3 Watch Party Pro Tips
I’ve begun my Watch Party Tour. It’s been so fun to cruise around The 10 checking in and checking out how our people are Gathering Differently by creating space for people to connect with Jesus and one another...ON DRIVEWAYS!!!
We agreed years ago with Pastor Craig Groeschel that Mission will do anything short of sin to reach people with the love of Jesus.
If you haven’t noticed, your friends and neighbors are in no hurry to gather at a building, among a large crowd of people, they do not know. This will not change anytime soon SO we’re adapting.
At this point over 200 Watch Parties have taken place in the summer months and I’m praying for hundreds more in the months to come. This missional approach to life is rooted in the INCARNATION of Jesus. He didn’t hope we’d come to Him, He boldly came to us. As it says in the Message translation of John 1:14:“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”
If we’re commanded to be “imitators of God” then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? For realz?! I say that with pastoral intensity and evangelistic urgency because NOW is the time to do anything short of sin to reach YOUR NEIGHBORS with the love of Jesus.
On my tour this past weekend I learned a few Watch Party Pro Tips from Doug and Lana Zirkel. Here they are:
Fantastic Food
At Doug and Lana’s, as you walked up to their driveway, food was out. You could enjoy a doughnut or a cup of coffee. After church, the grill was turned on and guess what...people STAYED. The food pro tip is one we’ve seen over and over again within something we do called the Alpha Course. Eating helps people relax and feel welcome. You can scale this down or up but make sure there’s some food. Capish?Multiplication Mindset
Not only did Doug and Lana start a Watch Party but they started it with two apprentices from the outset. THIS IS A HUGE and this is what movement looks like. As I sat in the Zirkel’s driveway it was so cool to think of the other Watch Party taking place at Nate and Kelly Olson’s house a few miles away. I hope to hear of more multiplication stories in the future. If you know of some, let me know.Practical Prayer
I know this sounds obvious but it’s something I had yet to do at the Watch Parties I’ve hosted. I’ve always prayed before my friends show up, but I had yet to do so as part of the Watch Party. After the message was over, Doug stood up and asked if people needed prayer. It wasn’t awkward but rather meaningful. It was great to hear the prayer requests coming from neighbors and folks who need support. Something happens when prayer is part of the Watch Party. Great job, guys.
As we shared on Tuesday night, we will be easing into Stage 3 of our Redefining Church plan as of Sunday, August 30th. On that day, we will start to have in-person gatherings here at 82 Stratford Dr AND on that day...most of our church will still be in driveways and back patios doing anything short of sin to reach neighbors with the love of Jesus. If you’d like to join in on the Watch Party Revolution ;) we’re here to help!!
For more information on hosting a watch party, click here. https://www.wearemission.com/watch-parties
To see what folks are already doing this, click here: