Tips on making The Gospel of John a success:
Compiled by Don Esa, Minister of Education, First Presbyterian Church, Marietta, GA
770-427-0293 or "mailto:donesa@FPCMarietta.org"

John is a fantastic experience. You won't regret working hard to promote it. Take advantage of this opportunity to reach as many people as possible.

When you schedule John for your church, make it an "all-church event" and eliminate as many competing programs as possible. The only exception might be programs for preschool and younger elementary children. Most children third grade and above should be able to sit through the entire performance.

Think of ways to get major groups in your church involved in the event... perhaps serving refreshments afterwards, doing publicity, etc. Ownership of these groups in the program helps guarantee a good turnout.

Publicize the play both inside and outside your church.

Send news releases (samples provided) to area newspapers, radio stations, cable outlets at least one month in advance. Because Brad Sherrill is a professional actor, some might run articles in their entertainment section. The religious news column is a sure bet.

About a month before the event, begin running articles in your church newsletter and Sunday bulletin.

For two Sundays before the event, put bulletin inserts in your Sunday bulletin. (Samples enclosed.) Design these inserts so that your parishioners can give them to friends and neighbors with a personal invitation. It is worth the time, effort, and expense to have a professional printer do the printing so that photographs turn out well.

Distribute flyers (bulletin inserts) to Sunday School classes and other groups that meet at your church.

Use Brad's picture and put together a prominent bulletin display in your church narthex.

Make sure John is mentioned by the pastor from the pulpit for a couple of weeks in advance. Remember there's a built-in wonderment about this program: Can this guy actually recite more than 20,000 words without making a mistake?

Two to three weeks before event, put together a bulletin that can be given out at the performance. (See sample.) In addition to talking about John and giving Brad's background, use the bulletin to publicize future events and ways that people can become involved at your church. (If your local printer uses digital technology, the sample bulletin can be e-mailed from an Atlanta printer to your local printer to save set-up time. Talk to Program Manager Mark Hickman about this.)

Two weeks in advance, begin to work with Brad Sherrill and Mark Hickman on any technical matters they suggest. Some churches are not well-equipped to stage a drama. For example, if you have a large room with little lighting, it may be worth renting or borrowing a spotlight so that Brad's face will be well-lit. It is crucial that the lapel microphone and sound system work well since the play uses numerous sound effects and music cues.