Invest and Invite

How in the world are we ever going to grow the church? How are we going to see those far from God walk through the doors of his church? How are we going to see those who have walked away from the church run back to it? Maybe you've asked those questions yourself, and I believe I have a simple answer. Invest and Invite.

People in this world are longing for relationship and a sense of belonging. They need to know that they are wanted. Opening the church doors does not communicate, "Please come in," but investing in someone's life and showing that you believe them to have worth and then inviting that person to church says, "you are important and I want you to come with me." Who is important enough for you to invest your life and invite them to join you in your spiritual journey. The Bible says that it is God's will that none should perish but that all should have eternal life(2 Peter 3:9). Is that your will as well? What are you doing to see God's will accomplished? Are you investing and inviting? If not, get started...let's see what God can do through churches that get serious about invest and invite (actually, if you look around, you can see some places where God is blessing this initiative, Northpoint Community Church is a great example).

One word of caution for church leaders: if your people get serious about investing and inviting, you better make sure that you are serious about leading those visitors in an excellent worship service. Afterall, we want those visitors to come back.