Invite A Friend
By, Pastor Dave Summers, Tempe First UMC
Following the "Welcoming Ministry" training manual and planning handbook, Tempe First United Methodist Church first implemented the Invite-A-Friend program in 2009. From that first initiative, Tempe First gained new members and effectively, revitalized the congregation. As Rev. David Summers found out, this program is not a "one hit wonder." Tempe First UMC has implemented this program three times a year, every year since then. This evangelistic tool continues to bring the same amazing results.
Fall, winter, and spring seem to be the most welcoming times to live in Arizona. They are also the perfect times of the year for an Invite-A-Friend event at church. In the fall, families are anxiously awaiting to get the kids back in school and return to the weekly routines that come with it; sports practices, parent-teacher meetings, and the return of Sunday school. Most churches already have a Sunday school kick-off event. There is not a single church in existence that doesn't plan a special Christmas worship service or program that would be perfect to share with a friend. Spring time brings the return of BBQ weather and most importantly the beautiful celebrations of Palm Sunday and Easter. Churches can make the most of their efforts by encouraging their congregation to invite a friend or family member to these events. We invite friends to all types of events, from concerts and movies to birthday parties and small group dinners, why not church?
Tempe United Methodist Church hosts these three events in conjunction with Invite-A-Friend:
1. Comin' Home Sunday is scheduled in mid-September: This is the fall launch for churchs' ministries and faith formation classes. It includes a free meal at the church, pie auction, special children's fair with games, and a petting zoo.
2. Sunday Choir Cantata held in mid-December: This Sunday brings the best results with 50-75 visitors.
3. Palm Sunday in the spring: The worship service is usually coupled with some special choir or handbell music. The latter two events work well as an Invite-A-Friend event because the people that are invited for the Sunday morning event usually return for Christmas and Easter worship and fellowship.
To encourage people to invite a friend, Tempe First UMC begins with three Sundays of witness moments leading up to the Invite-A-Friend event in which two people speak for 3-4 minutes combined. The people that share their witness moments are a "friend" who came to a previous Invite-A-Friend and then started attending church there regularly and/or joined along with their friend who invited them. Pastor David Summers says, "We hear wonderful words on these witness moments: people who had been away from church for years; people who had prior bad experiences with religion and found a welcoming, accepting spiritual home in our church. We have had people invite neighbors, co-workers, and family members. It gives the church a great lift to hear the positive affirmations from our newcomers as they talk about what they like about our church and how we have made them feel welcome." On the same three Sundays, church attendees are asked to fill out prayer cards with the names of those they will be inviting. Then the prayer ministry takes over by praying over the names asking that the "friends" will be receptive to the invitation.
So much is shared between good friends; a delicious recipe, information about a department store sale, an endorsement of a new movie or good book. Friends share their problems, their hopes, and their dreams with each other because of the mutual love and respect. Sharing an invitation to participate in worship together should only be natural. We want the very best for our good friends and family. It is no wonder that at Tempe First UMC the Invite-A-Friend program is moving mountains, one witness moment at a time.
Photo of Pastor Summers and congregation courtesy of Tempe First UMC.