By Staff
Easter. There’s a lot of pressure on the day for pastors, isn’t there? You’ll most likely see people you haven’t seen in a while. Hopefully, some you’ve never seen as well. So you need to be prepared.
I personally believe Christmas is becoming the best time to reach unchurched people. The birth of a baby seems easier to celebrate that the resurrection of a Savior, but we know that without the resurrection all hope is gone. So let’s prepare.
Here are 7 suggestions:
- Be intentional – This is an “all hands on deck” Sunday. Plan every detail you possibly can. Plan for and expect excellence. It’s that important. Hopefully by now you have already started talking about it, but people need to know the importance you are placing on the day. Make it a big deal, because it is a big deal.
- Ask members to sacrifice – For this one Sunday, ask your most committed people to serve in ways they may not otherwise. You need to be fully staffed from the parking lot to the baby room. You need extra greeters. You need people willing to give up “their” seat if needed. For Easter—if no other Sunday—think for your guests. (I would personally recommend this every Sunday.)
- Keep it simple – Traditional works great on Easter. For the music and the message. You don’t have to impress anyone with a new twist to an old story. Share the resurrection. It doesn’t get better than that and people came expecting that story.
- Share the gospel – Of course. Why would you not? Yet, I’ve seen people leave out the “punch line.” Don’t. I try to share the Gospel every week, but it’s especially important on Easter Sunday. Give people a chance to respond to the greatest truth the world will ever know.
- Talk about your church – Find a way to talk about some of the things happening at your church. Help people understand the value you offer them and their family throughout the year. You could hand them a brochure. Visitors are more likely to read what you give them. Make sure their questions about the church are answered…as much as it depends on you.
- Make people feel welcome – The gospel is good news. Present it that way. Don’t use this as an opportunity to beat up on people for only attending once a year. That is never helpful and it doesn’t work. Give them hope that will help them want to return more often.
- Plan a follow up – The greatest return is often in the quality of the follow up after the service. People should hear from you. I personally like to give people options of how they want to be contacted and then obey their wishes. If they want a visit, someone needs to visit. If they only want an email…comply with their choice.
Those are my suggestions. What do you have to offer to make Easter the best it can be this year?
