A pastor called on a young couple for three years. They were always pleasant and said they planned to attend church, but never did. In the fourth year, a layperson who knew the husband invited him to play on the church softball team. He was an excellent pitcher, and the team started winning games. A few weeks later, the couple attended church. Three months later, they accepted Christ as their Savior. They became among the most faithful participants in the church.There you have it: a dedicated, faithful, capable, theologically trained, evangelistic pastor visited for three years — nothing. An untrained, friendly layperson who liked softball visits for one week — success!
Invitations are the way Imagine Church opens its doors. In the ministry of attracting first-time worship visitors, we should not worry about drawing a square on a map around the church and “serving the neighborhood.” There are virtually no “neighborhood churches” left in America today. When people started driving cars, they began picking churches relationally, not geographically. According to a New Member Study commissioned by the Division of Homeland Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), only 12.3% of new members are influenced to join by a church’s location. If Imagine Church is within 25-30 minutes driving distance of people’s homes (the travel comfort zone for most Americans) then they are in our parish!
How do you choose your friends? By drawing squares on a map? People choose their churches the same way they choose their friends — because of the relationship they have with someone who invites them to attend. Let’s make sure that Imagine Church is always an inviting place. Bring a friend with you this Sunday!
In the name of the One who can accomplish immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine,
Bruce Jones, Pastor and Co-Creator,
Imagine Church of the Carolinas
