Pastor John Palmieri

This outline is adapted from Leadership Insights Coaching Network

Key Verse:

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But the victory belongs to the Lord.”– Proverbs 21:31 (NASB)

1. PRAYER

It is God who draws people. Prov. 21:31

  • Pray to double your attendance.
  • Pray to double baptisms.
  • Pray to double your impact.
  • Pray to double your first-time guests.

Mobilize our staff and church to pray for Easter and the unchurched.
Mobilize the worship team to pray.
Mobilize members to pray on Palm Sunday.

2. PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Evangelism is the natural outcome of praying for the lost.
Whatever you pray about, you begin to care about.
Teach a Difference Maker Seminar (English & Spanish Versions available.)

BONUS SIDE-BAR

  • HOW TO HELP YOUR WORSHIP LEADER PREPARE FOR EASTER:
  • Sing Celebration Songs on Easter. Not slow and sad.
  • Focus on the Resurrection. (Cross is center pieced on Good Friday)
  • Choose songs that are known by the congregation. Easter Sunday is not the day to introduce new songs.  (No more than one new song a Sunday).
  • Choose one song that first-time guests will know. (E.g. Amazing Grace.)

3. PROMOTION:

Get the date of Easter promoted within the church – April 20th! Mother’s Day – 3 weeks later!! May 11th!

NOTE: What is the number one reason people come to church on Easter? – THEY ARE INVITED! TRAINING (Personal Evangelism & Tools) – Invite Cards!

What are your Promotion Avenues going to be?

  • Invite Cards/Tickets
  • Mailer – Post Cards – Colorful/Celebratory
  • FREE NEWSPAPER ADS
  • Letter from the Pastor to the congregation – Include Invites.
  • Social Media – online promo – show your ad within a 15-20 mile radius.

NOTE: Easter is a good time to test out promotions that you don’t normally do. E.g. Door Hangers, Video Ads on Social Media & You-Tube, Streaming Services.

4. PRESERVATION – Preserve the fruit of Easter!

  • Important question to be asking now: How can we get people to want to come back to church?
  • Assimilation System: Time now to sharpen it up!
  • Pre-write first-time guest handwritten Thank You notes. $5.00 DD Gift cards purchased in advance.
  • Get Newcomer Mingle on the Calendar now. *FREE Giveaway *Gourmet Cookies (Manga Mingle)

Strategically Design Your Sermon Series:

CLASSICAL:

a) Teach leading up to Easter and end the series on Easter.
b) You are ending a series on the Biggest Attended Sunday of the Year.

STAND-ALONE:

Resurrection Day with Special Music and Baptisms

STRATEGIC:

a) Start a new series on Easter
b) Give them something to come back to after the services
c) Promote Mother’s Day this Easter! Lindt Chocolates – 3 in a bag. Wrap them pretty…ribbon?

5. PASTOR

  • Somebody must drive planning and preparing for Easter.
  • The Pastor needs to be the Easter Champion. (We have centralized creative team – Awesome/Take advantage of this! But you must still push, train, follow-up!
  • Pastor’s Enthusiasm is Contagious! (great time to enlist volunteers)
  • If the pastor doesn’t drive maximizing Easter, nothing happens.
  • Remember: Leadership sets the culture.

APPLICATION ZONE:

Pick 3-4 things you are really going to get after this Easter.

Prepare the Horse:

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But the victory belongs to the Lord”– Proverbs 21:31 (NASB)

Be Faithful; God brings the growth!

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV)