Hi friend,
There’s something about the beginning of a new year that always feels sacred to me.
Before the calendar fills and Sundays start coming fast, January gives us a rare pause—a chance to ask the Lord not just what I'm planning, but who I'm becoming as a pastor. And if I’m honest, even after years in ministry, I’m still surprised by how easy it is to prepare sermons and shepherd people while quietly neglecting my own spiritual rhythms.
My prayer for you this year is simple: that you feel rooted in God’s Word, steady in your calling, and reminded that the weight of ministry was never meant to be carried alone.
Starting the Year Anchored—Before Easter Comes Fast
For many of you, Easter may feel far off right now. However, it tends to arrive quicker than expected. The choices we make in the early months of the year—what we’re reading, teaching, and placing in our people’s hands—often shape the spiritual depth of the entire season.
As you look toward Lent and Easter, here’s my personal checklist of things to get in line as you prepare for this Easter season:
- Pray through your Easter preaching calendar (series theme, Scripture focus, key pastoral moments). If you need some extra help this season, I highly suggest the 2026 Pastor's Annual as an excellent place to start.
- Confirm or refresh Pew Bibles so visitors and members are reading from the same translation. Make sure you also have a few extra in case you'd like to offer some visitors the chance to take them home.
- Prepare your greeting team with any materials you'd like your new guests to walk away with. This can include anything from Bibles to Easter/Lent Outreach booklets (maybe even consider writing a letter for them to get to know you and your church). One resource I consistently recommend for Easter outreach is The Case for Easter. It’s been updated with a fresh new cover, and it remains one of the most accessible, thoughtful tools for conversations with seekers during Holy Week and Easter Sunday.
- Consider what comes after the Easter season. How do you plan to reach out to new connections? What Bible studies are you going to do in the lead-up and aftermath of the season? What is your congregation working through right now that could influence your next steps? These are all important questions to consider.
- Order materials early to avoid last-minute gaps or shipping stress. If you plan to get any materials to hand out to visitors, you don't want to be stuck without them due to poor time management.
Some Final Thoughts
Right now, ChurchSource’s Semi-Annual Sale makes it easier to prepare responsibly—especially for those of us stewarding tight budgets. Because we know this time of year is an important season of preparation for your church, we have endeavored to provide you with the best savings we can offer. If you are so inclined, I'd encourage you to look into the sale.
Shop the Sale
As always, my heart is to walk alongside you—not just as an account manager, but as a fellow pastor who understands the weight and the joy of this calling.
My hope is that as you begin this year, you’ll sense God already at work—forming your heart even as He prepares your church for what’s ahead.
Grace and peace,
ERIC MORENO
ChurchSource Account Manager
p: 615-902-2154
