May 02, 2022

Four Simple Ways to Invite Someone to Church

We often view Jesus as an abstract idea, wanting nothing more from us than for us to be loving and forgiving. But if this is how we view Him, we’re missing the real Jesus.

The real, concrete, embodied Jesus threatens our way of life. He asks us to change in profound ways so that we can follow Him. That’s a different kind of Jesus. He asks and demands more from us than just to be a better person than we were yesterday. He calls us to make Him our Lord.

When you’ve been transformed by meeting the real Jesus, you feel the urge to invite others to experience that same life change.

Knowing Jesus has transformed our lives, so the goal of our worship services, from our kids’ environments on up, is to help people know that same love.

But inviting people to church can feel scary and even awkward sometimes.

The fear of rejection, the possibility of awkwardness, and the challenge of navigating sensitive topics can make it feel intimidating.

But people are much more likely to attend a church when they’ve received a personal invitation from someone they trust. It can alleviate the anxiety that comes with navigating a new place and the apprehensions many have regarding church.

Here are four simple ways to invite someone to church:

1. Start a Conversation

To invite someone to church you have to engage them in conversation (duh). But the way in which you engage them can make all the difference.

Resist the urge to correct, belittle church-hurt, or defend your beliefs. Instead, listen for meaning, seek to understand, validate them, care for what people have been through, and have an open/respectful conversation about each other’s beliefs.

Remember, the goal of these conversations is to genuinely care for the person and understand their perspective, not to deliver a sales pitch for church attendance.

Conversation Starters:

• Did you grow up going to church with anyone? (Explore the topic)
• Do you go to church now? Where at? If not, why? (Explore the topic)
• Have you ever thought about going again? (Explore the topic)

2. Share about your church on social media.

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It’s where we share updates about our work, our hobbies, our families, and our thoughts. Social media is where we share about so many aspects of our lives, so why should church not be one of them?

You can find content to repost or share on our Instagram or Facebook pages, allowing you to highlight events, services, and the community of Church on the Move.

—> Find content on Church on the Move’s Instagram or Facebook pages!

3. Send an Invite Text

Sending a text message is a simple and direct way to invite someone to church. Personalize the message to make it feel genuine and sincere. Here are some sample texts you can use:

Sample Texts:

1. Hey, are you going to church anywhere right now? I thought you could join me at Church on the Move’s _______ location this week.  Would you be up for going to the ____ service with me?”
2. “Hey, are you going to church anywhere right now? I thought you could join me at Church on the Move’s _______ location this week.” (Or, “We could watch online together at my house this week.”)
3. “Hey, would you be up for going to church with me this week? I go to Church on the Move _____ location at [service time].”
4. “Hey, my church has some great content on the topic we were talking about this afternoon. Here’s a link [link to podcast].”
5. “Hey, my kids love Church on the Move’s kids classes. I was thinking you and [their child’s name] could join us this weekend. Here’s a link to [your child’s name] favorite YouTube video from Kids on the Move so you can get a feel for what their services are like. Let me know if you’re up for it!”
6. “[Your teenager’s name] loves going to Oneighty on Wednesday nights. I thought maybe [teen’s name] would like to go with us this week. I can pick [him/her] up if you want! Here’s a link to their Instagram so you can get a feel for what it’s like.”

4. Engage Your Community

Building relationships within your community can create natural opportunities to share your faith.

When we start a conversation, care for, embrace, and reach out to our neighbors, the barista, the check-out clerk, our kids’ teachers, and our coworkers, we open the door for friendship and for opportunities to spread the Gospel.

Ultimately, don’t forget to interact with people in a way that is authentic and rooted in genuine love and care.

Ways to Engage:

• Pray for your neighbors every day as you pass their homes on the way to and from work.
• Take every opportunity to show care (mow lawns, shovel snow, rake leaves, bring cookies, write notes).
• Ask questions: Resist the urge to make every conversation about you. Ask about their lives first.

Inviting others to church is not about fulfilling a duty but about sharing the incredible love and transformation you’ve experienced.

It’s about creating an environment where people feel welcomed, understood, and valued. By being authentic in your approach and genuinely caring for those you invite, you can make a significant impact on their journey of faith.

So, step out in faith, share your story, and extend an invitation to experience the transformative love of Jesus. You never know how a simple invitation might change someone’s life forever.

Check out our blog on building community:

Building a Community You Can Rely On