“Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” – Luke 14:23b ESV
Diana DavisThere’s an invisible sign on your church door. Does it read “Stay Out!” or “Please Come In”? The date and time for worship services is clearly posted, but a church must constantly watch for other ways to invite the lost inside the doors. Need some fresh ideas?
? Capitalize on building location. A downtown church invites firefighters and police to exercise in their gym. One rural church hosts a welcome celebration for migrant workers. A church adjacent to a school serves breakfast to kids, and a church near a prison helps released inmates transition. An urban church plans inspirational businessmen’s lunches. A church in a residential area hosts neighborhood coffees and a mom’s day out program.
? Study census demographics to become knowledgeable about people and needs in your area. If one-third of your population is single, provide a singles’ Bible study. Is there a need for a GED or English-as-a-Second-Language class? Would senior adults enjoy a low-impact exercise class?
? Intentionally plan ways to draw people into God’s building. Host a mom’s tea on the first day of school. Open the chapel doors for National Day of Prayer. Provide a Christian concert or art show simultaneously with the town festival. Offer a First Place weight class or aerobics with Christian music. Plan a citywide end-of-school celebration for fifth graders, a family event, or an after-game fellowship.
? Seize opportunities to welcome outsiders by allowing use of the building for weddings, funerals, community meetings, school teacher training, school banquets, etc. Create legal, hospitable parameters for building use. To ascertain that guests visually learn about your church and your God, attractively display current church brochures, witness tracts, missions facts, event info and worship service invitations.
If God has blessed your church family with a church building, why not open its doors and invite the lost inside? Then, when they walk through those doors, welcome them warmly, and introduce them to Jesus.
There’s an invisible sign on your church’s front door. Does it read “Stay Out” or “Please Come In”?
Davis is author of Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry (B&H Publishing, 2008). Read more at www.keeponshining.com.