While speaking with a church growth consultant, she kept using the word, "invitational" in describing healthy, growing, and vital congregations. I wasn't counting, but she probably used this word at least fifteen times during our hour long conversation. "They're all invitational. Members of invitational churches are inviting their friends to worship services, to their Sunday School classes, to their small group gatherings, and to other church events."
Not being one to pick up on the obvious right away, I finally blurted out, "Oh, I hear what you're saying. I've heard you say the word, 'invitational' several times. That's the key!" "Yes, you get it now. It's all about being invitational," she said with the delight of knowing that her clergy pupil was now on board.
The mainline church has been in decline the past several years, but there's hope! The ones which are intentional in being "invitational" are growing, regardless of where they fall on the theological spectrum, or if they use strobe lights during worship, or if the preaching pastor wears really cool ripped jeans while he preaches. Developing an invitational mindset throughout the church is the common denominator for church growth and vitality.
Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to sit in one of the pews and worship with the congregation. A church member came up to me to let me know that a few weeks ago, he was walking his dog at the park. He struck up a conversation with a man who also had a dog. As they were talking, this church member invited him to visit our church for Easter Sunday. The man came! The next time they saw each other in the park, the man said, "I really like your church! It was a wonderful worship service!"
This church member was so excited to tell me this story. There's a sense of joy as we live out our faith by inviting the people we see on a daily basis to come to church with us. Being invitational is contagious. It just takes a few people at first and as they share the joy of being invitational, others join in as well.
My new favorite word is, "invitational."
1 comment:
Thanks for your reflections on "invitational" church. Your parishioner was certainly being invitational, and the invitation was received and appreciated. The question becomes, "In what ways can we promote an atmosphere of invitation that permeates the life of the church and its members/attenders?"
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