Why Every Event Matters (and How to Keep Graphics Simple)

One of the most common questions I hear from churches are these: “Do we really need to put every little event on the church calendar?” and "Does every event need its own graphic?" Usually, the concern isn’t about the events themselves — it’s about the workload. Every calendar entry feels like it needs a graphic, every graphic needs details, and soon communications become a bottleneck instead of a blessing.

I recently had this exact conversation with a church leader who asked: “At your church, do the groups make their own graphics? Should we not put every craft night on the calendar?”
Here’s the principle I shared with them, and one that I believe helps churches of all sizes:

1. Every public event deserves a place on the calendar

If your church is hosting an event that’s open to the public — whether it’s a pickleball night, a prayer group, a Bible study, open gym, or even a simple craft night — it should be on your main church calendar. Why?

Because putting it there communicates two things:

• Value. You’re showing that every ministry, no matter how big or small, is important to the life of the church.
• Visibility. Members and guests see the full range of opportunities to connect, not just the “big” events.

Now, that doesn’t mean every event needs to show up under “special events.” There’s a difference between your master calendar (everything) and highlighted calendars (curated). But the baseline should be: if it’s happening, and people can attend, it belongs on the calendar.

2. Keep graphics simple

Graphics don’t have to be complicated. In fact, simpler is almost always better. A clean background image with the event title is enough for most platforms — whether that’s social media, your website, or your digital bulletin. If needed, you can add date and time. Everything else (location, registration, details) should live in the event listing itself.
This saves time, ensures consistency, and makes your visuals reusable. For example: sermon series graphics can stretch across an entire series, and recurring events can share a single design.

When it comes to one-off events or major outreaches, that’s the time to lean in and give the design a little extra care.

3. Guard your brand without stifling creativity

Should groups make their own graphics? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The key is balance. I recommend giving each department a clear branding guide and talking through expectations. The conversation doesn’t have to be stern — it’s about shared care for the church’s image and consistency.

From there, the main church office can handle graphics for recurring and central events, while groups take the lead on smaller or one-time gatherings (within guidelines). This way, you avoid bottlenecks while still keeping a unified look.

4. Make communications a team effort

At the end of the day, communication isn’t just about graphics or calendars — it’s about culture. Churches thrive when staff and volunteers see communication as a shared responsibility. Regular check-ins, clear processes, and a unified philosophy keep things moving smoothly.

The takeaway: Put every event on the calendar, keep graphics simple, and empower your teams with clear expectations. This approach shows care for every ministry, makes it easier for people to connect, and keeps your communications team from burning out.