INVITING IDEAS
DID YOU KNOW...
- Research indicates that, on the average, 77.6% of the people who
become members of a congregation say they first visited it because
someone invited them
- Not more than 5% of persons in most congregations will engage in
personal witnessing (sharing their faith story). However, 80% of them
will invite people to worship
- Approximately 50% of the residents of each U.S. county do not
regularly attend church
All of this means that the power to increase the flow of first-time
worship visitors at Saint Matthew's Church, therefore, resides in the
pews! The many Christian seasons bring wonderful, inviting opportunities to us.
Why not invite someone to a service or church event this week. Along with
your personal invitation, why not give an Invitation Letter telling
about the event.
As you ponder who to invite, here are some people to think about:
- Think of family members - spouse, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles,
cousins, in-laws, nephews, and nieces.
- Think of neighbors - next-door neighbors, elderly persons in the
neighborhood, and new families on the block.
- Think of persons you know through sports or hobbies - people with
whom you golf, play tennis, see at the spa, or attend craft classes.
- Think of people at work - supervisors, employees you supervise,
secretaries, clerical staff, students you teach, clients, new staff
members, and colleagues you see once in a while.
- Think of friends with whom you dine out - single friends, parents
of your child's friends, old friends from school, and friends of your
spouse.
- Think of casual associates - your dentist, doctor, real estate or
life insurance agent, your child's teacher, merchants, persons who belong
to clubs (or associations or professional groups) that you attend, and
sales representatives who call on you frequently.
- Think especially of persons who are undergoing personal life stresses
of some kind. These individuals often find helpful answers to their faith
problems from within the Christian faith - families with new babies,
families that have experienced a recent death, persons who are recently
divorced, or families where someone has lost a job.
The key to growth at Saint Matthew's is in doing something, not discussing
something.
In what ways will you invite someone to our church this week?
Last Updated April 15, 1998.
For comments or suggestions, contact:
Calvin Rome, (910) 867-8031, romec@stmattnc.org
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