Jul
28
Written by:
Dennis Atwood
7/28/2009 11:33 AM
After all the innovation of the past several decades of growing churches, guess what the most significant factor in the twenty-first century is in getting people to attend church? Ready? According to a recent Lifeway Research survey, the answer is: an invitation from a family member or friend. That’s it. A majority of respondents (67%) said an invitation from a family member was either somewhat or very effective, and 63% said an invitation from a friend or neighbor was effective. (Baptists Today, May, 2009:13)
Things like billboards, TV commercials, impersonal door-to-door visits, even social networking websites lagged far behind in effectiveness. Bottom line: people today are open to invitations to church—they just need to be personal. There is no magic potion for church growth whether it be cool music, casual dress, formal liturgy, hip preaching, or state of the art facilities. Without authentic relationships church growth will not be sustainable. It will be short-term at best.
I recently read in Leadership Journal about the young adult ministry of the megachurch Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago. In 2001 the church started a ministry to the twentysomething crowd with an average of 2,000 young adults gathering on Sunday nights for hip Christian music and “relevant” teaching. Five years later in 2006 attendance had tanked to 400. Turns out that young adults can download unlimited hip Christian music and all-star preaching to their iPods and laptops. Who knew?
Why bother coming to a church where you’re more likely to get less than Hollywood quality music in worship and maybe a slightly above average sermon from a not so famous preacher? The answer is relationships.
We come to church not to be entertained or to be fed spiritual junk food. We come to church in order deepen our relationship with God and the community of believers. Without those relationships we remain disconnected—like individual coals strewn around a campfire lacking enough heat to continue on with their purpose. However, when put together those individual coals combine to provide a synergy that ignites, gives warmth and light, and sustains life.
Again, the issue for churches is relationships. Another recent survey conducted by Leadership Network and the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found that just 13% of attendees in large growing churches had not invited anyone to church in the past year. In comparison, a different survey by the Hartford Institute found that 45% of mostly mainline Protestant churches had not invited anyone in that time frame. (The Christian Century, July 14, 2009:17)
Why are we in smaller mainline churches not passionate enough about God and church to invite the people we already know to attend own church with us? Are we too embarrassed, or too lazy?
What can we learn from all this? Utilizing creative, cutting edge technology in worship and ministry are significant factors for church growth. We must be open to new ways and integrate these new practices into the life and worship our churches. However, the most significant factor in church life and church growth is relationships! If the majority of everyday church members do not invite family members or friends to attend church then genuine growth is not realistic or sustainable for the long-term.
Thankfully some new residents do respond to campaigns and special outreach events. Others come of their own initiative in response to ongoing quality worship, preaching, and educational programs. For lasting growth there must be a combination of good quality spiritual formation, fellowship, worship, and ministry along with consistent invitations and hospitality from church members to those who are already in their network of family and friends.
Look around. Pay attention to who God may be nudging you to invite to church. No matter how you slice it, it’s all about getting relational.