Lead Time

We explore the theological and practical foundations for creating an invitation culture in your church and why it's essential for long-term growth and sustainability.

• Churches often resist growth because people fear change and want to maintain personal relationships with everyone
• The church uniquely transforms people from consumers to contributors, unlike any other organization
• Three ways to bring people to church: announcements, invitations, and hospitality systems
• "Easy evangelism" means anyone can participate by simply inviting friends without needing theological expertise
• Identify 9 invitational opportunities throughout the year, with Christmas and Easter being natural starting points
• Create attractional sermon series that balance solid theological content with themes that interest non-believers
• Set realistic guest goals based on your church size (aim for annual guests equaling your average weekly attendance)
• Equip 10% of your congregation annually through deeper evangelism training like Everyone His Witness or Alpha
• Authenticity matters - people respond when formation is about equipping them for mission, not checking boxes
• Remember growth is an "infinite game" - there's always more to do but each step forward matters

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