While the goal of growing the church is a worthy and appealing one, achieving that goal can sometimes feel daunting. The good news is that the best place to begin is strikingly simple. Research has shown that the #1 reason that new church members give for visiting a congregation for the first time is that someone they knew invited them. It makes perfect sense when we think about it. An attractive, informative website is helpful. A good location never hurts. Good educational programming, preaching, and music are all pluses. But what really gets people through the church doors? A personal invitation from someone who knows and loves that congregation.
If we want the ministry of Larchmont Avenue Church to grow and thrive, we need to strive to be an "inviting congregation." We can and should work to make our church spaces more inviting, our worship more inviting, and our programs more inviting. But the place to begin is by doing some actual inviting.
It is not hard. Just find a friend. Make a call. Send a text. In whatever way that seems best to you, find a way to say "Hey, would you like to go to church with me sometime?"
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