Nine Out of the Box Ideas for Lent
By: Lisa Witherspoon
If your church is like mine, there are certain traditions that are repeated year after year,
especially during significant liturgical seasons like Advent & Lent. Now, I’m all for tradition! It’s
also nice to try something new once in a while, too, though. When you introduce something
new, remember that not everyone will get “on board” right away. Consider trying it with a small
group first. Also, remember that, while change is good, most people can only absorb a little bit
at a time, so it would be best to try only one or two new things at once. Finally, keep in mind
that word “try!” If it goes great, it might become a new tradition, but if not that’s okay! You
gave it a whirl and learned something along the way!
Here are nine ideas:
1. Create a Lenten Playlist – This can be done by church staff or you can give the
congregation an opportunity to offer input. Your playlist could include both religious
and secular music – it’s up to you! I can also see this being a fun idea for youth! While
listening to the playlist in your car or at home, it would be nice to know that others are
listening to the same songs during the season!
2. Reverse the Wreath – During Advent, we light a candle each week. During Lent, we can
extinguish one each week instead as we near Jesus’ death. This does not have to be
done in a wreath shape. It could simply be candles lined along a table. Our church has
also used a wooden cross on its side with holes drilled to hold candles.
3. Photo A Day Challenge – This is a unique way to engage your congregation via social
media! Give out a list of daily, Lenten themed words. Ask people to take a photo a day
that reflects the word of the day. (There are several words lists you can find online to
use or get inspiration.) Create a hashtag such as #lent2024churchname and encourage
people to use it when they post. Then, everyone will be able to search for the images
using the hashtag.
4. Offer a Yoga Class (or Two!) – Lent is a good time to try new, contemplative practices
and yoga is a great option! Perhaps you have someone in your congregation who could
offer instruction. Consider offering classes for various ages and/or levels!
5. Group Give Up – Of course, giving something up for Lent is a common practice. What if
your whole congregation or small group gave up the same thing? Then, you could offer
support, accountability, and reflection about the experience. Be sure to discuss the WHY
behind fasting and be intentional about what you choose!
6. Take a Hike – Lent begins with Jesus in the wilderness, so it is appropriate to take our
personal Lenten journey out into the wilderness as well. Consider organizing a group
hike either at the beginning of the season or, perhaps, even weekly. Reflect on scripture
as you hike, be intentional about creating a time of silence during the hike, and
encourage participants to think about the places of wilderness in their lives or
communities.
7. Texted Prayers – There are many mass texting apps that allow people to opt in and
receive text messages that are “pushed” out. This could be a great platform for sharing
daily prayers or scripture during Lent. (Or reminding people about the daily word photo
challenge! *See above). It would take a little work on the “front end” from the person
sending the texts, but overall, is pretty simple.
8. Prayer Partners – This is a way to create bonds that might not happen otherwise. Simply
ask people who want to participate to sign up in advance, committing to pray daily for
their partner during the season. Then, pair people up at random! Send them the names
of their prayer partners and, occasionally, remind them to keep praying. As a fun option,
you could have a meet up at the beginning (to share prayer requests etc.) and/or one at
the end (to talk about the experience).
9. Contemplative Coffee – Provide coffee and simply offer a space for quiet reflection and
contemplation. It could involve centering prayer, Visio Divina, or just silence. You would
need a space that can be quiet, but it could be help outside or somewhere other than
your church campus. You could also consider hosting it on Zoom! You could offer an
image to reflect on while the “zoomers” sit in silence.
Lisa Witherspoon is Director of Children & Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is also a curriculum nerd and writer. She has been married to her husband for 25 years and they have three amazing teen/young adult daughters.