I’m not a big fan of “The Facebook.” People tell me it’s a great way to stay connected with friends and family and far-off acquaintances. I tend to view it as unnecessary noise in my life.
Because of that, Emily, my wife, is my primary connection to any “news” on Facebook. Her primary ministry focus is young moms. Because of that, her news feed is filled right now with moms trying to find fall festivals and “Trunk or Treat” options for their kids. Emily shared that many young moms try to find as many of these opportunities as possible because the events often include free food, lots of candy and more entertainment for their kids.
Emily commented, “I wonder if these churches know that they’re going through a lot of effort for families who never intend to connect with their church?” (I love my wife for many reasons, but, I must say, I find her bold personality and bluntness very attractive.)
On my drive to the airport last week, I saw dozens of churches promoting fall festivals, pumpkin patches and Trunk or Treat events… you know, because churches aren’t allowed to “trick” or treat. Look it up. It’s in the rule book.
Push the Pause Button
If you are one of these churches, please don’t cancel your event this time around. But I beg you to push the pause button after this fall and ask yourself some questions:
- If we were going to launch our church again, would this be the best use of our time and money in our effort to spread the Gospel?
- Are we doing this because it’s the optimal way we can fulfill God’s mission for our church, or are we doing this because every other church is doing this?
- Even if thousands show up, will this event really connect more people to the church, or might there be a better investment of time and resources to accomplish that objective?
- Are we doing this because it really matters for the Kingdom impact we’re trying to make, or are we doing it because we’ve always done it?
Maybe your Trunk or Treat event is radically different than the hundreds of others I’ve seen churches engage. If so, I’d love to hear how you’ve pulled that off.
You Can’t “Event” Your Church to Health
If your experience is like countless other churches, though, my fear is that you’re trying to “event” your church to health. In other words, you don’t want to make the necessary changes to your worship services, discipleship path, outreach strategy and family ministry environments that would ultimately lead to church health.
You can’t do that because it involves hard work and change. People don’t like change. People like doing church like they’ve always done church. People (with money to give) will not like the change and may get upset and leave (with their money that they give).
So, since you won’t do that, do this instead. Add these events to your calendar and try to get as many people from your community as possible to attend:
- Super Bowl Party
- Valentine’s Day Daddy-Daughter Dance
- Kite-Flying Day
- Easter Egg Drop
- Mom’s Day Out
- Donuts for Dads
- Summer Concert Series
- Neighborhood Block Party
- Vacation Bible School
- Sports Camp
- Softball Tournament
- Fireworks on the Fourth
- Art Show
- Church Yard Sale
- Pancakes and Pajamas
- Pumpkinpalooza
- Live Nativity at Christmas
Knock yourself out. That should keep you busy. When you’re done with that list, I have hundreds of more ideas like those that I’ve seen on actual church calendars.
When you do this, I recommend you label these “outreach” or “evangelism” events because that way you won’t have to develop an actual outreach or evangelism strategy. Also, don’t stop doing anything else. Just add this to your already busy ministry calendar. That will make people feel like they’re really sacrificing their time, talent and treasure for Jesus.
After you’ve added all those events to your calendar and gotten thousands of people from your community to attend, don’t be surprised if your church (and the people in it) are no different than before you started. Why?
Because I’ve never seen a church “event” themselves to health.
Trunk or treat anyone?
3 Comments
Thank you!
Loved this. I’ve watched the church I love wax and wane with changes… People come and go…but many do NOT like change. I wish there was a bit more change. I attend my church / denomination for many reasons. But, NOT changing is like sitting in stagnant waters…it stinks and nothing moves…not even the Spirit. I used to love going. I’m waiting for the spark to reignite in the place I used to love. I see parishioners baptism their children because it’s (what we do) and never return. It’s Soo sad. My almost 2 year old LOVES church. Loves the music, the stain glass windows w Jesus, the ppl, and even at times sings in the choir w me ( when she’s not fussing). This article is amazing.. but it’s not just trick or treat…it’s ALL the over activities we think our children need to be in…competing constantly. I dread coming home on Sunday now because I live a mile from the school and all I hear is the announcer from the kids games. I long for the peace that used to be on Sunday. Families together for dinner, etc…
Blessings to you and your family
This is such a great point. Events can’t make a church healthy, they’ve got to have their pathways, their conveyor belts in place. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!