Preparing for easter with purpose

Easter is one of the most significant celebrations in the life of the church. It’s a time of deep reflection, powerful worship, and joyful proclamation of Christ’s victory over death. As church leaders, we pour our hearts into making this season meaningful—not just as an event, but as a time of spiritual renewal for our congregations and communities.
At our recent Pastor’s Lunch (March, 2025), we shared insights on how to prepare well for Easter. Here are some key takeaways to encourage and guide you in this important season.

Spiritual Preparation.  Easter is more than just ministry—it’s a sacred time for personal and corporate reflection. Before the services, programs, and celebrations, let’s ensure our hearts are prepared:

• Deepen Spiritual Disciplines: Encourage your congregation (and yourself) to spend extra time in prayer, fasting, and Scripture meditation. Easter is a powerful opportunity to reflect on Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
• Lead with Intention: Challenge your church to focus inwardly before they reach outwardly. Spiritual renewal among leaders will overflow into the congregation.
• Sunrise Service: Consider gathering early in the morning, just as the disciples discovered the empty tomb. This simple yet powerful act can set the tone for a worshipful day.
• Resurrection Play: A dramatic presentation of the Easter story can help bring the message to life in a fresh way, touching hearts through storytelling.
  
  

Services & Worship.  Easter Sunday is a time of celebration—let’s make it special in both tradition and experience.

• Men’s Breakfast & No Sunday School: Having the men serve breakfast is a great way to foster community and allow families to focus on worship without their usual Sunday routines.
• Youth Involvement: Engage the next generation by allowing them to take part in worship through music, drama, or readings. Their energy brings life to the service.
• Cross Decoration & Family Photos: Invite families to place flowers on the cross as a beautiful act of worship. Take family photos and send them afterward as a personal follow-up and memory.
  
  

Fellowship & Community Building.  Easter is a time of gathering—not just to worship but to connect.

• Fellowship is Key: Encourage church members to linger, talk, and truly engage with one another.
• Shared Lunch: A post-service meal can be a wonderful way to build deeper relationships.
• Connecting with Guests: Be intentional about welcoming visitors. Encourage members to engage with new faces and make them feel at home.
  
  

Outreach & Engagement.  Easter brings many first-time visitors to church—let’s not miss the opportunity to connect with them beyond Sunday morning.

• Prospect Cards: Have a simple way to collect visitor information to follow up after Easter.
• Secure Email Addresses: Sending a warm follow-up message keeps the connection alive and invites them to return.
  
  

A Final Word of Encouragement.   Church leader, we know the work is heavy. The preparations, the prayers, the details—they all add up. But remember, Easter is not about how perfect the service runs; it’s about the perfect Savior we celebrate.

May you find joy in the journey, strength in the Spirit, and renewal in your own heart as you lead your church in proclaiming the risen Christ.

He is Risen!
Blessings,

Bong