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An annual report is a strategic way to showcase what God is doing through your church and community. It is more than just a financial document with facts and figures. It’s a real-life testament to your church's commitment to living out biblical principles and ensuring the light of faith and hope shines brighter with each passing year.

Here at Fishhook, we often say, “You cultivate what you celebrate.” An annual report, or annual celebration, is one of the best ways to do just that!

The Value of Reflection and Vision Casting

We believe it’s important that your church creates an annual report. This report can be unique and styled in a way that reflects the life of your church! And there's opportunity for it to be engaging rather than just full of stuffy facts. We know that a well thought out annual report can help cast vision for the future, reflect on the past and encourage generosity and support. All good things!

In Scripture, we’re told to consistently remember all that God has done to encourage our faith. As believers, we are called to be both faithful and accountable with our actions and resources. These are biblical principles, not just suggestions:

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” - Isaiah 46:9

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits” - Psalm 103:2

The Purpose of a Church Annual Report

An annual report should rally around your church’s overall mission, vision, values and priorities. It’s a great reminder about the heart of your church, the ways people are engaged in ministry and lives being changed while also being a great opportunity to invite others to be part of it.

Your church’s annual report can highlight the heart posture to stewardship. It can serve as a testament to how your church leaders have faithfully managed resources as well as highlight your volunteer efforts, community engagement and outreach opportunities. It can also help build trust and accountability. People care about transparency, so when you share financial details and the results from church activities, it builds trust because people can see how their contributions are being used.

An annual report allows your church to celebrate achievements and milestones. From baptisms to new visitors to reaching a volunteer goal to seeing how many people are taking a next step in their faith … there’s nothing better than hearing stories of how people are living for Jesus through your church!

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7

As you prep this report for your church, there are some key pieces of information you’ll want to include. This way, it can have the biggest impact possible!

Six Things to Include in Your Church’s Annual Report

(1) Engagement Metrics

Show how people are connecting with your church. Make sure to represent data from online, in-person and other weekly programs or outreach efforts. Highlight growth visually and remember that every number represents a real individual and their personal story!

(2) Groups and Studies

Share how many small groups your church has, how many people are involved and what topics or studies you explored together.

(3) Financial Overview

Be transparent. Show where tithes and offerings go … missions, ministry partners, local outreach, building projects, etc.

(4) Decisions for Christ

Celebrate salvations, baptisms and recommitments to faith. If you have an online campus, include digital decisions too!

(5) Serving and Outreach

Highlight volunteer participation, mission trips and local service projects. Break down the numbers to help people see how their contributions, time and energy made a difference.

(6) Key Initiatives

Spotlight what made your church unique this year! Highlight any key initiatives like new ministries, staff additions, building projects, church-wide events or campaigns.

How to Make Your Annual Report Impactful

• Balance Data with Stories: Numbers matter, but stories of life change make them meaningful. Pair your stats with testimonies that show God’s impact.
• Express Gratitude: Thank your volunteers, donors and congregation for the part they played. Their generosity fuels every story of transformation!
• Celebrate God’s Faithfulness: A church cultivates what it celebrates! Use your annual report to praise God for what He has done and inspire momentum for the year ahead.
• Pray Forward: Invite your church family to pray for what’s next … where God is leading and how each person can continue to make an impact.

Fishhook is here to help!

As we wrap up 2025, we encourage you to choose to steward your church’s story and celebrate all that God has done.  

If you’re not sure where to start or simply don’t have the time to produce an annual report on your own … we’ve got you!

We’d love to help you bring the strategy as you share your church’s distinct story from the past year. We’d love to connect with you at fishhook.us/contact.