Ridgell's Originals

 In the churches I grew up in, we often held what were called gospel meetings.  These were preaching events over several nights designed to reach people with the good news.  In other groups, they often held revivals.  One name that was not understood by non-believers and one name that implied it was for believers to be revived.

I still think there is power in these types of events.  I still do several of these a year.  But here are a few suggestions for changing the way we have always done them.

Decide who you want to reach in your event.  Reaching non-believers is way different than inspiring and teaching believers.

Make them less "churchy".  Church is the people anyway, not a building.  Have the event off-site.  It may be easier to get people to come hear about Jesus outside of our church buildings.  Especially if it is their first time to come to a Jesus event. Maybe not sing.  Or sing only songs anyone knows:  Jesus Loves Me.  Amazing Grace.  Cut the announcements.  All of these things may be good and appropriate in corporate worship, but I am thinking about events really geared to non-believers.

Dress casual.

Have friendly greeters.  Have easily identifiable people ready to answer questions.

Stop the hard invitation and give soft invites.  Come to the front invitation songs are awkward and confusing unless you are the church culture.  But inviting them to talk more with the people that brought them or the people wearing yellow t-shirts is non-threatening.

Combine with other churches to do the event.  This is really easy if you are off-site.  I have done these kinds of events where multiple churches of Christ hosted and I have done these where almost every church in town worked together.

Make the event Jesus centric.  There may be a time to have an event that inspires Christians to live more Jesus focused lives.  Or a time to talk about worship.  But I am talking about actual gospel sharing.  Good news lessons.  Death, burial, resurrection talk.  

That is what non-believers need to hear.  Jesus.

And... it helps us too.

You may not like or agree with any of this.  That's OK.  If you are doing something, and it is working, keep it up. 

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM