October is planning month! As ministry leaders, we know how quickly the calendar fills up. Now is a great time to look ahead—planning your Christmas outreach, choosing Advent and January studies, and even beginning to map out next year’s sermons. A little preparation today can give you more space to focus on what matters most: your people and your ministry.
If you’re leading small groups, check out our Steal This Idea for practical ways to build community and strengthen connection. And if planning tends to bring more stress than peace, our Planner Tool and our recent workshop with Randy Frazee can help you get organized, think ahead, and say goodbye to the last-minute scramble.
Pastors, we have resources to help you plan further ahead, too. The 2027 Pastor’s Annual gives you a year’s worth of sermon ideas to draw from, while The Bible in 90 Days can provide a meaningful framework for leading your church from January through Easter. My hope is that planning ahead gives you a little more breathing room—and more time and energy to invest in the people God has called you to serve.
—Eric