What Are Your Best Tips for Inviting Others to Church?

[seoulsearch]

Hello Everyone,

I wasn't quite sure where to post this so I hope you'll give me some leeway here.

How have your experiences been as far as inviting unbelieving or non-church-going people to your church or church events, etc.? What things would you recommend and what things would you not recommend in your approach or in accompanying them to your church?

For example, when I invite someone to church, I've found (through trial and error) that what seems to work best for me is to:

1. Offer them a ride (if possible).
2. Introduce them to one or two people I know at the church (but not everyone so they won't feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable) so that they feel welcome but not bombarded.
3. Explain to them the basic outline of how the service will go before it starts (so they won't be caught off guard). I also explain in advance any other things that may happen, such as communion or a baptism, and leave it open for discussion and questions.
4. Whenever I ask someone to church (this is just my own thing--I'm NOT saying my ways are right or wrong, just what I feel comfortable with now, personally), I also explain to them about the purpose of the offering and give them a few dollars for the offering plate so they won't feel as if they stand out. My pastor always says, "If you're a guest today, we don't want you to give anything, we just want to invite you to enjoy the service," but I know how awkward it can feel just sitting there, so I make sure they can feel they are contributing.

What about you? What tips do you have to offer?

I decided to post here in the Bible Study Forum because there are many here who are very talented in knowing the Scriptures so well... I read a lot of posts here in which others can quote Scripture so precisely that I thought this would also be a great place to get some Bible references for asking others to church as well.

But along with Bible passages, I would also like to specifically hear about your own experiences in inviting people to church. How did it go? I get turned down more often than not, of course, but I'm happy to say that two people I invited over the years became members of my church--and have stayed there even as I've moved to a different church (with my pastor's blessing)--which tells me they are there for their own relationship with God and certainly not because of me.

What are your personal stories?

Thanks and God Bless.

 

[MahogonySnail]

I don't usually invite people to church. In case they get turned off, and all their fears and hatred of church and religions are realised. I'd wait until they are converted, because it's unlikely the church is going to convert them unless its a really good one with evangelism/outreach and does Alpha courses or whatever.

 

[seoulsearch]

I understand your viewpoint completely, MahoganySnail. I usually wait a very long time before I bring it up... I've worked at the same place for ten years so the people I ask have known me for a long time... I'm not someone who can really strike up a conversation about faith right away--I wait until I know more about their lives, personalities, etc.

One of the people who joined my church had family who was very against her interest... so I went to all the new member and baptism classes with her. (I realize most people might not be able to do this--it seems to be one of the purposes God has had for my time being single.)

The other got plugged into serving with our youth group and loved it so he was pretty much hooked from the start.

 

[Rissa77]

inviting them to lunch is a good idea. free food or a good, home-made meal usually gets their attention.

 

[Rissa77]

The other got plugged into serving with our youth group and loved it so he was pretty much hooked from the start.

Yea some churches have the awesome philosophy that if you involve unbelievers in the church, they become the church. They do this wisely at Angelus Temple in Los Angeles (connected with the Dream Center) and have seen hundreds of salvations - including many celebrities!! Like Coffey and his wife, Priscilla, whom he met there! Had the opportunity to hang with him a few times.

 

[seoulsearch]

inviting them to lunch is a good idea. free food or a good, home-made meal usually gets their attention.

This is a great suggestion, Rissa. Sometimes if I'm able to, I've taken the people I've invited out to lunch after the service.

How has it turned out when you've taken people to lunch/church?

 

[Rissa77]

unfortunately everyone in the town i'm at now "goes to church". but in memphis, where i go to school, i've seen this technique work many times. haven't done it myself, though. my first year, i wasn't allowed to leave church campus after church. but i may this year!

 

[Melleah]

I also explain to them about the purpose of the offering and give them a few dollars for the offering plate so they won't feel as if they stand out. My pastor always says, "If you're a guest today, we don't want you to give anything, we just want to invite you to enjoy the service," but I know how awkward it can feel just sitting there, so I make sure they can feel they are contributing.

That's a great idea!

 

[DaveScotland]

I think easing them in gently is the best way to go. To most people the idea of Christianity is pretty ridiculous and as soon as they here it there pre-conceived ideas about it come out and they put there guard up against it. Its our job to slowly chip away at that guard throw in a couple of Jabs tell them about yourself about your faith, about the differences in your life since you have accepted Christ open up a little chink in there armour, pray and God will work his way in there its our job to plant the seed and God will nurture it and make it grow.

 

[emmajade]

I was wondering about something and I don't know if it would be a good or bad idea so I thought I'd ask here. I was thinking about printing up a special set of business cards with the church name, address, website, phone number for bus service, times of morning/ evening services etc.

On the one hand seems like a great thing to hand people who probably forget things like the time sunday school starts versus church in a passing conversation... and I know I could whip up something kind of neato for a card. On the other hand, I'm just a member of the church. I'm not a pastor, deacon, on the board, or anything. I don't want to make it seem like I'm in charge of something I'm not, taking over a role I'm not, or appointing myself to be my churches personal outreach person or something. I don't know if printing up cards with my churches info and handing them out would be overstepping my bounds. I don't want to be printing up invitations to someone else's party, know what I mean? Seems like the kind of thing people want to have "meetings" and board approval about.

And yet, it's just simple information about service times and location, and not a lot different than inviting someone verbally and scribbling some information on a napkin. It's just easier, but it looks more official ish so maybe it is something I should beg approval for.

What do you think about it?

 

[emmajade]

As far as what has worked for me personally in the past, I found certain family members like my brothers were more than enthused about coming to an event like a church picnic, or a thing like the giant potluck we have once in a while. I got one to come to movie night when they were just showing a christian film. In other words, certain family members that were shy about coming to an official service and hearing a sermon got their feet wet first just coming to an event like a picnic or a movie. Once they did that and got to experience some warm friendly greetings, and got to meet people, then they wanted to come back. Sometimes the church just has a night where a visiting singer comes in and sings a gospel concert for an evening. Something like that is much easier for me to get people to come to than a regular service, and once they have a happy experience they sometimes want to come back.

Also I found people were more eager to attend on Easter, Christmas, etc for some reason. Like coming to the special Christmas program was super easy to get people to do. For some reason holidays make people start wanting to go to church sometimes. Especially if there was a special thing like for the kids, they wanted to bring their families to the Easter Egg Hunt, which personally seemed like a pagan ritual to me but hey it got people that would never go to church in their life to show up.

Most of the people I invite are NOT people who have never been to a church before, but people who were drug there a few times as kids and didn't like it, and are not aware that there's more to religion than memorizing scripture and following rules, because having a relationship with Christ doesn't seem real to them yet.

For what I call the painfully shy, I find it best to invite them in a small group so they are not the only new person coming in the door. If I can get another of their friends, or their sister/ brother/ cousin, or someone else to come with them it's much more comfortable for them it seems. So I try to present the idea of "lets all go together" to them and include some other people they feel safe with.

 

[seoulsearch]

I was wondering about something and I don't know if it would be a good or bad idea so I thought I'd ask here. I was thinking about printing up a special set of business cards with the church name, address, website, phone number for bus service, times of morning/ evening services etc.

On the one hand seems like a great thing to hand people who probably forget things like the time sunday school starts versus church in a passing conversation... and I know I could whip up something kind of neato for a card. On the other hand, I'm just a member of the church. I'm not a pastor, deacon, on the board, or anything. I don't want to make it seem like I'm in charge of something I'm not, taking over a role I'm not, or appointing myself to be my churches personal outreach person or something. I don't know if printing up cards with my churches info and handing them out would be overstepping my bounds. I don't want to be printing up invitations to someone else's party, know what I mean? Seems like the kind of thing people want to have "meetings" and board approval about.

And yet, it's just simple information about service times and location, and not a lot different than inviting someone verbally and scribbling some information on a napkin. It's just easier, but it looks more official ish so maybe it is something I should beg approval for.

What do you think about it?

Emmajade and everyone:

Please keep posting your ideas--this is some GREAT feedback and I am really appreciating all the answers!! Please keep giving us your ideas, everyone!

Emmajade--I love your idea of the cards but maybe you should ask your pastor's input first? Just to be sure you have their blessing. I think you made a great point though--that along with a personal invitation, a physical, visible, informative, but small reminder is an invaluable tool when inviting someone to church. Something with the name, date, and times is a WONDERFUL idea I will have to remember.

What made me think of this thread is that I just invited someone to church yesterday and now you're all giving me some really great additional ideas.

You are very right about many people only attending on Christmas or other big events, or group gatherings, and I think that's ok, too. People will be drawn to anything that makes them feel welcome and part of the group. I also loved your idea of inviting shy people in groups... that's a terrific idea... the girl I talked to yesterday is also extremely shy and I told her I'm new at the church I now go to also so she definitely wouldn't be the only new person. (I personally think that's why God moved me to another church by myself--so that I could have a better understanding of what it's like to feel as if you're the "odd one out" and be more sensitive to newcomers.)

 

[Rissa77]

This is for someone who has a church with a community outreach ministry, or a pastor who wants to start one. My church has one that's called Manna Ministries. It's for the less fortunate of Memphis. Every Thursday, we invite them in for a 15 minute inspirational sermon, a hot meal, as well as spiritual and financial counseling and prayer. They also get produce every week and groceries every month for those who qualify. Their kids go to Manna Kids and have fun while the adults do all the "boring" stuff. We get hundreds every week, and have over a thousand families on file.

If your church has something like this, or any other outreach, go invite someone. Homeless people are easy to talk to. Ask them about their life and pray for them. They just want to know someone genuinely cares. The ones I've come up and talked to didn't ask for money. They want to talk to someone who'll listen.

One of my pastors explained the "Throw Something to You because I don't have the Time" method. He keeps those 25 cent crackers in his car, and when he doesn't have time to stop and talk, he'll just throw them out the window. lol Using this helped him get a convo going and build a trust.