Wildgame Banquets have been a very effective tool over the last several years in reaching people, especially men, who would not otherwise ever attend an ordinary Church service. I have had the privilege of speaking at hundreds of these events, and I would like to offer a few hints to help you as you plan yours. There are some common mistakes Churches make that can make or break your Banquet.
1) Make a decision on whether your Banquet is evangelistic or not. There is nothing wrong with doing a Game Banquet for your Church. However if you are trying to reach people who don't know Christ, then you are going to have to plan differently. Decide up front. Don't try to do both with one event!
2) Choose a Venue that is not at your Church. -Now before you go crazy, I want to say that I have been involved in some great WGB's that were done at Churches. However, there is a reason that guy you are trying to reach doesn't go to your Church. Typically people who don't go to Church are intimidated by stepping in your building. You will get more unchurched people to attend your event at a neutral venue. Some of the best WGB's I've seen have been in High schools, warehouses, civic centers, and even cow sheds! You don't have to be "in Church" to "have Church".
3) Try to avoid Friday and Saturdays- The reason for this is simple. Guys who hunt and fish, hunt and fish on the weekends! Thursday is the best day for your Banquet by far. Guys are thinking about hunting and fishing and a Thursday Wildgame Banquet breaks up their week without interfering with their time!
4) Secure a Speaker that can relate to your audience, but can bring a Biblical message.- This is one of my main concerns. It seems Churches will sacrifice Biblical content for a Big name. I believe that true faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Find a speaker who is funny, burly, manly or whatever, but make sure that he can handle the Word of God. I once was with a famous Hunter at a Wild game Banquet. He told tons of funny hunting stories, and then said I love Jesus and you should too! The crowd went wild. Repentance from sin and faith in Christ were not mentioned. I have a list of great speakers that I recommend.
5) Never allow people to serve themselves!- This may sound trivial, but it is the single greatest mistake I see. Always, Always, Always hand people their plate. If you don't the first person through the line will be finished eating 20 minutes before the last guy gets his food.
6) Start on time and finish on time!- From beginning to end your program needs to run smoothly and finish promptly. I have literally taken the microphone from a guy doing a turkey seminar. We gave him 15 minutes and at minute 17 we had to pull him. Nothing will kill your Banquets momentum for next year than not ending on time.
7) Use your response cards for your invitation and your door prizes.- Have your men hand them out after the invitation is given. That puts a positive peer pressure on the room. If you want a door prize you have to fill this card out. Assure folks that no one's decision will be announced out loud, but they will receive follow up information in the mail. Don't use those tickets with the numbers! Ever!
8) When it comes to door prizes go for "Quality" not "Quantity"- No one wants to win one of those Mesh trucker hats. You would rather have 3 great prizes than 60 not so greats.
9) Follow up on Commitments is Critical- Have a follow up plan in place! Don't leave guys hanging. Have your Men's Ministry ready to follow up with people who make decisions within the first 48 hours.
These are just a few tips on how to do a Wildgame Banquet well. I have many more that I would love to share with you or your Church.
Chris Wells is booking Wildgame Banquets, Men's Ministry Events, Revivals, and other speaking engagements for this Fall. For booking you can go to www.chriswells.org or call him at 864-414-9453.
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