Here’s a thought: Maybe more folks will be in town over the summer for church because of the spike in gas prices.
At least that’s what the Minneapolis Star Tribune is positing. Less road trips and flights due to high gas prices might mean more people around on Sunday mornings for services. So how will you reach folks who are feeling the pinch of high gas prices?
Well, some churches might consider raffling away gas. The church in the Star Tribune article encouraged folks to bike to church and added bike racks. Others have paid gas stations the difference to have volunteers pump gas at a discounted cost (and give a car wash to boot!). Some churches have even given away free gas (back when it was approaching $3/gallon).
Or you could preach a sermon about how expensive gas is, but we should fill up our souls at Heaven’s pump for free.
At the very least, don’t tone down your marketing efforts for the summer. Create experiences for the people who can’t normally leave town; give them family activities to do without taking the long drive. Churches have a big opportunity as gas prices go up, how will your church use it?