Christmas

1. Focus on ‘stories’ of the difference Christmas has made In Carol Services, conversations, outreach events.

Find two or three member of your congregations for whom Christmas has impacted their Christian experience. Develop opportunities throughout the Christmas period for them to tell their story – remember repetition can often have a greater impact. Ask them to focus on the difference Christ is making in their lives today at home, work etc. because of what happened some Christmases ago.

2. Coffee & Mince Pies for the neighbours Provide invites to Carol services and other Christmas events.

A simple idea made simpler! Don’t put pressure on hosts to ‘share the message of Christmas – make this a straight forward social opportunity and watch for the questions arise!

3. Carol singing in the community or door to door Offer a FREE More to Life DVD rather than collecting money.

Surprise the residents! These days carol singers usually want something. Offer them a gift instead. The More to Life DVD is an inexpensive gift with valuable but non-threatening content

4. Christmas present wrapping in the High Street Offering FREE Coffee and a More to Life DVD

Set up a table (with permission if necessary and away from shops offering such a service) and offer shoppers a FREE service and two FREE gifts! You can usefully do this in a Church Hall, if you are in a shopping area along with facilities for children to play. Or, you could provide a Saturday Holiday Club for children allowing their parents to shop more easily.

5. Offer to take a carol service in a local pub, shopping centre etc. Offering the More to Life DVD and related publicity

Jesus took the message to people where they are. Holding a carol service in a pub or shopping centre is where he might go. Build a relationship with the owner/manager and see what becomes possible. When conducting such a service:

• have quality musicians, well rehearsed and in sympathy with the aim of the event,
• use traditional carols and provide word sheets or project them’
• be flexible with the programme ie. put ‘speakers’ on when the crowd seems most receptive.
• have 2 or 3 testimonies (see Idea 1 above) rather than a sermon,
• offer More to Life DVD’s or other literature – don’t put pressure to attend a church service (you are on their territory – respect them).

6. Target ‘fringe’ contacts with invitations and a Christmas gift Gift wrap a More to Life DVD and an appropriate gift

Every Church has a significant number of ‘fringe contacts’ who are friends of the Church by virtue of a variety of links e.g. mothers & toddlers. At Christmas we all give friends gifts that are personal for them as an expression of love. So why not decide on a ‘target group’ and buy each of them a special personal gift to go alongside the More to Life DVD?

View the next 6 Ideas for Christmas