TL;DR
Seasons shape church attendance and giving—Easter surges, summer slumps, and Christmas peaks. Without a plan, churches play defense against the calendar. With one, leaders steward resources wisely, inspire generosity, and stabilize finances year-round.
The Generosity Calendar
Think of the church year like a farmer’s calendar. Farmers know you plant different crops in different seasons. If you miss the planting season, you won’t see a harvest. The same is true with giving.
New Year – Fresh Start
The new year is when people set goals and budgets. That’s why January is a key moment to teach first fruits giving and encourage recurring generosity. Automated giving creates the foundation for financial stability the rest of the year.
Spring / Easter – Maximum Engagement
Easter is the Super Bowl of the church year. With record attendance, it’s the perfect time to cast vision for generosity. A clear and compelling Easter offering can jumpstart the spring and set the tone heading into summer.
Summer – Slump Prevention
The summer slump is real. People travel, but ministry costs don’t take a vacation. A smart summer strategy includes:
- Calculate your summer need (budget ÷ 52 × 15 weekends).
- Build weekly offering talks (60–120 seconds) that tie giving to vision.
- Push recurring giving again in May to lock in consistency.
- Connect generosity to summer ministry opportunities like camps and missions.
Don't fail to plan for summer, or you’ll fall behind in the second half of the year.
Fall – Vision Reset
As families return to routines, this is a natural time to re-cast vision. Tie giving to new ministry initiatives—groups, outreach, missions—to position your church for a strong year-end.
Year-End / Christmas – Peak Giving Season
December is the single largest giving month of the year. People are in a giving mood, motivated by generosity and tax planning. To maximize this season:
- Create a Christmas Eve offering tied to life change
- Provide multiple giving channels (online, mobile, mail, in-service)
- Remind donors of the year-end deadline
Year-end done right can be the difference between a budget shortfall and a surplus.
Keys to Seasonal Planning
1. Vision First – Every appeal must connect to changed lives, not budget gaps.
2. Recurring Giving Pushes – At least twice a year (January & May).
3. Special Offerings – Leverage key Sundays and holidays to re-cast vision.
4. Staff Buy-In – Alignment is essential for impact.
5. Plan Ahead – Seasonal planning means no more Saturday-night scrambling.
Your Seasonal Generosity Plan
Each season brings unique challenges and opportunities. A seasonal approach equips you with a roadmap to keep your church financially strong and focused on ministry all year long.
The question is: What’s your generosity plan for the season you’re in right now?
Leading Stewardship
Stewardship isn’t just about asking for generosity—it’s about leading with wisdom. A seasonal giving plan shows your people that you anticipate challenges, prepare faithfully, and guide the church with intentionality. Wise planning is leadership in action.
OnlineGiving.org Makes It Simple
You don’t have to figure this out alone. OnlineGiving.org provides the tools to put seasonal strategies into action—from recurring giving options (the best way to stabilize summer) to special offerings for Easter and Christmas.
And with Ministry AI, our platform highlights seasonal giving opportunities, suggests communication strategies, and helps you act at the right time. With no contracts, no hidden fees, and ministry-minded support, OnlineGiving.org is the partner you need to execute your generosity playbook.
Call us at (615) 206-4000 or email support@onlinegiving.org to start your seasonal generosity plan today.
Farmers mind the seasons. Churches should too.
— Online Giving (@onlinegivingorg) September 4, 2025
Easter surges. Summer slumps. Christmas peaks.
See how a seasonal generosity plan helps your church stay strong all year: https://t.co/Opcy0n2s0v pic.twitter.com/1K5k5FdILo
