Don’t Invite Them to Church!
Now that I have your attention, let’s think about this.
What is it we really want? We are burdened for people, and invite them to attend our church. But often we continue to do so with little success. In a meeting of the core group of a new church plant, someone commented to our church-planting coach, “I’ve invited lots of people to our meetings, but nobody seems to want to come.” His response was “If they are unsaved, why would they want to?” The fact is, the spiritually dead have little desire for the worship of God and the teaching of His Word. We want them to come to Christ, right? So wouldn’t the first step be to attend church?
We need to remember that our objective is not getting people to church, but getting them saved. In one of the early issues of the “Toolbox,” we talked about “The Main Thing”, and suggested that instead of focusing on building the church, we need to focus on building people. If our objective is to establish a church, we may be tempted to take the shortest route to having people who will attend, give and serve. On the other hand, if we focus on making disciples and do a good job of that, the church will be built as we help them apply all that Christ taught and give them the “Whole counsel of God” (Matthew 28:20; Acts 20:27). You can have a church without making disciples, but you cannot do an adequate job of making disciples without building the church.
Do people have to go to church to get saved? Does “making disciples” happen at church? Definitely! But it does not necessarily have to take place there. What are the elements at work in bringing people to Christ? They are the Scripture, the Holy Spirit and, generally, the life testimony of believers. These are all present in church, but not exclusively so. Disciples can be made in other places also.
How can we accomplish that? One of the best ways to make disciples is to build relationships that earn you the right and opportunity to talk with people about matters of the heart. Then, based on that relationship, we look for a way to get them into the Word so that the Word can do its work in their hearts.
Yes, we must advertise our church—there will be some who are seeking God and a church is the only place they know to look. Seekers need to know where to find us when they have a need. And shouldn’t we invite people to come? Of course! But there are other ways to get the Word into the heart of the sinner besides hearing it taught in the church service. This is only one hook we have in the water.
In our culture, there are few places where cold-call evangelism is still effective. After all, the seed of the Word does not usually bear fruit the moment it is planted. “Calling” works best if we see it as one way (even if not the most effective) to make contact with people.
Church programs and special activities can be another way to build relationships. Family-oriented events where believers can invite neighbors and friends can be an effective way to introduce people to the gospel. Children’s ministries can also be a key to open the heart of parents.
Individual and home Bible studies can be used in a number of ways. We can offer to study personally with those who may be interested, either in their home or some other place. Many people have been evangelized and discipled over the breakfast table in a restaurant. Encourage your church families to open their home and invite their neighbors, relatives or friends to a four week Bible study. As a church planter, you can lead it, or give your people the tools to do it themselves. Hospitality and friendship are generally some of the best tools we have.
Remember, as we obey Christ’s command to make disciples, the goal is not to get them there on Sunday, but to get them to the Savior. So, don’t just invite folks to church—invite them to know Christ. Filling the church will not necessarily make disciples, but making disciples should eventually fill the church.