Super Sunday

A System for Sunday Morning Promotion in the Local Church

By Rev. Robert W. Boyle

October 14, 2005

(COGAF News Article) For several years, I have been actively promoting special Sunday services to boost attendance. I have found this works to build the congregation. I call them Super Sunday. They are usually born in my mind at which time I incorporate staff members who are idea people, movers and shakers, and visionaries with a heart to build the church.

The best time for a special promotion is when nothing is happening. In other words, Easter and Christmas Sunday automatically are big services, well attended, so special promotion is unnecessary.

Don't fight the system: In other words, don't plan a Super Sunday on a holiday or on a Sunday when the Fair is in town, or 4th of July Sunday when lots of folks would rather be at the lake. Do the Super Sunday on a date which is empty of outside influence, in that case, church becomes the place to go on a boring Sunday.

Super Sundays can be about anything you wish to plan as long as it focuses on involving people in attending Sunday morning service. They must be visionary. Out of the box, pushing the envelope, and unusually attractive. Folks love prizes and free gifts. We gave away a car one time and people came from everywhere for a chance to win it.

Remember this, nothing beats success like success. So, if you are worried about people not liking what you do, plan for success and be successful and they will feel it was their idea!

Super Sundays are expensive, time consuming, a lot of work and they pay good dividends. It's good business. It costs money to promote but the return is amazing. For instance, spend one thousand dollars on a Super Sunday and gain one tithe paying family who in turn gives two thousand dollars for the next year. It's been a good investment for the church. Super Sundays must be planned and promoted. Involve as many people as possible in the planning and shamelessly promote. Start far enough in advance, be prepared and have fun.

Involve the Pastor and Church Board. Don't surprise people with a Super Sunday, involve visionaries to contribute time and money. Use Storehouse finances to back these big days as that fund will reap the dividends in larger crowds.

Super Sundays are not designed for people who attend other churches, it's to gather unchurched but anyone who attends is welcome. Don't worry about what other churches say or think about your Super Sunday. They have their own programs, you have yours. When you are successful, you'll notice others are suddenly copying what you are doing.

Don't worry about crowd size. If you don't have room, it ok because most of this Super Sunday crowd won't be back next Sunday, just some of them. After all, it's always fun to have a full house on Sunday morning! It's hard to get a crowd, so to large a crowd is probably the least of your problems.

Be vocal, be loyal, be visionary and be prepared for those who come. Super Sundays, when well planned, are great crowd builders. When all those folks come to Super Sunday, have good organized worship and preaching for them and pray the sinners prayer with everyone interested. Hand out promotions for your church to everyone present. Put something positive in their hand to read about what you are doing with phone numbers, address and regular service schedules.

Super Sunday is a great idea. Try it, you'll like it!

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Rev. Robert W. Boyle is the pastor of Happy Hill Church in Ramona, OK .

© 2005 COGAF News