You may not want to admit it, but you can't ignore it anymore - Christmas is coming. The Christmas services are probably the most highly attended services of the entire year in your congregation. Many of those in attendance are not members. How is your congregation going to react?

Some helpful tips come from an article by Yvon Prehn of The Lion's Voice, published in the electronic Christian Computing Magazine, and republished in the Oregon Synod's Communicators' Blog - HELP. (confused yet?) Feel free to read the whole article, but if you're short on time, here are some quick tips. Note that they will apply to ANY communication, but especially during the busy Advent/Christmas season.

1. Get a coordinated effort together.
Brainstorm a message for the season/campaign. Involve all the staff, team leaders, etc. that may be involved with programming and communication. Stick with that message. Use the same words, images, colors, fonts, etc. consistently. Then use those in as many media as you can - newsletters, bulletins, signs and posters, website, e-mail blasts, verbal announcements, phone calls, postcards, etc. Make sure everyone stays consistent and understands the marketing strategy.

2. Use Special Programming as a time of Evangelism
During the Christmas season, or any other time of year, you may have special drama presentations, concerts, services, etc. that bring people through your doors that aren't members. Are you marketing your message (the Gospel) and your congregation to them? By sharing something meaningful with them (besides entertainment) and by inviting them to come back, you could be opening doors for your guests and for your congregation. Make sure your guests leave with something besides the memories. Getting them in the door for the event/service is only the first step.

Moral of the story: Your congregation is not just programming, to get people there you need an effective message (consistent and frequent) and to fulfill your purpose of spreading the Good News, you need to actually spread something, not just get them in the door.