Tell Me Your Best Big Ideas!

Part of the Big Idea planning process at Community Christian Church and our NewThing Network is to plan out our our Big Ideas one year in advance.  In chapter 12 of The Big Idea we explain "How To Create Your Own Big Idea Plan".  If you have read our book you know what I'm talking about.  (If you haven't read it, you can order it by clicking HERE.) We will be having our NewThing Gathering in a few weeks where we will bring in affiliate churches from 10 different states and we will brainstorm and create our Big Idea plan for the coming year.

This is where I would love to have the help of everyone who reads this blog.  IF YOU READ THIS BLOG LEAVE ME COMMENT AND TELL ME YOUR BEST BIG IDEAS, I can't get too many comments and I can't get too much detail.  Feel free to leave as much or as little as you like; just leave me a comment.  OK?  Maybe we will write a follow-up book on The Big Idea and we will have to credit you for coming up with our very best Big Idea ever!  Now here is the hook - if you leave me a comment with your best Big Idea I will make sure that you get the complete list of Big Ideas that are suggested here.  Deal?  And I will up the ante - if we use your Big Idea titles in the coming year I will send you a $25 Starbucks gift card.  Feel motivated?  OK, to get you started thinking of Big Ideas, here are some questions to ponder:

• What are some of the best Big Ideas that your church has ever done?
• What is the best Big Idea you have stolen from another church or should've stolen?
• What Big Idea would you like to experience?
• What are some Big Ideas from music, movies or literature that need to be addressed?
• What Big Idea should be done, but has never been done?
• Maybe you are thinking of a series of Big Ideas that are topical?
• Maybe you are thinking of a series of Big Ideas that are expository?
• Got a Big Idea title without much content?  Tell me about it!
• Got the content of a Big Idea with no clue of a title?  I want to hear it.

OK, leave me a comment telling me your Big Idea and for those that play - I will send you the complete list!

Comments

[michael]

did a series on sin - what it is, how it works, how to get rid of it. in the week talking about secret sins (how some people's sins are hidden and others are out in the open...but God would bring it all to light). we had a giant painted banner hanging on the stage with just the word sins. when we read the verse about how God would expose the darkness, we killed all the lights and turned some blacklights on the big banner. written with glow in the dark paint were the names of specific sins - gossip, adultery, etc.

lots of gasps and it really made a point.

[Tina Harkey]

We are in the middle of a series on Alignment where we have recast the vision of our church. We started with just a few tires in the lobby, on the stage, and with some set to hold our weekly bullentins. Then last week we added some as you come in church and race car tires and gave out magnets with the mission & values on the magnet. This week we had air compressors on stage as we are now discussing our core values and the topic this week was prayer. So the pastor did an analogy of the holy spirit being relevant in our prayer life and blew up an innertube. I didn't attend worship planning week before but there is a plan to start with a tricycle and build to a car (yes, in the worship center) to illustrate a point (I'm not sure what the point is since I missed worship planning).

But the whole point is we are all one body and we need to be vertically (with God) and horizontally (with the body)aligned because a tire barely out of align will drag 65 miles in one year (how many souls didn't get saved because we aren't in alignment and aren't getting it done?)

We also did a booklet with sermon notes with fill in the blanks. Our weekly bullentins are white paper with 4 tires on the front with the words Alignment under them. There are four tires on our basic power point slides. The kids love the tires. And how awesome to walk in one Sunday morning and see all of them stacked and wonder what the heck they are there for? And visitors to our campus are asking questions which opens up dialogue.

[jason allen]

I have two:

1. Intentional Influence. 3 Weeks. 1) Living with Purpose; 2) Living A Legacy; 3) Leaving a Legacy.

2. Jesus in the 21C. 3 Weeks. 1) Understanding Our World Today; 2) Slavery No More?; 3) Our Global Village.

[Mark Broadbent]

We just finished the best series we have done as a church...21 DAYS OF PRAYER

LAUNCH CAMP
Session 1 - Unleashing God's power through prayer
Session 2 - Unleashing God's power through fasting

SERMON SERIES (TARGETING SEEKERS)
PRAYER: UNLEASHING GOD'S POWER IN YOUR LIFE.
Week 1 - Does prayer really make a difference?
Week 2 - Why does God say no?
Week 3 - How can I recognise God's voice
Week 4 - Can God set me free from sickness, anxiety or depression?

SMALL GROUP DVD
Prayer Remix - Loiue Giglio

PRAYER AND FASTING JOURNAL
Matthew 5-7

BOOK
Too busy not to pray - Hybels

OTHER
Prayer and Worship Night

[Katie]

Uncovering the REAL Secret...or something like that...play off the best-selling book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.

A TV-based series...using the TV shows 24, LOST, CSI??

An Oscars-based Big Idea...Oscars of the OT?? Oscars of the NT?? The Oscars of the 12 Disciples...Best Supporting Role...nominees are...the Oscar goes to...John!

Ok...am done wasting your time...will head down to the lovely GLC and clock in!! :-)

[David Limiero]

Dave,

Here's our upcoming:

FEAR? NOT!
- Fear of Rejection
- Fear of Death
- Fear of Failure
- Fear of Change
- Fear of God

You rock!

DL

[David Limiero]

Another fave: (on prayer)

SERIES TITLE: Can You Hear Me Now?
- Can You Hear Me Now?
- Can You Hear Me When Life Hurts?
- Can You Hear Me When People Let Me Down?
- Can You Hear Jesus Now?

[David Limiero]

One More:

SERIES: Clipping Your Money's Wings (based on Proverbs 23:4-5 -- stole the title from Daniel Brown in Aptos, CA)

- Earning: Earn, Baby Earn!
- Spending: Act Your Own Wage
- Saving: How Big a Nest Egg Should I Lay?
- Giving: Reaping a Generous Harvest

DL

[Chris]

We should have done already and probably will do the TWISTED series from NorthPoint, series titles are:
-All Is Not as It Seems
-Says Who? Make Me!
-Facing Forward
-Category of One
-Mistaken Identity

[Debbie Haines]

These all look to be great BIG IDEAS. I can't lay my thoughts out as well as previous posters, but your blog inspired an idea ,,, something on aging that would incorporate how we can overcome fear of financial burdens (health insurance and general living expenses), fear of health issues (of particular interest to me is Alzheimers), etc. It may help the seniors who hear it and will give strength to we Baby Boomers who probably try to ignore it. Working as a co-leader with an assisted living small group has given me joy and certainly teaches me a LOT about being patient, yet also has me questioning what my old age will be like and what in the world will become of me if I don't have a huge bank account to sustain me! I'm working thru it alongside our weekly group members! Some verses that we share with these lovely ladies (and men): Psalm 71:18
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
and
Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Perhaps some sort of blend on how God will sustain us even to our old age combined with learning from and honoring our elders.

Anyway, thanks for considering it.

[Suzie Reeves]

I am imagining a "Theme Park" series in the summer. Our lives can look like theme park attractions...where do we find God/Jesus in: The roller coaster of a parenthood, or school - the merry go round of everyday life - the haunted house of fear or anxiety, etc.
May sound a little hokey, but with cool graphics and the right tag lines, could work. The great part would be a theme that any age or life stage could relate to.
My creative juices are beginning to flow...I may have to send more ideas :)

[trevor]

Mark Buchanan has a great new book out right now called "Hidden In Plain Sight" where he dives into 2 Peter 1:1-9.
Specifically he is writing about seven virtues (as idenified by Peter) which we build into our lives.
The first chapter speaks to why we would learn, desire, anticipate, build these virtues into our lives: "I Want More". We want more of God in our lives.

[Suzie Reeves]

Here's a few more. I love this stuff.

In the fall...a series called CCC University or C.F.U. (Christ Follower University)- 3 weeks describing the 3 Cs ie: Philosophy 101 (who is God?/celebrate) Arithmetic 101 (me+others=community/connect) PoliSci 101 (me in the world/contribute)

Walk in my Shoes...focus on a different person each week (Jesus or a disciple, modern person who has made an impact (M.Theresa), an influential celebrity (Bono) a person in need, cover several different bases) each week focus on a different person, what was/is life like for them, what God has done/is doing in their life, what can we learn from that life? The last week could be a week of reflection over your OWN life, asking the same questions - a good time to plug LifeMap at the end of the series.

Under reConstruction: Each week focuses on something that has been "torn down" in our lives (ie: what WE have torn down in our lives, what OTHERS have torn down in our lives, maybe even what NEEDS TO BE torn down (addictions, etc.) in our lives. Each week covers then what we can do, with GOD to reconstruct our lives. I see cool graphics and videos in this series.

Want more? I won't clog up the blog but I could keep going ;) these are my favorites.

[dave]

Adding to the roller coaster theme which I was going to post but someone beat me to it

I had an idea sparked by the end of an episode of CSI (las vegas)I saw last night. In the show as it ends on an emotional note for Gil Grissom he gets on a roller coaster and they have a camera mounted on it to capture his face as it goes up and down and around. I think they were trying to show the effect on him from the emotional roller coaster he was on. In all the shots he did not look like he was enjoying himself - he looked really depressed even though he should have had fun.

What if you did a series as suggested - or on emotions and how to stabilize your life by following Christ and base it on a theme park. Go to a theme park and rent the ride and do a video shoot like the end of that episode of CSI. There is something cool about a static camera mounted in front of a person who is in motion.

Anyway - the real big thing would be to try and build amusement rides INSIDE the church. - Or if your parking lot is big enough - get the people who run the local county fairs or something to build you a roller coaster in the parking lot. How cool would that be?

The point could be made that life is full of ups and downs and Jesus is what makes the scary parts of the ride of life the most fun.

You could apply this to any number of themes and have a lot of fun with it. If someone uses this idea and puts a roller coaster in their parking lot let me know cause I'll drive from Alabama to see how it works.

Imagine taking a roller coaster ride with Jesus in the car with you. That would ROCK!

[greg despres]

Right around the time of next year's march madness...you can do a series called Standing Tall and play off of the theme of tall basketball players and use video (real shots, youth basketball, like of your kids, testimonies of players)...Title of the Series: STANDING TALL- HOW TO TAKE YOUR LIFE TO THE NEXT LEVEL! we did this series called STANDING TALL and used several themes...like Standing Tall amidst Doubts...Standing Tall amidst Eating Disorders...Standing Tall amidst Purity Challenges. The Big Idea can be stretched throughout the church as well...Kids: Standing Tall with big brothers and sisters, Standing Tall in Obedience to parents (making your bed), Standing Tall in reading your Bible...Students it really pops...Standing Tall in Peer Pressure, Standing Tall in Offering God your best work, Standing Tall in Evangelism, Standing Tall in Relationships...for the Adults Standing Tall with Finances, Standing Tall with Fears, Standing Tall with giving your Dreams to God and accepting his dreams (too long of a title a little jonathan edwardsesque perhaps).

Well, thanks for this great post idea. look forward to some of these great ideas!

[lorinda]

Some great ideas here in the comments.

How about a reality TV show theme including the big shows like "American Idol"--facing and conquering the idols in our lives and becoming a star (in the true sense of the word). "Fear Factor"--facing our fears and conquering them through Christ (not by eating bugs). "Dancing with the Stars"--choosing relationships that bring out the best in us and help us strengthen our relationship with Christ.

Or a '24' theme--just as the show is minute by minute, the things we can do minute by minute, hour by hour to have a victorious life in Christ.

How about an Oldies theme? Music, tv shows, whatever's retro to show that some things that are old can and should be held on to--the Old Testament, the examples of Christ followers throughout the ages, etc.

Big ideas from movies? What comes to mind is hope. All movies deal with either hope or the lack of it.

Something on the persecuted church in other countries that gives us insight into what Christians might face (a little like what we did at the World Bazaar). Or what worship is like in other countries since our worship is very American.

Another thing is a Big Idea that's a totally different format. Does that ever happen? I like it when you guys mix it up because it keeps it fresh. What about a service that is ONLY a play, a newscast format, a reader's theater, something interactive (like Blue Man Group or a murder mystery dinner), or a trial?

Thanks for the challenge, Dave!

[Janus]

Things that endure (1 Corinth 13:13)

1/Faith
2/Hope
3/Love

Sermon on the mount, still working on breaking it down though since Math 5,6,and 7 is a bit broad.

[stu gray]

I am working thru a series on Character - I feel that God laid these 3 words on my heart and I have been teaching thru them...

- Contentment (to be where you are without being complacent)
- Commitment (Committed to the cause of Christ above all else)
- Company (what company are you keeping? Those who lead you closer to, or further away from Christ)

I am excited to see all of these ideas! Thanks for the instant resource!!!

[beau eckert]

As discussed in the intro to The Big Idea, it is a huge problem when people are hit with lots of info but it doesn't translate into action. Makes me wonder if people need to be challenged to spend less time in front of their computers, and more time out living missionaly.

So a series based on the All State adds, "LIFE COMES AT YOU FAST." Series would focus on challenging people to close their laptops, turn off their phones, etc. in order to make sure we don't miss those unique opportunities for ministry. In no way is this an opposition to technology, but it would be a reminder that life is coming at us faster and faster, let's not miss the good stuff. Lots of stories from scripture come to mind about Jesus and others living with great intentionality and impacting others face to face. Potential is there for lots of creative elements.

[beau eckert]

CORRECTION to previous post - Life Comes At You Fast is Nationwide not All State. Sorry for the error.

[Ed]

We did a great series called "Living on the edge" to start the new year. It dealt with the need to put margin in different areas of life.
Time
Money
Work
The pressure we feel in these areas because we live without margin

[Paul]

This is my own little creative team meeting - love hearing others ideas. We took off on John Eldridge's book EPIC. He lays out how every great story has certain themes - 6 all told (love begins, entrance of evil, break in the realationship, restoration, etc.). We took 6 weeks to tell the "EPIC" story of God and us. Each week we used an epic movie clip that fit the theme of the morning. We also took a book (We chose The Chronicles of Narnia) and ripped pages from it - we talked about how we live with our pages outside of the REAL STORY OF GOD, like they're separate. But our story doesn't make sense until we place our pages within His story. Each week we did a spoof video with action figures and voice overs that related to our epic movies that we were highlighting (cheesy, but funny). The last week, we actually did the message like more of a drama (think Princess Bride) where a mom was reading the "end of the story" to a sick daughter - it went back and forth between her and the speaker as they wrapped up the story with the end of the epic - eternity, Heaven, standing before God. We ended the last week, with the mom reading the final moments of the story, and simply saying "The End". Lights came on, service over. Of course you can do all sorts of environmental stuff like: rope lights for theater style lighting on the floor, movie poster of series, or marquee out front, popcorn available, "bulletin" to look like a movie ticket, etc.

[Paul]

Okay, saw the one about the "newscast" and it reminded me that we did a one week (that we will do again periodically) "Journey Morning Show" take off on GMA, or The Today show. We had a theme of sharing our faith. We had an opening segment, we did a video clip and review, we went to the "news desk" for announcements, did a live shot into our kids stuff with our "weather man" who had fun with the kids waving behind him, etc.; we had a segment of evangelism products - how to share your faith - goofy stuff (bracelets, an evangelism bat, etc.) as well as good ideas; and we also had someone read a book about sharing their faith and then we interviewed them. Band played, plus did bumper music in between some segments; plus we pulled a couple commercials from Sermon Spice like the "Real Christians of Genius", etc. It was great for a one week summer type of deal and one that we'll do again.

[Jon Cannon]

Did a series titled "Refocusing Your Priorities"

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT) So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.

1. Relationship w/Christ
2. Relationship w/spouse.
3. Relationship w/children.
4. Your career.

[David Israel]

We are doing a series that we've created small group curriculum for as well. It's our second shot at the Big Idea (We did our Core Values series in the fall.)

The series is entitled Jesus@
The big idea is that we are given opportunities in life to be Jesus at various times and places.

The titles are:
Jesus @ Private Moments (Faith, in our own heart)
Jesus @ Home
Jesus @ The Backyard Barbecue (neighbors)
Jesus @ Work and School
Jesus @ The Polls (voting our faith)
Jesus @ Times of Injustice (Taking a stand for social justice)

Thanks for this post. I'm stealing (gleaning, borrowing, you choose an appropriate verb) all I can.