Geoff Surratt - MinistryTogether

What’s the Right Price for Preacher’s Sneakers?

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]The guilty pleasure the past few weeks has been the Instagram account @preachersnsneakers which posts pictures of popular pastors wearing expensive shoes (and other designer items) along with price tags. In less than a month the account has attached over 130,000 followers. Its so hot even the Wall Street Journal did an article about it. For some reason many of us, myself included, love to see pastors called out for expensive shoes. This raises a couple of questions for me. First, “Why is a site like this so popular?” I can’t answer for you, but here is what I suspect about myself:

I feel better about myself when someone more famous, more successful or more well-paid than me gets “caught”.

I would never say it out loud, but when someone like Perry Noble, Carl Lentz or James McDonald gets roasted in public I feel a little tingle of pleasure. Somehow seeing them fall makes me rise, at least in my own eyes.

I feel a celebrity pastor is getting what he deserves when he’s publicly shamed

If I were in the public spotlight, which I’m not, I would know better than to build a big house, buy my wife an expensive car or Instagram myself wearing Yeezy Boost 350s. If I pastored a big church, led a national ministry or wrote a best-selling book I’d be too smart to spend the money on anything anyone could criticize.

I feel morally superior knowing I paid less than $50 for my sneakers

I buy our shoes from Payless, or WalMart or Target. I am frugal and wise. Other than that boat I used to have, those golf clubs I used to play with, that new car I bought one time, or that vacation I splurged on, I don’t spend a dime on myself.

Which brings me to my second question, “How much SHOULD a preacher pay for sneakers?”

With all the attention around shoes right now its surprising Jesus said very little about the proper price for preacher’s footwear. He did, however, have a couple of thoughts on sneakers and feet,

In John 7 a bunch of pastors brought a “sneaker” to Jesus, a woman caught sneaking into the wrong man’s bed. Jesus told the self-righteous church leaders they were right, the woman should pay the ultimate price for her sneaks. He then encouraged anyone who had never wasted money on expensive shoes, who had never been jealous of another pastor, who had never gossiped behind another leader’s back to destroy the sneaker in public. When the pastors examined their own hearts, they realized they didn’t have the stones to carry out the execution. Although Jesus did have a clear conscience, he chose the path of compassion rather than condemnation, and let the guilty one go free.

As for feet, Jesus seemed more concerned about our attitude than our Adidas. The last time he and his friends hung out before his crucifixion Jesus chose to wash their feet rather than judge their Jordans. And when he was done he said something rather odd, “Now that I’ve washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet.” Why would he say that? Does he really expect me to wash some dude’s nasty barking dogs? Maybe his point is that its really hard to trash someone and wash his feet at the same time. Its hard to love your brother while you price his shoes.

At the end of the day I have no idea the right price for a preacher’s sneakers. When I worry about the “right” amount of money for another pastor to make or spend I am focused on the wrong thing; I am throwing stones instead of washing feet. I imagine if instead I concentrated on doing my job, and let God do his job, we’d all be better off.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][social_buttons full_width_icons=”true” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” linkedin=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Kicking Camels on the Monday Before Easter

It’s the Monday before Easter, Super Bowl week for the local church. This weekend you will likely see more new faces at church than you’ve seen all year. You and the other leaders at your church are focused on creating the best experience possible for your guests, and praying that at least some will consider coming back. Underneath all the preparation and prayer is a deep desire for people to come face-to-face with the risen Jesus.

We put a lot of pressure on ourselves every Easter. Everything has to be perfect, the music has to be amazing and the sermon has to present the Gospel effectively. It can feel like everything is riding on what happens this weekend.

The reality, however, is everything doesn’t ride on what happens at your church on Easter. Some churches will see huge crowds, some will not. Some churches will have amazing experiences, others will have camels kicking guests in the face (a true story for another day). Some pastors will Instagram pictures of 100s being baptized and others will delete their social media accounts. Regardless of what happens at your church on Easter, here is what I know:

The reality of your call will not be determined by the size of your crowd.
The truth of the Gospel will shine regardless how tarnished your presentation.
Your Father sees your heart and is proud.

I will be praying for you this weekend that, in spite of the challenges you may face you, will hear the voice of God saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

But try not to let any camels kick the guests. That’s not good.

Is your event a cul-de-sac or a roundabout?

We love living on a cul-de-sac. We know many of our neighbors, the grandkids can play in the street without a lot of concern and we never have cars speeding through the neighborhood. (If they did they’d wind up in our neighbors front yard.) Cul-de-sacs make a great destination, but a lousy thoroughfare.

The opposite of a cul-de-sac is a roundabout. These are very popular in Europe, but they are becoming more common in the U.S. The purpose of a roundabout is to keep traffic flowing toward multiple destinations. A roundabout makes an efficient thoroughfare, but a lousy destination.

[bctt tweet=”The key to effectiveness in church is to understand the difference between a cul-de-sac and a roundabout, and to plan accordingly. ” username=”geoffsurratt”]

Most events in a church are planned as cul-de-sacs. You come to an event, participate in the programming, and leave the way you came. There is no plan to help you move toward a destination, its simply a place to be. It is a cul-de-sac.

Here are some of the common cul-de-sacs churches:

Marriage retreat
Women’s conference
Fall Festival
VBS
Night to Shine
Concert
Global Leadership Summit
Easter and Christmas Eve services

These cul-de-sacs because participants are simply that, participants. They come, experience the event, and then leave by the same road they came in on. Hopefully they learned something, had some fun, or met someone new, but for the most part they are no nearer a destination than when they showed up.

We can transform ministry cul-de-sacs into roundabouts by offering clear next steps. Every participant should be able to easily identify and take a next step toward a preferred destination. To create effective next steps we need to understand the dynamics of a roundabout:

We need to offer more than one potential next step. People come from different situations and not everyone is ready, or needs, our one prescribed way forward. A next step may be as simple as signing up for a Facebook group, reading a short devotional or meeting with a leader over coffee. It is important, however, that next steps aren’t simply new cul-de-sacs. Each step should be followed by a step, each designed to help someone toward a destination.
We shouldn’t offer too many options. A roundabout with three possible directions can be challenging, a roundabout with ten possibilities would be a nightmare. Offer two or three possible next steps at every event (even weekly events). Never tell people, “Go to our website and look at all of the options available.” That is paralyzing and ineffective. They need a limited number of options they can take right now, not a catalog of potential choices eventually.

[bctt tweet=”Never tell people, “Go to our website and look at all of options available.” That is paralyzing and ineffective.” username=”geoffsurratt”]

At your next weekend or event planning meeting ask this question, “What are two or three obvious, simple and likely next steps we can invite participants to take?” If you can’t find next steps you are creating cul-de-sacs. You won’t be making progress, but the grandkids will love it.

The Power of Partial Credit

There is no denying the adrenaline rush of being the first to the finish line, the greatest among equals. It feels good to hear others recognize your effort and dedication. Winning almost never comes easy or without sacrifice, and the praise that goes with success is food for the soul.

As I’ve gotten older and gained experience, however, there is a place I’ve come to desire more than the awards stand, and that’s the platform another leader stands on. It is fulfilling to see a watch a younger leader succeed knowing I’ve had a small part in that success. I may have given her advice, contributed to her cause, or introduced her to someone who could help. There’s nothing like seeing a leader stand on the podium, knowing in some small way I helped her get there. I call it the power of partial credit.

You see this power at work in the armor bearer who buys into Jonathan’s crazy battle plan “heart and soul.” You see Jonathan pay it forward as he supports David’s leadership, knowing that David will usurp his own claim to the throne some day. Ananias gets partial credit for Paul’s success, and Paul gets points for Timothy’s. The power of partial credit is at the heart of all servant leadership. The goal isn’t that I succeed, the goal is that I sow into other leaders, younger leaders, cheering them on as they cross the finish line and take the gold.

Occasionally I get texts from church planters I’ve invested in who are seeing growth and health in their new congregation. Leaders will share with me how something I’ve said or something I’ve written has helped them make a crucial decision. Today a friend’s first book is being released that I had the privilege of encouraging him to write. None of these accomplishments are about me, and my contribution to each is very small. In the most cases my part is unseen except by a very small circle. But the reward is incredible.

We all want to win, to finish first, to take the prize. Very few things of value in life are accomplished by leaders hoping for a participation trophy. The secret I’ve discovered, however, is that contributing to the success of others is the true prize. To quote Bob Buford, “My fruit grows on other people’s trees.” It is the power of partial credit.

Who could you invest in today? Who could you encourage, guide or teach, asking nothing in return? Where can you win through partial credit?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][social_buttons full_width_icons=”true” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” linkedin=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Is This the Best a Man Can Get?

There has been a great deal of controversy around Gillette’s commercial in which they address “toxic masculinity” played out in a “boys will be boys” mindset, bullying and objectification of women. Whether you agree or disagree with the viewpoint of the commercial, I think it raises an important question for church leadership, “Is this the best a man can get?”

As I look at church leadership in America, which remains predominately male, I am challenged by the question. Regardless of our theological nuances, do we believe that the picture we convey of a male Christian leader, not the one we espouse but the one we live out, reflects healthy male leaders in scripture? Of particular concern is how we relate to women.

The model

As in everything in life Jesus is our model. Our template for behavior and attitude starts and ends with him. How did he relate to women? Over and over again we see Jesus treating women as equals to men in a culture where they were considered little more than property. He did not objectify them, and he did not treat them as weak or helpless. He did not create barriers between himself and women, and he never put a woman in a compromising position. He defended women in front of men, not because they were weak but because the men held all the power. Jesus is the model of the best a man can get.

The Apostle Paul followed in Jesus’ footsteps in setting the standard for male leaders interacting with women. We often focus Paul’s instructions on differences in the roles of men and women in very specific cultural situations, but we lose sight of how Paul consistently partnered with women in leading the early church. In Romans 16 Paul makes it crystal clear that he valued the contribution of women equally with that of men.

The Bible sets a very high standard for men, especially in how we relate to women. My fear is that in America we are falling well short of that standard and we’re continually wounding our wives, sisters and daughters. Here are a few of the ways I see we are coming short of reflecting the models of Jesus and Paul:

No women at the leadership table

It is very common to have no women at the table when major church decisions are made. This in spite of the fact women make up the majority of many churches. The ironic thing is that churches that stress the differences in men and women most emphatically are the least likely to include women in decisions. If women and men are so different, and they are, why do men think they don’t need a woman’s perspective at the table? I’m often told they don’t need women at the table because they talk to their wives. I wonder how that would play if women used the same excuse when leading, “I don’t need your input because I already asked my husband”?

Women restricted to leading either women’s or children’s ministry

Some women are wired up to lead women and children in your church. Other women are gifted to lead small groups, or discipleship, or communication or finance. When we restrict a woman to very specific roles we lost the opportunity to benefit from a wide range of gifting, and we block a woman from serving in the way God created her.

Only certain roles for women celebrated

Some women stay at home, and some work outside the home. Some are single, and some are married, divorced or widowed. Despite this diversity, churches often celebrate only one or two “ideal” roles for women. Unintentionally this devalues women who don’t fit this mold.

Women are patronized

Although most churches have moved beyond the typical secretarial stereotype they still patronize women in administrative roles. Their opinions carry less weight than men’s, if their opinions are sought at all. Men are described as “good leaders with strong opinions” while women are pigeon-holed as “hard to work with” and worse.

Men and women being treated differently when there is a moral failure

When a male leader is caught in a moral failure with a woman the man is often treated differently than the woman. This pattern goes all they way back to the woman caught in adultery in John 8. The woman was humiliated in front of Jesus while the man was allowed to sneak away.

Can we do better?

I am painting with a broad brush; there are many churches that do a tremendous job celebrating the leadership gifts of both men and women while honoring their unique roles. My fear, however, is too often we hide behind our interpretation of Biblical masculinity, mixed with insecurity and misogyny, to hinder and harm the women in our church. I’m also concerned that we hamper the spread of the Gospel as people outside the church see how we treat women and say, “No thanks”. I think we need to continue to ask ourselves and each other, “Is This the Best a Man Can Get?”

The Roundabout Way

For a long time I had a model for the ideal journey of leader as a straight path from point A to point B. When I am in God’s will I am making steady progress down this clearly marked road, but when I find myself wandering it is a sign I’ve stepped outside his plan. The goal is always to move as quickly and efficiently along the path God has clearly mapped out for me. The question is always, “What is my next step forward on the path?”

The challenge to this model is that my life has almost never followed a clearly marked, well-defined path from point A to point B. When people ask how I got to where I am now in ministry my immediate response is, “I have no idea.” Looking back my journey looks more like a pinball machine than an archery range. There are long stretches of time when I’m seeking God and trying to be faithful to his plan for my life, but truth be told, I have no idea what that plan might be. Is this because of sin in my life? Am I not listening to God’s direction? If I am truly seeking God’s path, why does it feel like I’m wandering in the wilderness?

During my devotions this morning I came across this description of Israel’s journey in the wilderness:

‘When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.’
Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT)

This runs counter to my model of a straight and clearly marked path. Although Israel’s sin lengthens the time they spend in the wilderness, the writer is clear that God did NOT lead them along the straight path, he led them in a roundabout way. I really like that phrase, a roundabout way. That describes exactly how I feel about my journey from point A to point B via points E, Q and 7. Maybe wandering does not always indicate sin or disobedience. Maybe, for my own growth and good, God chooses to lead me in a roundabout way.

It seems that the roundabout way is often God’s go to path to leadership. Moses took the roundabout way to leading Israel, David took the roundabout way to becoming king, Paul took the roundabout way to Rome. In each case God was doing essential work in the leaders’ life as he wandered toward his next assignment. Moses learned collaboration, David learned restraint and Paul learned patience, all on the Roundabout Way.

I wonder if you feel a little lost today. Maybe you feel like you’re moving backwards instead of forwards. Maybe you struggle to see the purpose in what you are doing now. Maybe you wonder if somewhere along the way you missed your opportunity and now you on the shelf. If so the good news is that you are not alone. There are many of us out here on the Roundabout Way. The even better news is that you are likely right where God wants you right now. Rather than wondering what went wrong, or struggling to get back on the main road, let’s focus on learning the lessons and finding the healing God has for us here on the Roundabout Way. Then we can become, in the words of the writer of Exodus, “an army ready for battle”.

You can’t measure Gospel impact

I wonder how the speaker felt at the end of the service that night. She and a friend had been so moved by an encounter with the Holy Spirit they decided to travel from town to town in western Oklahoma, sharing the Gospel with whoever showed up. They didn’t own a tent like other traveling preachers of the time, so they conducted their meetings under a brush arbor (a temporary shelter made of poles and straw). I wonder if the speaker went home disappointed with the size of the crowd, or the response to the appeal for salvation. I wonder if she struggled with doubt. Maybe she considered giving up her incredibly difficult ministry. She may have felt that all her effort was in vain.

She didn’t know that a young mother, suffering from an incurable illness, was listening that night. She was too weak to sit under the shelter, so she reclined in the backseat of the family car, straining to hear the good news that Jesus loved her. When the speaker asked if anyone wanted to respond to the Gospel the young lady feebly raised her hand in the darkness. No one saw, and no one knew, but that sermon changed everything.

The young lady was my grandmother, and that night she became a Christ-follower. Soon my grandfather also follows Jesus. Eventually he becomes a church planter, his sons become pastors and his daughter marries an evangelist. Directly or indirectly thousands of people eventually hear and respond to the Gospel through my grandmother’s family, and it all began with an anonymous sermon to a small crowd of farmers gathered in red dust of an Oklahoma field. I doubt the preacher of that sermon ever knew its impact.

I don’t know who heard your sermon yesterday. There may have been thousands of engaged listeners, or a handful of half-awake attenders. You may have walked away feeling like you hit a home run, or you might have snuck out the back door feeling like you struck out trying to bunt. What I am sure of, however, is the Gospel does not come back empty. There is no way to gauge the impact of what you preached yesterday. You can’t measure it in attendance, or offerings, or hands raised, or cards turned in. The impact of the Gospel isn’t limited by talent or time. The potential fruit of the seeds you plant is almost incomprehensible.

No one would have looked at the tiny, dying bootlegger’s wife in the back seat of an dirty old Ford that night and thought, “Now there’s a world changer.” And everyone would have been wrong. Someone just like my grandmother may have heard your sermon yesterday. My prayer for you this morning is you will see just a hint of what God will do with the Gospel you preached. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][social_buttons full_width_icons=”true” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” linkedin=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”20″ bottom_padding=”20″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5935″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Navigating this new chapter in church history will require balancing the tension between what is necessary from the past and what is needed for future. I’ve spent the last several years thinking about and researching this challenge, and share my insights in my new eBook, The Church Will Thrive. You can get your free copy here.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][nectar_btn size=”jumbo” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” url=”https://mailchi.mp/ministrytogether.com/99nvr59fdz” text=”Download here”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Should you start, fix or just trash that ministry, event or idea?

Should we start doing this new thing?
Should we stop doing this old thing?

The reason these are challenging questions is the answers are almost always subjective, based on the emotions of the people involved. We start a new ministry because something someone has a passion for that segment of the community. We hang onto an event long past its prime because people are vested in its continuation. We end up saying yes to the wrong things and not saying no to the right things.

[bctt tweet=”We hang onto an event long past its prime because people are vested in its continuation. We end up saying yes to the wrong things and not saying no to the right things.” username=”geoffsurratt”]

Several years ago we stumbled on a tool to help make these kinds of decisions more objective, and eventually we ran every new ministry idea and every existing event and program through this matrix. People still got fired up when their pet project didn’t make the cut, but we were no longer making decision based mostly on the who had the most clout or who could make the most emotional plea. Let’s break down how to use the Decision Matrix in your context.[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”6104″ alignment=”center” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]The y axis measures Investment from Low to High. How much time will (does) this ministry, event or initiative require? How many resources, staff and volunteers are needed? Does this ministry require marketing? What is the budget for this area or event?

Determining the level of investment is a challenging conversation. I have had leaders say, “This requires very little investment. The total cost will be about $1000, and we’ll make that up in fundraisers. All we need is a core group of about 10 volunteers, a room at the church every week, set up and tear down for all the meetings, weekend stage and bulletin announcements, and staff administrative help.” If you are scoring at home that is a considerable investment of time, talent and treasure.

The x axis measures Impact, again from Low to High. Measuring impact also requires honest conversations. Impact isn’t about “good attendance” (whatever that means) or “everyone loves it” (Everyone loved the Titanic until it sank. Too soon?) The objective way to measure ministry impact is to look at achieving goals that match the vision and mission of the church.

[bctt tweet=”The objective way to measure ministry impact is to look at achieving goals that match the vision and mission of the church.” username=”geoffsurratt”]

When I worked at Seacoast Church we did a regular event for parents and kids to attend together called Kidstuff. At first look it was very successful. Every month hundreds of families attended and they absolutely loved it. For many families it was their favorite thing we did as a church. During a break in the schedule we decided to run Kidstuff through the Decision Matrix.

Did it require a low or high investment? Every event took dozens of volunteers and many hours of staff time to prepare and execute. Sets had to be erected, the room had to be set up and clean up afterwards was a nightmare. It was the most labor intensive non-weekend event we did, and the wear and tear on staff and facilities was major. The investment was high.

Did Kidstuff have a low or high impact? This was tricky. For the people who came the impact was high, and many of the volunteers really enjoyed the experience. The challenge was it was mostly church people coming. They weren’t really inviting their friends, and we weren’t connecting them in community. While we were doing a great job of entertaining parents and kids, we weren’t doing much along the lines of the vision and mission of the church. The impact was medium at best.

Because of the high investment and medium impact we decided to discontinue Kidstuff. It was a tough call, but the right one in the long run. The answer, however, isn’t always to kill an existing ministry or not start a new initiative. Some times the answer is to lower investment and/or raise impact. The Decision Matrix isn’t just a way to get rid of dead weight, it is also helpful as a development tool.

Let me know how this tool works in your context, and as always, let me know how I can help.[/vc_column_text][social_buttons full_width_icons=”true” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” linkedin=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”20″ bottom_padding=”20″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5935″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Navigating this new chapter in church history will require balancing the tension between what is necessary from the past and what is needed for future. I’ve spent the last several years thinking about and researching this challenge, and share my insights in my new eBook, The Church Will Thrive. You can get your free copy here.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][nectar_btn size=”jumbo” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” url=”https://mailchi.mp/ministrytogether.com/99nvr59fdz” text=”Download here”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Its almost Christmas! (Part 2)

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Its seventeen weeks until Christmas, which means time is very short if you want your church to have a positive impact on your community during the holiday season this year. Sometimes we wait until Thanksgiving rolls around before we get serious about planning for one of the most important days of the year for many churches. This year will be different.

In Part One of this series I shared three of the key questions we need to ask in August:

What is the goal of our Christmas Eve services?
Who is our target?
What services and service times will we offer?

Let’s continue with the final three questions.

Six Key Christmas Questions for August:

What practical next step will we offer?

This is where churches often drop the ball. They gather as large of crowd as possible on Christmas Eve, but have no plan for what they’d like people to do next. I think having a clear and simple next step is more important that drawing a huge crowd. Without a next step the service is almost pointless.

[bctt tweet=”Having a clear and simple next step is more important that drawing a huge crowd” username=”geoffsurratt”]

If your goal is that people come back next week, then make sure there’s a compelling reason to come. If you want them to attend a group or class, help them take that step right where they are sitting. Don’t make commitment a three step process (Stand, go see someone in the lobby, sign a card), make taking a next step frictionless.

The reason you want to be clear about next steps in August is a clear plan focusing on a specific target will shape your programming. When deciding every element of the service plan you want to ask, “How will this help our target audience take the next step?” If there’s not a clear line then there’s no reason to do it. Even if its a killer new song with dancing elephants and lasers. The goal isn’t a circus, the goal is changed lives.

[bctt tweet=”The goal isn’t a circus, the goal is changed lives. ” username=”geoffsurratt”]

What will be our communication/marketing plan?

After you know your ultimate goal for Christmas Eve, who your target is, when you will have services and what practical next steps you will be focusing on, you can begin thinking about how you will communicate with your community about Christmas Eve. Too often I see churches simply come up with a series title, create a graphic and craft a mailing or social media plan without answering the really important questions first.

What do our teams need to have in place to succeed?

Now is the time to work with your existing teams on areas where they need to grow. You’ll need a large hospitality team for Christmas services. Why not start now helping people catch the vision for inviting a friend to serve with them? Your parking team will be stretched on Christmas Eve, so now is the time to refresh the vision for a parking team and help the leaders build community among the volunteers. Children’s Ministry may be stretched if you offer kid’s services at Christmas. Rather than doing an all-call for warm bodies the second week of December, begin now thinking strategically about helping people connect by serving on a weekly basis.

Every professional football team is preparing to play in the Super Bowl right now, Your Christmas services are much more important than the Super Bowl; your teams should be preparing now. As always, let me know if I can help.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][social_buttons full_width_icons=”true” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” linkedin=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”20″ bottom_padding=”20″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5935″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Navigating this new chapter in church history will require balancing the tension between what is necessary from the past and what is needed for future. I’ve spent the last several years thinking about and researching this challenge, and share my insights in my new eBook, The Church Will Thrive. You can get your free copy here.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][nectar_btn size=”jumbo” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” url=”https://mailchi.mp/ministrytogether.com/99nvr59fdz” text=”Download here”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Its almost Christmas! (Part 1)

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]If you’ve been a church leader for 20 minutes you know that the most likely times for unchurched people to consider attending a service are Christmas and Easter. Often those two holidays are our only opportunity to connect with people who normally steer well clear of anything that looks like a church, but I often see leaders mishandle this open door. They wait too late to create a plan, they focus simply on gathering a crowd, or they get bogged down in the details of logistics. That’s why I want so share some important tips 17 weeks before Christmas. Let’s not miss another divine moment to see people cross the line of faith and connection this year.

[bctt tweet=”Let’s not miss another divine moment to see people cross the line of faith and connection this year. ” username=”geoffsurratt”]

With that in mind here are the six most important questions you need to answer in August if you want to have maximum impact in December:

Six Key Christmas Questions for August:

What is the goal of our Christmas Eve services?

Leaders often make the mistake of simply setting an attendance goal for Christmas services. There is nothing wrong with attendance goals, we all want reach more people with the good news, but the long term impact on a church and individuals of big attendance is negligible. It feels great for the leaders, not so great for the volunteers and attenders, and afterwards everyone goes back to exactly what they were doing before.

The other challenge of attendance goals alone is they skew priorities. If all you want is a big number then hire a circus and be done with it. What is the real goal? Do you want to see changed lives? Do you want to see a percentage of your attenders invite their friends? Do you want to see a percentage of people who attend for the first time come back? Set those targets now, so everything you do going forward is focused on the real goals.

Who is our target?

Who are you hoping will show up for your Christmas services? Are you focused on people who never go to church? People who only come on Christmas and Easter? A specific demographic in your community? Often churches simply aim at everyone, which is like archery without a target; there is no way to know if you’re effective.

[bctt tweet=”Often churches simply aim at everyone, which is like archery without a target; there is no way to know if you’re effective.” username=”geoffsurratt”]

Choosing a target now will inform you decisions on what venues you offer, what your service will look like and how the Gospel message will be communicated. If you are aiming at young families new to the community your Christmas service will look very different than a target of single Millennials who never attend church.

What services and service times will we offer?

Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year, which presents a unique challenge; do you do your normal weekend services on Sunday and then do completely different services on Christmas Eve (Monday)? Do you do the same service on Sunday and Monday? Do you skip Sunday and just do Monday? These are questions to wrestle now so all the teams can prepare.

So what’s the right answer? It goes back to your goals and your target; when are the people you hope to reach most likely to come to a Christmas service? My preference would be different services on Sunday and Monday so people can invited their friends to come with them on Christmas Eve without having to sit through the same service twice. On Christmas Eve I’d do one service at 5 pm or two services at 4 pm and 6 pm. For churches who do three or more Christmas Eve services you likely know the most effective times to offer services.

In Part 2 of this series we will tackle the other three crucial questions you need to answer now, but you have enough now to get started. Ring those golden bells, light the Christmas tree and get going![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][social_buttons full_width_icons=”true” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” linkedin=”true”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” bg_color=”#efefef” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”20″ bottom_padding=”20″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5935″ alignment=”” animation=”Fade In” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Navigating this new chapter in church history will require balancing the tension between what is necessary from the past and what is needed for future. I’ve spent the last several years thinking about and researching this challenge, and share my insights in my new eBook, The Church Will Thrive. You can get your free copy here.[/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]