If someone asked me what the hardest time of year is for a Pastor I think most would assume I would say either Advent or Lent when the most is going on in the life of the church in terms of worship and activity. For me, however, it is summer.

Summer is when worship attendance, events, ministry activity and even giving is often at its lowest. When I have shared this with others, they usually say something along the line of “Well, of course, it’s summer in Wisconsin! We have to enjoy the good weather while we have it.”

Having grown up in Central Wisconsin I understand the reasoning. It is only a matter of time before the snow piles up and the temps drop again for winter so every effort should be made to go swimming, enjoy the cabin up north, take a trip to the Dells or get to the lake for boating and fishing. 

I would like to be so bold as to suggest, however, that there is no such thing as a vacation (much less a summer vacation) from being a Christian, a church member and a part of the Body of Christ. Wherever we are, let’s love God, love others and make disciples.  

Pull out the Bible in the morning before or during the night after summer activities and spend some quality time with the Word of God. Share faith stories with relatives, neighbors and new friends at the lake. When in town, please make every effort to be at worship, it means so much, and now, thanks to technology, wherever you are, you can likely stream worship services on a cell phone.

Yes, this would all mean a lot to me and likely any other Pastor, however, it also, no doubt means a lot to God when you remember to support His church and its mission over the summer. After all, according to the scriptures, God has never taken a vacation from us.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Jeff Meyer is the pastor of Monroe United Methodist Church.