The Power of a Simple Invitation

Church, I want to share something with you that I believe could change lives, literally. It is not complicated. It is not a theological debate. It is not a church program. It is simply this: inviting someone to church.

You might be surprised at how powerful that invitation can be. Statistics show that three out of five churchgoers (60 percent) have invited at least one person to church in the last six months. That sounds encouraging, but here is the other side: one-third of churchgoers have not invited anyone at all during that time. That means many of us have missed opportunities to bring someone one step closer to Jesus.

Here is where it gets interesting. Research says 80 percent of people will say yes if a friend or family member invites them to church. That is not a maybe. That is not a long shot. That is eight out of ten people! And yet, despite that openness, only about two percent of Christians actually invite an unchurched person to church in a given year.

Let that sink in. People are waiting for an invitation they are not receiving. In fact, 70 percent of unchurched people say they have never been invited to church. That is not a statistic from a far-off country. That is right here—our coworkers, our neighbors, the cashier at the grocery store, the guy who changes your oil, maybe even a family member you see at every holiday.

When we talk about evangelism, it can feel overwhelming. We think we need to have all the correct answers or share the entire gospel in one conversation. But an invitation is often the first step. It is a door-opener. Many people who now serve, give, and lead in church started with someone simply saying, “Why don’t you come to church with me this Sunday?”

Think about this: 40 percent of those who join a church do so because a friend invited them. Not because of a Facebook ad. Not because of a billboard. Not even because of a big event. Because a person cared enough to ask.

Here is my challenge to you. Who in your life would say yes if you asked? Who has God placed in your path this week that you could reach out to? It could be as simple as sending a text, making a phone call, or inviting someone over for dinner and offering to pick them up on Sunday.

Jesus said in Luke 14:23, “Go out into the highways and along the fences, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled” (LSB). That is not just a suggestion; it is a command. And it is one of the most loving things we can do for someone’s eternity.

Church, the harvest is plentiful, but the invitations are few. Let’s change that. Let’s be bold. Let’s be intentional. And let’s watch what God will do when we ask.

In Love,

Pastor Jody