Looking for a video that shows the value of being in a small group in times of trouble?  We had Kenny Luck (Everyman Ministries, Men’s Pastor at Saddleback) in to do a conference for men and he showed this video at very end; to help men understand that life is dangerous to do on your own.

You might have heard of this video.  It’s had over 61 million views on YouTube.  I had never seen it and it perfectly shows the value of a herd.  Spoiler Alert: No one get’s seriously hurt…or eaten.

If you can’t see the video, click here to watch it on YouTube.  By the way, Kenny Luck always does a fabulous job and our men loved the conference.

Sponsored Post

Have you seen this video?  It’s worth checking out.  Available over on worship house media, I think you’ll be asking yourself, “Is it really W?”  It could be used for your next small group campaign or for a leader training event.

You can click here to take a look.  And don’t ever misunderestimate the value of a good video!

I’ve talked about this concept before (here and here), but it is so powerful I wanted to come back to it one more time.  Whether you’re recruiting hosts or members there is almost nothing more powerful that personal testimony.  In fact, it probably should have been one of the Top 10 Reasons Saddleback Has Connected Over 130% in Small Groups.  They are masterful at using the power of personal testimony in their services.

You can film it in advance (like the ones I’ve linked to below) or you can do it live.

Personal testimony is a powerful element.  The reason it is so popular with product marketers is it is effective.

The very best place to add video is during the message.  There are two main reasons for this:

• The time during your service when you have the best chance of having everyone’s attention is during the message.  You’re only kidding yourself if you think that people are paying attention during the announcements…no matter when they’re place.  But if your pastor says “Just watch this video” or “please welcome Bob and Sue”…people are more likely to be paying attention.
• Video or live testimony often adds an emotional element that is missing in many sermons.  Although there are some speakers that can deliver the full range of emotion in their messages (John Ortberg comes to mind), this is not true of everyone.  Many are much more adept at using humor to spice up their sermon delivery.  You need to know that humor will not work as a recruiting device.

When I’m producing a host testimony video, you’ll notice that I’m not in the video.  I’m off camera and I’ve instructed the folks I’m interviewing to answer in a way that lets the audience know what the question was.  I routinely ask 3 main questions when I am producing a video to recruit hosts:

1. When you were thinking about hosting a group, what were you afraid of?  Or why were you hesitant?
2. What do you sense God did in your group?
3. What would you say to the people who are thinking about hosting?
4. I sometimes add in a 4th question if it feels right: Can you imagine not having the group?

Listen for these three questions as you watch this year’s videos:

40 Days of Purpose #1 from Mark Howell on Vimeo.

40 Days of Purpose #2 from Mark Howell on Vimeo.

Sometimes I trip across great ways to promote group life or recruit leaders and they’re so good I have to share them.  If you’re ever stumped about how to encourage group leaders, to let them know how much they mean to their members and how much of a difference they make…you’ve got to see this video from Buckhead.  I can only say, “Wow!  Nicely done!”

Thank You from buckheadchurch on Vimeo.

Looking for a creative (and a little tongue in cheek) way to promote group life? Here’s another good one for the crazy cats at Central Christian Church in Vegas and available from Worship House Media:

Looking for a way to promote group life at your church?  This humorous clip developed by the crazy cats at Central Christian Church in Vegas and available from  Worship House Media does a good job highlighting that some things in life are better together.  Check it out:

You’ll find additional media ideas right here.

I’ve written about how to use a video testimony to recruit hosts for church-wide campaigns here and here.  Here’s an example of one that worked very well.  A few things to note.  First, these were people who had hosted previously.  Second, this is a great story.  To have one of their members tell their side of the story turned out to have a very powerful effect.  Third, you can have a great video and still have only a mediocre result.  Be sure and learn how to make the small group ask and apply the principles of what I call the dance.

A Heart for People from Mark Howell on Vimeo.

How are you promoting small groups at your church?  If your idea of a great promotion is an announcement, maybe by your pastor, you may want to take a look at a few more creative options.  A few minutes on Sermon Spice or Willow Creek’s Drama catalog should give you plenty of new ideas.  Here are a few ideas:

In My Day: This humorous script features a cantankerous yet likeable old man who lets us know that in his day things were different in the church – the only way people volunteered is by being threatened, small group leaders had nose hairs pulled out to learn to endure pain, and crossing your legs was considered dancing. His preference of harsher and often harrowing “good old days” – “That’s the way it was and we liked it!” – makes us laugh at just how good things are for today’s church.

Small Group Nightmares: Ted and Donna get a postcard from their church inviting them to join a small group. Having never been in one, they begin to speculate what might go on there. In four different vignettes, we see their exaggerated misconceptions. In the first scenario, it’s nothing but a party; in the second, it’s a gabfest of silly human opinion; in the third, it’s a dry, tedious academic study of biblical minutiae; in the final scene, it’s like group therapy with a sprinkling of psychobabble. In the end, Ted and Donna conclude going out to a movie sounds like more fun!

The Breakfast Club: Four men are at their weekly small group meeting in a restaurant. The topics of discussion are what you’d expect from a normal men’s group: sports, new cars, refinancing, work. But as the meeting continues, one man opens up about his marital problems. The conversation takes a quick turn to the serious, and the men band together to help this struggling brother.

These are just three from the extensive Willow Creek drama collection.  Click here to take a look at others from their online catalog that are on the topic of small groups.  Or take a look at Sermon Spice!  Don’t let a creative rut spoil your small group promotion.