Church Invitation 101

Church Invitation 101Elder Jason Ransom

DescriptionThis series is designed to provoke interest and encourage analysis on the methodologies we deploy when inviting (potential) church members to assist in their (new or continuous) growth as believers in Christ. While this series is introductory, it can serve as a refresher for long-time Christian believers. The material can also help non-members understand why Christians believe church is an essential component of a believers journey. And if nothing else. Itll help us understand why inviting people to church can feel so dang hard! .. And hopefully overcome this feeling.

Subject InspirationNever received official trainingParadigm Shift, Kingdom Impact, Walking in Expectation, Prayer in Temple, The Critical ThirdStraightway, Immediately!

Organization/TopicsIntroduction Understanding the mandateThe Wall Its much easier if you dont build it in the first place.The Approach Who, what, where, when, how, and why?Attention to Intention Inviting to Church or Inviting to Jesus?The Plan Time to commitfor real.

IntroductionHow did you end up here?(Open Discussion)

Statistics #1

Statistics #2How new people come to church for the first time

2% by Advertisement

6% by the Pastoral Invitation

6% by organized evangelism campaign

86% by friends or relatives

The Inviting Church, 1987 p. 44

How did you first find out about this congregation prior to coming here for the first time? (Mark only one.)Someone I already knew (relative, friend, or acquaintance) mentioned it or invited me37.9%Noticed it as I passed by18%Grew up in this congregation or had belonged previously13.3%I was looking for the local congregation of my denomination10.2%Through my participation in another congregation in the community2.8%Child or family member attended day care, preschool, school, or other activity here2.4%Someone I did not previously know invited me1.6%Saw it in the phone book1.1%Noticed an ad (TV, radio, newspaper)0.8%Attended a wedding, baptism, or funeral here0.5%Received a letter or pamphlet0.3%Saw it on the Internet0.3%

US Congregational Life Surveyvia https://blog.umcdiscipleship.org/what-brings-people-to-church-the-survey-says/

What percentage of people gave each response as to how they came to their new relationship with Christ and their church?Special need1-2%Walk-in2-3%Pastor5-6%Visitation1-2%Sunday school4-5%Evangelistic crusade or TV show%Church program2-3%Friend or relative75-90%

The Masters Plan for Making Disciples, Win Arn and Charles Arn original ed. 1982, 2nd ed. 1998

Statistics #3 The Unchurched Next DoorEighty-two percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited.Ninety-eight percent of church-goers never extend an invitation in a given year.7 out of 10 unchurched people have never been invited to church their whole lives.

-Dr. Thom Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door (2008)

Initial TakeawaysYou are the top reason people generally approach the ministry.Many people cant see Jesus initially, but they can see you.Church members statistically are not extending invitations (at least not in a recognizable way).The trend has been going on for quite some time and is not limited to a denomination.It is not a competition, but if it were, youd have little competition.

Pulse CheckStatistics True or false?

Show of hands: How many haveHad formal training in inviting people to church?Been thinking about inviting someone to church?Invited someone to church this week?Got someone to commit to a date this week?

Organization/TopicsIntroduction Understanding the mandateThe Wall Its much easier if you dont build it in the first place.The Approach Who, what, where, when, how, and why?Attention to Intention Inviting to Church or Inviting to Jesus?The Plan Time to commitfor real.

Initial TakeawaysYou are the top reason people generally approach the ministry.Many people cant see Jesus initially, but they can see you.Church members statistically are not extending invitations (at least not in a recognizable way).The trend has been going on for quite some time and is not limited to a denomination.It is not a competition, but if it were, youd have little competition.

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Our CallThe Great CommissionMatt 28:19-20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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Our Call (Cont.)Change Fed to FeedHebrews 5:11-14 11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truthsof Gods word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant,is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.14But solid food is for the mature,who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Our Call (The Critical 3rd)Heed to the visionActs 16:9-10 9During the night Paul had a visionof a man of Macedoniastanding and begging him, Come over to Macedonia and help us.10After Paul had seen the vision, wegot ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospelto them.16 1Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,where a disciple named Timothylived, whose mother was Jewish and a believerbut whose father was a Greek.2The believersat Lystra and Iconiumspoke well of him.3Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.4As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and eldersin Jerusalem for the people to obey.5So the churches were strengthenedin the faith and grew daily in numbers.

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The Wall

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Typical Bricks (for our wall)What are some items that deter you from inviting people to church?Is there ever a good reason that deters you. If so, how do you discern that?

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FearTypical Bricks (for our wall)

Lack of FaithPersonal AgendaLaziness

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The Wall (Cont.)We build the wallGod has not given us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)God provides according to ability and despises lazy servants! (Matt 25:14-30 Parable of the bags of gold)Our agenda really is to love our brother (John 13:34)Faith to believe Jesus will make us fishers of men (Matt. 4:19)

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Breaking down the wallRomans 85Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.6The mind governed by the flesh is death,but the mind governed by the Spirit is lifeand peace.15The Spirityou received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f]And by him we cry,Abba,[g]Father.28And we know that in all things God works for the goodof those who love him, who[i]have been calledaccording to his purpose.

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Breaking down the wall (cont.)31What, then, shall we say in response to these things?If God is for us, who can be against us?37No, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough him who loved us.38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k]neither the present nor the future,nor any powers,39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Godthat is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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The ApproachWho, what, where, when, how, WHY?

Who?FamilyFriendsNeighborsCo-workersFriends of friendsComplete Strangers

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How: Methods of communicationOne-on-One conversationEventsFlyers and cardsGroup approach Church wide campaignPhysical or Virtual?

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Where: What atmosphere should we create?What gets people talking?A sense of comfortA topic of interestA sense of obligation

There is only one way under high heaven to get anybody to do anything..by making the other person want to do it.Dale CarnegieHow to win friends and influence People pg. 19

Where: Comfort, Interest, Obligation

ComfortHeads up (Generally avoid surprise visits)Casual confrontation/get-togetherInterestLearn their interests and relateOffer ways their interests could align with a ministryObligationIf all else fails, politely question their resistance

https://growchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/pastors-need-someone-to-talk-to-too.jpg

What: Its OK to have an agenda as long as it doesnt feel like an agenda.Personalized entry point (pre-planned)Profession, Hobbies, Past Experiences, Future Plans [Dreams], Family/FriendsConsider how any of these could be effective at your churchKids? Our church is definitely kid friendly!Youre polite! Thats the kind of warm spirit our church members have and enjoy!What!? You like baking? Who do you bake for? Our congregation would love some cookies!

What: Invite them to the ministryBased on earlier info Wed love to have you and your family to the ministry! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming! Id love to see some of your paintings. Would you be willing to bring them along to a service? Maybe we could grab a bite to eat after and talk about them. So you work pretty heavy on Sundays huh? You considered getting a church home that supports week nights? We have some awesome Wednesday and Friday youth nights! Youre a musician? Our music ministry does great stuff, but we are definitely looking to grow with people like you. How about you come check it out with me this Sunday?

What: Solidfy whether accepted or declinedIf accepted:Get a firm date. Plan to send a reminder before hand.Plan a date for yourself to follow up after their planned attendance date.Offer to meet them at a time/place when they arriveIf Declined:Respect their decisionExtend an open invitationAsk for permission to follow-up at a later dateDont let it deter you from inviting others

Practice!Entry point (Conversation topic)Connect back to churchInvite to ChurchSolidify invite

Attention To Intention1 Cor 10:23 (NIV)I have the right to do anything, you saybut not everything is beneficial.I have the right to do anythingbut not everything is constructive.24No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.Always evaluate your actionsMatt 6:33 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Contrary to our tendency, our actions should be for others

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Why do we/they need a church home?

Open Discussion

A few reasons to have a church homeChurch is family (Mark 3:33-35)Church is a classroom (Ephesians 4:11-13)Church is Gods guaranteed meeting place (Matthew 18:19-20)Church is our recharge station (Thess. 5:11)

Your church is your TEAM

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Our CommitmentReview list of invitees as often as needed to keep front and centerUpdate and modify inviteesCreate and adhere to an adequate follow-up schedule for each personPray over each person on your listInternalize, accept, and fulfill your responsibility to grow the churchEncourage your team (church) members to invite people to churchShare your successesProvide them the tools youve learnedRemind them of their responsibility to growSupport them in their efforts

http://www.transformation-catalysts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/images.jpg

Quick Tips PageUnderstand the mandate.Always break down The Wall (that discourages us from extending invitations).Know who you want to approach and use the tools weve discussed.Remember, our final goal is to bring them to Christ and build HIS kingdom.Commit and stay committed.

http://www.bethelcollegeville.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/commitment.jpg

Assignment #1: Create a list of inviteesCommit right now to the date you will make this list (tonight, tomorrow, Tuesday, or Wed before bible study)Should include:

NameRelationshipConversation entry pointI invited them onTheyll be attending on..John SmithUncleFootball season over, what activities you do on Sunday?Matthew NewsonCo-workerWhat do you do outside of work? Are you an active church member?3.7.20173.25.2017

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