Simon Cox Blog: Why We Should Be Inviting Our Non-Christian Friends and Neighbors to Church at Easter, My Article at CNN (and a Bit More)

Friday 14 April 2017

Why We Should Be Inviting Our Non-Christian Friends and Neighbors to Church at Easter, My Article at CNN (and a Bit More)

More people are open to Gospel conversations that you might think.

It’s Easter season, and perhaps you’ve already begun inviting your neighbors to attend church with you on April 16.

I’ve asked Moody Church to join me in being “faithful for four,” to find four people to pray for an invite to Easter services. Actually, I’ve called all the pastoral staff of Moody church, asking them to call their leaders, who then call other leaders, who then call everyone.

Most churches are designing their services (or, in my view, should be) with the idea that you will bring your non-Christian or unchurched neighbors and friends with you on Easter weekend. It’s a great opportunity to reach out, and in fact, many might be very open to that invitation.

In fact, research has shown that 78% of people who don’t attend church would be willing to engage in a faith conversation if asked. The stats tell us that the good news may in fact be news that people are looking for.

Today, I published an article at CNN explaining why we Christians are inviting people to Easter service. In it, I explain:

After his resurrection, but before his ascension (when Christians believe he returned to heaven), Jesus said some last earthly words which describe why his followers are inviting you to Easter services. They are actually called commissions: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8), and “As the father as sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).

It’s worth noting that these are the last earthly words of Jesus before his ascension. That gives them an even greater weight to many who believe that Jesus’ last words should be our first priority.

In my article, I talk a lot about our mandate ...