How do you reach out to those who aren't part of the church?

[mamamunchkin]

We are struggling with how to reach those around us, specifically to target them for Common Grounds. How does your church do it? Any insights?

[shybhan]

One of the best ways to reach out to anyone outside the church is to form a relationship with them. I think that it is through relationship that we form a bond with someone which leads them to see a validity in what we are doing. For example why would I want to go to Common Grounds? If I was not going to a church, had no relationship with God, why would I go there? You don't know why a person would go if you don't form a relationship with them and they can see the benefit in your life. I know that the best programs in our church in Missouri and in Texas are ones that people are brought into by someone else. If we really look around us, that is how most of us were brought into a ministry or program at church..

Okay, wordy I know...sorry!

[Flautista]

That's a great question. Just show them love. Minister to their needs and they'll start wondering what's driving you. You'll build trust so that they'll be interested enough to hear that it's because of Jesus that you do what you do.

[EllieFunt]

Our church holds a "Holy Grounds Cafe" once a month. Dinner along with some sort of entertainment. This month will be the "Bleach Boys". One month they showed a movie. We advertise in the local newspaper as well as the recreation dept paper.

We've also shown movies at church The Passion & the football one, I've forgotten the name. The both brought out HUGE numbers of people. Offered light refreshments afterwards.

In the winter we have the Madrigal singers from Wheaton College (Christian College) come out for a concert. Again, that brings out a large number of people. We host a dessert buffet afterwards. Sometimes we have the high school singers come out too. (same thing offering food) :hmm: All about the food aren't we.... :biglaugh:

We're not a big church (people wise), we average 75-150 people.

For the movies we've gone door to door with "hangers" letting people know about the event. Not ringing bells, just leaving info.

Our local paper will list Bible studies at local churches for free. And will send out the "Religion" editor for any stories on new programs. You may want to contact your religion editor about your Common Grounds program, invite them to the first or second dinner there. We did that with our Holy Grounds Cafe. It was pretty funny, we got her involved in a skit. She then wrote about the great time she had there.

[Kim2005]

:hmm: All about the food aren't we.... :biglaugh:


Too funny!! :rofl:

[DeVonneW]

I agree ~ relationships are #1 !

Churches in our area have hosted Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames and the Power Team all which draw large crowds of people and they have seen church growth from these.

We just hosted a bring a friend Sunday with great results. We served a dinnner after the service and many people have come back. :clap:

[paliz]

We have a few outreaches. One we have a bus ministry. Normally on Saturdays the people in the group go out and do some door to door and then offer rides on Sunday morning for those that are interested. It has brought in a few people especially from our lower income communities. Another thing we have for youth is a coffee house 2x a month. There is different things that happen during those time but it's really a chance for our youth to invite friends and have them exposed to a christian atmosphere without being "preached at". Also, VBS is a big thing in the summer. We really try to promote it in the community and we get a lot of kids there.

[Mrs D]

I think the word "reach" lends a clue in itself. Reach, meaning to extend to a certain point. We must first be willing to extend ourselves to others. Reach out of ourselves, that is. Kinda' funny, isn't it? A phrase we throw around a great deal, but seldom truly think about.

OK, now that I've amused myself, let's see if I have a decent thought for *you* now. :biglaugh:

I picked up a successful tip from a book called Outflow awhile back. Maybe it will spark something for your group too. The idea is to make an effort to develop an acquaintance w/ the people you see on a regular basis such as cashiers, waiters, bag boys & such. All you have to do is to make an effort to visit w/ these people whenever you go into their place of employment. For example, get your car gassed up at the same place on the same day about the same time every week so that you'll have a good chance of paying the same cashier every week. Strike up light conversation asking non-threatening questions (ie "Have you worked here long? Where did you work b/4 you came here?") to start w/. In between meeting times, pray for that person(s) & ask God to show you ways to minister to them where they are at the moment (then do that, of course). As you meet this person on a regular basis you can get to know them better (& become known too). Then, as the Spirit gives opportunity you can invite them to Christian events, Bible studies, etc.

Hth.

[Cindy M.]

As a Church we don't do a lot. We do equip ourselves with some evangelistic tools. Occasional workshops. But we do not invite people to church or the services per se. We see our gatherings on Sundays as being for Christians to come together and edify each other. Worship together and study together. As individuals we do teach the gospel to other individuals. We try and allow the relationship between Christ and the individual happen first. Once in a believing relationship with Christ then church will make so much more sense. But to "come to church" outside of that relationship leaves something out IMHO. Some conversions happen during church assemblies. But most happen outside of the building.

[EllieFunt]

I agree with you Cindy. We see our gatherings on Sundays as being for Christians to come together and edify each other. Worship together and study together. If you invite someone to church and they're not saved or have a relationship with Christ, they look at you like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. They think "why on earth would I want to go to church?" But invite them to a non-church activity they might be more likely to go. See it as non-threatening.

Like my parents. My kids invite them to church all the time. Do they come? No. But they will come for our Holy Grounds Cafe on occassion and to the kids Awana awards night. I'll take it for now. They see the love of Christ flowing from others at these activities. I just keep praying.

[mamamunchkin]

What Ellie said... that's the kind of thing we're looking for... to get people that wouldn't otherwise be there.

I completly agree about the relationship thing. I have two people in my life that I am reaching toward. The timing isn't there yet, but I have faith it will be.

[Cindy M.]

Ellie.. see we do not do non church activities as a church.
We do not run social programs. Now Friday night is our first attempt
at a "Friday night gospel singing" and that is followed by refreshments so we
might get people to that but honestly we will get mainly church folks from
around the county.

[EllieFunt]

How do you reach the non-churched? You rely on members to invite others to church?

For us we've found that people just find church threatening at first. Sad, I know. But many are just not ready to attend church. We find that they are move comfortable attending a non-religious function. Sending their kids to Awana - that is a huge outreach for us. Then we can reach the parents, not always. 1 family started attending church with us last year because of their children attending Awana.

We're not a mega church or a seeker church either. We're small. Our numbers run around 75-100 (average) people on any given Sunday. We praise the Lord when that 1 new family walks in that door.

Perhaps in different areas of the country it's done differently? But living just outside of Chicago - we need this type of ministry. People want to fellowship. With Awana, "Suzy" walks in with her child - new to Awana and see's that "Carol" is already attending - she can sit and talk while their kids attend. Then it's not so threatening, so new. "Suzy" feels welcomed and fit's in. We have kids from 3 different suburbs attending.

that's the kind of thing we're looking for... to get people that wouldn't otherwise be there. Sadly, people need another reason to get to church. Besides wanting to know Jesus. It's not like it used to be - not around here anyway.

[shybhan]

I know one of the things I've seen work at the church we attend in Missouri is to have outreaches that have nothing to do with church. For example, they do a 5k run outreach at night, and donate the proceeds to a local charity. They have a testimony and invitation time before they give out awards. That church also has a big golf tournament and gives the proceeds to another charity. Neither one of the charities have anything to do with our church per se.. Why do I say this? They realized 2 things....like Paul, you have to become all things to all people. Meaning you have to reach them where they are at. My husband and I ride with a Biker ministry that reaches out to outlaw bikers. We don't participate in what they do, but we aren't afraid of them either. In this day and age, people who are not in the church find more fulfillment in all these other things, then anything they are finding in churches now a days. In my opinion, and it's mine, we need to stop waiting for them to come to us, and we need to go out to them, otherwise, our churches are going to get emptier and emptier.

[MOMo]

Great question...and I've enjoyed reading the replies of how other churches deal with the same area of evangelism.

Not sure sure how to word it, but thinking about the saying of extraordinary people do ordinary things extrodinarily. It's the fact that you'll do things the world sees as ordinary in a way that is just a bit different--or that you'll do them at all.

If I had no understanding of what God, or the 'church' itself, or what the body was called to...what and where can I serve those that I might show just a bit of that spark with them and let God work through me.

And most importantly, asking God to give you a servants heart and to guide your ministry specifically in how you can impact your community is priceless. He's got something specific for your ministry to give.

[DDofEve]

we take "LIFE" aka Jesus Christ TO them. We LIVE it. We are REAL in front of people. When we make a mistake, we ask forgiveness. We don't cover it up.

We have a worship time on our community's Green with a rockin' praise band. We make it Relevant(btw, that is our band's name) TO THEM.

We invite to Small Group Bible study, we are friendly, and we feed people.

We are involved and visible throughout the community functions, which are numerous around here.

There was a long time that Bridgewater was not visible within the community. It was a sad and lonely time here. Now, we are bursting at the seams and its like the revivals in the old days! PTL!

You have to be willing to do whatever you can to show people love!