosity helps them stay faithful while providing your church with the predictable income needed for accurate budgeting.
How to encourage recurring giving:
Promoting recurring giving now—through email, social media, or Sunday announcements—sets your ministry up for financial health all year long.
As you consider these ideas, be sure to keep your church's vision and goals at the forefront and to involve as many people as possible in the planning and execution process. By working together and being intentional about your church's direction, you can jump-start the new year with inspiration and purpose.
Check out these other free resources to help your church start strong:
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