Eight Keys for Church Christmas Services

Episode #380
November 14, 2017
Rainer on Leadership Podcast Logo

Podcast Episode #380

Ready or not, Christmas is coming. That means churches are planning events, socials, and special services. Today we provide some tips to make this a great Christmas season for your church.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • A Christmas Eve evening service is a prime time to reach unchurched people.
  • People expect you to have a traditional Christmas Eve service.
  • Thanksgiving is the marker when people start really thinking about Christmas.
  • Facebook is the best place to advertise your church’s Christmas events.
  • One key to have more guests fill out info cards is to have everyone (including members) fill out a card.
  • Christmas Eve services should really be an all-hands-on-deck event for the church staff.

The eight tips we give for Christmas are:

  1. Christmas Eve is the time when the unchurched are most receptive to attending church.
  2. Traditions are key: hymns and carols, candlelight with Silent Night, etc.
  3. The service should be brief, 30-minutes max.
  4. Begin promotion the right after Thanksgiving.
  5. Use the Facebook page and Facebook ads
  6. Use a very simple registration card: first name, email, guest or member, prayer request. Ask everyone to complete it.
  7. Prepare for multiple services in most churches, at the very least for greater attendance.
  8. Plan for staff to have time off post-Christmas.

Episode Sponsors

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Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast