March 2006

News & Updates - Team & Performer News: Outreach Events Welcomes New Performers: Alex McFarland, Bob Cates, David O'Shaughnessy, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Keri Wyatt Kent, Lou Leventhal, Terry Brown and Mr. Talkbox; Specialty Acts and Music sites are now live; 2006 National Outreach Convention Super Early Bird Registration

Featured Event Idea - Planning a Successful Outreach Event

Real Stories - Case Study: Caffeine Comedy Dessert Theatre - Parkside Chapel

Performer Profile - The most controversial topic of the year - The DaVinci Code. Outreach has speakers available to speak on this topic at your church.

Special Promotions - 500 FREE Brick Wall Impact Cards

Effective Resources - Event Planning Guide

Comedian of the Month - Featuring Panic Squad

Welcome New Outreach Performers...

Alex McFarland - Apologetics Speaker and Evangelist
Bob Cates - Comedy Juggling and Improvisation
David O'Shaughnessy - Comedian, Speaker, Auctioneer and MC
Mark Christopher Lawrence - Actor, Comedian and speaker
Keri Wyatt Kent - Speaker and Author
Lou Leventhal - Illusionist and Speaker
Terry Brown - Speaker and Author
Mr. Talkbox - Singer and Instrumentalist

Outreach Specialty Acts and Music sites are now available...

Visit the Specialty Acts site to view an array of unique performers that are available to perform at your church.

Visit the Music site to search bands and tours of different genres for your next event.

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Super Early Bird registration is now available for the 2006 National Outreach Convention...

Register by April 30th and save up to $80 per person!

Event Planning Tip: The Big Picture - Planning a Successful Outreach Event

Often reaching a community for Christ requires more than the typical Sunday morning worship service, and many churches find hosting a community outreach event produces great results. But for any church, planning a unique event from scratch can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve provided these simple guidelines. With our suggestion, you’ll be well on your way to creating an event that’s as enjoyable to plan as it is to experience.

Think of planning an event like this: You’re flying in an airplane that’s quickly approaching its destination—you should start out with a “big picture perspective” and slowly hone in on all the details. Your fist step, then, is conducting a brainstorm team meeting.

Brainstorm a Vision
Word to the wise: Unstructured brainstorming can lead to hours of unnecessary conversations. However, an organized time of throwing around ideas can jump-start creative genius.

An effective brainstorm meeting should begin with developing a vision for the event. Don’t be afraid to dream big! Gather all ideas and feedback from your team, without discouraging anything as too outlandish or extravagant. You probably won’t use all the ideas that are generated at this first meeting, but don’t squelch the brainstorming excitement because your team’s passion is crucial to a great event. Brainstorm aloud with a white board or large notepad, and have someone take notes as you go along.

Establish an Event Goal
Work with your team to clarify the purpose for the outreach event. Some good questions to ask your team might be:
• Is our emphasis really more on reaching our community than fellowship between believers?
• What is the most important thing we want people to walk away with?
Considering the type of people your church hopes to connect with, and the purpose of gathering them, will help your team stay focused.

Think About Logistics
After your team establishes the event’s purpose, take time to think about the logistics, starting with the budget. Temper every part of your planning, from location venue to tablecloth material, with an awareness of how much money you plan to spend.

Date and Time
The date and time of your event is also important for your group to discuss. What time of year and day would best suit your group and goal? Are there any other major events happening in the community on that date or near that date that might detract from good attendance?

Location and Services
Also think about the venue and its location, keeping in mind factors such as weather conditions, distance, nearby vendors, appearance, capacity, stage and seating set-up, available facilities and equipment, access for the physically disabled, parking a shuttle services, insurance, and safety and emergency plans. It’s a lot to consider, but clarifying these details early on will save you from headaches in the future.

Atmosphere and Event Theme
Finally, add the finishing touches to your event by considering the type of atmosphere that will best suit your guests. Atmosphere can make or break your event, so be specific. Ask your team, “Should the atmosphere be close and intimate for fellowship, or large and open for a concert? Will there be refreshments? What will the seating arrangement look like?”

You may also want to create a theme that can help brand the event through decorations and promotional materials. Themed events help to organize the event around a concept and keep the plans focused.

Though planning a successful church outreach event can be a lot of work, keeping a goal in focus and paying attention to details can help make planning easier. So remember these simple tips when you’re planning the perfect outreach event for your community.

These tips are taken from the Outreach Event Planning Guide. You can also find more information on event planning services, speakers, and performers by calling 866-400-2036 or visiting www.outreachevents.com.

Case Study: Caffeine Comedy Christmas Dessert Theatre

Event Basics:

• Customer Interviewed: Pastor Ron Story
• Organization Name: Parkside Chapel
• Event Name: Caffeine Comedy Christmas Dessert Theatre
• Event Type: Christian Dessert Outreach
• Event Dates & Time: Fri, Dec 9 at 7:00 p.m. & Sat, Dec 10 at 6:00 p.m.
• Event Location: Church Worship Center
• Location Profile: Round tables, decorated, Christmas trees, stage
• Attendee Type: Church people inviting unchurched family and friends
• Price per Attendee: $5 per ticket, purchased by church people, many bought a table of 6 or 8
• Total Attendees: 300 in attendance, close to 100 were guests

Behind the Scenes Efforts:

• Publicity Tools Used: Used video promo of Nick from Outreach, Advertised in monthly city magazine that went to every home
• Tickets: Purchased by church people to give to unchurched friends
• Team Efforts Included: Decorating tables, preparing and serving desserts & a group that played "jazzed" Christmas carols

About the Event:

• Event Purpose: To invite and expose unchurched people to fun, professionally done Dessert theatre with 1st class Christian comedian
• Event Content Included: Desserts, Coffee (Starbucks), Jazz band doing Christmas carols, "O Holy Night" solo by church person & performance by comedian Nick Arnette
• Decorations: Christmas trees, wreaths, lights & table decorations
• Capturing Visitor Information: Had feedback card at tables for everyone to fill out and evaluate aspects of evening (scale of 1-10). Place for prayer requests, name and address as well. We sent letters to visitors that filled out cards.

About the Comedy Performance:

• Performer: Nick Arnette
• Type: Stand up Comedy
• Response to Performer: Friday night – very good; Saturday night - excellent

Results:

• Total Visitors: close to 100
• Overall Response to the Entire Event: Very positive, lots of "10's"
• New Attendees Retained: We have had several (4-5) that visited on one of those evenings return for a Sunday service.

Additional Comments:

• Biggest Concerns Heading into the Event: That the comedian would not "preach", wanted low-key Christian testimony/presentation
• How These Concerns Were Addressed & Resolved: spoke to Nick and he handled it very well, especially on Saturday with an excellent message on Sunday
• How This Compares with Past Events: Very favorably
• Would You Do This Event Again? Yes
• What Would You Do Differently Next Time? Move Friday night to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday to 7:00 p.m.
• What Would You Say to People Planning a Similar Event? Outreach Events provides a class act. We need to be sure that the rest of the evening has high standard as well (i.e. decorations, desserts, sound, music, etc.)
  

Da Vinci Code Speakers

The Da Vinci Code is one of the most controversial topics concerning the church right now. Equip your congregation to respond to questions and discussions regarding topics the Da Vinci Code raises. Host a speaker at your church that can address the issues. Outreach also has resources available to help your members and guests with the tough questions.

Click Here to View a List of Available Da Vinci Code Speakers

Click Here for Da Vinci Code Resources

Monthly Website Promotion

500 FREE Brick Wall ImpactCards when you book a comedy event through Outreach Events!

Featured Tool

The Outreach Event Planning Guide gives you everything you need to organize an effective outreach event. The 96 page guide features planning schedule, discussion guides, budget and fundraising ideas, preparation checklists, follow-up guidelines and more!