Making the Most out of Back to School Outreach

August 12, 2019

I don’t know about you, but this mom of three has mixed emotions about going back to school. The lazy days of summer will soon be replaced with schedules, homework, early bedtimes, and after school activities. We are in full out preparation mode here – school supplies, new shoes, Meet the Teacher…the list seems never-ending!

And while the weeks leading up to a new school year can often be overwhelming, I look forward with anticipation to Fall. Back to a routine, new friends and teachers, sporting events, and non-stop opportunities for new church programming. The season upon us brings events designed to welcome new community members, strengthen existing church member relationships, and fill practical needs for those in the community.

Do you have tried and true events and/or programs your church hosts annually or maybe you are looking for something fresh and new. We did the homework for you:

  • Fill A Backpack – Back to school can mean an increase in expenses, and many families struggle this time of year. Partner with a local school or a shelter and collect backpacks and school supplies for those in need. 
  • Blessing of the Backpacks – Offer up prayers for all students and their backpacks to usher in the new year. Encourage your congregants to bring their friends.
  • New Church Member Fellowship – Host a back to school gathering time for new families in the church to get to know each other. 
  • Teacher Appreciation – Gather snacks and treats for teachers at a local school. Reach out to the schools in your area and see which ones would be willing to let you come by and deliver baskets of goodies, make sure to include words of encouragement and blessings for a new school year.  
  • School Day, Moms Pray – Host a tea for moms just after they drop their kids off for school. Try dividing the mothers up by the age of their children or the schools their children attend. Provide a list of church activities and worship times
  • After School Ministry – Serve children outside the church, as well as congregants’ kids, with a structured, low-cost program. Separate kids by age and schedule homework time, snacks and playtime.
  • After School Tutoring – Each Saturday during the school year, open your church building for students to come and receive free, one-on-one tutoring from high school students and adults. Include refreshments.
  • Support the Local Team – Before local football games, host tailgating parties in your church parking lot for fans. You can also connect with athletes in your community and their families by providing a meal and gathering place after games.
  • Seminars & Family Support – Social media, cyber-bullying, smartphones…the opportunities to educate and inform parents on topics and trends facing our youth are many. Use your church as a safe place to hold seminars and group sessions.

Whatever programming your church puts in place if music is involved make sure you keep things stress-free by reviewing the use of copyrighted material and music licensing. A great place to start is with CCS’s online Copyright Quiz. In just five minutes you can quickly analyze your church’s compliance and identify where the holes are in your licensing coverage. 

If you have any questions feel free to give us a call at 877-394-5566 or live chat with one of our copyright experts.

About Toni Kemper: A mother to three and marketer by trade, Toni is a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans. She joined the CCS team in 2016 as the Communications Coordinator and jumped right in learning the ins and outs of church music and copyrights. Toni is passionate about writing and enjoys contributing to the CopyrightCoach. She is also passionate about education which fits right in with CCS’s mission to educate the church community on copyrights, as well as why you will find her volunteering in the Children’s Ministry department of her church in Fairhope, AL.

About Christian Copyright Solutions: CCS’s quest is to help churches and Christian ministries “do music right.” CCS is an expert on church music copyrights and our primary focus is providing licensing and clear educational resources to churches, as well as representation, administration, and advocacy for copyright owners. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel.


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