This Morning Pastor Mark sent me the article below. I think it has profound implications for fulfilling our 1:1:1 vision. On an average week 5-7 guests come to our church, usually invited by a friend for relative. We would like to see this increase to 15 per week. The key is not more information about church or its programs but rather
personal invitations. What has been your experience when inviting friends to worship with you? What could the church do to make it easier for you to invite your friends. Perhaps you have something to share that could encourage others in to extend an invitation. If you do not feel comfortable inviting others to worship please share the reason(s) for your reluctance. Maybe we can "stimulate one another to love and good deeds."
What did you think about my challenge last Sunday (May 7, 2004) that we become "Spiritual EMT's?" I'd be interested in your comments about our responsibility to bring our friends into the presence of Jesus.
"Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus." Luke 5:18
Let me know if you find this article helpful. Are you praying that God will enable each of us to reach one new person with the gospel, each year for the next ten years? Do you think its possible or do you think this is unreasonable.
May 8, 2007
Are You Informing or Inviting?
Wendi Hammond
Denise, equipping director at First Church, was planning to beef up their summer recruitment efforts. Pastor Smith planned a four-week series touching on spiritual gifts, servanthood, and the priesthood of all believers. They upgraded their Web site to include direct links to specific volunteer roles and to an online gift assessment. A beautiful glossy catalog was produced with a list of literally hundreds of opportunities to serve. A letter went to the entire congregation, challenging those who were not yet involved in ministry to find a role that matched their gifts, passions, and abilities. The letter included the Web links, a copy of the ministry booklet, and a ministry application people could fill out and return to church any time during the month. In addition, each week the bulletin included an insert with a heart-touching testimony from one of First Church's loyal servants. To wrap up the month, a giant ministry fair was planned that included a free barbecue lunch for everyone in the congregation.
Unfortunately, at the end of the month, only 10 new people from the congregation of over 2,000 had signed up to join a ministry team.
Nothing that Denise and First Church did was inherently wrong. In fact, some of the ideas were very good. I'd suggest, however, that First Church went wrong by informing instead of inviting. Let's look at some characteristics of an invitation.
1. Invitations are Personal. An invitation makes someone feel special. It comes because of an existing relationship. On the other hand, informing is generally impersonal and no relationship is needed.
2. Invitations assume the invitee is qualified to attend. When I'm invited to a party, the host has already decided she wants me to attend. I have nothing to do but decide yes or no, and show up. Too often in ministry we invite everyone, then set about qualifying (or disqualifying) those who respond.
3. Invitations are specific. When I read the movie section of the local paper, I find many options for movies and show times playing at multiple locations. Nothing about reading this causes me to feel invited to the movies. However, when my husband suggests a movie, I know I've been invited out on a date.
4. Invitations are about relationships. How do you feel about the prospect of going alone to the office Christmas party when you've only been on the job for two weeks and everyone else has worked there for at least two years?
Let's "stimulate one another to love and good deeds" as we use this blog to interact about how we can extend more effective invitations.
Pastor Randy
