Back to Church Sunday

26 September 2010

Why not invite a friend to church? Research (by Tearfund) reveals there are 3 million people in Britain who would respond positively to an invitation. "Back to Church Sunday" provides just that opportunity.

Background

In 2004, the Diocese of Manchester held the first "Back to Church" Sunday. This became an annual event and just four years later, virtually every Diocese in Britain was involved, plus most Baptist Churches. Now it makes national media headlines on four Continents! Last September in the UK 36,000 invited guests came to Methodist Churches. 10% have remained. Interestingly, smaller Churches elicit more successful responses.

How does it work?

"Back to Church" is organised mainly by volunteers, led by businessman Michael Harvey. In January, Michael addressed the General Committee stressing two simple principles: (i) this works when Christians give personal invitations to appropriate people in their circle of contacts and (ii)when the local Church extends a genuine welcome. One secret is that "church" does not begin with a greeting in the porch, but when the host calls for or meets up with the guest before the service!

This Sunday Christians confidence to do something they know they should and opens a door for people who have got out of the habit Church going, or are more nervous than we imagine about taking the first step back.

The General Committee endorsed Back to Church 2010 as a project for Methodist Church in Ireland, and the Church of Ireland's Council on Mission and Presbyterian Churches have declared their interest.

A co-ordinated effort could bring big results in Ireland. Tearfund research in Northern Ireland alone (2006) found that 82% of people call themselves "Christian", yet 40% never go to a church of any kind!

How welcoming is our church? Do we connect with the community?

"Back to Church" is not a big one-off event, before returning to "business as usual" a week later. Real preparation is needed if those invited are to return the next Sunday, and the next.

"Back to Church" provides a congregation a crucial opportunity ask basic questions about hospitality and then take small and significant steps

"How does our church look through the eyes of an outsider?
What about parking? Is everyone welcoming? What does the décor say about us?
Is the signage adequate? Does what we do in the service need to be explained?
Do we offer refreshments? Is our welcome ‘over the top'?"

The answers can help the Church adopt a more mission-shaped approach to its worship, witness and fellowship and become more as God intends them to be. Often it is the small manageable changes that can create a more attractive place for those who do not attend - and those who do!

What will you need to do?

To help Church make Back to Church a success, free resources can be downloaded from www.backtochurch.co.uk . A POWERPOINT presentation and SEVERAL VIDEOS will help share the vision and A WELCOME AUDIT starts your preparation.

Each Church should appoint a practical and enthusiastic co-ordinator to promote the programme and liaise with other local Churches who may be share in any media interest.

In May a ‘Welcome Workshop' will be held in Methodist Church premises around Ireland. It is worth travelling to the centre nearest you to be inspired by Michael Harvey.

The Resource packs (£20 per hundred invitations) will available in July but - to ensure that your church receives them, you must register by 15 June .

Plan a timeline of preparation by using worship services, house groups or welcome workshops to consider - "What kind of church are we?" "What kind of people are we inviting?" "What are we planning to do?" Encourage prayer - for the event; for potential guests for a follow up/nurture course.

First three Sundays in September

Pray for the event and potential guests.
     Distribute prayer cards and personal invitation cards.
        Encourage people to invite others, personally.
Remember - many de-Churched people are just an invitation away, so make September 26, 2010 a Sunday that makes a difference to someone else's life.

P.S. If 26th September is your harvest, is there a better day for His?!