How to research for service planning
AUGUST 1, 2019
I dinked around with a few title options for this post and then decided just to call it what it is! Over the years I’ve helped lots of planning team members learn how to research for our planning meetings. Here is my best thinking on the process!
Before we get into it, let’s define what service planning research is. When we find out a theme for an upcoming message we know at some point we will need to plan the elements of the service and that, if possible, some of those elements should fit the message theme. We separate getting the theme and planning the service by one week, which gives our team time to hunt around for content that could be added to the service. Our team will use online resources to find possible service content, such as music, video, participation elements, and giveaways. We also spend time thinking about how to leverage existing elements like worship, prayer, announcements, communion and baptism. Any ideas we find are added to a collaborative document so it’s easier to take a look when we meet.
Here are the best research practices we have come up with over the years:
Find Key Words
When we get a theme, we ask for the Bottom Line, which is the one thing the message is about above all others. Often there will be key words in these statements that are searchable online. Key words can be found in titles and scripture references too. Reducing the search to one or two words really helps get results. Pain, Grace, Faith, Finances, Family, Invite, Mission…all good key words! Look for large concepts to broaden the search. Seaching for “Faith in a face of uncertainty” won’t be as affective as searching for “faith” and then “uncertainty.” Add descriptive words to narrow the search, such as “songs about faith,” “movies about faith.”
Beg, Borrow, and Steal
There is no shame in checking out other churches to see if their content can be adapted. We’ll look at larger churches that have put their resources online, and check out live worship recordings. Often we have to modify an element because our resources are different, but it’s the ideas we are looking for.
Look for Alignment
This is especially true in music. Just because a song is hot right now doesn’t mean it’s going to be the best song for your service or theme. Also, watch out for songs that seem on point, but are actually going a different direction than the message. For example, suppose the message is on trusting God, and you have a really cool song that uses the word trust, but the focus of the song is trusting God in the trials and troubles of life. If that is the thrust of the talk, fine. But if trials and troubles aren’t really covered, the song isn’t going to have good alignment.
Keep Records
I personally have over 20 years of service planning documents. Songs get dated after a while, but some ideas can stay fresh over a long period of time. Within a few years even the songs will work. Get used to making a record of all ideas, whether you choose them for a service or not, in a searchable form such as Google documents. Search through these records each time you research a new theme.
Don’t Set Limits
At the idea stage, be careful not to set limits regarding budget, people and time resources. If it’s a great idea and fits the service theme, add it to the list. During the planning time, the team will have a chance to brainstorm ways to implement that idea with the resources you have. Someone may come up with a modified version of the idea that is doable for you.
Dream
Spend some time NOT searching the internet or listening to songs. Just look through the theme and let your mind focus on it. Imagine the service in your mind and imagine what could happen. Think of examples or metaphors that fit the theme. Think of people that may have real life stories that align with the theme. Imagine using different art forms or band configurations, set design, or objects you could add to the stage.
The meeting itself is a subject for a future post, but if you have a few people on your planning team that are taking the time to research this way, there will be plenty of ideas to keep your meeting lively and creative. Many times the ideas people bring are simply starting points. Someone else thinks about the idea and a totally new thought comes to mind. The conversations about the research helps you hone in on the very best elements for your theme.
Happy researching!!
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