Sitting Next To You
“My co-worker had been inviting me to come for quite a while. I finally relented — and wow, I’m glad I did! I’ll be back next Sunday” (from a first-time guest at The Bridge last week).
Inviting people in our sphere of influence to church can be a very effective way to witness. Many of Jesus’ early disciples came to know Him because they had friends who invited them to a gathering. My first exposure to the Gospel came from an invitation over the phone. Many of you can identify — you eventually came to Christ after you were first invited to church.
Inviting people to church works! In one recent poll, 82% of unchurched respondents said that they would attend a church if someone they trusted invited them. 82%!
But here’s why they don’t come: in a given year, only 2% of church-going people ever invite others. The reason most of us rarely have guests with us is because few of us are actually inviting. When we do, people usually respond favorably.
Here’s why inviting others to church can be effective.
It’s personal. People like being invited into others’ personal lives.
It’s disarming. It’s easy for them to say “no” and come up with an excuse. And many will the first time they are asked because they need a little time to think about it. But believe it or not, most people will eventually come if they know you and trust you.
It’s refreshing. Guilt is not normally a great motivator, but research shows that most unchurched people feel a tinge of guilt about not having any religion in their lives. They will often see an invitation to church as a way to feel better about themselves. It’s not the best reason for any of us to go to church, but hey, my reason for going to church the first time wasn’t the best either. I’ll take it if it enables them to hear the Gospel.
It’s intriguing. People who have never attended a contemporary evangelical church are curious about the experience. They’ve heard things, but most unchurched people have never experienced a church like ours. If you’ve been talking about it (as I hope you are) and have been sharing church-related links on social media (as I hope you do), you’ve raised their level of curiosity. I first visited a church because I was curious. Many of your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors are as well.
So, making invitations to church really works. I think The Bridge is proof of that. We had 3,000 people in attendance last weekend, and about two-thirds of you came your first time because someone you trusted invited you.
Let’s return the favor. Who could be sitting next to you next weekend?