During the Christmas season, pastors often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of holiday activities. To help you avoid reinventing the wheel this year, I want to share some essential reminders. While these concepts may be familiar, maintaining intentionality ensures that Christmas becomes one of your church’s most powerful momentum-building opportunities.
7 reminders for Christmas season planning:
Recruit new volunteers.
The Christmas season provides a natural gateway for onboarding new volunteers. Much like Easter, church members are more receptive to vision-casting when they recognize the practical needs of a busy season. Leverage this period not only to fill key roles but also as a discipleship tool, as those who serve are often more positioned for personal spiritual growth.
Ask members to sacrifice.
This time of year affords a unique opportunity to ask your most committed members to serve in expanded capacities. Achieving full staffing—from the parking lot to the nursery—is vital for success. Beyond having extra greeters, regular attendees should be encouraged to prioritize visitors by offering up their preferred seating. By planning every detail with excellence, you ensure a welcoming environment for the increased number of guests expected during the holidays.
Pastors, this is an excellent time to vision-cast about the guest experience you want to create. Make it a big deal, because it is a big deal.
Let the story be the story.
As a pastor, I feel the pressure of the Christmas message. The fact that it is so well known and a part of the culture only adds to the pressure. My best advice is don’t try to find a new twist you’ve never shared. People watch Rudolph and Charlie Brown Christmas every year for a reason. “It’s a Wonderful Life” never gets old for some and Elf for others.
The story of a baby, born to a Virgin, and laid in a manger is timeless. You don’t have to find something new.
Share the Gospel.
Hopefully, you don’t need that reminder, but with all the attention on the lights and tinsel, don’t forget to share the most important message of the year. A Savior has been born. He is Christ the Lord.
Share about the New Year.
Find creative ways to talk about some of the things happening at your church; especially as you head into the new year. Help people understand the value regular church engagement offers them and their families. I always like for the information we hand out to be unique from a regular bulletin. It’s nice if what people receive is big-picture information about the church and our ministries at Christmas (and Easter). Visitors are more likely to read what you give them.
Try to anticipate questions they may ask and answer them in what you hand to them.
Sing Christmas music.
This was somewhat of a pet peeve of mine. I’m sure our worship team feels my pressure here. But this is the time to sing Christmas music.
I am not musical and have been told Christmas arrangements can be harder to put together and rehearse. This is not my area of expertise. I do know that culture actually helps us with this one. Where else can people sing Christmas music they know? They may actually sing Christmas carols they have known all their lives louder than any other time of year. Give them the opportunity even if it is simply a Christmas medley of favorites with little or no accompaniment.
Plan good follow-up.
If someone visits your church and takes time to give you information about them, the worst thing you can do is ignore it. The greatest return for visiting a church 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. But if they only want an email, then I would comply with their choice. But definitely let them know how much you appreciate them coming to your church.
I pray as you prepare to meet people this Christmas that the joy of Christmas would be in your own heart and family.
Merry Christmas!
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This article originally appeared on RonEdmondson.com and is reposted here by permission.