Four Easy Steps for Inviting People to Church

The Apostle Andrew was a quiet guy. We don’t read much about him in the Bible. The few times he is mentioned, it's because he is bringing someone to Jesus. Andrew brought a boy to Jesus who was willing to share his lunch (John 6:5-13). It was the boy who provided the bread and fish and it was Jesus who blessed and multiplied them but, if Andrew hadn't brought the boy to Jesus, there would be no miraculous feeding of the 5000.

Some Greeks who wanted to meet Jesus approached the Apostle Phillip (John 12:20-22). Unsure of what to do, Phillip consulted Andrew. Andrew knew to take them to Jesus.

The first person Andrew took to Jesus was his brother Simon Peter (John 1:40-42). Without Andrew there would not have been Peter's great sermon that led 3000 people to faith in Acts 2.

Like Andrew, you can impact the Kingdom of God by bringing people to Jesus. Numerous surveys agree that 3 out of 4 people came to church for the first time because someone invited them. On the other hand, fewer than half of regular church attendees have invited anyone to church in the past year. Another important fact is 40% of San Antonio claim no religious affiliation.

Four easy steps for inviting people to church.

1. IDENTIFY 4 people that you want to bring to church.

• Choose people who are currently far from God. Perhaps they used to go attend church or have never been but, today, they are far from God.
• Choose people with whom you have a relationship.
• Choose people who are open to spiritual matters. People who have asked for your prayers or spoke with you about faith.

2. INTERCEDE – pray for them 4 times a week.

• Pray that the God will open the eyes of their hearts.
• Pray that they will recognize their need for forgiveness.
• Pray that any spiritual confusion be removed.

3. INVEST in their lives.

• Find ways to spend time with each person.
• Have lunch or coffee, go shopping, or engage in a hobby together.
• Find a way to be of service. Perhaps you can baby sit, mow their lawn or bring a meal.

4. INVITE them to 4 events at church.

• Sunday worship is a good choice, especially at Easter, but other events may be better.
• Children’s programs or adult recreation programs.
• Opportunities to serve others.

Spending time with Riff Raff

A neighbor once complained that our food pantry was attracting riff raff. That made me smile. It reminded me of the time that Jesus was accused of being a friend of tax collectors and sinners.

It was true. One Jesus disciples, Levi, was a tax collector. They were considered as undesirable as prostitutes and thieves. They were excluded from religious services and social events. Their testimony was not valid in court.

Upon accepting Jesus' call, Levi threw a big party for his fellow tax collectors and friends. He wanted them to meet Jesus and the Apostles. His friends would have been outsiders but they all needed Jesus.

Levi had only been a believer for a short time but he is so concerned about the condition of his tax-collecting buddies that he takes a risk and throws an evangelistic party. The veteran spiritual leaders – highly educated, thoroughly trained, well-seasoned – missed the entire point of what Levi and Jesus were doing at this party.

Levi demonstrated the relational concept of soul winning. Like Levi we each have a circle of friends and acquaintances whom we can invite them to a church event that they might find interesting.

Would you dedicate Friday nights to Jesus? Plan a night of board games and snacks and invite an unchurched family so you can get to know them. Include another Christian family. As you spend time together and as God leads, you can move conversations deeper into personal matters, and finally into spiritual matters.

Create opportunities to hang out with unchurched people by becoming involved in community groups, school organizations and local politics.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;

make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4:5

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Adapt Your Evangelism Style to the Situation

I once had an encounter with a Jehovah's Witness on a city street in New Orleans. She approached me with marked up New World Translation of the Bible. I saw this as a rare opportunity to present her with the gospel and win her over to Christ.

I had tremendous confidence in my ability to do this. I had just finished my Evangelism class at New Orleans with an A. I was polished and ready.

I began to counter the teachings of her faith with what the Bible taught but she countered every argument I made. It seems she was as well-trained as I, so I decided to pull out my fool-proof, guaranteed-to-work tactic. I shared my testimony.

One's personal testimony is a powerful soul-winning tool. It communicates on a very human level. It is hard to argue against because it is personal. It gets the point across by explaining how you discovered your need for Christ and how your life is better now.

It didn't work. She walked away from the gospel and I did not become a Jehovah's Witness.

I did however have an opportunity to exercise three of the six evangelism styles that Bill Hybels identified in his book, Becoming a Contagious Christian. I demonstrated the confrontational style by engaging her in dialog and openly declaring my faith. Although the confrontational approach brings mind knocking on doors and asking, “Are you ready to die?” it does not have to be obnoxious.

I moved from the confrontational approach to the intellectual approach when I engaged in a theological debate. This style requires knowledge of the Bible and doctrinal strength.

When I realized I was not making progress, I moved to the testimonial style. I gave my salvation testimony but you can also give a testimony about how God helped you through a specific problem. This is particularly effective if the other person can directly relate to your story.

The Apostle Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22)

Although each of have a preferred style it is possible and necessary to adjust our approach to the situation in which we find ourselves.

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Baptist Temple Demonstrates a Serving Attitude

In the same way, let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Bill Hybels identified six evangelism styles; confrontational, intellectual, testimonial, interpersonal, invitational, and serving. A quick survey during a session of Becoming a Contagious Christian revealed that a majority of Baptist Temple Church members preferred the serving style of evangelism.

While the discovery was a pleasant surprise, it was already evident in the variety of community services we provide. We have developed a servant culture at Baptist Temple that attracts others with a servant heart.

People with a servant heart show love through action more than words. They take to heart Jesus teaching about serving him by serving others. They will attach value to even menial tasks. Jesus said, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

Steve Sjogren wrote, in Conspiracy of Kindness, “A can of coke and the power of the Holy Spirit can open a person's heart.”

Kindness evangelism is simply giving someone a token gift or doing a service in the name of Jesus. Steve Sjogren says, “Kindness Evangelism is demonstrating the kindness of God by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached.”

Jesus said, “…Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

More on Kindness Evangelism

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Soul Winning Power

Acts 1:8

Jesus promised us Holy Spirit power to be his witnesses. Holy Spirit power filled the Apostle Peter as he preached a sermon that led 3000 to faith in Jesus. Holy Spirit power filled the early Christians so that new believers were created DAILY.

Holy Spirit power is unleashed through prayer. Jesus' followers were gathered in prayer before the Holy Spirit came down and unleashed miraculous power that led so many to faith. We need to pray for those whom we know are not believers. Pray that God reveal Himself to them the way He did at Pentecost.

Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2)

Let us pray that God will stir our hearts and send us into the harvest field to share our faith with others.

Holy Spirit power is unleashed when we give others our time. Jesus gave people time. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Jesus taught him that a person had to be born again. He was a teacher but did not understand this basic spiritual teaching. Jesus was patient and taught the teacher.

Jesus spoke to people at their point of need. To a woman getting water he spoke about living water. Jesus told a rich young man to give it all up.

Give people your time and talk about their interests. They will ask questions, so, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Holy Spirit power is unleashed through service. Jesus showed his love for the world by being servant. He healed the sick, fed the hungry and sought after people in society's margins. When we serve others as Jesus did, we put our love into action and open hearts to the gospel.

Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Serving the real needs of other people creates opportunities to talk to them about their spiritual needs that they may not even realize they have. 

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Three Reasons Why We Should Share Our Faith

First, there is an abundance of grace. We will never run out. God's love for us is not diminished when he loves others. In fact, the only way to grow in love is to share it. There’s plenty of God’s grace; plenty of his favor; plenty of his love. The Bible tells us that “...to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) 

In fact, Jesus said he came to bring us abundant life. The joy this produces ought to be spilling over in your life and pour out on those with whom you come into contact.

Second, we are part of God's plan for spreading the gospel. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) 

Your personality, talents, and abilities combine with your environment to create a unique way of sharing the gospel. God creates divine appointments that put you in contact with persons in need. Most people come to Christ because of someone they know rather than a pastor or TV preacher. The gospel's message is simple and Jesus promised us Holy Spirit power.  

Third, people are ready to respond to the gospel. More ready than we think. God is working in people's hearts. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and calls people to salvation. People are about religion, both the big picture and your personal thoughts. They don't like to be cornered or harassed but are willing to talk with friends about faith.

I will be teaching Becoming a Contagious Christian at Baptist Temple starting March 9. Classes will be Sunday's at 9:30 with a second opportunity on Wednesday evenings beginning March 12. Learn to communicate your faith in a style that fits you.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone

who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15

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