Pastor Rick Warren from Saddleback Church says Easter Sunday is "one of the biggest evangelistic opportunities of the year" to share to others the hope brought by Jesus Christ's resurrection. This is why he is strongly encouraging pastors to reflect on four important questions before delivering their Easter sermon.
1. What message will I be preaching?
"Obviously, you'll be preaching about Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. The world is starving for hope, and the resurrection story is the greatest source of hope we have," Warren writes in the Pastors website.
However, Warren says the greatest story ever told can be told many different ways using different angles. He suggests that pastor talk about "the start of a short series, or the prelude to a series starting the Sunday after Easter."
"This is to give people an incentive to come back the next Sunday. And knowing now what you'll be preaching on Easter Sunday will enable you and your team to craft your promotional messaging to invite people to church on this big day," he explains.
2. What outreach events will we be hosting?
Warren shares that Saddleback Church has done several Easter events throughout the years, but what is most important is how these events "get unchurched people to set foot on your campus and experience the hospitality of your volunteers."
3. What do we need to improve before the big day?
Warren says pastors should use the positive energy brought by Easter Sunday preparations to "unite a leadership team to accomplish some upgrades and improvements," such as upgrading the church's sound and video technology, or maybe remodelling an old part of the building.
4. What is our plan for promoting Easter Sunday in the community?
Lastly, pastors need to consider promoting the observance of Easter Sunday. Warren gives his thumbs up for news and radio ads, as well as the use of yard signs, bumper stickers, and window decals. Nowadays, social media presence is "indispensable," and Warren wants church leaders to maximise it.
"Have your creative team or hire a designer to craft your Easter branding and basic messaging. Create graphics, videos, and write content your members can share on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Make a list now with deadlines so the holiday doesn't sneak up on you," he says.
"And remember, above and beyond every other promotional method, nothing is more effective for spreading the message than the personal relationships represented by the people whose lives have already been changed by the ministry of your church," Warren adds.
