Why invite someone to church?
“What or who is the church?”
Before we get into the importance of inviting people to an encounter with God, it is imperative that we understand who the church is. The church is not a building, an organization, or a location. It’s a living organism, a body made up of the worldwide collective of God’s children. If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then the church is you. No, not you alone, but are a member of this body of Christ. This good news of Jesus paying for your sin is the gospel and God intends for this news to be spread everywhere. So, when God created His way of spreading the message of His kingdom, He instead of calling the lost to the church (building), He sent His church (body/members) to the lost (Mark 16:15-19). Therefore, you are the church when you go out about your daily life (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). You are the minister and representative of the kingdom of God and Jesus where ever you go (2nd Corinthians 5:16-21).
“So if I am the church where do I go every Sunday?”
You go to the church house or church meeting house. Jesus called the church’s meeting place the house of prayer for all nations (Luke 19:46). This is where members of the body of Christ or church meet to get trained to do the work of the ministry and get edified (Ephesians 4:10-16). There they fellowship and encourage one another with testimonies because it’s a tool to overcome the enemy (Revelation 12:11), they share psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and get updates on the collective mission of the body of Christ (Ephesians 5:14-21).
“Why is it important to invite people into an encounter with God?”
Let me propose to you, that if you a member of the body of Christ, EVERY encounter we have with people is an introduction to the church and kingdom of God. In the same way that an ambassador or a government official is a representative of its host country where ever they go, we, being ambassadors to the kingdom of God are God’s direct representatives to the world. This is why Jesus calls us the light of the world and why Paul informs us that Christ in you is the hope of glory. Paul also charges us to speak as the oracles of God because we are living letters (epistles) read by all (2 Corinthians 3:1-3). And people are reading your life, constantly. What is it saying? Can your co-workers recognize that you are a peculiar person? Can they see that you are a part of a holy nation? (1 Peter 2:9-10) Our lives should be so different, victorious, and desirable that when we get around people they should wonder and ask you why are you different. They should become curious about your relationship God.
We have our children sing “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” But how are we, as young adults and adults, demonstrating that we are letting our light shine in our classrooms and workplaces? Your light is not meant to be hid (Matthew 5:14-16). Every live stream, zoom meeting, and digital conference, and here after every in-person interaction you have with is an invitation to encounter God. You are already informing people’s opinion of God. If that is the case, and it is, we must ask God how to partner with Him in our interactions with people so that He can directly move in their life.
God put the church on co-mission. We are on mission with Him and with each other. This is why Paul taught that some plant, some water but God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:5-10). The watering or planting can manifest in a number of ways. God may ask you to invite someone to your church fellowship, or He may have you point them into the direction of another fellowship. He may have you pray for them, administer healing, deliver them for struggles, or He may simply have you be kind or share a scripture or buy a meal (Matthew 25:31-46). The method of watering and planting that God wants sown is His responsibility to determine. Just know He’s always sowing His word (Matthew 3:1-43) and that it is our responsibility and duty to keep our ear to His voice so that we know HOW He wants us to invite people into an encounter with Him. Jesus said that He did nothing of Himself but only did and said what He saw the Father do and say (John 5:19-20). We are charged with the same mandate, to not lean on our own understanding but in ALL of our ways acknowledge God and He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). You’re already introducing to God with you actions, why not open up and overtly invited them into encounter with God?
Why is it important to invite people into an encounter with God?
The whole point of this life is to love and obey God (Ecclesiates 12:13-14). And the greatest joy we can have in our life is to know and encounter Him (Psalms 16:11). Every time we don’t introduce people to God in the way He asks, we are failing to introduce them to life. This is a life and death situation. If you see someone walking off of the edge of a building about to fall to their death, would you stop them? A continued life without Christ is walking to the edge and making strides closer to death. These invitations are your primary mission. It’s one of the reasons why you’re here on the earth. To be light and salt. The earth is literally groaning for the manifestation of the children of God (Romans 8:19-22).
How do I invite people into an encounter with God?
The first step is to offer yourself to God as a vessel for His use. Ask Him to show you who He want you to introduce to Him today. Ask Him how He wants you to introduce Him. And ask Him for the wisdom, knowledge, and words to speak. Know that this introduction is not always asking people to come to your church, but sometimes it can be. While that’s great, not everyone you meet is supposed to go to your church. In fact, most people you meet are commissioned assigned to another church fellowship. The invitation or introduction can be anything from asking if they want or need prayer, it could be sharing a sermon or scripture that comes to your heart, it could be sharing a meal or resource. What you share is up to God. Be willing to do what God is asking you to do in that moment.
How do I know if what I’m hearing is from God?
Firstly, stand on the promise and make the confession that “I know God’s voice”. Jesus said that His sheep knows His voice and another he will not follow. Secondly, ask God to confirm what He is saying to you. And thirdly, check the scripture. Anything God is telling you to do will be in scripture and will fall under the category of the “Great Commission” found in Mark 16:15-19. This details the mission Jesus gave to His disciples and us. This is what He wants us all to do. And, finally, Jesus came to bring life. Anything He asks you to do is going to bring life into the lives of those around you (John 10:10-11). If what you are hearing is going to cause confusion, death, discouragement, condemnation, or strife, know that this is not from God (1 Corinthians 14:33, James 3:16).
“Hey, do you want to come to church with us on Easter?”
You may have heard this or something similar from a friend, co-worker or family member. Depending on where you live, perhaps you’ve already received a mailer or two about a local church service.
Maybe you’ve wondered why Christians like me won’t just leave you alone. I assure you, it’s not because we like imposing ourselves on others. In fact, for many of us, it’s just the opposite.
On a recent Sunday, I stood up at Moody Church, an evangelical church in Chicago where I am interim pastor, and encouraged people to invite their friends to our Easter services. I reminded the congregation that Christians should be committed to the task of evangelism, that Jesus commanded it.
But I also know that, to atheists or adherents of other faiths, it can be confusing to know how to respond to such outreach. Understanding our motivation may help.
The fact is churches are gearing up for Easter like pizza places are for the Super Bowl. They know this will be the biggest Sunday attendance of the year, Christmas included. Many members will have brought guests, and pastors want to be sure to preach a compelling sermon.
For many churches, including mine, we actually prayed over cards with names on them – the names of people to whom our church members were reaching out – so they might have open hearts.
I imagine some react in horror to that statement thinking: How dare anyone try to convert someone to another religion?
That makes sense in a world where spirituality has been Oprah-fied, and in a culture that says it’s fine to believe what you want as long as you don’t try to convince anyone else to believe differently.
It works great, if not for one reality: the words of Jesus.
You see, Christianity is a missionary faith because of the life and teachings of Jesus. Sure, you probably know the teachings of Jesus that fit in our culture: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” for example. And the world would be a better place if we all did those things.
But Jesus had many other teachings as well – and they’re just as important. After his resurrection, but before his ascension to heaven Jesus said some things that explain why Christians are still evangelizing.
Christians call these commands commissions, and they include: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19); “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8); and “As the father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).
These are the last earthly words of Jesus before his ascension. That gives them an even greater weight to many who believe his last words should be our first priority.
Some people may think “proselytize” is a dirty word, but that depends on how you define and practice it. Proselytize means to convert someone to another belief or opinion. And the truth is, we all do it – or at least try to. We try to convince our buddies that our sports team is better, our wives that this restaurant serves tastier food, our children that smartphones aren’t actually as interesting as adults make them seem.
We proselytize because we deeply believe what we are sharing is important enough to expend our energy and enthusiasm. For Christians, they share because they truly believe the founder of the faith told them to, and that his message changes people.
And some people – even atheists – appreciate our efforts.
Comedian Penn Jillette, a well-known nonbeliever, explained how he responded to someone sharing a Bible with him:
“I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell … and you think, ‘Well, it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward’… how much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize?”
I get that Christians who are proselytizing seem out of step in modern, live-and-let-live America, but when you are a Christian, you don’t get to pick and choose which of his commandments to obey.
I understand that some non-Christians think Christians who share the good news are being intolerant.
Admittedly, some Christians have been intolerant at times throughout history, seeking conversions through unethical means. However, sharing our faith itself is not intolerant, but in fact is something that shows we really believe what Jesus said and we care about those around us.
Tolerance means more than acceptance of different people’s beliefs, sometimes it also means listening to them. And when a whole lot of people believe there was a guy who was dead on Friday, and alive on Sunday, that’s something worth explaining, particularly at Easter time.
So, please don’t be offended.
Your Christian friends, neighbors, family members or co-workers are mustering up some courage because they care enough to reach out to you. They believe they’ve seen lives changed and are following a person whom they believe guides them toward faith and good works.
With regard to evangelism, inviting others to church is just that––a step. It's an action that can bring about significant progress in an individual's journey to understand and receive the gospel.
