The conference happens Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm ET, with a Start Here (Open Pre-Session) at 10 am plus a Bonus Masterclass on Sunday. Since it’s virtual, you can join in from anywhere with internet access.
Summer Ministry Doesn’t Have to Mean
Tired Volunteers and Lost Momentum
April 25, 2026
11 am – 3 pm ET
A free event with smart summer strategies for less pressure and more impact.
Watch this quick video to learn how this FREE event
will help you turn the real challenges of summer ministry into meaningful impact.
Summer can be a hard ministry season —
but it doesn’t have to be something we just push through.
The Real Challenges of Summer Ministry
families travel
schedules shift
volunteers need a break
And suddenly the things that worked all year don’t work the same way anymore.
You’re not doing anything wrong.
Summer is just a different season — and ministry can look different too.
That’s exactly what this event will help you do.
Why SUmmer feels so hard In SMall Churches
You're doing so many things right:
- you're showing up for kids week after week
- you're planning meaningful lessons and activities
- you're doing your best with limited time, people, and resources
But summer brings a different set of challenges:
- families are gone for vacations, sports, and camps
- volunteers travel or need a break
- attendance becomes unpredictable
- school-year programming suddenly doesn't work the same way
And many leaders find themselves wondering:
- What should kids' ministry actually look like in the summer?
- How do we keep connection and momentum going?
- How do we serve families well without burning out volunteers?
There is a better way to approach summer ministry - one that works with the season instead of fighting against it.
What If Summer Could Actually Strengthen Your Ministry?
Imagine if this summer looked more like this:
families stay connected - even with full, busy schedules
volunteers serve in ways they can actually sustain
simple gatherings lead to real moments
things keep moving - even when attendance doesn’t
you end the summer with more energy, not less
That’s exactly what this conference will help you do.
During the Small Church KidMin + Youth Ministry Conference,
Hi! I'm Laurie.
I’m Laurie Graham Ertl, creator of the Small Church Network where we help volunteers and ministry leaders in small churches go from struggling to successful.
I love helping people in small churches experience less pressure, healthier rhythms, and real ministry impact as they serve the kids and families in their communities. This is our 21st conference equipping volunteers in small churches and those who lead them. Here’s what you can expect:
- Actionable steps to have lots more impact (and fun!) in ministry
- Community who “gets” small churches – where you can be real, talk freely, and get excited about what’s next
- Strategies for doing ministry like Jesus and joining God where He’s already working
- Solutions to stop doing it all yourself and develop a team you love
Grab your free ticket and join me and 12 other small-church leaders for a one-of-a-kind event designed to help you navigate summer ministry with confidence, creativity, and encouragement.
When I signed up for the FREE conference, my first thought was, "it sounds too good to be true ..." But today, I am amazed and humbled by the experience I have just come from. I have never, in all the years of attending ministry conferences, come home with more knowledge or practical advice than I did today.
Anne
The Details
WHEN
WHEN & WHERE
INTERACTIVE SESSIONS
Participate in 14 sessions sharing practical ideas for navigating summer ministry, supporting families, and building real momentum in small churches.
PRAYER ROOM
Post your ministry and personal prayer requests throughout the conference. Our Prayer Room is staffed with live prayer during the event for extra support.
CHANCES TO WIN
You’ll have a chance to win prizes by showing up & sharing with friends. Keep an eye out for your Bingo card and hang out with us in the Facebook community for more chances to win.
UPGRADE FOR A VIP EXPERIENCE
After registering, watch for the opportunity to upgrade with the Summer Success Pack including lifetime replays, curriculum, workshops, and premium resources from ministry partners. You’ll get all the details after grabbing your free ticket.
BONUS MASTERCLASS
Join the masterclass on Sunday to make this your best ministry season yet. We’ll get you started on next steps with solutions to your unique challenges. After the session, you can hear more about the Small Church Network.
FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
You’ll have access to our private Facebook community of people in small churches who are already hanging out and sharing ministry wins. Connect with speakers and attendees there before and after the conference.
START HERE (OPEN PRE-SESSION)
Join us an hour early on conference day for a relaxed space to ease in – with options for worship, prayer, conference tips, and a simple walkthrough of what to expect. Come as you are – especially helpful if you’re new.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
We’re dedicated to helping people in small churches serve with less stress & more impact. To help with that, you’ll hear about the Small Church Network during the conference. One conference attendee will receive a full 1-year scholarship to the Small Church Network and have instant access to our top learning community & ongoing support. Stay tuned for details and your chance to apply.
This conference is like no other!
What makes it different?
Only for smaller churches
Small churches face unique realities – smaller teams, busy volunteers, and families juggling full summer schedules. Healthy ministry in small churches requires creative solutions that actually fit real life.
Network with others who get it
Unlike lots of virtual conferences that are prerecorded with little chance for connection, we’re all about relationships! Connect with others in small churches in our private Facebook community, enjoy networking at the conference, and stick with us after for the long haul.
Find solutions that work in small churches
You can look online to find general advice that might work in any size church. But if you’re looking for proven strategies that work in smaller churches, come hang with us. Our entire community is dedicated to smaller churches. We love small church ministry and have solutions to share.
It was just like being at an in-person conference without leaving my living room. So many relevant and diverse breakout sessions - loved the expo and networking time also.
Jami
Rethinking Summer Ministry
Laurie Graham Ertl
A Different Kind Of Summer: Simple Shifts For Less Pressure, More Possibility
Jeremy Ruffin
When Sports Compete With Church: Rethinking Ministry For Today’s Families
Natalie Frisk
Summer Sundays: All-Age Worship That Actually Works
Simple Summer Programming Ideas
Laura McDonald
Keepin’ Sundays Simple: One Theme, One Format, Lots Of Fun
Ali Cole
Mixed-Age Ministry That Actually Works In Small Churches
Theresa Martins
Casual Summer Youth Group: Where Conversations Replace The Lesson
Caring For Kids & Families
Mike Haynes
Understanding Families In The Summer: Supporting With Empathy Instead Of Frustration
Sunny Brown
Helping Kids Stay Emotionally Grounded When Summer Disrupts Their World
Herman & Shineka Dixon
When Summer Isn’t Safe: Supporting Kids Facing Instability At Home
Volunteer & Leadership Strategies
Brittany Nelson
Summertime Solutions For Volunteer Shortages
Doug Beutler
You’re Allowed To Breathe: Taking A Break Without Breaking Your Ministry
Cherise Georges
Less But Better: A Summer Ministry Plan That Fits The Season
PLUS:
Networking
Connect with other people in small churches.
Expo
Grab freebies and check out ministry resources.
Video Chats
Meet friends over video chats without ever leaving the conference.
It made me feel like I was at a reunion. I loved the sense of community with God's people even though I had never met any of them.
Christy
Have questions? We've got answers!
When is this whole thing happening?
This 1-day main event happens Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm ET. The Bonus Masterclass happens Sunday, April 26 at 2 pm & 7 pm ET.
Where is the conference held?
It's online! No need to worry about traveling or expenses. We use RingCentral, an online conference platform, for all our conferences.
Is the conference really free?
Yes! The entire live conference is absolutely free! If you'd like to upgrade to the Summer Success Pack, you'll get lifetime access to session replays plus exclusive workshops and premium bonuses at 90% off their value.
What do you consider a small church?
We know the term "small church" is super subjective. For us, we talk about churches from 20-200. Within that range, we address the uniqueness of those who consider themselves microchurches (under 50) and those who are pushing mid-size.
I'm from a larger church. Can I still come?
Sure! If the topics address your needs, you're welcome to join in. Just keep in mind our mission is to small churches, and everything we do has them in mind.
We don't have a children's or youth ministry, but we want one. Would this conference help?
Absolutely! This is the place to be if you want to find ideas that work for children's or youth ministry in small churches and the support to make it happen!
Is this conference just for ministry leaders?
Nope! This conference is for anyone involved in children's or youth ministry in small churches (& those who want to be) - from leaders to teachers to helpers to future volunteers. If you serve in any way or if you want to, we've got you covered!
Can I participate with my phone or tablet?
You sure can, but you'll most likely have a better experience on a computer or laptop. The conference takes place in an amazing, interactive platform called RingCentral. To enjoy all the interactive features, you'll want to log in from a computer or laptop.
I'd like my whole team to come! Could we show the conference at our church?
For sure! We'll even give you tips on how to host your best Watch Party!
I live in a different time zone. Will the presentations be available for 24 hours?
Unfortunately, because it's a live conference, recordings aren't immediately available. However, after you get your free ticket, check out the Summer Success Pack available for purchase. It includes lifetime replays and other amazing bonuses!
I still have questions!
No problem! Email hello@smallchurchministry.com and we'll get back to you within 2-3 business days.
What are you waiting for?
Click the button to grab your free ticket. We’re ready to help you turn the real challenges of summer ministry into meaningful impact.
Copyright © 2026 Small Church Ministry
hello@smallchurchministry.com