[1]INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–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 PRINCIPLE
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.
[2]— 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.
PURSUE 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?
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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.