Check List #2: Children's Event

Bracy asked if I could contribute to the examination of Factors in Church Plant Survivability as published by the Leadership Network.

One of those factors is the hosting of a Children's Event (Easter Egg Hunt, Fall Festival).

In our efforts to mother churches in the economically depressed communities in the Pittsburgh region, this factor has been huge. It has also been a significant momentum builder for the one church that we planted in a more suburban community.

What does a Children's Event do?

1. Establishes the church plant as 'family-friendly' and concerned for kids.
2. Creates an environment of FUN. When people enjoy themselves, they talk about what they experienced.
3. Provides a safe way to connect with new families. Parents come for their kids to have fun. In the process they meet other people from the church.
4. Provides Inexpensive Advertising - A great event can create some word of mouth momentum. One of our church plants (Sharpburg Family Worship Center) was able to host the Easter Egg Hunt for their entire city. The third year they did it, they had over 2000 people in attendance.
5. Doesn't Require Sophisticated Planning - most plants have enough volunteer energy to pull of a one-day event like this.
6. Provides An Opportunity For A Comeback Moment - we try to do something on the following weekend with a 'give-a-way' so that families want to come to church to check it out.
7. Serves As A Crowd-Builder - people attract people. Crowds build vision and excitement. Kids Events are often big deals which a new church can leverage for momentum.

This method works so well for us that we try to do something like this 3 or 4 times a year.

• Spring = Easter Egg Hunt
• Summer = Block Party (we raise funds and collect resources for a Back Pack/School Supply Give-a-Way)
• Fall = Light The Nite or Fallfest
• Christmas = Give A Gift Outreach

How has this worked for you?