Sermon Topics for Summer: Insights from 1,000 Pastors
Feeling Behind on Summer Planning? If you’re still staring at a blank calendar for June and July, you’re not alone. Most pastors we talked to told us they feel the same pressure: attendance drops, routines shift, and the usual momentum disappears. But that doesn’t mean your church has to drift spiritually this summer. Over 1,000 pastors responded to our recent poll to find out what they’re planning to preach—and more importantly, what they feel their people need to hear during the summer season. Their feedback shaped three new summer sermon calendars, plus an in-depth book study, all designed to help you lead with confidence. Why Planning Summer Sermons Matters Summer can be a spiritually vulnerable season for churches: But the hunger for spiritual growth doesn’t go away. In fact, many pastors said they see summer as a unique opportunity—when hearts are more open, rhythms are slower, and space for reflection increases. With that in mind, we built calendars to help you speak into these opportunities, not just survive the summer slump. The 3 Summer Sermon Calendars (Built from Pastor Feedback) We didn’t guess what pastors needed—we asked them. Here’s what we created based on their top responses: 1. Summer Deeper Faith Calendar Topics: Doubt, deconstruction, belief, truth, spiritual maturity Designed for churches wanting to meet people in their questions, this calendar equips you to speak to common struggles with faith in a season when reflection often rises. Key Series: View the Deeper Faith Calendar → 2. Summer Relationships Calendar Topics: Unity, forgiveness, restoration, friendship, church family This calendar was shaped by pastors who said their congregations need healing and reconnection. Preach into relationships when they’re most tested by distance, travel, and burnout. Key Series: View the Relationships Calendar → 3. Summer Spiritual Growth Calendar Topics: Discipleship, prayer, Scripture, spiritual habits, growth If your goal is to help people stay rooted despite inconsistent attendance, this calendar provides structure and rhythm to keep your congregation anchored in spiritual habits. Key Series: View the Spiritual Growth Calendar → Want to Preach Through a Book? Try Acts Many pastors told us they prefer to spend summer walking their church through a single book of the Bible. So we also developed a full Summer in Acts Calendar, packed with graphics, outlines, and application points Explore the Acts Calendar → This is ideal if you want to go deep and keep things simple week to week. What Comes With Each Calendar Every Ministry Pass calendar includes: These tools are designed to lighten your load and give you a head start—not replace your voice or calling. You still do the preaching. We help you prepare. Real Help for Real Pastors You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through another summer. With these sermon ideas and tools, you’ll be better equipped to: We created these calendars because we believe pastors deserve support that’s thoughtful, biblical, and practical. Try Ministry Pass Free → Related Resources Ministry doesn’t slow down just because summer starts. But with a little preparation—and a lot of prayer—you can guide your church through a season of depth, not drift. We’re here to help.
7 Mother’s Day Photo Booth Ideas Your Church Can Actually Pull Off
Planning for Mother’s Day at church is a special opportunity to create meaningful moments for the women and families in your congregation. If you’re looking for Mother’s Day church ideas that are simple, fun, and memorable, a photo booth is one of the easiest ways to make the day extra special. A great Mother’s Day photo booth doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate — it just needs to feel thoughtful and inviting. These 7 tried-and-true photo booth ideas are easy to set up, fun for families, and perfect for capturing memories they’ll cherish (and share) for years to come. Whether your church is large or small, you’ll find inspiration here that fits your space, your budget, and your heart for honoring moms. Even better, we’ve included real examples from churches just like yours to help you bring these ideas to life. Arched Backdrops for a Touch of Elegance Arches instantly add a sense of beauty and structure to your Mother’s Day photo booth. You can build them yourself with foam, plywood, or wood framing — or even rent a metal or wood arch if you prefer. Whether you cover them with fabric, florals, or leave them bare for a clean, modern look, arches create a stunning focal point. Choose soft colors or natural wood tones to match the theme and atmosphere of your service. Rustic Charm That Feels Like Home If you’re aiming for a warm, welcoming atmosphere, a rustic-themed photo booth is a perfect choice for your Mother’s Day church ideas list. Wooden crates, burlap accents, lanterns, and warm string lights come together to create a cozy, down-to-earth backdrop that feels like home. You can stack crates at different heights, drape burlap cloth for texture, and scatter lanterns or vintage props around the space. Add a few simple flower stems—think sunflowers, wildflowers, or soft greenery—and finish it off with a hand-lettered sign featuring a heartfelt phrase like “Blessed Beyond Measure” or “Thank You, Mom.” This style fits perfectly with both indoor and outdoor spaces and invites families to slow down, smile, and capture a moment they’ll treasure. Plus, rustic setups photograph beautifully and feel authentic without requiring a lot of expensive materials. Flower-Filled Backdrops That Say “We Love You, Mom” When it comes to Mother’s Day church ideas, you can never go wrong with flowers. They’re timeless, meaningful, and instantly bring warmth and beauty to any space. For your photo booth, consider layering faux florals, hanging garlands, or even arranging fresh potted plants around the frame. You can keep it simple with a single floral wall or go all out with a garden-inspired scene. Use soft spring colors, greenery, and textures that reflect the joy and grace of motherhood. Not only will it look stunning in photos, but it also creates a welcoming atmosphere that helps families feel celebrated. Whether it’s a backdrop filled with blooms or small floral accents, flowers are a classic way to show the moms in your church just how loved they are. Simple Setups That Make a Big Impact Looking for Mother’s Day church ideas that don’t require a big budget or hours of setup time? Sometimes, less really is more. A clean, neutral backdrop paired with soft lighting and a single meaningful sign—like “Happy Mother’s Day,” “You Are Loved,” or “Mom, You Matter”—can be just as powerful as a fully themed photo booth. This minimalist approach works in any space, whether you’re in a large lobby or a small hallway. Add a bench or stool if you’d like, or keep it fully standing-room for quick, walk-up photos. The simplicity keeps the focus where it belongs—on the families and the moms being celebrated. Plus, with fewer props and decorations to manage, it’s easier to keep the area tidy between services and create a calm, welcoming moment that’s easy to capture and even easier to share. Polaroid Frames for a Fun, Shareable Moment Add a playful twist to your Mother’s Day photo booth with a giant Polaroid-style cutout that families can step into. It’s nostalgic, interactive, and makes for an instantly shareable photo. Customize the frame with your church’s name, logo, or the year—for example, “Mother’s Day 2025 at Grace Church”—so that every picture becomes a branded memory that lives on beyond Sunday. This idea works especially well in high-traffic areas and encourages families to take a moment, strike a pose, and celebrate the moms in their lives. You can use foam board, wood, or even heavy cardstock to create the frame, and keep the background simple so the focus stays on the people. Pro tip: Set up a small sign nearby inviting people to tag your church on social media—it’s a great way to extend your reach and show the heart of your church community online. Printed Graphics That Make an Instant Statement If you’re short on time but still want something eye-catching, printed graphics are one of the easiest and most effective Mother’s Day church ideas to implement. A custom-printed backdrop featuring floral designs, encouraging Bible verses, or hand-lettered phrases like “We Love You, Mom” or “Her Children Rise and Call Her Blessed” (Proverbs 31:28) instantly creates a polished photo booth look with minimal setup required. Pair your printed backdrop with a bench, a few plants or props, and soft lighting for a complete photo moment that looks professional and feels heartfelt. You can reuse the backdrop year after year or print a new one with each year’s theme. Whether it’s a lightweight vinyl banner or a foam core design mounted to a stand, this option brings a high-impact visual to your Mother’s Day celebration without needing a ton of decor. It’s also perfect for smaller churches that want a cohesive, branded moment on a budget. Wood Frames That Add Structure and Style Sometimes the best Mother’s Day church ideas are the ones you can use again and again—and a simple wood frame is one of them. With just a few basic 2x2s, you can build a sturdy frame that becomes
Top Mother’s Day Sermons Used by Pastors
Mother’s Day is one of those Sundays on the church calendar that comes with both great opportunity and great responsibility. It’s a day full of meaning, emotion, and—if we’re honest—a little bit of pressure. Because for many, this day is joyful. For others, it’s complicated. And as pastors, we have to hold all of that tension with care. That’s why your sermon on Mother’s Day matters more than you might think. It’s not just a chance to celebrate moms (though we should absolutely do that). It’s a chance to speak life into families, to honor the influence of women in our churches, and to point people back to the God who sees, knows, and loves them. Whether you’re leaning into biblical motherhood, godly legacy, or the everyday impact of a nurturing heart, the right message can make all the difference. To help you prepare, we’ve rounded up some of the best sermon series for Mother’s Day—thoughtful, hope-filled, and ready to go. Check them out below. Mother’s Day: Her Story, His Glory This series includes a Mother’s Day looking mothers in the Bible who exemplified godliness for their children and for Bible readers today. Mother’s Day: Godly Mothers of the Word This series includes a Mother’s Day looking mothers in the Bible who exemplified godliness for their children and for Bible readers today. Mother’s Day This two-week message set helps us understand the important role that mothers and fathers have in teaching their children the gospel. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are times we can celebrate parents and challenge them to be disciple makers in their homes. Through analyzing Psalm 78, we see that God wants parents to teach and model his ways so kids will grow to be his people and stay away from paths of destruction. Mother’s Day This series includes a Mother’s Day and Father’s Day message. Each message looks at parents in the Bible who exemplified godliness for their children and for Bible readers today. Generation To Generation: Mother’s Day This two-week sermon set consists of one message for Mother’s Day and one for Father’s Day. Both messages are built around the promise of God in Psalm 119:90, that his faithfulness will endure from generation to generation. Rise And Tell: Mother’s Day This two-week message set helps us understand the important role that mothers and fathers have in teaching their children the gospel. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are times we can celebrate parents and challenge them to be disciple makers in their homes. Through analyzing Psalm 78, we see that God wants parents to teach and model his ways so kids will grow to be his people and stay away from paths of destruction. The Power of Parenting: Mother’s Day Every year, we set aside two days to recognize mothers and fathers and their influence in our lives. But motherhood and fatherhood are 24-7, 365-days-a-year occupations, and all parents face moments where they feel like they’re failing in some way. This special two-week series focuses on some of the struggles mothers and fathers face, and how we as a church can support them. Note: This series is designed to be split in half, with one week happening on Mother’s Day and the other week happening on Father’s Day. Mother’s Day Every year, we set aside two days to recognize mothers and fathers and their influence in our lives. But motherhood and fatherhood are 24-7, 365-days-a-year occupations, and all parents face moments where they feel like they’re failing in some way. This special two-week series focuses on some of the struggles mothers and fathers face, and how we as a church can support them. Note: This series is designed to be split in half, with one week happening on Mother’s Day and the other week happening on Father’s Day. Lasting Legacy: A Mother’s Day Message This two-week sermon series includes a Mother’s Day Message and a Father’s Day Message. These sermons are designed to encourage, challenge, and strengthen men and women, boys and girls, to leave a lasting legacy. A person’s legacy is not determined by who the person is, but rather, a person’s legacy is determined by what is done for Christ here on this earth; thus, anyone can leave a lasting legacy. Each sermon is unique to the audience, men or women, but is designed to provide a cohesive message on lasting legacies that will touch everyone’s heart. A Godly Inheritance: Mother’s Day This series includes a Mother’s Day and Father’s Day message. Each message looks at parents in the Bible who exemplified godliness for their children and for Bible readers today.
