With the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, I’ve gotten quite a few questions about whether or not you should try to make it a “Big Day” and I wanted to address that today.

I don’t like making it a Big Day for a few reasons:

1)     It’s not the best time to kick off a new series for most people. 

Make your fall Big Day September 18 or October 2 and you’ll be able to create more energy and harness the natural rhythms of your people better.

2)     It doesn’t feel right as the day to launch a series.

Let’s face it, 9/11 remains a very painful memory in our country. I don’t think that pain is the right springboard to kick off a new series and get people engaged.

3)     It’s not likely to be a great day to reach lost people.

There’s no “natural” draw for those who are far from God to attend on 9/11.  It would be a shame to put in the effort and investment for a Big Day without reaching those in need of Christ.

Don’t get me wrong – I do think that this is a powerful opportunity and you should:

• Include a special element in your service to acknowledge the day
• Take some time to specifically pray for our nation
• Continue the sermon series that you’re already in

At The Journey, we’re doing all three on September 11 and it will definitely be a meaningful day (especially having had our first monthly service the week after 9/11).

We all have limited time and resources, and that means there are only so many Big Day opportunities and there are more strategic dates on your calendar.

P.S. Ready to harness the power of a Big Day at your church?

I’m giving away a FREE Copy of my resource “The Big Day” to the first 10 Senior Pastors to email me requesting it at nelson@churchleaderinsights.com.

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.