And yet, as much as people aren’t necessarily looking for a church, they are looking for solutions. They’re looking for ways to deal with the mounting stresses of their daily lives, to build better relationships, to find a little peace in an anxious world. The truth is, if we want our invitations to resonate, we need to stop inviting our neighbors to church and instead invite people into solutions.
1. Invite People Into Solutions
Imagine for a second if instead of saying, “Would you like to join me in church on Sunday?” you started with something like, “Our church is having a workshop on reducing stress for parents. I thought of you because I know you’ve been juggling a lot with work and the kids.” Or maybe, “Hey, our church is hosting a series on marriage and family—thought it might be something you’d find helpful.” When we invite people into experiences that speak to their needs, they’re far more likely to consider it. You’re no longer inviting them into an abstract idea of “church”; you’re inviting them into something that might genuinely help them with what they’re dealing with right now.
2. Invite People Who Will Resonate
It all starts with knowing who you’re inviting and what they’re struggling with. Sure, we want to open the doors to everyone, but the reality is that some people will naturally resonate with your church more than others. Look around your community and think about the kinds of people who would feel at home in your church. Who are they? What do they care about? What’s keeping them up at night? Are they young families trying to find balance, retirees searching for community, or singles dealing with the pressures of career and relationships? When you have a clearer picture of who they are and what they’re up against, you can create experiences that speak to their lives. And when you get to know your community well enough to understand their needs, crafting invitations becomes much more natural.
3. Create Opportunities to Invite People Into Solutions
Once you understand what matters to the people you’re hoping to reach, the next step is to create opportunities that matter to them. It’s no longer about filling the church calendar with generic events; it’s about offering experiences that are meaningful and relevant. Think about the workshops, sermon series, or events you could offer that would provide real solutions to real problems. I’m talking about sessions on managing anxiety, strengthening marriages, improving family dynamics, or even financial planning. And here’s the kicker – every one of those topics has solid biblical solutions. So, instead of inviting them to church, you’d be inviting them to something that directly addresses a challenge they’re facing. The difference is night and day—they’re not coming to fill a pew; they’re coming to find answers.
4. Make an Effective Invitation
Here’s the kicker: once you have something valuable to offer, the way you extend the invitation makes all the difference. It’s one thing to announce, “We’re hosting a marriage workshop,” but it’s another to personally invite someone by saying, “I remember you mentioning that things have been a bit rocky. I think this might be something you’d find helpful.” It’s about making the invitation feel personal and relevant. And yes, sometimes we as leaders have to take the first step. When you model inviting people to relevant experiences, you’re showing your congregation what an effective invitation looks like. When they see it work, they’re more likely to start doing the same, inviting people from their own circles who might benefit.
And let’s not forget: people are on their phones, scrolling through social media, looking for connections and answers. We need to meet them where they are. When you’ve got a great event coming up, make sure it’s not only promoted in-house but also out there in the community—online and off. Ask your members to share it, tag friends who might be interested, and use local Facebook groups or Instagram (or TikTok, Snapchat, etc.) to get the word out. Social media gives you a chance to extend the invitation beyond your immediate circle and connect with those who might be searching for exactly what you’re offering.
If you’re tired of hearing “no” when you invite people to church, consider a new approach. Shift the focus from “come to church” to “here’s something that can help.” Invite people into solutions that are relevant for their real life. Let’s be clear: it’s not just about growing your congregation; it’s about showing your neighbors that your church genuinely cares about what matters to them.
If you’re ready to dive deeper, we’ve put together a free guide, The Art of Successful Invitations, that walks you through these strategies. Download it to discover how you can turn every invitation into a chance to build connections and bring hope to those who need it most.
Download The Art of Successful Invitations here.
