How Do You Invite Someone To Church?
It’s easy to say that a personal invitation will work better than anything else to get people to visit your church. But how do you start? It can be an awkward and uncomfortable thing to do, especially if you’re not used to talking to your friends and neighbors about your faith and your church. Here are a few ways to make the process easier:
1. PRAY! Pray for the courage to get out there and ask people to church!
2. Make a list of people ahead of time that you think you may be able to invite. Include neighbors, friends, and even people you may just be in casual contact with, like your dry cleaner.
3. Remember why you’re inviting them to church. It’s not to get “butts in the pews” and pay for the roof. It’s because this is what Jesus commanded us to do!
4. Remember that if you want to invite them to church, invite them into your life as well. Don’t keep them at arm’s distance – let them get to know you and how Jesus is in, and has changed, your life. You’ll make a new friend!
5. Don’t forget to always have some kind of card with you so that you can share the details of your church at a moment’s notice. A business card (with room for you to add a personal note) will suffice, as long as the important details are included (time of worship, website address, phone number – only if the number is ALWAYS answered - and physical address are some of the things you CANNOT leave out).
6. If you’re inviting someone new to your church or even to the faith, please make the way smoother for them by giving them some advance information about your service. Tell them about the way the service flows, if they will be recognized as a newcomer (let’s hope not), and other details that will make it easier for them. This will make it easier for them to want to return!
7. Offer to give them a ride, or ask them if they’d like to meet for coffee before or lunch after the service.
8. If possible, let your pastor and/or other members know that you’re bringing someone new. They will be prepared to greet and welcome in an appropriate way – geared toward your visitor, and what will make them most comfortable.
