Shine Your Light
You wake up on Sunday morning and pull out of your garage on your way to church. There's a quiet hush over your neighborhood as you venture to the main streetnot a soul in sight. It seems like everyone is still in bed or on the couch, pajama clad, reading the Sunday paper. You pull onto the thoroughfare on your way and there is a huge scarcity of cars out and about. Are you the only one on your block attending church today? And like me, does this bother you?
With Easter only a few weeks away (April 3-5), now is the time to start thinking about inviting your friends and family to church. Because the Minnesota phenomenon is about to occur: the winter hibernation is just about over and neighbors will be coming out of their dens to venture outside. It's like a pre-spring reunion and there is joy and excitement, for the snow will be melting away soon. So, as you make your driveway re-connections, how do you invite someone to church?
Pray.
Pray for opportunity, boldness and for openness for your neighbors to receive an invite. Quite often, God has been working on them and they may have been discussing church and how their family can connect better with God.
Ask.
I find that when I ask interesting, open-ended questions, show real interest and listen, people respond and love to talk. Have some great conversation starters up your sleeve, even something so simple as, "What are your plans for the Easter holiday?" or "How does your family celebrate Easter?" As you continue the conversation, feel free to provide how you answer those questions. Utilize the invite tools that show service times and locations. Also, know that there will be a great parenting series following Easter weekend that may have great appeal. Invite from your heart with sincere love and compassion for your unchurched friends. Know that 70 percent of those you ask who are unchurched will be interested in attending.
Personalize.
You can simply invite people to church but better yet, invite them to attend with you. With multiple services, there are some great options that may work out for both of your schedules. I've invited neighbors and we carpooled together, arriving early so I could give them a tour of the building, highlighting features like the bookstore or the children's area. We grabbed some coffee and looked at the information in the lobby prior to the start of the service. They appreciated hearing more about our church and were able to ask some great questions.
Relax.
Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Cru, once said, "Share the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results to God." I've done some really shaky and nervous invites and people have said yes. I've done others that seemed to go extremely well and then they took a pass or said no. I realized it really wasn't up to me or how well I didGod simply wants me to ask, knowing it's his role to open hearts and create thirst in the souls of your neighbors, family and friends.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us to "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." I am praying for you and for those divine opportunities that will come your way during the weeks ahead.
