Invite Someone to Church

Its Labor Day weekend. It starts for most of us as soon as we get off work today. Although I hope that you will be in church with me on Sunday I know that some of you will take advantage of the 3 day weekend and hit the beaches and the Keys and will be enjoying our Florida sun, surf and sand. If you take that last little vacation or you worship with me this Sunday I have a challenge for you.

Even though this weekend may seem like the best time of the year to do many things. It may also be the best time to invite a friend to church. Next Sunday September 13th is Back to Church Sunday. We’ve been praying for our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors by name to come, it is now time to actually ask them to come.

Research shows that roughly 80% of first time church attendees come because they were invited by someone they knew. Not because they heard the pastor was good. Not because they thought the music was going to be good. Not because they liked the architecture of the building. Not because they wanted some free coffee. They came because someone they knew invited them.

Why do people tend to come only when they are invited? An invitation takes down a lot of barriers. They don’t have to worry about being there alone. They don’t have to worry about not knowing what is going on. A church can be an intimidating place if you have never been there before, or haven’t been there for a long time. A church can be scary place if you have had a previous bad experience. Going with someone you know helps take down those potential road blocks. Don’t wait for Christmas or Easter to invite people, invite someone today, this weekend and throughout this week. Give someone a call, invite someone at work, send a friend a text message and invite them to church. Take a chance to impact their eternity.

Really, it is that simple. Now, I am not delusional, so I don’t believe that everyone will come every time you ask. What asking does is it opens up a dialog with that person, and you never know when someone might say yes. It is as simple as saying “Hey, I’m going to church Sunday, would you like to come along?” If you really want to kick it up a notch, offer to buy them lunch afterwards, or invite them over to lunch or hot dogs at the park.

Step out there, invite someone and leave the rest in God’s hands.

Remember, Next Sunday is Back to Church Sunday. It’s a good excuse to invite someone now!