The longer we have been involved in a church community the easier it gets to forget what life was like before we belonged. The act of walking into a Church can be intimidating for most, but the benefit of experiencing the presence of Jesus is worth the cost.
The church is more than a place but a family of different people who come together to experience community and meet with God. It is natural for us to long for our loved ones to experience the grace and love we have come to know by engaging with that family. The longing for them to have what we have is natural but extending the invitation is often uncomfortable.
The good news is Easter is an event that most people, who normally don’t attend will say yes if they are asked. The North American Mission Board (NAMB) and Lifeway Research found that 67% of Americans say a personal invitation from a family member would be very or somewhat effective in getting them to visit a church.
6 Tips for Inviting Someone to Easter
1. Understand their insecurities about attending church.
Some people will have a fear like I did. I remember my first day agreeing to go to church as an adult, it was terrifying. I built up the courage to say yes but the closer it got to the time I had to leave, the more that courage faded. I was inundated with fear and questions.
Are they going to make me stand up and introduce myself?
What should I wear?
What about my tattoos? Will I be asked to leave?
Will I be viewed as an outcast?
I had someone with me walking me through it the whole way. That is where you would come in. Assure them that you have their back by saying something like, “I’ll be sitting right there with you, and I’d love for you to come if you are open to it.”
2. Bundle the invite with food or an activity.
Invite them to coffee before the service or lunch afterward with you and your family. It is a great way to make them feel more confident and willing to accept your invitation. Hey, who can turn down Jesus, and food?
3. Be specific.
Let them know exactly what to expect. It’s easier for people to say “no” when there are vague details. Don’t just ask them if they’d like to attend Easter service with you. Give them as many details as you can. Tell them when it starts, where you’ll meet, how long the service will be, what the exact plan is afterward, etc. Then, see what they say!
4. Use social media.
Utilize a megaphone approach. Use your social media accounts to invite your friends and family. With the power of social media, you never know who could see your invite and potentially say yes. We even have some cool graphics at the end of the article for you to download and use to invite.
5. If all else fails…K.I.S.S.!
Well, not really. I suggest you just keep it simple. There is no need for you to overthink it. When you’re driving, out for a walk, standing in line at the gas station, or in the hallway at work—just take a deep breath, and ask!
6. Remember to pray.
Ask God to put a spotlight on someone to invite. Pray it through and be intentional. Pray over your ask and the approach. How you ask might be more important than who.
We are praying for you.
We would love to hear who you are praying to invite and come into agreement with you. Follow the link to our Easter page for the invites as well as all the details needed to invite your friends and family. We are cheering you on and can’t wait to see the life change that happens this Easter through the power of your invite.