Don’t Waste Holy Week: Leading Your Church Through the Most Important Week of the Year

“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”

Luke 9:23 NIV

Holy Week is almost here.

For many churches, that means a full calendar:

• Palm Sunday services

• Holy Thursday services

• Good Friday gatherings

• Easter Sunday celebrations

And while all of that matters…

It’s possible to do all of it—and still miss the moment.

Because Holy Week was never meant to be something we observe.

It was meant to be something that transforms us.

The Danger of Treating Holy Week Like a Tradition

Let’s be honest.

In many smaller churches, Holy Week can become predictable.

We know the flow. We know the songs. We know the schedule.

And because it’s familiar it can lose its impact.

People attend… but don’t engage. They hear the story… but don’t internalize it. They show up… but don’t surrender.

And when that happens, we’ve reduced the most powerful story in history to a religious routine. And that’s a tragedy.

Holy Week Is a Discipleship Opportunity

This week is not just about remembering what Jesus did.

It’s about asking:

• What does the cross require of me?

• Where do I need to surrender?

• What needs to die so Christ can live fully in me?

That’s discipleship.

And as pastors and leaders, we have the sacred responsibility to guide people through this journey, not just inform them of it.

Because the goal of Holy Week is not attendance.

It’s transformation.

Lead Them Through the Story—Not Around It

Too often, we rush from Palm Sunday to Easter without helping people sit in the tension of the cross.

But the power of the resurrection is only fully understood when we walk through the weight of the sacrifice.

This is your opportunity to slow things down.

Help your people:

• Feel the humility of Jesus entering Jerusalem

• Wrestle with the betrayal, denial, and abandonment

• Reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of the cross

Don’t rush past Friday to get to Sunday.

Let them experience it.

Move Your Church from Attendance to Engagement

If we want Holy Week to be meaningful, we must lead intentionally.

Here are a few simple ways to do that:

1. Give Them Something to Do, Not Just Attend

Provide daily Scripture readings, reflection prompts, or prayer guides.

2. Call for Personal Reflection

Ask real questions:

• Where have you denied Christ?

• What are you holding onto that needs to be surrendered?

3. Create Space for Repentance

Don’t skip this. The cross demands it.

4. Make It Personal

For many churches this may be the only week in the year they have Holy Communion. Help them with this incredible touchstone of grace. Help them see: Jesus didn’t just die for the world—He died for you.

Smaller Churches—This Is Your Strength

You don’t need a large production.

You don’t need elaborate staging.

You don’t need to compete with bigger churches.

What you do have is something more powerful:

Connection.

You can:

• Speak directly to hearts

• Create intimate moments of reflection

• Walk closely with your people through the story

And that’s where real discipleship happens.

This Week Can Change Your Church

What if this Holy Week became a turning point?

What if people didn’t just attend…

…but actually encountered Christ in a deeper way?

What if repentance was real? What if surrender was genuine? What if lives were transformed?

That doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens when leaders like you choose to be intentional.

Pastor, don’t waste this week. Don’t let it become just another series of services.

Instead, ask:

“How can I lead my people to truly experience the cross?”

Make a plan. Be intentional. Create space for God to move.

Because if we lead well this week…

Easter won’t just be celebrated—it will be experienced.

Let’s Continue the Conversation

If this encouraged or challenged you, I’d love to stay connected:

• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsTimeSam

• 👥 Leadership Edge for Smaller Churches (Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1019833292715686

• 🐦 X (Twitter): @ItsTimeSam

And if you want help creating a more intentional, disciple-making strategy for your church—not just for Holy Week, but year-round—

Reach out to me directly at: sam.peters@smallchurchcoaching.com

Let’s work together to help your church live out its One Excellent Mission.

If this article helped you, share it with another pastor or church leader preparing for Holy Week.