This site is dedicated to providing all the guides and resources you’ll need to take your idea and make it reality, whether you’re writing your own script or purchasing one.
If you’ve been asked to direct your church’s Christmas production or you’re hoping to pitch a script for a special service, you’ve been given a challenge. And I’m here to help. I’ll show you how you can put together a meaningful, beautiful, dynamic, worshipful and unique service.
Here’s a lineup of the most useful posts from the blog.
The Ultimate Church Questionnaire
A couple dozen questions to consider as you frame the style and priorities of your program. time, the team, the talent and the tech, along with cultural expectations, are discussed.
The Four Types of Christmas Programs
A general outline to help define different options that are available (it’s helpful especially if your church has done the same style every single year as it will help you explain alternatives.)
Brainstorm Central: 15 Concepts & 50 Components
Here’s where I give you over a dozen individual service ideas, and dozens of elements or techniques you could include (don’t go using them all at once!)
Challenge: Brainstorm a New Script in an Hour
A writing challenge that turned into a core five-part checklist for writing a Christmas service.
Outlining Your Production: 5 Sample Outlines
Five unique but simple structures for your next program.
How I Built This: Structuring We Have Seen His Star in the East
How a simple concept became a solid, thorough and intentional program outline.
Case Study: Light Out of Darkness
How I put together my most involved script, and the storytelling elements I used along the way.
Rewriting Song Lyrics
How to write a new verse for Fernando Ortega’s “Creation Song”.
Rewriting Song Lyrics: Via Dolorosa
How I used a picture metaphor to create a new verse for Sandi Patty’s “Via Dolorosa”.
Keeping Costs Down: Producing a Program for Under $200
Every church will have a different budget and different expectations. here’s how I outline the ins and outs of budgeting one production.
Staying Organized: The Production Phases and How to Manage Them
After directing a few of these, I started seeing a pattern on the timing – what seemed to fit best where, and how long to leave something before I really began stressing about it. I talk through writing, casting, rehearsals and getting all the logistics squared away.