2. Invite them to Christ.
The one force that can change a person’s mind about church attendance is the Holy Spirit. I believe every church should present an invitation to Christ at every Christmas, Easter and funeral service.
Many churches miss this opportunity.
But your Christmas visitors expect you to talk about Jesus. So explain how Jesus wants to have a relationship with them, and the benefits they’ll receive from bowing down to him (salvation, forgiveness, peace, etc.).
This can be scary the first time you try it, but the rewards of seeing someone come to Christ will quickly convince you to be bold every chance you get!
3. Connect with them afterward.
During every service, we ask everyone to fill out a Connection Card. I email all guests within 48 hours. A member of our First Impressions Team also calls them. And two days later, I send a personal note in the mail. The note tells them what we’ll be covering the next weekend, and includes a coupon for the movie To Save A Life, which they can redeem in our bookstore.
My favorite memory from last year’s Christmas services comes from a young Marine named George. George and his wife received Christ in one of our services. When I emailed him on the 26th, he responded that he wanted to sing in church soon. I’m hesitant to put an unknown artist on our stage, so I thanked him and told him one of our worship pastors would be in touch.
A few days later, I heard the story: “George is good! He’ll be singing next weekend!” After receiving Christ, George went home and wrote a song about what had just happened to him.
His wife had recently miscarried. They came to church desperate, and God met them there. Now they were experiencing the peace that surpasses understanding.
May you have many Georges visit your church this Christmas!
