The Cure KC is a friendly church in Kansas City, and we hope that if you are coming for the first time that you feel that friendliness as you first walk through the doors. We know that coming to a church for the first time can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.
Today I want to address the question, how do we get people to come to church?
Statistically there appears to be a mass exodus from the church. Now I have never been one for crowds but for conversions. Unfortunately much of church growth appears to be not true conversions but church transfers.
Jesus gave us an assignment. Along with salvation we have been given the task of winning the lost and making disciples.
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Mark 28:18-20 The Message
Have you ever asked yourself what you can do to be part of this great commission?
Statistics bear out that the number one reason people don’t go to church is because no one invites them.
In theory we all know we should win the lost but some of us struggle. Let me assure you this is easier than you think. All you have to do to is think of someone you know and invite them to church. It’s all about working in your daily network.
You know more people than you realize. We just all need to realize that just like God loves us He also loves our family, our friends, and our coworkers.
And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” Then he invited them in and lodged them.
On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied .
And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. Acts 10: 22-24
Here we find that Cornelius’ response to the Gospel was to invite his family and friends to hear the good news.
Think of your own life. How did you come to Jesus? Most likely someone reached out to you and shared the Gospel. Do you want to see your family saved? Then invite them to church.
If we can just get our family to walk through the church doors then they may just give their lives to the Lord.
Think of friends you know and invite them to church too. But don’t just invite them once. Stay persistent, build those relationships and and keep inviting them until they come.
You don’t want to forget your neighbors. Today America has largely lost the meaning of neighborhoods. Cocooning in our homes has become the prevalent lifestyle. But because we care about the lost we have tear down the “walls” and get out of our homes, and meet our neighbors.
Finally we need to invite your co-workers. It’s funny but for many of us more time is spent with the people we work with than our families. You should understand you are stronger than you know and that God put you at that job for a reason.
Your co-workers will see your life, your attitude, your willingness to obey your boss. Your work preaches the best that you are a real Christian.
Here’s the challenge. I want you to invite someone you know to church this Sunday. Do you know there is nothing more exciting than seeing someone get saved.
There is a reason people won’t invite the people they know to church. That reason is they do not believe that the church they attend can win their loved one to Christ.
I want to encourage you to get excited about what God is doing in your church again and a way to do that is bring people to the very place that has been such a blessing to your life.
By nature we are selfish people. We only really care about ourselves and our needs. But start contending in prayer for God to give you a burden for the lost and let it begin with the people closest to you.
Let’s pray.
Jesus thank you for saving me and help me to be passionate to bring others to you. Enlarge my heart and grant me a burden for the lost. And as I take this step of faith to invite the people I know to come to church with me I ask you to draw them to yourself. Let this not just be a one time challenge but let me see the opportunities all around me to to introduce the people I know you Jesus. In the name of Your Son, Amen.