Warning: Do not miss this important concept.  The topic you choose for your church-wide campaign absolutely determines two very important outcomes:

• The topic determines who you are able to connect.
• The topic also determines who will say yes to hosting a group.

Here’s what I mean: 

First, the topic you choose for your church-wide campaign has everything to do with who will even be interested!

• If you choose a campaign that focuses on a spiritually challenging topic (discipleship, evangelism, prayer, etc.), you should not be surprised when the majority of those who connect to a group are from the core, committed and inside edge of your congregation (to use the Saddleback concentric circles concept).  See also, Connecting the Gap Between Community and Congregation.
• On the flip side, if you choose a topic that focuses on a more crowd-friendly topic (pressures of life, relationships, purpose, etc.), you can expect to connect the outer edge of the congregation and into the crowd.  Depending on the topic, you may even see connection into the community (those who have never been to your church).  See also, 5 Cross-Cultural Church-Wide Campaigns That Ought To Be On Your Radar.

Who you are able to connect is directly related to the topic.  There’s an upside and a downside to both outcomes.  Which group you’d like to connect ought to determine the topic you choose.  See also, Does Your Topic Connect with Your True Customer and How to Choose the Right Church-Wide Campaign.

Second, the topic you choose for your church-wide campaign also determines who will say yes to hosting a group.

• If you choose a campaign that focuses on a spiritually challenging topic, don’t miss the fact that potential hosts may size up the challenge of inviting neighbors, friends, co-workers and family and decide not to sign up to host a group.  See also, The Easy-Hard Continuum.
• On the flip side, if you choose a campaign that focuses on a more crowd-friendly topic you can expect a different outcome.  When considering whether to invite neighbors, friends, co-workers and family, the right topic makes the invite easier.

The topic you choose for your church-wide campaign determines who will say yes to hosting.  Does that mean certain topics are better?  No…definitely no.  What it means is that the topic you choose determines who will say yes to hosting.  See also, HOST: What Does It Mean?

Takeaways:

1. Choose the topic for your church-wide campaign based on the needs of your church.  If you need to train your congregation as evangelists, choose a study that provides that training.  If you want to connect neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family…choose a topic that they’ll be interested in.
2. Don’t be taken in by wishful thinking.  If you can’t imagine inviting your neighbor or your friend, there’s a pretty good chance that the topic isn’t the right topic.
3. Be wise in terms of the calendar and when you schedule an outwardly focused campaign versus an inwardly focused campaign.  Certain seasons just lend themselves to outreach (late September and early October).  Other seasons are much better for evangelism and discipleship efforts (leading up to Easter).

What do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.

Looking for a church-wide campaign that connects with neighbors, friends, co-workers and family members?  Maybe one that is on a topic that unchurched people care about and in a language that won’t require a translator?  That’s what I call a cross-cultural church-wide campaign.

Here are my 5 favorites right now.

Soul Detox: Every once in a while, a study comes along that just seems a perfect fit for the needs and interests of the culture.  Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World, based on Craig Groeschel’s newest book, is one of those studies.  With built elements of a church-wide campaign, this is a study that many churches will want to take a look at. An engaging look at five of the most damaging issues in our culture, this is a very practical study.  Read my full review.

Stolen: Looking for creative small group resources?  You might want to take a look at Stolen, a study from Chris and Kerry Shook.  Taking its cue from John 10:10, Stolen takes a look at how the Enemy uses our circumstances to rob us of treasures like passion, joy, peace, strength, and dreams. Recognized as one of today’s most creative communicators, Woodlands Church Pastor Kerry Shook and his wife, Chris, will lead you into a discovery of the ways you can reclaim the treasures God intended for you. A six session study, the DVD segments have a creative twist that sets up the discussion.  Read my full review.

WEiRD: There’s a DVD-driven study that you’re going to want to take a look at.  Published by Zondervan,  WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working is a great companion to Craig Groeschel’s popular book by the same name. Inspired by Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:13-14 and the central idea that the “broad road leads to destruction” (normal) and the “narrow road” leads to life (weird), the study takes a look at a set of topics that will make sense to Christians and non-Christians alike (making WEIRD a very compelling option for a church-wide campaign). This one will take a little more work than the other four, but it’s such a compelling example, I couldn’t not include it.  A really good DVD and participant guide, you’ll have to visit the LifeChurch.tv site to retrieve the sermons and other creative elements.  Read my full review.

Pete Wilson, the founding and senior pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee is widely recognized as one of America’s most creative communicators.  This study makes it easy to see why.  Based on his recent book, Empty Promises: The Truth About You, Your Desires, and the Lies You’re Believing, this 6 session study is going to be very popular. Similar in design to Putting Plan B into Action (released in 2011), each session is anchored by a visually creative teaching video featuring Pete Wilson.  8 to 10 minutes in length, the six video segments are consistently captivating as a back story emerges.  Way more than a talking head, the creative use of story compellingly illustrated in the background makes the truth of scripture come alive visually.  Read my full review.

If you’re wondering what to do for your next church wide campaign, you’ve got to at least consider taking advantage of What On Earth Am I Here For? So powerful and it addresses questions that everyone has. An easy invite for neighbors and friends, this is a truly cross-cultural topic. At the same time, it will take your congregation to a new place. I really like this new edition and I think you will, too! Need more information? You can find out more in my full review.

Want more ideas?  There are plenty more where these 5 came from.  You’ll find an almost complete list in The Latest on Church-Wide Campaigns (2012).

Are you truly a follower of Jesus?  That is the central question of Follow Me, David Platt’s new Bible study.  Based on his new book by the same title, this is a challenging and important study that takes his teaching from Radical to a whole new depth.

Anchored by a six session DVD, each of the sessions are classic David Platt.  Great teaching.  Very passionate.  Packed with biblical content.  And…each of the sessions is about 30 minutes in length (which would be a little long for the average attention span, but for Platt’s very compelling intensity).

The teaching wrestles with six intentional questions:

• What does it mean to truly be a follower of Jesus?
• What does it means to trust Jesus with our minds?
• Are our affections and desires really what they need to be?
• Is total abandonment really required?
• Are we committed to the Church as God has designed it?
• What does it mean to make disciples who make disciples?

The Member Book is well designed.  An opening exercise replaces the more common ice-breaker questions intended to prime the conversation pump.  A combination of reflecting on the previous week’s assignment with a twist of a group project (session one’s is to come up with a group definition of “what it means to follow Christ”).

Along with the opening exercise, each session includes the session outline you’ll need to capture everything from the DVD teaching segment.  The built-in group discussion questions will take the conversation very intentionally into a deep dive into what it means to truly follow Jesus.  Application steps and scripture memory assignment finish out each session.

The Member Book also includes 5 daily lessons for each of the 6 sessions.  The daily lessons are 4 to 5 pages in length and will require a commitment of 30 to 60 minutes to complete, but will lead members deeply into what it means to follow Jesus.

An available Follow Me Church Kit, as well as Student and Preteen study materials make it possible to do Follow Me as a church-wide campaign. In addition to copies of the Student and Preteen Member books, the Follow Me Church Kit includes an administration guide, sermon outlines, and digital art files for a promotional poster, bulletin inserts, presentation slides, and more.

Do you have small groups that are asking for a real challenge?  Does your church need to take a fresh look at Jesus’ simple request to follow Him?  I believe the answer is yes to both and Follow Me is a small group study and a church-wide campaign designed to meet both needs.

Willing to take a dare?  If you want to know how Saddleback launched their newest 2200 small groups–and that’s not a typo–I dare you to give me 3 minutes of your time.

Watch the first 3 minutes of this video to get a feel for the way Saddleback launched What On Earth Am I Here For? (their new version of 40 Days of Purpose).  I double dog dare you!

Here’s the link.  It will literally take 3 minutes to see what you need to see.  If you’re the person that leads the church-wide campaign…you have got to see this.

I took some time this weekend to preview What On Earth Am I Here For?, the 2013 version of 40 Days of Purpose.  Before I say anything else, let me just say…Wow!  So powerful!  Whether you’ve never done 40 Days or it’s been several years, you’re going to want to consider taking your church through this powerful study.

I should note right at the top that this is a completely updated campaign.  Every component, even the Purpose Driven Life itself, has been completely retooled and updated to respond to today’s challenges.  For example, The Purpose Driven Life now includes video introductions and an online audio lesson at the end of each chapter as well as two new bonus chapters on the most common barriers to living the purpose driven life and access to an online community for feedback and support.

Like the previous versions, there are three participation aspects to this campaign.  Individual, group and weekend service.  The group experience is anchored by a great new version of the DVD.  Beyond the switch from hawaiian shirts to a slimmer, more trendy look, there seemed to me to be a new passion for the powerful principles that are embedded throughout.  I’m not sure I can explain it, but I found myself deeply engaged in the video as I imagined the members of my group watching for the first time.  Very, very, powerful stuff!

The study guide has a new look, too, with updated graphics and very contemporary look.  More importantly, two new aspects greatly enhance the experience.  I really like the addition of a catching up opener, designed to pull in new insights from the daily readings in the Purpose Driven Life.  That will help get the group off to a good start.  I also like the addition of recommended resources in the diving deeper section.  Might seem like small things, but in my mind these details make it easier for ordinary people to host groups.

As in the previous editions, there is plenty of help available to maximize the impact of the spiritual growth emphasis.  Sermon outlines, powerpoint, graphics, and much more are included (either on the resource disc or at www.saddlebackresources.com/campaigns).  In addition, the success guide is the blueprint for a great experience and it’s included in the campaign preview kit.

If you’re wondering what to do for your next church wide campaign, you’ve got to at least consider taking advantage of What On Earth Am I Here For?  So powerful and it addresses questions that everyone has.  An easy invite for neighbors and friends, this is a truly cross-cultural topic.  At the same time, it will take your congregation to a new place.  I really like this new edition and I think you will, too!

Need more information?  You can find out everything you need to know right here.

What do you expect of the HOSTs you recruit for a church-wide campaign?  Have you set the bar too high?  Have you set the bar too low?  Bottom line…do you even have expectations?  See also, Leader Qualification: Raising the Bar, Lowering the Bar, or Open Bar?

I can’t tell you where you should set the bar.  Every church will have to make that decision for themselves based on their own culture.  I can tell you a few things though:

First, I can tell you that you must have predetermined guidelines that are customized for your congregation.  That is, what works amazingly in one church won’t necessarily fly in yours.

Second, I can tell you that where you set the bar absolutely determines who your hosts can invite.  Recruit from the core and committed and you shouldn’t be surprised if every one of their friends are also insiders.  Recruit from the crowd and you can expect their friends to be outsiders.  See A Tale of Two Hosts for more.

Third, I can give you an example.  In this case, there was no requirement to be a member of the church.  Since the new host’s primary way of filling their group was to invite their own friends and neighbors, it wasn’t even a criteria that they be vetted as a Christ follower (Think about it.  If they’re inviting their own friends, aren’t they likely to be a step ahead spiritually?)!

Here’s a look at the simple expectations:

Primary Purpose:  To help launch a new small group giving a “toe-in-the-water experience for each of its members.

Primary Responsibilities:

• To convene my group for the six weeks of the series.
• To connect with my coach on a weekly basis.
• To gather with other leaders for the mid-launch huddle.
• To provide updates on the group status to the church office.
• To provide a healthy group experience.

Remember, there is no problem-free.  See how we attempted to mitigate the basic problems?

How are these expectations different than those of a small group leader (i.e., someone who has launched a group and joined the leadership pathway)?  Here’s a look at leadership expectations for a small group leader.

What do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.

What could you pull off with just 3 weeks notice?  Could you plan and pull off a block party?

Think about your block.  What would you have to do tomorrow?  Get a couple other neighbors to say yes?  Make a flyer?  What about the next day?  Circulate the flyer?

Think you could do it?  How many block parties do you think you could get to happen?  What if 5 or 10 people from your church each had a block party on Labor Day weekend?

What if you could have 20?  And what if all 20 of the block parties was organized by someone who in 6 weeks was going to be hosting a small group?

What if at the block party everyone was asked to bring their favorite dish to share and you let everyone vote on their favorite dish and gave away a small trophy?  And what if you collected the winning recipes and included them in a cookbook?  And what if you sold the cookbooks and gave all the proceeds to a local homeless shelter?

Sound interesting?  Sound like something you could pull off?

Saddleback’s Example

In the fall of 2007 Saddleback repeated the 40 Days of Purpose.  They began talking about the upcoming church-wide study in mid-spring, 2007, encouraging members to “Use the summer to get to know your neighbors.  Invite them over for a barbeque or dessert.”  Further, they asked members to host block parties for Labor Day and ask everyone to bring their favorite dish to share along with the recipe.  The block party attendees voted on which dish was the best and included the winner in a church cookbook (proceeds going to support an important community need).

Think you can pull it off in 3 weeks?  Imagine how much easier the invite becomes to “join my group?”  Just think what could happen if every block party had 2 or 3 neighbors who said “yes” to joining a group?  What if every block had 4 or 5 who said “yes?”  This fall could be quite a season!

Spoiler Alert: The most connected people in your congregation almost always have the fewest connections in the community.

Four Things You Need to Know

I use this drawing to illustrate this important concept.  There are four things you need to know in order to understand the drawing,

First, the circle represents your adult attendance on Easter.  As you know, the difference between your average adult attendance and your Easter adult attendance is not that everyone brings a friend.  Instead, the main reason your attendance is higher on Easter is that everyone comes on the same weekend.

Second, the square represents the people in your congregation who are truly connected.  That is, if something happened to them or a member of their family, someone else in your congregation would find out about it within 24 hours without anyone calling the church.  A pink slip at work.  Marital issues.  A scary medical diagnosis.  A teenager who goes south.  24 hours.  Someone else knows.

Third, if you were to interview the folks in the square (the most connected people in your congregation) and ask who their 10 closest friends are in your area, you’d find out that 8, 9, or even all 10 of them are also inside the square.  Now, before you get excited, there are exceptions (many church staff members, those with the gift of evangelism, etc.).  But in general, the most connected people in your congregation are the least connected in the community.

Fourth, when you interview the folks in the circle you’ll find out that 8, 9, or even all 10 of their best friends have never been to your church.  Let me repeat that:

When you interview the folks in the circle you’ll find out that 8, 9, or even all 10 of their best friends have never been to your church.

Here’s the big idea: If you want to recruit hosts who can fill their own group with unconnected neighbors, friends, co-workers and family members…you need to learn how to recruit from the circle.  Churches that keep going back to the well of the usual suspects (the most connected) shouldn’t be surprised when hosts from the square don’t know their neighbors.

What do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.

Getting ready to recruit HOSTs for an upcoming church-wide campaign?  Let me give you my best shot at some keys to maximizing your impact.  I’ve written about this same topic in the past, but so much has changed since the earliest articles, I wanted you to have the 2012 version!

Here are what I think are the keys to maximizing the harvest:

Dedicate three (3) weekends to making the ask.  This is important.  If you want the largest response, keep four things in mind.

• First, not everyone is there every week.  Your average adult attendee is in your auditorium 2 or 3 times a month at best (in some churches less than that).
• Second, only crazy people respond the first time they hear the ask.  You know what I mean.  Only your pastor’s biggest fans will say “yes” on the first weekend.  Others will go home and think about it.  Some will even pray about it.  When they hear it again the next week, more will respond.
• Third, it is important that some of your new HOSTs are from the “2 times a month” segment.  This is counterintuitive, but think about it.  Their friends have never been to your church.  If they fill their own group…their members will be people who have never been to your church.  In the words of Emeril Lagasse, “Bam!”
• Fourth, make the HOST ask the only promotion.  If you want the maximum response, you’ve got to focus everyone’s attention on that one option.  Don’t build in choices or different ways to get involved on those weekends.  Don’t even talk about being “in” a group.  Only talk about hosting a group and you will maximize the impact.
• Need more?  Read my article, Why You Must Make the HOST Ask Several Weeks in a Row.

Make the HOST Ask in the sermon.  Don’t substitute an announcement.  The most influential person in your congregation is almost always the senior pastor.  The sermon is the time when most people’s attention is on what the pastor is talking about.  You can and should also include an announcement, but don’t substitute an announcement for a moment in the pastor’s message.

Here’s my best shot at a script.  When I’m coaching pastors on how to do this, here are the specific ideas and phrases I encourage them to use:

• Build a moment into the message when you can say, “If you have a heart for unconnected people, and you’d be willing to open your home for six weeks, serve some simple refreshments, and tell a few of your friends…you could be a HOST.”  See the acronym?  Corny?  Maybe.  But it gets the job done.
• Next line: “In your bulletin is an insert.  It looks like this (said as your pastor pulls it out of the bulletin and holds it up).”
• “While you’re taking out the insert I want you to hear the story of Bob and Jane Smith.”  I like to use a either a live testimony or a video account of someone who’s hosted in the past.  You can read about how to put it together in Take Advantage of Testimony to Recruit Hosts and watch an example in Video Testimonies that Inspire Action.
• As the testimony or video ends say, “As your pastor, I want to encourage you to help us connect as many as possible for _________  (you’ll fill in the name of the series).  It’s a six week commitment.  We’ll train you to do a great job.  We’ll provide a coach who’ll help you get started.  You can do it.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see what God does in your home.  Just fill out this form and drop it in the offering later in the service.”

Make it easy to respond in the service.  You’ve worked hard to inspire a response.  Give everyone an easy way to turn in the HOST insert.  The best way I’ve found is to take the offering after the message and instruct everyone to “drop the form in the offering later in the service.”  Next best might be baskets at the doors with an usher.  Every step removed from the auditorium (dropping it off in the lobby, taking it to the small group booth, or completing the form online) lessens the response.

What do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.

I get a lot of questions.  Many in the form of a comment on a post and others that are emailed to me.  I got a good one yesterday that I thought needed to be answered here.

Q: Who typically pays for materials (DVDs and study guides) in a church-wide campaign?

Good question, don’t you think?  Maybe you’ve asked that question yourself!  Here’s how it works:

First, there are a couple main ways that churches typically handle the issue of who pays.

• Because of the popularity of the church-wide campaign strategy, many churches have included the cost of the materials in their annual budget.  Makes a lot of sense.  After all, if it’s important enough to encourage everyone “to be part of a group that’s using the curriculum that goes along with our weekend message series,” shouldn’t churches make it easy for everyone to participate?
• Many churches simply pass the expense on to small group members by selling the materials at a booth in the lobby (or send it home with group leaders on consignment with the expectation that the leaders collect the money from members).

What do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.