Back to Church Sunday: 700,000 people accepted an Invitation to Church?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, September 21, 2009
- Viewed 86
- (26) comments so far
According to Outreach, Inc., "Back to Church Sunday (held September 13) was a huge success... 'as many as' 700,000 people accepted invitations to come to church on that day.
I'm not sure how they came up with that number, but it's a great number. And I'm all for churches getting people to invite their people to invite their friends. But this hit me with a little of the 'too much marketing' vein. It's kind of like Hallmark creating 'grandparents' day. Create a day; and people will buy stuff to support it. In this case, create a day; and people will buy direct mail and marketing materials, banners, invitations, etc.
In fact, here's the 'mini catalog' for the event.
Did YOUR church participate in "Back to Church Sunday"? If so... how did it go?
Todd
Comments
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Ian on Mon, September 21, 2009
Didn’t know anything about it. I read Outreach magazine, but apparently the marketing missed me or I missed it.
Dave on Mon, September 21, 2009
How do they define “accepted an invitation”? If it was anonymously hung on a door and nobody called the church to complain was it “accepted”? If it was bulk mailed and the recipient did not mark it “return to sender” was it “accepted”? “Accepting an invitation” and acting upon it are very different behaviors. Using their marketing language, how many times have I accepted an invitation to refinance my home or apply for a new credit card?
Mark Jackson on Mon, September 21, 2009
We chose to use the Re:Think Church book (which I was really impressed with) and I preached on being a bridge to God rather than a wall… but we didn’t buy any mailers or posters or media.
I appreciate that they want to help churches grow, but I think the slickness has a very specific “suburban” target.
Steve Himmel on Mon, September 21, 2009
Why is this a news story? Our church is encouraged to invited people every week. I believe it’s called the Great Commission.
JGreathouse on Mon, September 21, 2009
We did not use the curriculum or the program. September 13th is not a good Sunday in our community to ask people to come to church ..
Dave, their definition of “accepted an invitation” was individuals who were invited to church that Sunday and came to church that Sunday.
Steve, yes, we are called to. But, I would say that across America, most individuals in our churches do not invite people to church. Thus, a “dedicated” Sunday, is at least a start.
rbud on Mon, September 21, 2009
Is our arm broke yet?
CS on Mon, September 21, 2009
Steve Himmel:
“Why is this a news story? Our church is encouraged to invited people every week. I believe it�s called the Great Commission. “
The Great Commission is going into the world to preach the Gospel so that people will become disciples who will want to come to church. Not necessarily inviting people into worship services.
—
CS
Keith Randall on Mon, September 21, 2009
We used the “reThink” church booklet also and had “Back2Church” Sunday on the 20th. We had a few people that came because of an invitation. I think that anytime we can give people a tool to use to invite friends to church, it is a good thing. I challenged people who are regularly in church to “rethink” church as well.
Eric Abel on Mon, September 21, 2009
The Back to Church Campaign Planning Guide and other tools were made available free of charge on the resource website. Churches are sharing all sorts of great stories on surveys and on the Facebook fan page. Some are reporting 25% plus attendance increases and visitors coming to Christ. One of the added benefits reported by pastors is that members had to move out of their comfort zone in order to invite friends and family. Churches are also saying that they�ll be doing back-to-church Sundays as a new emphasis during other times the year. Eric Abel, Outreach, Inc.
CDS on Tue, September 22, 2009
Todd,
Did I understand you right? You didn�t like this because � But this hit me with a little of the �too much marketing� vein. It�s kind of like Hallmark creating �grandparents� day. Create a day; and people will buy stuff to support it. In this case, create a day; and people will buy direct mail and marketing materials, banners, invitations, etc. �
Really?
PS
When is Innovate 2009?
Todd on Tue, September 22, 2009
Ha, CDS… nice try!
Todd
CDS on Tue, September 22, 2009
Try? Oh, come on it was far better than a nice try. LOL
Seriously though, was that really your thoughts that they were jsut after money. I’ve never thought any of your blogs, training or catologs of materials to buy were just for money. So, why think that about them? I believe the also offered tons of free resources for the day as well.
Seriously, your thoughts?
Leonard on Tue, September 22, 2009
I think it is always cool to see people inviting others to church!
CS on Tue, September 22, 2009
How about this: We have one weekend during the year where every Christian tells the Gospel to one person who they know is not saved. And I mean including all the, “negative,” words like, “sin,” “wrath,” and, “Hell.” Would anyone be willing to do it?
—
CS
Peter Hamm on Wed, September 23, 2009
CS,
Problem is, why always lead with that? Even Jesus didn’t. And too many who are keen on including that “negative stuff” end up ONLY doing the negative stuff, and that’s no good either…
Fact is, we need to create an environment where people can be comfortable inviting their friends ALL THE TIME to our services. If we only craft a service that is accessible to non-churched or de-churched or un-churched once a year?.... problem…
And yes, they need to hear the whole Gospel, including the fact that Jesus died to save us from our Sins, not just to give our lives purpose… You can find purpose in a lot of wrong things, but only Salvation from our God! (So yeah, CS… we… kinda… agree…)
Peter
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