As this year comes to a close, consider these seasonal ideas for your church to be intentional in the community, with the church body, and in best practices.
Never Forget: Honoring Veterans
In 1919, Pres. Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 to be Armistice Day—a national holiday to honor the men and women who had served in the U.S. military. Now known as Veterans Day, the federal holiday falls on a Tuesday this year.
If you are planning to give special recognition to the veterans in your church and community, consider how these churches have done it:
* Falls Baptist Church (FallsBaptist.org) in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, has hosted an annual Veterans Day Dinner that is open to the public and free for all veterans to attend. The special night honors those who have served in any branch of the U.S. military and includes special music and a keynote speaker.
* Milestone Church (MilestoneChurch.com) in Keller, Texas, offers nine-week Freedom Groups—small groups dedicated to helping members deal with hurts and wounds of the past. Recognizing the unique challenges veterans may face from their military service, Milestone Church provides a dedicated Freedom Group to those who have served.
* Torrance Church of Christ (TorranceChurch.org) in Torrance, California, makes a point to educate members via blog posts on how to honor veterans—showing appreciation, listening to their stories, performing acts of service, attending local events—all while being aware of and respecting military customs.
As you make plans, be sensitive to the fact that some veterans may be dealing with pain or trauma.
Try This: Create a Unique Outreach
Holidays come in a variety of forms, and your church can keep celebrations simple or make them grand this fall and winter.
Nov. 1: Autistics Speaking Day | On this Saturday, plan a casual social event that allows those who might need extra space or consideration in order for their voices to be heard. Consider an open mic or tactile artistic options for those on the autism spectrum to engage with one another. You are encouraged to consult with autism experts when planning this event.
Nov. 16: International Check Your Wipers Day | Recruit volunteers to check and replace windshield wipers for those in your church and neighborhood before the winter months begin. Take it an extra step and top off wiper fluid and offer coffee while the car owners wait.
Dec. 8: National Brownie Day | Who needs a reason to celebrate with a brownie? Ask volunteers to make batches of brownies as a fun treat after church. Consider displaying some brownies with napkins for people to enjoy onsite while connecting with each other. Then, encourage people to take a wrapped brownie to a neighbor with a note of encouragement.
Dec. 13: National Violin Day | Plan a “cider and strings” event where people of all ages listen to beautiful melodies played in your church’s atrium, sanctuary or worship center. Encourage the masterful musicians and early learners alike to perform solos or join others for quartets and full ensembles. Make it as casual or as formal as you’d like, and consider taking an abridged version to a local hospital or nursing home.
Spiritual Practices: Scripture Study via Lectio Divina
With Christmas Eve and holiday services attracting a greater number of first-time attendees, consider taking the entire congregation through a simple Lectio Divina—creating space for each individual to listen to God through Scripture. Individual study may seem daunting, and having everyone practice reading and listening can help remove the stigma and intimidation from study.
Traditional Lectio Divina consists of scriptural reading and prayer intended to promote communion with God. It involves a slow, meditative reading of a passage of Scripture with the goal of encountering God’s presence and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to the individual. The practice is structured around four movements: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.
In Spiritual Practices in Community: Drawing Groups into the Heart of God (IVP), Diana Shiflett covers practical tips on leading small and large groups through various spiritual practices. As Shiflett describes Lectio Divina, or “divine reading,” she notes how approachable this sixth-century practice is for people of all ages.
Using one to six verses from your Christmas Eve message or a related Scripture, this entire process can take as few as 10–12 minutes—including time to ponder and share with a neighbor.
“You’re the leader,” says Shiflett, “so it’s OK to pick a passage that feels loaded in the direction you’re hoping to take the meeting.”
Start 2026 Strong: Church Financial Checklist
Whether or not your church’s fiscal year follows the calendar year, the end of December is a perfect time to take a snapshot of your church’s financials.
Here are some suggested best practices from ChurchLawAndTax.com:
- Review clergy housing allowances and classifications and withholdings regarding Social Security.
- Update staff W-4 forms and classifications of employees.
- File W-2s for staff members.
- Review clergy and staff compensation for the coming year.
- Compile payments to independent contractors and file 1099s.
- Report any taxable fringe benefits on W-2 forms.
- Provide contribution summaries to givers to your church.
- Correctly handle cash and noncash gifts to staff and volunteers.
- Review and share the year-end budget vs. actuals with key leadership.
- Finalize the coming year’s budget.
