How to Brand Your Next Sermon Series

One of the popular, in-demand topics I’m hearing about (based on the click-thru stats of my recent email newsletter, which I sent out today) is “sermon branding.”

It seems you, dear readers, are interested in the nuts and bolts of branding your sermon series …

So, I thought I’d throw out some ideas for how to brand your sermon series … here are some steps and thoughts:

1. Pick your main topic - This is obvious, I know, but also something to seriously consider. Don’t just throw out a series on your pet (and obscure) doctrinal hobbyhorse. See what topics your community would be interested in and teach them what the Bible has to say about it in a relevant, dynamic way.

2. Focus and hone the “one idea” you want to communicate - What main idea do you want to impart. Boil it down to one thing that you want to give people through the series. This helps when determining images, titles, everything.

3. Select a good name or title - Brainstorm with your staff. Make it catchy, but not hokey. Bounce it off people and see what they think. Ask the barista at your local coffeeshop what she thinks of both the topic and title. Make sure it communicates!

4. Find good support images - See iStockPhoto and stock.xchng for good images. When selecting images and photos think about the feeling and impressions you want people to have when they see the image with your title. For instance, if you want to set a “happy” mood, then pick images with bright colors and … yes, smiling people! I know … rocket science here.

5. Create a sermon logo that communicates - See my 6 ideas on logos post for more on logos. But the finished logo needs to support your “main idea” (see No. 2). If it doesn’t, start over. Don’t let the logo determine your topic or title. Force the images to “sell” and support your sermon series.

6. Promote the “brand” - Use the logo and artwork on banners, in your bulletin, on your website … everywhere you can.

7. Print invest and invite biz cards - Give promo cards with the logo to your congregation to hand out to friends. Use the cards as a coupon of sorts for a free offer, like a booklet, that deals with your topic. For example: “Bring this card to a Sunday service between [these dates] and get a free book on [topic].” Also, include easy directions to your site along with service times and your website.

8. Think through a themed Website - LifeChurch is one of the best at this. Their MySecret.tv site and series was a great example of it. This promo tactic works well if you have access to a billboard … or a facility that sits on a high traffic street.

MORE MISC. THOUGHTS

I’ve done sermon branding several times with mixed results. I believe the key is getting your people behind it and them inviting their friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family.

Consistently, when I tally up our guest registration cards or talk with our people, they came to a service or our church … [drum roll] BECAUSE OF A FRIEND!

This must be instilled into the DNA of your church, or the steps I’ve mentioned above will be an artificial system that produces anemic results (I’m talking attendance numbers alone here).

The key is your people. And secondly, your topic.

COULD I SUGGEST A TOPIC?

Marriage.

A timeless topic … one of which a lot of people are hurting about and will continue to hurt about … and who need to hear what the Bible has to say about it (like I do too) … and, yes, do it in a relevant, dynamic, loving, practical way.

SOME HELPFUL BOOKS ON BRANDING

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December 19, 2006 · Filed Under Church Branding, Sermon Branding, Sermon Series