Have you ever been “sandbagged” at a party where the organizer had a hidden agenda?
To sandbag your Christmas party guests is to unexpectedly thrust your guests into a socially awkward or highly uncomfortable situation where they are unable to escape, metaphorically speaking.
How we were sandbagged
This happened to us on a Disney vacation, but the same could happen at your evangelistic Christmas party if you are not careful
The offer: We were offered two free park tickets if we attended a continental breakfast.
The hidden agenda: We had to endure a 3 hour presentation on timeshares. We couldn’t leave.
The result: Highly frustrated sales people, angry customers, and us feeling trapped and victimized.
How to mess up a Christmas Party
Some Christians plan Christmas parties with a hidden agenda.
They invite their friends and neighbors and then sandbag their guests with an unexpected lecture on Jesus.
The food and friendship is all going well. People are relating and connecting.
Then the host gathers people into a room and starts to lecture them on the need for Jesus.
It’s out of the blue and unexpected.
Some guests are thinking “Is this why I’m here, to be told I need Jesus?”
Is there a better way to do evangelism at a Christmas party?
One way to avoid this situation is to be clear in your invitations to the Christmas party. Set an expectation ahead of time:
Mention that you’ll be sharing a little about your faith and why Christmas is important to you. Be clear that it’s a personal story and that it will be brief.
This sets an expectation in the mind of your Christmas party guest that there will be some no-pressure faith sharing happening.
You might have some ice-breakers that touch on spiritual themes (next post).
You might have people share meaningful Christmas traditions.
You might share one short aspect of your testimony when you have the group’s attention (after all, you said you would in your Christmas party invitations).
When it’s time to speak to your group, gather them around you with
“As I mentioned in the invitation to each of you, I wanted to take a few moments to share why Christmas is important to us. I won’t too share much, and I won’t put pressure on any of you, but I simply want to share how my life is different because of Jesus.”
Then share a piece of your personal testimony.
Invite those who want to know more to talk with you one on one after your presentation as the party resumes.
This low key approach still accomplishes some evangelistic activity of sharing some of the gospel and some of your personal testimony. The key is that it was expected at the Christmas party because you mentioned it in your invitation.
Do you need church Christmas Party Game Ideas?
Read my review of a resource of Christmas party games, some of which have spiritual conversation starters.
Related posts:
About EvangelismCoach
We call it the “Bait n Switch.” In fact, today on of our youth pastors expressed his distaste for youth events (like a dodge ball tournament) where at some point, you stop the action for a sermon and call to faith. It’s like we’re tricking people into hearing a sermon. Great post!