Share and Care: Making Church Invitations Less Intimidating

Inviting someone to church can feel intimidating. As a Christian, you understand the importance and value of an encouraging and supportive community of faith, so naturally, you want your friends to have that too.

But what does it take to invite someone into that community? What does it mean to invite someone to church?

In today’s increasingly secular culture, inviting someone to church can feel like a significant deal. In recent years, the rise of culture wars alongside the public failings of prominent church leaders has heightened an already sceptical general cultural attitude towards the church. Additionally, it’s a significant undertaking for someone to visit an unfamiliar community, especially if they are unsure of any commonalities. All this can seem daunting, and we end up postponing it and never even offering an invitation.

So let us take a moment to recall why it is an important and effective way to introduce someone to Jesus. Inviting someone to church creates an intentional space for the Holy Spirit to manifest and work within people’s hearts. It welcomes people into a community where they can explore and grow in belief, serve, and take their place in the body of Christ. It's God's design for us to live within a life-giving Christian community.

So how can we make this process a little easier and less intimidating—not just for you, but for the person you’re inviting to church? Here are some practical steps that can assist.

1. Recognise that church can be daunting

If you've been a Christian for a long time, church will feel familiar and safe. But for many people, it's a foreign concept, only influenced by what they've seen in media and entertainment.

Being mindful of the language you use is vital. Rather than saying, “I'll pick you up at 7pm for the worship night,” start by explaining what a worship night is, and share details—such as who will be there, what the space will look like, and what they should wear.

By avoiding “Christian-ese” jargon and providing as many details as you can, you can help your friend make a more informed decision. They are less likely to feel overwhelmed, anxious or resentful of the situation they’re entering into. This brings us to point number two.

2. Begin with something familiar

It's far easier to invite someone for a coffee, or to take a walk, than to invite them to church! Consider Sam, whose swift decision possibly salvaged the relationship:

“I got my haircut recently, and when I mentioned my belief in God, the hairdresser said he’d been exploring faith more lately... I got to share a little about my faith story with him, and he seemed genuinely interested. I invited him along to church and he seemed hesitant, and I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to offer to have a coffee with him before the service to help him feel more comfortable. He was very grateful for the offer and said he’d accept it.”

By meeting up in a neutral setting, you can avoid the natural power imbalance that arises from inviting someone into an unfamiliar church environment that you are very familiar with.

Remember, there’s no rush in this process. Meet them where they are, establish the relationship, then progress to the next step.

3. Invest time and energy

While it's the role of the Holy Spirit to convict hearts and lead them to Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:6), we are tasked with planting seeds of faith...and this requires investing time and energy!

Simply put, when you share Jesus, remember to care as well! Don't tell someone about Jesus and then leave them behind. Guide them on the journey. This might look like:

• Spending an evening each week doing Bible studies
• Sacrificing time with your social circle to make someone feel welcome
• Adding someone to your prayer roster and praying for them daily
• Sending a message or calling regularly to check in

Remember, if you're struggling to find time to care, you can always ask other Christians or people from your church to assist you. Introduce them to your friends, and share the responsibility (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24-25; Philippians 2:4).

4. Trust God with the outcome

If you take the leap and invite someone to church, remember: it's okay if they decline. Declining your offer doesn’t mean they’ve rejected you, or rejected God. Maybe they just need more time, or perhaps they have concerns or biases that you’re not aware of.

Rather than giving up or taking it to heart, pray about it. Ask God for clarity, discernment, and comfort, and continue praying for that person.

The critical point is that you made the effort. You've strengthened those faith muscles and will be better prepared and more confident the next time the Holy Spirit nudges you to invite someone.

Inviting someone to church presents an exciting opportunity. If you have a friend on your mind you'd like to invite to church, be intentional about organising a plan, muster the courage and go for it. Imagine what it will feel like when they say yes! The return is far greater than the expense. Ultimately, their journey of faith is in God's hands. Your role is simply to extend the invitation.