“I appreciate the invitation, but no thanks.”
This is a common response for those who faithfully invite others to church in today’s culture. The fastest-growing religion in South Carolina are the “Nones” or the “no thanks,” according to Lifeway Research. These individuals do not associate with any religion. They are not antagonistic to Christianity. Uninterested would better describe their viewpoint. Their most likely response to how they feel about the faith of their Christian friends is that they “put up with it.” Current models reveal that these individuals will make up most of our state by 2070 unless revival breaks out.
Lostness is increasing in our state. The population has increased 1 million people in the last 20 years, but church attendance has been on a steady decline. Now, four out of five people in South Carolina are not engaged in any church and they are not looking for one to attend.
The good news is that they are looking for friends, and they do not mind talking about spiritual things in conversation. Seventy-nine percent of unchurched Americans affirmed that they did not mind if a friend who really values their faith talked about it. Only 34 percent said they would attend a worship service if invited.
Dr. George Robinson calls this culture an “uninviteable” culture. “We have built our church culture on an ‘invite’ culture, but an invite to church for most of our culture is undesirable,” said Robinson. We are moving toward a post-Christian culture, a society in which the beliefs and practices of Christianity are rejected or forgotten.
Hospitality may be the key to the future of evangelism.
Evangelism in a post-Christian context is best done up close and personal. Making friends with people far from God was modeled by Jesus and opens the door to spiritual conversations. Friendships establish trust and lay the foundation for others to see your life up close.
So, invite those far from God to church — but if they politely turn you down, invite them for a meal. Who knows? Easter may break out at your dinner table.