Planning the Ultimate Online Christmas Experience for Your Church

well hey guys i'm here with bart bart well hey guys i'm here with bart bart glad to have you glad to have you glad to have you jason always fun hanging out with you jason always fun hanging out with you jason always fun hanging out with you even on soon even on soon even on soon i'd rather do it in person but zoom is i'd rather do it in person but zoom is i'd rather do it in person but zoom is good too that's okay that's right good too that's okay that's right good too that's okay that's right uh it's our world these days well hey uh it's our world these days well hey uh it's our world these days well hey we're here in october we're here in october we're here in october and uh uh it's kind of interesting and uh uh it's kind of interesting and uh uh it's kind of interesting because christmas is literally right because christmas is literally right because christmas is literally right around the corner and it's an around the corner and it's an around the corner and it's an odd year to say the least because odd year to say the least because odd year to say the least because churches i talk to churches all the time churches i talk to churches all the time churches i talk to churches all the time just like you just like you just like you and and if you're listening as you're at and and if you're listening as you're at and and if you're listening as you're at church you're probably scratching your church you're probably scratching your church you're probably scratching your head going we have no idea what head going we have no idea what head going we have no idea what christmas looks like this year christmas looks like this year christmas looks like this year you know you're kind of uh it's not up you know you're kind of uh it's not up you know you're kind of uh it's not up to you to how many people you can get to you to how many people you can get to you to how many people you can get into your room into your room into your room you're kind of wondering do we do you're kind of wondering do we do you're kind of wondering do we do outside if we can do we do inside all outside if we can do we do inside all outside if we can do we do inside all this kind of stuff and it it just this kind of stuff and it it just this kind of stuff and it it just begs the question on what are you doing begs the question on what are you doing begs the question on what are you doing for christmas for christmas for christmas and so uh our team got together and bart and so uh our team got together and bart and so uh our team got together and bart actually spent some time and he actually actually spent some time and he actually actually spent some time and he actually wrote out some really great things that wrote out some really great things that wrote out some really great things that you could you could you could take with you to your discussions with take with you to your discussions with take with you to your discussions with your leadership team your leadership team your leadership team when discussing what you should do this when discussing what you should do this when discussing what you should do this christmas christmas christmas and i thought it was worthwhile for us and i thought it was worthwhile for us and i thought it was worthwhile for us to put together this little podcast and to put together this little podcast and to put together this little podcast and talk about what bart wrote out talk about what bart wrote out talk about what bart wrote out bart's uh bart's a church planner he's a bart's uh bart's a church planner he's a bart's uh bart's a church planner he's a former lead pastor former lead pastor former lead pastor he's a digital growth expert he's a he's a digital growth expert he's a he's a digital growth expert he's a church growth church growth church growth expert and this guy knows what he's expert and this guy knows what he's expert and this guy knows what he's talking about so talking about so talking about so i've asked bart to share his uh tips and i've asked bart to share his uh tips and i've asked bart to share his uh tips and tricks on tricks on tricks on what you could do this christmas to be what you could do this christmas to be what you could do this christmas to be much more meaningful when it comes to much more meaningful when it comes to much more meaningful when it comes to uh the digital space so bart what you uh the digital space so bart what you uh the digital space so bart what you got for got for got for us well thanks jason i you know one one

us well thanks jason i you know one one us well thanks jason i you know one one thing that i think is also relevant to thing that i think is also relevant to thing that i think is also relevant to the conversation is that ten years the conversation is that ten years the conversation is that ten years before i planted a church and pastor to before i planted a church and pastor to before i planted a church and pastor to church i actually was the creative arts church i actually was the creative arts church i actually was the creative arts director and worship pastor of a church director and worship pastor of a church director and worship pastor of a church so i spent 10 years of my ministry life so i spent 10 years of my ministry life so i spent 10 years of my ministry life sitting in the chairs where a lot of the sitting in the chairs where a lot of the sitting in the chairs where a lot of the folks that are listening to this are folks that are listening to this are folks that are listening to this are sitting in sitting in sitting in in like august and september going hmm in like august and september going hmm in like august and september going hmm what are we gonna do at christmas and what are we gonna do at christmas and what are we gonna do at christmas and it was always a big event right one of it was always a big event right one of it was always a big event right one of the biggest events of the year the biggest events of the year the biggest events of the year we typically had you know the largest we typically had you know the largest we typically had you know the largest bar but one of the largest budget items bar but one of the largest budget items bar but one of the largest budget items one of the biggest marketing one of the biggest marketing one of the biggest marketing opportunities and um opportunities and um opportunities and um and we put a ton of energy into this and we put a ton of energy into this and we put a ton of energy into this on campus in person experience and as on campus in person experience and as on campus in person experience and as you mentioned you and i have had you mentioned you and i have had you mentioned you and i have had a ton of conversations in the last few a ton of conversations in the last few a ton of conversations in the last few weeks with different churches trying to weeks with different churches trying to weeks with different churches trying to see what we can do to help support them see what we can do to help support them see what we can do to help support them as they're promoting as they're promoting as they're promoting christmas activities and christmas christmas activities and christmas christmas activities and christmas events and you know events and you know events and you know some pastors and some church leaders i some pastors and some church leaders i some pastors and some church leaders i think are starting to get a feel for think are starting to get a feel for think are starting to get a feel for what they're going to be able to do what they're going to be able to do what they're going to be able to do a lot of them are still sort of a lot of them are still sort of a lot of them are still sort of scratching their heads going we're kind scratching their heads going we're kind scratching their heads going we're kind of of of behind in our planning because we really behind in our planning because we really behind in our planning because we really don't know if we're going to be able to don't know if we're going to be able to don't know if we're going to be able to have 50 capacity on campus or 100 have 50 capacity on campus or 100 have 50 capacity on campus or 100 some churches that i've talked to have some churches that i've talked to have some churches that i've talked to have said you know we can do 50 capacity said you know we can do 50 capacity said you know we can do 50 capacity on campus but even if we try to do that on campus but even if we try to do that on campus but even if we try to do that we don't know if we can really handle it we don't know if we can really handle it we don't know if we can really handle it it's it's a mess um one of the things it's it's a mess um one of the things it's it's a mess um one of the things that occurred to me as i was having this that occurred to me as i was having this that occurred to me as i was having this conversation um with a couple different conversation um with a couple different conversation um with a couple different pastors this last week was that pastors this last week was that pastors this last week was that regardless of what you plan to do on regardless of what you plan to do on regardless of what you plan to do on campus campus campus what you do online at christmas is still

what you do online at christmas is still what you do online at christmas is still going to be super going to be super going to be super super critical for your church most super critical for your church most super critical for your church most churches that i know churches that i know churches that i know not all but a lot of churches i know not all but a lot of churches i know not all but a lot of churches i know even though they've gone back to even though they've gone back to even though they've gone back to in-person worship gatherings are still in-person worship gatherings are still in-person worship gatherings are still nurturing a pretty significant online nurturing a pretty significant online nurturing a pretty significant online presence presence presence on sunday mornings and that'll be no on sunday mornings and that'll be no on sunday mornings and that'll be no different for christmas christmas eve so different for christmas christmas eve so different for christmas christmas eve so i i was literally out for a run i i was literally out for a run i i was literally out for a run yesterday and i thought yesterday and i thought yesterday and i thought you know if i were planning a christmas you know if i were planning a christmas you know if i were planning a christmas eve online service eve online service eve online service what are the things that i would be what are the things that i would be what are the things that i would be bringing to my creative planning team bringing to my creative planning team bringing to my creative planning team what are the things that i would want to what are the things that i would want to what are the things that i would want to throw on the table and go throw on the table and go throw on the table and go how do we how do we have this how do we how do we have this how do we how do we have this conversation so i wrote i wrote some conversation so i wrote i wrote some conversation so i wrote i wrote some stuff down and i wrote down stuff down and i wrote down stuff down and i wrote down what i think are five key components or what i think are five key components or what i think are five key components or five five five elements that if they are included in an elements that if they are included in an elements that if they are included in an online worship experience will make that online worship experience will make that online worship experience will make that online christmas eve experience online christmas eve experience online christmas eve experience impactful and engaging for an online impactful and engaging for an online impactful and engaging for an online audience so audience so audience so i'll just share those five things with i'll just share those five things with i'll just share those five things with you okay and uh you can tell me if you you okay and uh you can tell me if you you okay and uh you can tell me if you like them or not you tell me if you like them or not you tell me if you like them or not you tell me if you think i'm i'm on or off think i'm i'm on or off think i'm i'm on or off um but this is this is what i got okay um but this is this is what i got okay um but this is this is what i got okay uh the number one thing is fun by the uh the number one thing is fun by the uh the number one thing is fun by the way they're all gonna start with f way they're all gonna start with f way they're all gonna start with f and i i guess as a former senior pastor and i i guess as a former senior pastor and i i guess as a former senior pastor using alliteration in my sermons was using alliteration in my sermons was using alliteration in my sermons was that i guess just something we do so the that i guess just something we do so the that i guess just something we do so the first first first piece to the formula is fun piece to the formula is fun piece to the formula is fun um i think all of us recognize that when um i think all of us recognize that when um i think all of us recognize that when we're doing things we're doing things we're doing things at christmas time with our families if at christmas time with our families if at christmas time with our families if you're a parent and you've got kids you're a parent and you've got kids you're a parent and you've got kids there's a certain element of fun that we

there's a certain element of fun that we there's a certain element of fun that we expect expect expect out of christmas celebrations and and out of christmas celebrations and and out of christmas celebrations and and just our christmas engagements and just our christmas engagements and just our christmas engagements and certainly those of us who are certainly those of us who are certainly those of us who are leading or serving in churches that are leading or serving in churches that are leading or serving in churches that are trying to engage trying to engage trying to engage the unreached people in our community the unreached people in our community the unreached people in our community being able to actually initiate being able to actually initiate being able to actually initiate the engagement the service the the engagement the service the the engagement the service the experience with something fun experience with something fun experience with something fun is really important and you know fun can is really important and you know fun can is really important and you know fun can be a lot of different things you know it be a lot of different things you know it be a lot of different things you know it you were you and i were talking about you were you and i were talking about you were you and i were talking about this earlier you're like yeah we could this earlier you're like yeah we could this earlier you're like yeah we could do you can do trivia things that are do you can do trivia things that are do you can do trivia things that are kind of fun a lot of churches will spin kind of fun a lot of churches will spin kind of fun a lot of churches will spin up up up music or uh you know a video or music or uh you know a video or music or uh you know a video or something that kind of launches something that kind of launches something that kind of launches the experience the online experience the experience the online experience the experience the online experience with something that is with something that is with something that is fun the reason fun is important is that fun the reason fun is important is that fun the reason fun is important is that people are already having fun people are already having fun people are already having fun people are already kind of hyped up people are already kind of hyped up people are already kind of hyped up about the christmas experience about the christmas experience about the christmas experience as they sit down at you know 5 p.m or 7 as they sit down at you know 5 p.m or 7 as they sit down at you know 5 p.m or 7 p.m or 10 p.m p.m or 10 p.m p.m or 10 p.m on christmas eve night with their family on christmas eve night with their family on christmas eve night with their family around the tv screen or the computer around the tv screen or the computer around the tv screen or the computer screen screen screen i want them to be engaged i want them to be engaged i want them to be engaged right out of the gate so doing something right out of the gate so doing something right out of the gate so doing something fun to start it off fun to start it off fun to start it off to me is it's a critical place to start to me is it's a critical place to start to me is it's a critical place to start what do you think jason what do you think jason what do you think jason you can't agree more uh don't make it you can't agree more uh don't make it you can't agree more uh don't make it don't make it boring don't make it boring don't make it boring be be creative in that fun right be be creative in that fun right be be creative in that fun right i like videos of little kids talking i like videos of little kids talking i like videos of little kids talking about santa just about santa just about santa just different things just make it exciting different things just make it exciting different things just make it exciting make it fun for people make it fun for people make it fun for people yeah i'm thinking about families you yeah i'm thinking about families you yeah i'm thinking about families you know you and i both have teenage know you and i both have teenage know you and i both have teenage sons and so we're kind of in a different sons and so we're kind of in a different sons and so we're kind of in a different stage of life than where they might have stage of life than where they might have stage of life than where they might have been if they were been if they were been if they were six or seven or eight but we want to six or seven or eight but we want to six or seven or eight but we want to make sure that what we do and what we

make sure that what we do and what we make sure that what we do and what we kick things off with is kind of high kick things off with is kind of high kick things off with is kind of high energy sets the mood sets the tone energy sets the mood sets the tone energy sets the mood sets the tone for something that's going to be for something that's going to be for something that's going to be impactful so the number one thing is to impactful so the number one thing is to impactful so the number one thing is to do something fun now the second thing do something fun now the second thing do something fun now the second thing is probably not what most people would is probably not what most people would is probably not what most people would think they need to include but i think think they need to include but i think think they need to include but i think it's really important especially for the it's really important especially for the it's really important especially for the online experience and that's something online experience and that's something online experience and that's something funny funny funny and funny is different than fun right and funny is different than fun right and funny is different than fun right fun can be defined as something that fun can be defined as something that fun can be defined as something that just kind of creates an energy and an just kind of creates an energy and an just kind of creates an energy and an excitement and anticipation excitement and anticipation excitement and anticipation whereas funny is something that actually whereas funny is something that actually whereas funny is something that actually makes us makes us makes us laugh and i know i don't you know i know laugh and i know i don't you know i know laugh and i know i don't you know i know for my family for my family for my family 2020 has been a year where there's we've 2020 has been a year where there's we've 2020 has been a year where there's we've laughed a lot laughed a lot laughed a lot but it's not been very funny right it's but it's not been very funny right it's but it's not been very funny right it's not a funny year not a funny year not a funny year and and christmas season can be kind of and and christmas season can be kind of and and christmas season can be kind of stressful for people stressful for people stressful for people it's been a stressful year you've it's been a stressful year you've it's been a stressful year you've probably got probably got probably got families and people in your church that families and people in your church that families and people in your church that maybe have lost jobs maybe they've lost maybe have lost jobs maybe they've lost maybe have lost jobs maybe they've lost family members maybe they're just super family members maybe they're just super family members maybe they're just super stressed out stressed out stressed out about kids being home for school things about kids being home for school things about kids being home for school things just didn't go in 2020 the way any of us just didn't go in 2020 the way any of us just didn't go in 2020 the way any of us had expected or hoped and had expected or hoped and had expected or hoped and you know laughter is great medicine you you know laughter is great medicine you you know laughter is great medicine you know it's scientifically proven know it's scientifically proven know it's scientifically proven that when people laugh endorphins are that when people laugh endorphins are that when people laugh endorphins are released released released and we simply feel better and so my and we simply feel better and so my and we simply feel better and so my advice advice advice is you got to include something funny is you got to include something funny is you got to include something funny in your online engagement you can't go in your online engagement you can't go in your online engagement you can't go wrong with like a wrong with like a wrong with like a christmas gift fail video right christmas gift fail video right christmas gift fail video right you know you that was a very christmas you know you that was a very christmas you know you that was a very christmas gift if somebody goes really yeah gift if somebody goes really yeah gift if somebody goes really yeah just funny stuff like that there's so

just funny stuff like that there's so just funny stuff like that there's so many just go to youtube like there's many just go to youtube like there's many just go to youtube like there's probably a ton of different videos you probably a ton of different videos you probably a ton of different videos you could show could show could show that just make people laugh yeah i don't that just make people laugh yeah i don't that just make people laugh yeah i don't know what the copyright laws know what the copyright laws know what the copyright laws on that would be you know in terms of in on that would be you know in terms of in on that would be you know in terms of in terms of using somebody else's youtube terms of using somebody else's youtube terms of using somebody else's youtube videos and i mean for years even in videos and i mean for years even in videos and i mean for years even in in in on-site in-person worship services in in on-site in-person worship services in in on-site in-person worship services i mean i'll just i'm i'm showing my age i mean i'll just i'm i'm showing my age i mean i'll just i'm i'm showing my age here here here because i don't know if they're still because i don't know if they're still because i don't know if they're still around and still relevant but we use around and still relevant but we use around and still relevant but we use skit guys videos all the time you skit guys videos all the time you skit guys videos all the time you remember that you know this get guys you remember that you know this get guys you remember that you know this get guys you remember this game guys remember this game guys remember this game guys those guys were funny and they would those guys were funny and they would those guys were funny and they would always come up with some great christmas always come up with some great christmas always come up with some great christmas videos videos videos there's a lot of stuff out there that there's a lot of stuff out there that there's a lot of stuff out there that you can beg steal borrow you can beg steal borrow you can beg steal borrow license make sure you license anything license make sure you license anything license make sure you license anything that you're using that you're using that you're using um we're not suggesting that you break um we're not suggesting that you break um we're not suggesting that you break any laws by any stretch imagination any laws by any stretch imagination any laws by any stretch imagination that would not be funny that would not that would not be funny that would not that would not be funny that would not be funny if you got in trouble be funny if you got in trouble be funny if you got in trouble or got shut down on christmas eve with or got shut down on christmas eve with or got shut down on christmas eve with your live stream for your live stream for your live stream for using something you didn't have using something you didn't have using something you didn't have permission to but i would say the second permission to but i would say the second permission to but i would say the second thing to make sure that you thing to make sure that you thing to make sure that you you incorporate in that online you incorporate in that online you incorporate in that online experience is something funny experience is something funny experience is something funny the third thing the third f is something the third thing the third f is something the third thing the third f is something familiar familiar familiar um this is probably obvious but um this is probably obvious but um this is probably obvious but people people get real nostalgic at people people get real nostalgic at people people get real nostalgic at christmas time christmas time christmas time you know um we have christmas ornaments you know um we have christmas ornaments you know um we have christmas ornaments in our house that we have uh collected in our house that we have uh collected in our house that we have uh collected since our kids were really little since our kids were really little since our kids were really little um that nostalgia of putting those um that nostalgia of putting those um that nostalgia of putting those familiar christmas ornaments on the tree familiar christmas ornaments on the tree familiar christmas ornaments on the tree every year even though the tree changes every year even though the tree changes every year even though the tree changes and the house might change there's a lot and the house might change there's a lot and the house might change there's a lot of things that change of things that change of things that change there's a familiarity there that's uh there's a familiarity there that's uh there's a familiarity there that's uh that that always makes the christmas that that always makes the christmas that that always makes the christmas experience better experience better experience better and with a church online experience this and with a church online experience this and with a church online experience this is not something is not something is not something with which people are really familiar with which people are really familiar with which people are really familiar it's gonna be new it's gonna be

it's gonna be new it's gonna be it's gonna be new it's gonna be different different different you're maybe establishing or starting you're maybe establishing or starting you're maybe establishing or starting new traditions you're not new traditions you're not new traditions you're not able to do some of your former able to do some of your former able to do some of your former traditions maybe a candlelight traditions maybe a candlelight traditions maybe a candlelight experience or something experience or something experience or something on site but it's important that you on site but it's important that you on site but it's important that you bring things bring things bring things into the program into the experience into the program into the experience into the program into the experience that are familiar that are familiar that are familiar the easiest way to do that is simply the easiest way to do that is simply the easiest way to do that is simply through song right people through song right people through song right people want to sing christmas carols they want want to sing christmas carols they want want to sing christmas carols they want to sing along and my to sing along and my to sing along and my as a former worship pastor creative arts as a former worship pastor creative arts as a former worship pastor creative arts director i was probably guilty of this director i was probably guilty of this director i was probably guilty of this on more than one occasion on more than one occasion on more than one occasion but i highly suggest especially for this but i highly suggest especially for this but i highly suggest especially for this year year year that worship pastors are really careful that worship pastors are really careful that worship pastors are really careful about getting too creative about getting too creative about getting too creative with the musical arrangements of some of with the musical arrangements of some of with the musical arrangements of some of those familiar carols those familiar carols those familiar carols um i i get it i've been there i've done um i i get it i've been there i've done um i i get it i've been there i've done that that that but i think people want to sing silent but i think people want to sing silent but i think people want to sing silent night the way that silent night night the way that silent night night the way that silent night is supposed to be sung i'm guessing i'm is supposed to be sung i'm guessing i'm is supposed to be sung i'm guessing i'm guessing you know i think there's a guessing you know i think there's a guessing you know i think there's a familiarity thing that people really familiarity thing that people really familiarity thing that people really want and need to have want and need to have want and need to have um and so delivering on that in that um and so delivering on that in that um and so delivering on that in that experience i think will make it better experience i think will make it better experience i think will make it better for your for your audience for your for your audience for your for your audience i agree i agree nothing to add to that i agree i agree nothing to add to that i agree i agree nothing to add to that you like you like you like no you're i mean to me it's like it's no you're i mean to me it's like it's no you're i mean to me it's like it's telling the story telling the story telling the story it's you know people have traditions it's you know people have traditions it's you know people have traditions right right right yeah and we all have those cnes that yeah and we all have those cnes that yeah and we all have those cnes that attend our churches attend our churches attend our churches yep this year those cnes are probably yep this year those cnes are probably yep this year those cnes are probably not coming in person not coming in person not coming in person uh they're sitting at home and so uh they're sitting at home and so uh they're sitting at home and so there's a lot of distractions and i there's a lot of distractions and i there's a lot of distractions and i think if you can get back to think if you can get back to think if you can get back to the meaning and the story of christmas the meaning and the story of christmas the meaning and the story of christmas and don't and don't and don't try to be creative in that element of it

try to be creative in that element of it try to be creative in that element of it just hit the hit the basics are just hit the hit the basics are just hit the hit the basics are needed this time of year especially this needed this time of year especially this needed this time of year especially this year yeah you know year yeah you know year yeah you know crazy with that one of the things that i crazy with that one of the things that i crazy with that one of the things that i mean it literally just occurred to me i mean it literally just occurred to me i mean it literally just occurred to me i hadn't thought about this when i wrote hadn't thought about this when i wrote hadn't thought about this when i wrote it but it but it but familiar when we're trying to connect familiar when we're trying to connect familiar when we're trying to connect with unchurched with unchurched with unchurched people people who are not part of our people people who are not part of our people people who are not part of our spiritual family or spiritual community spiritual family or spiritual community spiritual family or spiritual community those old carols and things are often those old carols and things are often those old carols and things are often familiar to them now if you live in a in familiar to them now if you live in a in familiar to them now if you live in a in a community that's that's very a community that's that's very a community that's that's very you know multi-ethnic or or with lots of you know multi-ethnic or or with lots of you know multi-ethnic or or with lots of international international international immigrants you know maybe maybe uh immigrants you know maybe maybe uh immigrants you know maybe maybe uh park the herald angels sing or you know park the herald angels sing or you know park the herald angels sing or you know joy to the world maybe that joy to the world maybe that joy to the world maybe that isn't going to be familiar to them but isn't going to be familiar to them but isn't going to be familiar to them but for the most part for the most part for the most part but for the most part our neighbors our but for the most part our neighbors our but for the most part our neighbors our friends our family people that we're friends our family people that we're friends our family people that we're trying to connect trying to connect trying to connect to jesus are going to be familiar with to jesus are going to be familiar with to jesus are going to be familiar with those songs so you actually create those songs so you actually create those songs so you actually create something that allows them to something that allows them to something that allows them to participate even though they might participate even though they might participate even though they might not attend your church regularly or be not attend your church regularly or be not attend your church regularly or be connected to god in a personal way connected to god in a personal way connected to god in a personal way so i thought that that that that was so i thought that that that that was so i thought that that that that was just something that kind of came to me just something that kind of came to me just something that kind of came to me as we were talking about this as we were talking about this as we were talking about this um the fourth thing the fourth f is um the fourth thing the fourth f is um the fourth thing the fourth f is focused focused focused obviously the central story obviously the central story obviously the central story of christmas is the birth of jesus of christmas is the birth of jesus of christmas is the birth of jesus christ and christ and christ and i i'm you know this it's it's f i i'm you know this it's it's f i i'm you know this it's it's f number four only because i was thinking number four only because i was thinking number four only because i was thinking in terms of in terms of in terms of how i would program my event how i would program my event how i would program my event um but it's without a doubt the most um but it's without a doubt the most um but it's without a doubt the most important part of what we do because we important part of what we do because we important part of what we do because we want to highlight want to highlight want to highlight the birth of jesus the purpose of his the birth of jesus the purpose of his the birth of jesus the purpose of his life here on earth life here on earth life here on earth and um you know it's the reason that and um you know it's the reason that and um you know it's the reason that we're celebrating christmas in the first we're celebrating christmas in the first we're celebrating christmas in the first place so

place so place so having a focused time whether that's a having a focused time whether that's a having a focused time whether that's a devotional from your pastor devotional from your pastor devotional from your pastor an opportunity to read some scripture to an opportunity to read some scripture to an opportunity to read some scripture to read the christmas story to tell the read the christmas story to tell the read the christmas story to tell the christmas story christmas story christmas story and then to create the context for why and then to create the context for why and then to create the context for why it's so important and why it's it's so important and why it's it's so important and why it's significant the families in your church significant the families in your church significant the families in your church you know especially those with small you know especially those with small you know especially those with small children will appreciate children will appreciate children will appreciate you making that really easy and really you making that really easy and really you making that really easy and really clear clear clear for everybody to process and really for everybody to process and really for everybody to process and really everybody to understand and remember everybody to understand and remember everybody to understand and remember that when you're delivering that message that when you're delivering that message that when you're delivering that message that you've got multiple multiple that you've got multiple multiple that you've got multiple multiple generations um generations um generations um you know watching in and listening and you know watching in and listening and you know watching in and listening and you've probably got people from all you've probably got people from all you've probably got people from all different backgrounds from a faith different backgrounds from a faith different backgrounds from a faith standpoint standpoint standpoint that are potentially listening in so the that are potentially listening in so the that are potentially listening in so the best the best best the best best the best the better you can refine what you want the better you can refine what you want the better you can refine what you want to say put the cookies on the bottom to say put the cookies on the bottom to say put the cookies on the bottom shelf as far as jesus is concerned we shelf as far as jesus is concerned we shelf as far as jesus is concerned we want to make sure he want to make sure he want to make sure he is the one these are not santa's cookies is the one these are not santa's cookies is the one these are not santa's cookies that's a different that's a different that's a different jar of cookies cookies on the bottom jar of cookies cookies on the bottom jar of cookies cookies on the bottom shelf as far as people really hearing shelf as far as people really hearing shelf as far as people really hearing and and and understanding the gospel of jesus really understanding the gospel of jesus really understanding the gospel of jesus really focus in on that focus in on that focus in on that and then from there the fifth f and then from there the fifth f and then from there the fifth f is forward you want to actually is forward you want to actually is forward you want to actually leave people with an action step a call leave people with an action step a call leave people with an action step a call to action to action to action something that can actually propel them something that can actually propel them something that can actually propel them forward in their spiritual journey forward in their spiritual journey forward in their spiritual journey regardless of where people are on their regardless of where people are on their regardless of where people are on their faith journey when they tune in with you faith journey when they tune in with you faith journey when they tune in with you on christmas eve on christmas eve on christmas eve or whatever day that you're playing this or whatever day that you're playing this or whatever day that you're playing this showing this live streaming this showing this live streaming this showing this live streaming this we want people to be compelled to take a we want people to be compelled to take a we want people to be compelled to take a step towards god to take a step towards

step towards god to take a step towards step towards god to take a step towards jesus jesus jesus so be really sensitive to the fact that so be really sensitive to the fact that so be really sensitive to the fact that you've got people on all you've got people on all you've got people on all ends of the spectrum people who've been ends of the spectrum people who've been ends of the spectrum people who've been following jesus for maybe decades following jesus for maybe decades following jesus for maybe decades people who are exploring god the bible people who are exploring god the bible people who are exploring god the bible claims of faith for the very first time claims of faith for the very first time claims of faith for the very first time and create and establish clear and create and establish clear and create and establish clear calls to action and next steps for them calls to action and next steps for them calls to action and next steps for them that might be connecting with you that might be connecting with you that might be connecting with you at the church it might be you know at the church it might be you know at the church it might be you know something something that's connected to something something that's connected to something something that's connected to one of your ministries um one of your ministries um one of your ministries um you you be creative in terms of how you you you be creative in terms of how you you you be creative in terms of how you want to to want to to want to to inspire people to take that next step inspire people to take that next step inspire people to take that next step but actually but actually but actually don't don't finish your service without don't don't finish your service without don't don't finish your service without calling people to some level of action calling people to some level of action calling people to some level of action well finally well finally well finally going by jason i'm always a big fan of going by jason i'm always a big fan of going by jason i'm always a big fan of taking that opportunity to talk about taking that opportunity to talk about taking that opportunity to talk about what you're doing next in terms of in what you're doing next in terms of in what you're doing next in terms of in terms of a sermon series give them a terms of a sermon series give them a terms of a sermon series give them a reason to come back reason to come back reason to come back either online or in person invite him in either online or in person invite him in either online or in person invite him in person um person um person um what are you deploying in january you what are you deploying in january you what are you deploying in january you know don't forget to talk about that know don't forget to talk about that know don't forget to talk about that don't put it in the pre-service slides don't put it in the pre-service slides don't put it in the pre-service slides talk about it hey we want to invite you talk about it hey we want to invite you talk about it hey we want to invite you back because we're going to talk about back because we're going to talk about back because we're going to talk about family right we're going to talk about family right we're going to talk about family right we're going to talk about the nucleus of a family and how does a the nucleus of a family and how does a the nucleus of a family and how does a family family family thrive in 2021 so join us you know thrive in 2021 so join us you know thrive in 2021 so join us you know whenever you're going to kick that off whenever you're going to kick that off whenever you're going to kick that off or whatever you're going to do maybe or whatever you're going to do maybe or whatever you're going to do maybe it's finances you know it's finances you know it's finances you know whatever it might be that's a great call whatever it might be that's a great call whatever it might be that's a great call to action because i think it's so to action because i think it's so to action because i think it's so important important important um the church i go to we always tended um the church i go to we always tended um the church i go to we always tended to either give them a gift or we to either give them a gift or we to either give them a gift or we talk about what we're going to be talk about what we're going to be talk about what we're going to be deploying in the new year deploying in the new year deploying in the new year otherwise you're not going to see those

otherwise you're not going to see those otherwise you're not going to see those people again probably until easter people again probably until easter people again probably until easter so i would take advantage of your opera so i would take advantage of your opera so i would take advantage of your opera like you said that forward thinking a like you said that forward thinking a like you said that forward thinking a call to action to call to action to call to action to rejoin us yeah i agree with that 100 rejoin us yeah i agree with that 100 rejoin us yeah i agree with that 100 it's a great that's a great idea it's a great that's a great idea it's a great that's a great idea um the i've actually got a bonus um the i've actually got a bonus um the i've actually got a bonus f okay and this one actually i may have f okay and this one actually i may have f okay and this one actually i may have actually actually actually been inclined to start with it and that been inclined to start with it and that been inclined to start with it and that the the the the the the the the the bonus f that doesn't fit into the five bonus f that doesn't fit into the five bonus f that doesn't fit into the five it's the number six it's the number six it's the number six is 40 minutes okay is 40 minutes okay is 40 minutes okay 40 minutes maximum okay here's one thing 40 minutes maximum okay here's one thing 40 minutes maximum okay here's one thing that i believe that i believe that i believe i have have heightened awareness to i have have heightened awareness to i have have heightened awareness to and i think a lot of pastors would agree and i think a lot of pastors would agree and i think a lot of pastors would agree is that the online is that the online is that the online church experience simply cannot church experience simply cannot church experience simply cannot sustain people's attention as long as an sustain people's attention as long as an sustain people's attention as long as an in-person experience in gathering does in-person experience in gathering does in-person experience in gathering does if our if our if our i've i've seen more and more churches go i've i've seen more and more churches go i've i've seen more and more churches go from from from you know when we first started doing you know when we first started doing you know when we first started doing live streaming back in you know march live streaming back in you know march live streaming back in you know march and april when cove would shut us down and april when cove would shut us down and april when cove would shut us down we were running our regular one hour ten we were running our regular one hour ten we were running our regular one hour ten one hour fifteen minute service one hour fifteen minute service one hour fifteen minute service by july we were at one hour by by july we were at one hour by by july we were at one hour by august we're at 55 minutes because we august we're at 55 minutes because we august we're at 55 minutes because we realize realize realize that that when people are at home there that that when people are at home there that that when people are at home there are all kinds of distractions are all kinds of distractions are all kinds of distractions i'm guilty of it too how many times i go i'm guilty of it too how many times i go i'm guilty of it too how many times i go to the kitchen to refill my coffee cup i to the kitchen to refill my coffee cup i to the kitchen to refill my coffee cup i got my cell phone got my cell phone got my cell phone um you know i'm more likely to check my um you know i'm more likely to check my um you know i'm more likely to check my cell phone cell phone cell phone when i'm engaged with the service online when i'm engaged with the service online when i'm engaged with the service online or put it this way watching the service or put it this way watching the service or put it this way watching the service online sitting in my chair in my living online sitting in my chair in my living online sitting in my chair in my living room room room that i am to check my cell phone when that i am to check my cell phone when that i am to check my cell phone when i'm sitting in the church service in the i'm sitting in the church service in the i'm sitting in the church service in the church building right because i may or church building right because i may or church building right because i may or may not be checking fantasy football

may not be checking fantasy football may not be checking fantasy football just saying just saying just saying exactly yeah exactly and you're well you exactly yeah exactly and you're well you exactly yeah exactly and you're well you live in a time zone where the football live in a time zone where the football live in a time zone where the football games start before you get out of church games start before you get out of church games start before you get out of church right they're already going on right they're already going on right they're already going on so that's that's a downside to that but so that's that's a downside to that but so that's that's a downside to that but you really need to be you really need to be you really need to be super considerate and aware of the fact super considerate and aware of the fact super considerate and aware of the fact that when people are at home that when people are at home that when people are at home um and they're tuning in with you they um and they're tuning in with you they um and they're tuning in with you they have all kinds of other stuff going on have all kinds of other stuff going on have all kinds of other stuff going on and especially if they have children and especially if they have children and especially if they have children younger children younger children younger children being able to be really concise deliver being able to be really concise deliver being able to be really concise deliver well uh deliver um you know well uh deliver um you know well uh deliver um you know the the five pieces that we talked about the the five pieces that we talked about the the five pieces that we talked about you know there's five pieces you know there's five pieces you know there's five pieces that's if you you know do the math that's if you you know do the math that's if you you know do the math that's eight minutes per section that's eight minutes per section that's eight minutes per section eight minutes of fun eight minutes of eight minutes of fun eight minutes of eight minutes of fun eight minutes of funny eight minutes of familiar eight funny eight minutes of familiar eight funny eight minutes of familiar eight minutes of focus eight minutes of minutes of focus eight minutes of minutes of focus eight minutes of forward now you don't have to break it forward now you don't have to break it forward now you don't have to break it down that way but hey down that way but hey down that way but hey it's maybe an easy way to do it or go it's maybe an easy way to do it or go it's maybe an easy way to do it or go six minutes of each of those six minutes six minutes of each of those six minutes six minutes of each of those six minutes of each shows you've got a half hour of each shows you've got a half hour of each shows you've got a half hour service um service um service um i'm not saying that that the message of i'm not saying that that the message of i'm not saying that that the message of jesus is not important and doesn't jesus is not important and doesn't jesus is not important and doesn't deserve deserve deserve lots of time but i am saying that uh you lots of time but i am saying that uh you lots of time but i am saying that uh you want to deliver want to deliver want to deliver and be impactful and your audience will and be impactful and your audience will and be impactful and your audience will thank you thank you thank you that you were we'll use the word brief that you were we'll use the word brief that you were we'll use the word brief or at least compact on christmas eve or at least compact on christmas eve or at least compact on christmas eve yeah and let them get on to the rest of yeah and let them get on to the rest of yeah and let them get on to the rest of their uh their uh their uh the rest of their uh christmas eve the rest of their uh christmas eve the rest of their uh christmas eve celebration as they as they turn celebration as they as they turn celebration as they as they turn the calendar now um yeah i have i have the calendar now um yeah i have i have the calendar now um yeah i have i have another bonus f if that's okay oh you another bonus f if that's okay oh you another bonus f if that's okay oh you got another bonus f got another bonus f got another bonus f okay yeah all right sure you're buzzing okay yeah all right sure you're buzzing okay yeah all right sure you're buzzing i think this is a big deal i think this is a big deal i think this is a big deal um this kind of goes into mom and dad um this kind of goes into mom and dad um this kind of goes into mom and dad okay so okay so okay so church you you got the family to watch i

church you you got the family to watch i church you you got the family to watch i think it's think it's think it's awesome if you give mom and dad some awesome if you give mom and dad some awesome if you give mom and dad some appropriate follow-up follow-up right appropriate follow-up follow-up right appropriate follow-up follow-up right so they watched and engaged with you but so they watched and engaged with you but so they watched and engaged with you but put the onus on mom and dad put the onus on mom and dad put the onus on mom and dad to kind of lead their family and so i i to kind of lead their family and so i i to kind of lead their family and so i i think it'd be think it'd be think it'd be really cool if you put together a small really cool if you put together a small really cool if you put together a small short short short devotion that would be age appropriate devotion that would be age appropriate devotion that would be age appropriate you know so if it's younger kids you know so if it's younger kids you know so if it's younger kids talk about the you know give mom and dad talk about the you know give mom and dad talk about the you know give mom and dad a few things to talk about a few things to talk about a few things to talk about a couple of questions if it's teens do a couple of questions if it's teens do a couple of questions if it's teens do this if it's you know college age or this if it's you know college age or this if it's you know college age or adults do this whatever it might be adults do this whatever it might be adults do this whatever it might be but allow mom and dad help them but allow mom and dad help them but allow mom and dad help them lead their family and maybe break down a lead their family and maybe break down a lead their family and maybe break down a little bit about you know what does little bit about you know what does little bit about you know what does christmas really mean to you christmas really mean to you christmas really mean to you right what does jesus mean to you are right what does jesus mean to you are right what does jesus mean to you are you a follower him are you owning your you a follower him are you owning your you a follower him are you owning your faith faith faith you know just things about that that you you know just things about that that you you know just things about that that you could just five could just five could just five ten minutes that you could be uh ten minutes that you could be uh ten minutes that you could be uh giving parents the opportunity to kind giving parents the opportunity to kind giving parents the opportunity to kind of own of own of own their family time in leading those kind their family time in leading those kind their family time in leading those kind of discussions of discussions of discussions i would absolutely encourage that i would absolutely encourage that i would absolutely encourage that because i just don't want because i just don't want because i just don't want people to feel like it's the church's people to feel like it's the church's people to feel like it's the church's job job job to you know educate and lead their their to you know educate and lead their their to you know educate and lead their their children and their families children and their families children and their families in their discipleship right i believe in their discipleship right i believe in their discipleship right i believe it's the parents job it's the parents job it's the parents job to disciple and lead their kids and to disciple and lead their kids and to disciple and lead their kids and themselves themselves themselves right so that's my only extra is add a right so that's my only extra is add a right so that's my only extra is add a follow-up to your uh follow-up to your uh follow-up to your uh to your your christmas package if you to your your christmas package if you to your your christmas package if you will will will i think that is a fantastic idea um hey i think that is a fantastic idea um hey i think that is a fantastic idea um hey jason thanks for letting me jason thanks for letting me jason thanks for letting me take the time to share this i'm hoping

take the time to share this i'm hoping take the time to share this i'm hoping and prayerful that it is helpful and prayerful that it is helpful and prayerful that it is helpful to pastors church leaders people that to pastors church leaders people that to pastors church leaders people that are working on their christmas eve are working on their christmas eve are working on their christmas eve stuff we're gonna try to publish this stuff we're gonna try to publish this stuff we're gonna try to publish this and push this out as quickly as we can and push this out as quickly as we can and push this out as quickly as we can because because because hopefully it's not too late for some hopefully it's not too late for some hopefully it's not too late for some people to really start thinking through people to really start thinking through people to really start thinking through the kinds of things that they can do to the kinds of things that they can do to the kinds of things that they can do to create a great online experience create a great online experience create a great online experience and i also just want to encourage and i also just want to encourage and i also just want to encourage anybody that's that's listening or anybody that's that's listening or anybody that's that's listening or or watching to this that um we're here or watching to this that um we're here or watching to this that um we're here to help to help to help um one of the things that we do day in um one of the things that we do day in um one of the things that we do day in day out is help churches take the day out is help churches take the day out is help churches take the the things that they're doing in the the things that they're doing in the the things that they're doing in the context of their ministry and context of their ministry and context of their ministry and helping them expand their digital helping them expand their digital helping them expand their digital footprint through um footprint through um footprint through um through advertising campaigns and through advertising campaigns and through advertising campaigns and digital online outreach digital online outreach digital online outreach uh so if you're listening or watching uh so if you're listening or watching uh so if you're listening or watching and you know you want some ideas or want and you know you want some ideas or want and you know you want some ideas or want some help with that some help with that some help with that make sure that you reach out to us you make sure that you reach out to us you make sure that you reach out to us you can uh click to our website can uh click to our website can uh click to our website admissionalmarketing.com admissionalmarketing.com admissionalmarketing.com schedule an appointment uh send a schedule an appointment uh send a schedule an appointment uh send a message in we'd be more than happy message in we'd be more than happy message in we'd be more than happy to set up a time to meet with you and to set up a time to meet with you and to set up a time to meet with you and talk about what you're doing this talk about what you're doing this talk about what you're doing this christmas christmas christmas and how we can actually help you reach and how we can actually help you reach and how we can actually help you reach more people yep more people yep more people yep yeah as as always bart you brought it yeah as as always bart you brought it yeah as as always bart you brought it thanks for those uh those thanks for those uh those thanks for those uh those those five plus one plus one tips on those five plus one plus one tips on those five plus one plus one tips on how to have a more impactful digital how to have a more impactful digital how to have a more impactful digital christmas thanks buddy appreciate you christmas thanks buddy appreciate you christmas thanks buddy appreciate you thanks jason all right see ya