Do you have people at your church who are I-Phone users?  Take a look at this YouTube video. It’s about the most creative idea I’ve seen lately!

Wow. Listen to it again…

Is your church planning a Christmas pageant or drama or concert? God could use that event to reach people for Him. You can read this article at Baptist Press.com or below:

Fresh Ideas

Powerfully Purposeful Pageants

By Diana Davis

Isn’t it awesome that Christmas music appeals to people who don’t even know Jesus? With minor adjustments, your church Christmas pageant, concert or drama can be a major evangelistic opportunity. Need fresh ideas?  

The Prayer Principal

• Begin every pageant planning team meeting or rehearsal with prayer for unsaved people who will attend.

Personalized Promotion

• Ask every participant and church member to give pageant tickets to five unchurched friends.
• Send a top-quality e-invitation to the entire church database so they can forward it to their address book, post on Facebook or twitter about it.
• Stage a Christmas backdrop and take digital family photos before and after Sunday worship. Members can download it into printed or e-invitations for their friends.   
• Everyone invites! Kids’ choir gives invitations while caroling at the mall. Youth fill an entire section with friends. Bible classes invite recent church guests. Singles gather friends for an after-pageant coffee. Staff members hand-deliver invitations to city leaders. Senior saints bring friends and nursing home residents to an afternoon dress rehearsal.  

Perform without Pretention

• Present the pageant with a positive attitude and a servant heart. That means no complaining, bickering, fretting or bowing. Point all the glory to God.
• Share God’s plan of salvation. The Pastor might conclude the presentation, asking guests to check a box on their registration card indicating their interest in accepting Christ as Savior, or request information about the church. Promise they’ll be contacted within a week.   
• Printed program includes invitation to worship and church Christmas events.

Post-Production Project Pursues Prospects

• An after-pageant Blitz event takes place a week after the event.
• From day one, print Blitz date on rehearsal schedules. Every pageant participant or helper is involved. Invite Sunday School leaders, church staff, and willing church members.
• Blitz the town. Assign teams of two or three to visit each guest who made a decision. Return for a big party, with testimonies, report-back whiteboard, pageant videos and fellowship.   

Potential Problem 

Oh, yes. There could be one possible dilemma to this pageant plan. You may have to add one or two additional–but purposeful–performances.

 This Christmas, will you limit your pageant’s reach to God’s family, or will you purposefully share it with those in your community who don’t yet know Him?

It’s a tongue twister worth rehearsing:  Peter Piper packed the pew for a powerfully purposeful pageant.

 © Diana Davis is an author, tongue-twister expert  and wife of Indiana Baptists Executive Director. Her latest book is Deacon Wives (B&H ’09). See www.keeponshining.com

Here’s the latest “Fresh Ideas” article. It’s tied to a survey that’s designed to help a church improve its effectiveness with first-time guests. To see the details, go back to the home page and click on “Secret Worshipers.”

—

Fresh Ideas

Secret Worshipers

By Diana Davis

Do you ever wonder how your church looks to a first-time guest? Are you curious about why some guests attend once and never return? What if a “secret worshiper” anonymously visited your church and completed a survey to describe the visit?

I put together a simple plan to help a church see itself from an outside perspective. It could be called “Fresh Eyes by Secret Guys,” but that sounds too much like a spy novel or burger restaurant.  So let’s just call it the “Secret Worshiper Survey.” It’s an online process, and there is no cost.

In this plan, some “secret worshipers” are recruited by the pastor of another church. They anonymously worship as a guest in your church, and then complete an online survey to provide honest, confidential observances through a first-timer’s fresh eyes.

When listing a home to sell, a Realtor may walk through and give frank suggestions about how to best present the house. A homeowner rarely notices a loose doorknob or over-furnished bedroom, but it’s blatantly obvious to first-time guests. Simple changes can help potential buyers’ first impressions so they can see the true value of the home.

Let’s be honest. We love our church! We look forward to worshiping God, serving Him and fellowshipping with our church family there. But, like that loose doorknob, we may not notice habits or distractions that deter first-time guests. No, you’re not selling a house. It’s much more important than that! You’re welcoming others to worship the God of the universe and to discover a personal relationship with Him.

Secret Worshiper survey results are provided exclusively to the Pastor for his personal review, evaluation and possible action.

Here’s an alternate idea: Do a reverse “secret worshiper” plan. Assign some church members to visit a growing, effective church in a neighboring city to observe practices that might help your own church.

If you notice a guest at your church’s worship service next Sunday, will you welcome them warmly? They just might be Secret Worshipers. (Don’t ask; that would negate the entire process.) Or—even more exciting—they might be real first-time guests seeking God or a place to worship Him.

Details for Secret Worshiper Survey at http://www.keeponshining.com/secret-worshipers/.

“…in abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 11:14b NAS

©Diana Davis is author of Fresh Ideas (B&H Publishing) and wife of Indiana Baptist Convention’s Executive Director. www.keeponshining.com

Does your church plan a fall festival or children’s Halloween event for the purpose of outreach?

Here’s a simple idea that can increase the effectiveness of church members’ invitations to children in their neighborhood.

Fill fall-colored balloons with helium.  Tie with curly ribbon, attach an attractive invitation to the Pumpkin Party or Fall Festival. (You could have the balloons imprinted, as well, but attach the printed invite, too.)

Challenge every person who attends Sunday worship to personally deliver one balloon to one child in their neighborhood and invite them to attend. At the conclusion of worship, give each person a balloon invitation as they leave.

You’ll be amazed at what a personal invitation accomplishes.

See page 9 of http://scbi.org/images/scbi/ibm/augsep/augsep10ib.pdf or below:

Fresh Ideas

Free Drive-Through Prayer

By Diana Davis

 What a day! As she drove home from work, something caught her eye. A young man standing in front of a church held a big sign that read “Free Drive-Through Prayer.” She’d hardly noticed that church before today. “Oh, why not?” she thought and swerved into the driveway.

Your church could provide the blessing of “drive-through prayer” for your community. It’s an outreach project, where the community comes to you!  

Recruit a variety of friendly church members to help. Gather witnessing tracts, church brochures, pens and New Testaments or other Scripture gift books. Print registration cards with two blanks for name and address or email, and prepare a large sign. Spruce up the church’s exterior and you’re ready.  

She turned into the parking lot and saw a group of church members ready to pray. The assortment of ages, ethnicity and personality was intriguing. They obviously liked one another and were enthused about the prayer project. One person directed her where to stop, and an elderly woman rushed over to the car, using her walker and smiling broadly.

Approach the car, introduce yourself and welcome them warmly. Hand them a registration card and pen, politely asking for their contact information so you can follow up on their prayer. While they write, share some exciting things God is doing in your church and invite them to Sunday’s worship. Ask if they have any specific prayer request. Before you pray, ask a question about their relationship with God.

The elderly woman listened intently to her prayer request, then said, “Now before we pray, I just have to ask you one question. If you happened to have a fatal car wreck between here and your home, do you know for sure that you’ll spend eternity with God in heaven?” 

You may prefer to say something like, “If you don’t know God personally, I hope you’ll read this tract.” Then simply give them the materials, stating, “Just let me know if you’d like to talk more about God. Now let’s pray.” Touch their arm, bow your head, and voice a sincere prayer for them. If they had a specific request, be sure to pray about it.

“Drive-through” means brief. No lines. No entrapment. Relaxed, but purposefully expedient. Your goal is to plant seeds of friendship and witness, offer a heartfelt prayer, and invite them to worship. The car should be driving away within four minutes. You can vary the plan. If it’s hot, offer “free drive-through prayer and bottled water.” If it’s early morning, serve “free drive-through prayer and coffee.” Afterward, send a follow-up letter to reinforce the worship invitation. Then if they show up on Sunday, joyfully welcome them. And keep on praying.

The lady with the walker waved energetically as she drove away. “Hope to see you Sunday!” she called. “I’ll be praying for you.”

 ©Fresh Ideas are shared by Diana Davis, author, speaker and wife of Indiana Baptist Convention’s Executive Director. www.keeponshining.com

I saw a great idea at a church’s groundbreaking ceremony recently.  The pastor asked every person who attended the ceremony to have their photo taken with a shovel before they went for the lunch afterward. There were lots of shovels and dirt, and most took photos with their family or friends or Sunday School class. It didn’t take much time at all because it was informal, with  lots of assigned photographers.

Of course, the pastor will make a montage or powerpoint show, and will mail a copy of the photo to each member. What a great way to give “ownership” and excitement to a momentous event!

A friend of mine, Kim Hardy, just wrote a witnessing tract, so that was on my mind when I saw this photo. This is an Indiana pastor’s wife, Tami Hubler, skydiving! Take a close look at what’s written on her hands.

“Jesus saves.”

Now, wouldn’t that make a great photo on a witnessing tract???

How would you tie that in?

Actually, I just wanted you to see that photo!

You can also read this article on Baptist Press.

Pupils, Pencils and Prayers
Diana Davis Posted

INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–A new school year begins soon. What an opportune time for a church to encourage students and teachers. Need fresh ideas?

– Pray for students and teachers. An adult Bible class can adopt a youth class to pray for them by name. During worship, a pastor could invite students to kneel at the altar as he or the youth minister prays for them. Or he could invite teachers and school staff (elementary, secondary, college, home school) to stand, then pray and challenge the entire church to pray for them faithfully. After taking children to school the first day, moms can gather for coffee, fellowship and prayer for the kids and teachers.

– Make it easy for kids to invite friends to church. Print a bookmark-size schedule of weekly and special fall events for kids at your church. Order book covers, notebooks, T-shirts or pencils with Scripture, the youth motto, the church website and the church name. Our church teens redecorate their Sunday School classrooms annually, painting murals and Scripture art. Plan a back-to-school party or Christian concert. After school the first day, serve homemade pizza at the church. Work hard to provide relevant, top-quality Bible classes and activities for students.

– Adopt a school. Your church or adult Bible class could help a nearby school. Visit the principal to offer assistance, such as mentoring, office help, reading, crossing guards, scholarship application aid or providing shoes, haircut or school supplies for a child in need. Send encouraging prayer notes to the principal. Deliver a huge basket of snacks for the teacher’s break room with a note from your church. An Indiana church painted the playground and developed a great relationship with the school. Be flexible, and joyfully show God’s love as you respond to requests.

– Prepare for guests. In Sunday’s bulletin, print names of children’s and youth Bible teachers, choir leaders, missions teachers, and so on. Church members can pray for them, and guests will see your commitment to disciple kids. Since families often relocate during summer, purchase a newcomer list for your town, and mail or deliver church invitations before school begins. You could advertise in the local paper to invite all teachers and school faculty in town to worship on Sunday before school begins. Recognize them, pray for them, and give a gift (coffee cup, pen) with a Scripture and promise of prayer.

As our children, youth and teachers return to school as ambassadors for Christ, will you assure them of your church’s love and prayers?
–30–
Diana Davis is the author of “Fresh Ideas,” “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” and “Deacon Wives” (B&H Publishing) and the wife of the Indiana Baptist State Convention executive director. Learn more at www.keeponshining.com.

Last Sunday, we worshipped with Calvary Baptist Church in Seymour Indiana. They were celebrating their church’s 50th anniversary, and it was a joyous occasion.

Will your church be ccelebrating an upcoming anniversary? Here are a couple of great ideas they did to make it special:

Pastor David Schrock and the planning team printed and framed a 4X6″ photograph of the church building, with text about 50th anniversary celebration (see photo above). An entire table held hundreds of the framed photos.  He announced that each family unit in attendance could pick one up as a momento of the occasion. What a lovely gift!

The Pastor had preached for several weeks on each segment of their church covenant. On anniversary day, they had a covenant renewal service. They printed a large copy of the covenant, and had a wide photo mat prepared. Each member of the church signed the mat before the covenant was beautifully framed for the church entryway.

Isn’t it exciting to celebrate God’s blessings of the past as we look forward to seeing what He has ahead for the future? Happy anniversary, Calvary Baptist.

My son married last weekend. It was such a joyful, fabulous day!

So, of course, I observed an idea at the church that I thought you might use in your church.  A small closet was designated for wedding items — candelabras, arch, lighters, etc.  Does your  church provide some materials like that?

Our former church purchased two sets of candleabras and made them available for weddings.  It saved lots of money for many brides and grooms, and of course they were allowed to rent if they preferred.  A few times, those brides would donate some money in appreciation, and we could reinvest those dollars for another piece we could provide for others. Perhaps some dollars could be designated in the annual church budget to begin stocking a closet like that.

When a father built a beautiful gazebo for his daughter’s wedding, he donated it for use by other  weddings as needed, and even stored the large piece in his barn. A woodworker in our church built lovely lattice walls to fit the church’s fellowship hall, and those were available for weddings as well.

Simple idea, yes. But, with the cost of weddings, it can be a kind and thoughtful gift for couples in your church.

[Oh, I really had to work at putting my son and daugher-in-law's photo in this blog! Thanks for understanding! ]