How Churches Can Overcome the Summer Giving Slump

Updated May 12, 2026

• Studies show that church weekly attendance drops over 30% in the summer
• A drop in attendance brings a drop in giving - giving amounts drop 14% in the summer months, and typically don't recover until November
• Data shows that recurring givers, on average, give more than double that of donors making one-time gifts throughout the year.

Summer is a season of sunshine, vacations... and often, shrinking church budgets.

If you’ve been in ministry for any length of time, you know the pattern: as attendance dips during the summer months, so does giving. This "Summer Giving Slump" can put real strain on your church’s ability to fund ongoing ministries, pay staff, and plan for future initiatives.

But what if there were a simple, lasting solution to help you break free from this cycle?

Recurring donations are one of the most effective ways churches can overcome the summer giving slump. By encouraging automated, scheduled giving, you create a steady stream of financial support, even when families are traveling or taking a break from regular attendance.

More than just a financial strategy, recurring giving strengthens the spiritual discipline of generosity among your congregation. It provides stability for your church while helping members grow in faithful stewardship.

In this guide, we'll walk through:

• What causes the summer giving slump
  

• Why recurring donations are the best antidote
  

• Practical steps to promote and normalize recurring giving in your church
  

Let’s dive in and set your church up for a financially strong summer and beyond.

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What Is the Summer Giving Slump?

The summer giving slump is the seasonal decline in church donations that often happens between June and August as attendance patterns shift. Families travel, vacations interrupt routines, and weekly engagement naturally decreases during the summer months. For many churches, this creates a noticeable dip in generosity right when ministry expenses continue as normal.

According to data from the Unstuck Group  that summer attendance falls by 23% in June and a whopping 34% in July.

church attendance drops significantly during the summer months, which often leads to reduced giving as well. When generosity is tied primarily to Sunday attendance, even a healthy church can feel financial strain during the summer season.

The good news? Churches don’t have to simply “survive” the summer slump. With the right systems and communication strategies in place, it’s possible to create more consistent generosity all year long.

If your church is still building a digital giving strategy, this guide on online giving for churches is a great place to start.

The Real Impact on Churches

The summer drop in giving creates real challenges for churches. It's tough to budget when you're not sure how much money will be coming in, and this can make it difficult to plan for events or ministries that require funding. It also puts a strain on staff and volunteers who may have to scramble to find ways to make up for the decrease in giving.

Why Recurring Giving Helps Churches Stay Financially Healthy

Recurring giving is one of the most effective ways to stabilize church finances during the summer months because it separates generosity from attendance patterns.

Instead of relying on whether someone is physically present on Sunday morning, recurring giving allows church members to automate their generosity weekly or monthly. Even when families are traveling or away for the weekend, their giving continues consistently.

That consistency matters more than many churches realize.

Recurring givers typically donate more annually than one-time donors because generosity becomes part of their normal financial rhythm rather than a spontaneous decision. For churches, that creates:

• More predictable budgeting
• Healthier cash flow
• Less financial stress during slower seasons
• Greater confidence when planning ministry initiatives

It also reduces the pressure to constantly make urgent giving appeals throughout the summer.

For church members, recurring giving simplifies generosity and helps reinforce faithful stewardship as an ongoing spiritual habit instead of an occasional response.

If your church is evaluating tools to support recurring giving, Tithely Giving makes it easy for members to set up secure recurring donations in minutes.

Key Benefits for Churches

Why are recurring donations so beneficial for churches? Several reasons.

First, they provide predictable cash flow, even during seasonal lulls. Recurring donations decouple church giving from church attendance. Regardless of attendance patterns, the church can still rely on consistent income to cover expenses and plan for future projects.

Second, recurring donations make budgeting easier. With a set amount of money coming in each month, churches can better manage their finances and allocate resources towards various ministries and programs.

Third, they reduce the need for constant giving reminders. Instead of relying on congregants to remember to give each week or month, recurring donations ensure a steady stream of income without the need for constant reminders.

Benefits for Donors

Recurring donations benefit donors as well.

First, recurring donations make consistent giving really convenient. Donors can set up automatic payments through their bank account or credit card, and have the peace of mind that their donation will be made on time each month.

Second, they align with biblical principles of faithful stewardship. By giving regularly, donors can practice sacrificial giving and honor God with their finances. 

Third, recurring donations help church members prioritize generosity. When giving becomes a regular habit, it's easier for people to budget and plan their finances around their giving. This can also help individuals and families develop a heart of generosity and become more intentional with their money.

How to Promote and Increase Recurring Giving in Your Church

So, how do you actually get the members of your church to buy into recurring giving? Here are a few simple ways to increase recurring giving in your church. 

Teach the Spiritual Why

To persuade the members of your church to implement recurring giving, you have to move beyond pragmatic reasons to the spiritual. You must remind your church members of the biblical principles and commands surrounding giving. Emphasize that giving is an act of worship, a way to honor God and demonstrate our trust in Him as our provider (Proverbs 3:9-10).

There is no Bible verse that says you must give at certain intervals to your church. However, the Bible does talk a lot about stewardship. To be a good steward, you must manage your resources wisely and use them to honor God. In the book of Malachi, God calls out His people for their lack of giving and promises blessings to those who are faithful in this area (Malachi 3:10).

Recurring giving is one way of faithfully stewarding the resources you've been given. It's not a command by any means, but it is a specific way to fulfill stewardship commands and orient your life toward generosity. If you’re looking for biblical inspiration on this topic, check out this sermon series on generosity, which unpacks the heart behind giving and how it shapes our walk with God.

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A Recurring Giving Guide to Strengthen Discipleship and Ministry

Packed with actionable steps, real-life examples, and teaching moments, this resource equips church leaders to build a culture of consistent, year-round giving rooted in discipleship.

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How to Normalize Recurring Giving in Your Church

One of the biggest mistakes churches make is only talking about giving when there’s a financial problem.

Healthy churches build a culture of generosity year-round by consistently teaching the “why” behind giving and making recurring generosity feel normal, practical, and mission-focused.

Here are a few simple ways to normalize recurring giving in your church:

Talk About It Regularly

Mention recurring giving naturally during offering moments, announcements, or vision updates. The goal is not pressure—it’s clarity and consistency.

Lead by Example

When pastors, staff, and church leaders model recurring giving personally, it helps build trust and credibility within the congregation.

Share the Ministry Impact

Help people see what consistent generosity actually accomplishes. Talk about missions, outreach, kids ministry, discipleship, and community impact—not just budget needs.

Keep the Process Simple

If signing up for recurring giving feels complicated, most people won’t finish the process. Make setup easy through your website, church app, or text-to-give tools.

Churches using connected digital tools often see higher participation because the experience is smoother and easier to access. A platform like Tithely All Access combines giving, communication, apps, and church management into one connected system that helps reduce friction for both staff and members.

Overcoming Common Objections to Automated Giving

Here are some objections to recurring giving that you might encounter, as well as some ways you can overcome those objections.

Objection: “I Like Putting Something in the Plate”

Some people like the physical act of putting something in the offering plate as it goes past them. It helps them feel more connected to the act of giving and the community.

Solution:

Consider making giving cards available which recurring donors can fill out and place in the basket as it passes. The simple act of filling out the card can have the same impact as writing a check or placing cash in the offering plate.

Objection: “I’m Not Sure I Can Afford It”

For some, the thought of locking into giving a specific amount each week or month might be intimidating. They may worry that they won’t be able to afford it in the future or that their financial situation may change.

Solution:

One way to address this objection is by emphasizing the flexibility of recurring giving. Let them know they can change or cancel their donation at any time, and remind them that even small amounts can make a big impact over time. You could also suggest starting with a smaller amount and gradually increasing it as they become more comfortable with recurring giving.

Objection: “I Don’t Trust Online Giving”

This objection is becoming less common as more and more people use digital financial tools like Venmo, but there may still be some in your church who are concerned about the security of online giving. They may worry that their information will be compromised in some way or that their identity could be stolen.

Solution:

Reassure your church members that online giving platforms like Tithely use the highest forms of digital security and encryption to protect their information. You can also share information like the fact that more than 50,000 churches trust Tithely to process their giving.

A Simple Summer Giving Strategy That Actually Works

You do not need an aggressive fundraising campaign to overcome the summer slump. Most churches simply need a clearer and more consistent generosity strategy.

Here’s a practical framework many churches use successfully:

Alongside Sunday communication:

• Send one email reminder each month
• Add recurring giving links to your website and app
• Use push notifications or text messages sparingly but strategically
• Keep digital giving accessible from every major touchpoint

Churches often underestimate how much visibility matters. If members have to search for your giving page, participation will drop.

Your church website and app should make giving simple, mobile-friendly, and available in just a few taps. This guide on church website best practices can help improve accessibility and engagement.

The Long-Term Opportunity Behind the Summer Slump

The churches that navigate summer giving best usually aren’t the churches with the biggest budgets. They’re the churches with the clearest systems.

The summer slump can actually become an opportunity to strengthen your church’s generosity culture for the long term. By simplifying digital giving, teaching biblical stewardship consistently, and creating recurring giving habits, churches can build healthier financial stability that lasts far beyond the summer season.

And perhaps most importantly, consistent generosity frees church leaders to focus less on financial anxiety and more on ministry impact.

If your church is looking for a simpler way to manage giving, communication, events, and people in one place, explore Tithely’s church management platform.