Recently, I sat down with Troy Page to talk about how to become more intentional with Christmas Programming. Troy has served on the senior leadership teams of Fellowship Church (Dallas/Fort Worth) and West Ridge Church. Troy is also a member of The Unstuck Group.
TONY: When should churches begin planning their Christmas programming?
TROY: I think the church should beat the retailers. Christmas is a huge opportunity to connect with a crowd that may not normally come to your church. It is an opportunity to blow up preconceived notions. On Easter, the church gathers. Christmas seems to be a much better opportunity to reach people outside the faith. During the first part of November, the design/copy should be ready and there should be a clear path for where you are going. The packaging should be ready the weekend after Thanksgiving. We like to start with an announcement, then a video and later offer cards or invites.
TONY: When it comes to Christmas planning, are we promoting inside or outside?
TROY: I think the answer is both/and. People come because they are invited. We need to empower our core people to bring their friends to our services.
TONY: Why are so many churches using tickets for Christmas services?
TROY: Tickets even out the number of people who attend each service. We have printed tickets or offered them online. Tickets also serve as great invite pieces.
In our next post, we will continue talking about Christmas programming. In the meantime, take time out to read some of our most popular posts on planning for Christmas:
Free Video Download for Christmas Services – A very creative video produced by Gateway Church that expresses the reason Jesus was born.
Why Offer Tickets for Christmas Eve Services? – Offering tickets helps people feel like something special is about to happen at your church.
5 Benefits to Using Tickets for Christmas Eve Services – Benefits of using tickets for Christmas Eve services.
Sample Christmas Eve Services Ticket – Sample tickets used at West Ridge Church.
A Missional and Attractional Christmas – A great example of intentionality and focus of Christmas at West Ridge.
Watch the New Video for Coldplay’s “Christmas Lights”
The Christmas Story – The Christmas story as you’ve probably never heard it before.
