Every day is special, but some are more special than others.

At least that seems to be the case, judging by the plethora of “holidays” that are wedging their way into the calendar. I’m not talking about Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Groundhog Day – those actual celebratory days that unite friends and families for joy and feasting. (Doesn’t your family enjoy their annual Groundhog Day party?)

No, I’m talking about those important new holidays like “National Handshake Day” (June 26) and “Cat Herders Day” (Dec. 15). You may have already missed “Penguin Awareness Day” (Jan. 20) and “International Pancake Day” (Feb. 5), but there’s still time to plan some special activities in honor of “National High Five Day” (Apr. 17), “Embrace Your Geekness Day” (July 13), or “International Goof-Off Day” (Mar 22). On second thought, I’m not sure what kind of activities you’d plan for “International Goof-Off Day” – laying on the couch?

Given the proliferation of such non-traditional holidays, perhaps we need to develop a series of such special days as a supplement to the traditional church calendar. How about these for a start:

 

Jan 6                National Church Budget Day

 

Feb 10             Take a Deacon to Lunch Day

 

March 30         International Offering Envelope Sunday

 

April 7             Go to a Preaching Conference Day (sorry, I couldn’t help myself)

 

May 11            Preach Louder Day

 

June 22            National Doctrine Day

 

July 13             Preaching to the Choir Sunday

 

Aug 3              Find a Funny Illustration Day

 

Sept 28            International Pulpit Day

 

Oct 12             Read a Really Thick Commentary Day

 

Nov 2              National Shorter Sermon Day

 

Dec 31             Complete the Tithe Day

 

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to have to buy a bigger calendar.

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About The Author

Michael Duduit is the founding publisher and editor of Preaching magazine. He is also the founding Dean of the new College of Christian Studies and Professor of Christian Ministry at Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. Michael is author and editor of several books, including the Handbook of Contemporary Preaching (Broadman & Holman Press), Joy in Ministry (Baker Books), Preaching With Power (Baker) and Communicate With Power (Baker). From 1996 until 2000 he served as editor of the Abingdon Preaching Annual series. His email newsletter, PreachingNow, is read each week by more than 40,000 pastors and church leaders in the U.S. and around the world. He is founder and director of the National Conference on Preaching and the International Congress on Preaching, which has been held in 1997 at Westminster Chapel in London, 2002 at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and 2007at Cambridge. He has been a pastor and associate pastor, has served a number of churches as interim pastor, and speaks regularly for churches, colleges and conferences.

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