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Summer is the perfect season to slow down, reflect, and refuel. While many people are catching up on beach novels or personal development books, church leaders have a unique opportunity to dive into resources that can inspire and transform their ministry.
To help get you started, we’ve curated a collection of impactful summer reads. These free, practical guides and reports were created from over 40 years of experience helping churches thrive.
Take a look at these five essential reads and consider adding them to your summer lineup.
1. The Guide to Nurturing Visitors into Engaged Church Members
Most churches do a great job of creating a warm welcome for first-time guests, but what happens after the handshake and coffee? This guide is designed to help churches move beyond the initial greeting and develop a clear path to engagement and belonging.
You’ll find simple, actionable strategies to help ensure that no one slips through the cracks. Whether your church is small or large, urban or rural, this guide provides tools to help visitors become fully connected members who feel seen, valued, and spiritually supported.
Download: The Guide to Nurturing Visitors into Engaged Members
2. The Essential Guide to Church Giving Campaigns
Recurring giving is often the backbone of sustainable church finances, but many congregations struggle to unlock its full potential. This guide walks you through the entire process of designing, launching, and maintaining a giving campaign that inspires generosity.
From biblical foundations to practical campaign templates, this eBook equips church leaders with what they need to cultivate a culture of giving that supports long-term ministry goals.
Download: The Essential Guide to Church Giving Campaigns
3. 2025 State of Church Giving Report
If you're wondering how your church's giving trends compare to others, this in-depth report offers clarity. Drawing on billions of dollars in digital donations and feedback from over 1,000 church leaders, this data-rich resource provides powerful insights into the state of church giving in 2025.
Learn what’s working in churches like yours, where generosity is growing, and how to apply key findings to strengthen stewardship in your own congregation.
Download: 2025 State of Church Giving Report
4. The Guide to Healthy Church Operations
If your church could benefit from more streamlined operations, this comprehensive guide is a must-read. At 170 pages, it’s more than a quick recap; it’s a deep dive into creating a well-organized, people-centered ministry ecosystem.
From administrative workflows to volunteer coordination and digital tools, this guide offers a blueprint for church operations designed to help you free up your time to focus on what matters most: your people and your mission.
Download: The Guide to Healthy Church Operations
5. The Ultimate Easter Planning Guide for Churches
Yes, Easter 2025 has come and gone, but this guide isn’t just for one Sunday of the year. Packed with proven strategies for outreach, service planning, and community engagement, this resource is valuable for preparing for any major event, including fall festivals and Christmas services.
Use it to start planning your next big day with intentionality and impact. After all, a successful event starts with strong planning, and this guide will help get you there.
Download: The Ultimate Easter Planning Guide for Churches
Next Steps
Whether you're spending this summer at the office, at home, or on the go, these five eBooks offer a chance to refresh your ministry perspective and equip your church for the next season.
Dive into one (or all) of these reads and discover new ways to nurture your community, grow generosity, and lead with purpose. Each guide is free and packed with value, so consider sharing them with your leadership team or ministry partners. Happy reading!
And, if you’re ready to improve your church software as a result of what you read, we’d love you to try out Ministry Brands Amplify! Try your demo here.
