“Few pastors understand the power of momentum.  
A message series where each message builds on the one before, creates a sense of anticipation...  
People know exactly where your series is going, and they can plan to bring friends to hear messages that suit their needs.”
Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Church”

Purposes of a Series
1.   Goal:  Attract people to a Sunday service
2.  Scope:  4 to 8 weeks on a “felt need” (topics & titles that appeal to the unchurched)
3.  Context:  Communicate the message in a way that connects to the current needs of unbelievers – relevant and engaging
4.  Strategic Timing:  Announce a new series on days when larger attendance is anticipated (e.g., Easter, Start of School, Christmas, etc.): create a hook to bring visitors back for the next week
5.  Gather Data:  Watch your attendance trends; learn and plan accordingly

Elements of a Series
1.  Eye-catching graphics.  Brand the series to be easily recognizable
2.  Invite tools.  Give the church family tools to help them invite their unchurched family and friends (e.g., postcard with sermon series titles, personal-sized flyer, etc.)
3.  Message Notes:  Program/sheet that makes it easy for the church family to take (and keep) notes
4.  Communication Card:  Card congregation can complete and return in offering; provide contact info, indicate decision(s) made, next steps to apply from the message, share prayer requests, etc.

Series + is an intermediate option between a Series and a Campaign.  Series + has all the purposes and elements of a Series PLUS a Small Group Study Guide that compliments each week's message.  Facilitators can use these Study Guides in their Small Groups throughout the week to dig deeper into the message and keep people engage in the series.

Elements of a Series +
1.  Elements 1-4 of a Series
PLUS
5.  Small Group Study Guide:  Offer a tool to help people discuss each week's messages in a safe, engaging environment. 

A Campaign is a “Series-on-Steroids...”  it creates the opportunity for the entire church family to be focused on the same concepts at the same time and not just on Sundays.  Companion study guides for small groups  throughout the week, help people dig deeper into the ideas presented in the weekend messages - in a safe setting where they can ask questions, search the scriptures more thoroughly and share real life applications of what they are learning.

Purposes of a Campaign
1.   Goal:  Encourage existing groups to grow and help new Small Groups form and do life together.
2.  Scope:  6 to 8 weeks on a “felt need” (topics & titles that appeal to the unchurched).
3.  Strategic Timing:  Begin a campaign at a strategic time of the year:  beginning of a new year, right after Easter, Start of a new School Year.
4.  Follow up:  Encourage new groups to continue meeting together in the next series.

Elements of a Campaign
1.  Eye-catching graphics.  Brand the series to be easily recognizable
2.  Invite tools.  Give the church family tools to help them invite their unchurched family and friends (e.g., postcard with sermon series titles, personal-sized flyer, etc.)
3.  Message Notes:  Program/sheet that makes it easy for the church family to take (and keep) notes
4.  Weekly Study Guides:  Distribute guides to facilitators (and if possible all group members) with scripture references and discussion questions that compliment the Sunday messages
4.  Advertise:   Be creative.  Go all out. Make it easy for the church family to invite their own family and friends.  (80% of people say they would come to church if personally invited.)