7 Easy 4th Of July Church Outreach Ideas For Small Churches

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July 4th is an excellent time for small churches to reach people in their community. During the summer, the days are longer and provide more time for families to spend together. The warmer temperatures also lure adults and children outside to enjoy the sunshine and find joy on a summer day. Children have been on summer vacation for a few weeks, so the idea of a day with planned events is exciting. That’s why planning intentional 4th of July church outreach ideas is a perfect way for small congregations to make a meaningful impact.

From there, meet with your congregation’s leadership and discuss specific needs in your community.. How can you, as a congregation, show care and concern for those around you, regardless of your size or membership? When we set our hearts and minds to meeting the needs of others, small churches excel! Smaller congregations can offer a personalized, warm welcome because of our numbers (not despite them). We remember the names of visitors, and they often report feeling welcomed into a family atmosphere. Visitors feel seen in small churches. Add to that feeling a determination to meet the needs of our community, and you have a recipe for a successful outreach event.

Let’s look at some ideas for a July 4th outreach that may differ slightly from anything you and your congregation have tried in the past. Grilling out and participating in the town’s parade, banners, and flags are all wonderful expressions of patriotism and are the staple of many 4th of July celebrations. But what if, by looking at specific needs in your community, you could reach people often overlooked by the “tried and true” celebrations?

As you read through my list, I hope to spark your imagination to see who in your community you might bless by trying a different outreach idea this 4th of July.

7 Easy 4th of July Church Outreach Ideas For Small Churches

1. SSSSH!!! It’s The 4th Of July

Beginning the week of June 22, have members share a post daily on their social media feeds advertising a silent fireworks extravaganza. Many adults and families with children sensitive to loud noises struggle to enjoy what many of us include in our holiday, a magnificent fireworks display!

• In your invitation, encourage people to wear noise-canceling headphones, clothing with a hoodie, or anything else that will help them feel comfortable gathering in a group.
• Then, as you gather, display videos of fireworks on mute. Many videos of professionally choreographed fireworks displays are available on YouTube, or your municipality may televise its fireworks event in real-time.
• Select several videos beforehand and experiment to see how large your display can be. Can you use a projector and display the fireworks outside on the side of your church building? Or do you need to clear a wall in the fellowship hall and gather in a darkened room?

The important thing is to minister to those who might not otherwise enjoy the beauty of the fireworks display.

• Be sure to have a variety of snacks, desserts, and beverages available.
• Bonus points if you have sugar-free and caffeine-free options available to meet the needs of the families you invite.

2. Work With Your Chamber Of Commerce

Summer is a prime time for families with school-age children to move. Does your local Chamber of Commerce have a formal “Welcome Wagon” or other organization that can provide a list of people who recently moved to your community?

• Reach out to these families and invite them to join your July 4th Celebration.
• In today’s society, many people live hundreds of miles away from their closest relatives. Holidays can be especially lonely and poignant for those new to a community.
• Consider creating a flyer that members can hand deliver or leave on the front door to reach those who may not have anyone else to celebrate with this year.

Be the people who smile, welcome them to your town, and introduce them to Jesus!

3. Reach Out To Those Who Serve

This year is the 250th birthday of the American Army. That is a huge milestone and worthy of celebration.

• Consider decorating for a birthday party; have a large birthday cake and celebrate both our country’s birthday and the 250th birthday of the American Army.
• Invite veterans, those on active duty, and families of those serving in all branches of our Armed Forces.
• Decorate with red, white, and blue balloons, streamers, plates, and cutlery for a proper birthday party.

If you have a military base or installation nearby, consider inviting a Chaplain from the Armed Services to give the invocation. Otherwise, the local American Legion may also have a Chaplain available.

4. Use Your Holiday To Serve

What if we all used our holiday to serve our First Responders this year?

• Consider gathering as a congregation to grill and prepare meals for the police, fire, or emergency personnel in your vicinity. These individuals care for us during some of the most difficult times of our lives and are willing to put their lives in danger as they serve.
• In the two weeks before July 4th, reach out to the police, fire, and ambulance stations in your area.
• Ask if there are any special considerations or rules for you to be able to serve a meal. Ask questions like:
  • How many people are scheduled for each shift?
  • How many shifts will work on July 4th?
  • What times would be best for you to deliver a meal or snacks?

Invite the children and youth to decorate signs that say “Thank You” to all the First Responders.

Realistically, as a small congregation, you may need to choose one station to serve, depending on the number of people on each shift. But what a fantastic way to minister to those who leave family at home to protect yours! Next year, you can select a different station to serve.

5. Care For The Caregivers

Another group that chooses to work on national holidays is the medical profession. Emergency room staff work hard on any given day, and holidays often compound the problem, especially holidays that include holding or launching fireworks.

• Is there a hospital nearby? Consider focusing your outreach on the nurses, doctors, patient care techs, and ancillary staff caring for patients on July 4th.
• In the upcoming weeks, reach out to the department head and ask how many staff they anticipate and what time might be best for you to drop off your gift.

All age groups in your congregation can participate:

• Children and youth can create and decorate cards and posters.
• Adults can contribute small 1 to 2-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer or lotion to give out (hospital staff continuously wash their hands).
• If your budget allows, make small labels with the church name, address, and a word of thanks or encouragement, and place them on your collected gifts.
• Include bottles of water or individually wrapped snacks in the gift baskets.

Choose one or two members to deliver the gift baskets. Emergency rooms are bustling on holidays, so limit the number of people you add to the mix. The congregation could also plan a prayer walk around the facility for patients and staff.

6. Spread Joy With Sidewalk Art

For small churches that have sidewalks or are in heavily trafficked areas, art can be a way to communicate the Gospel and introduce new people to your congregation.

• If you have members who are artists, invite them to design and create murals in chalk on the sidewalks.
• Otherwise, ask the children of your congregation to create their masterpieces.
• The only cost is purchasing a large quantity of red, white, and blue sidewalk chalk.

Encourage a patriotic theme and turn participants loose! Let their creativity guide the day.

• Encourage members to post pictures of the creative process.
• Send social media invitations to the community to view the “Gallery Opening” on July 4th.
• If your budget allows, serve cold beverages and snacks or grill burgers and hot dogs.

Cold watermelon slices would be a must in South Georgia as we celebrated! This outreach can be effective for various budgets, from micro to extravagant. The critical part of the event is meeting community members and helping them feel welcome. The first contact with your congregation may create an opportunity to grow relationships that facilitate sharing the Gospel with our neighbors.

7. Join The Parade!

If your community has a parade, ask if you can participate. You will have various options:

• Decorate a “float” (think pickup truck with streamers)
• Walk as a group with your church banner
• Have the children’s department sing a song as they walk

Or, if those options don’t tempt you, think about setting up a free lemonade stand on a corner. It is July, people WILL be thirsty!

Of course, check with the city government for any fees or regulations if you choose to participate in the parade. Do your research and follow the rules. We want to behave in a manner that reflects well on Jesus!

Let This 4th Of July Spark Something New In Your Small Church

I hope these suggestions have piqued your imagination! As church leaders, we sometimes feel like we have to replicate the same event year after year. But I want to encourage you to be bold and consider an entirely new outreach idea (or two!) this year.

Outreach is not about our comfort level or even our preferences. Outreach is (and SHOULD be) about meeting and ministering to the lost world around us. What unmet needs have you noticed in your community? Pray about the ways you can begin to minister to those needs. Even a “free art show” has the potential to reach someone, so don’t let fear of budget constraints hold you back.

July 4th celebrates our nation’s independence and freedom. What a perfect segue and opportunity to share the freedom we have in Christ with others! Be bold as you plan to reach others for Jesus!

Serving alongside you,
Carla

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