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Looking for ways to invite guests to your fall course? Here is a great resource from the Alpha team at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue, WA.
The first big question is who should I invite? There are two ways to think about this:
1. Who do I already know?
You have a network of relationships that generally fall into four categories: friends, family, neighbors and co-workers/classmates.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Who do I know on a first name basis? Who are people with whom I share a similar interest or participate in similar activities (soccer team, workout, PTA etc..)
- Who seems open or likely to respond to an invitation?
- Who doesn't appear to have a relationship with Christ or attend a church?
From these people make a list of people you would consider inviting.
2. Making the most of opportunities
God is always at work in people's lives and he often directs us to people He is drawing His way. If we are willing and prepared there are all kinds of opportunities to invite.
Ask God to open your eyes:
- He can help you to see opportunities to invite people that may come through daily conversations at the store, at school, work, the barber shop or salon, or health club
- Look for people on the fringe at your church. Who are the people who come, but leave quickly and have not connected to the life of the church? Invite new members or those who have recently had children baptized.
Always keep some information on Alpha with you so you can give people an actual invitation right at that moment.
How should I invite?
Make it PERSONAL
Unless it is impossible, invite people to go with you. People are more likely to attend Alpha if they arrive with the person who invited them. For example - "John and I are going to and Alpha dinner and we would love for you to come with us."
Make it INTERESTING
Be enthusiastic and positive about the opportunity. Think about how you would go about inviting someone out to a movie or baseball game. For example - "We have this really interesting event happening next week that I really think you and Jenny would enjoy."
Make it RELEVANT
See if you can connect Alpha to a need or interest. For example - "You mentioned that you struggle to talk to your kids about God. We have this course at our church that can help you talk more clearly about spiritual issues.."
Make it EASY
Try to make it as easy as possible to attend. Don't ask people to sign up for the course, just invite them to the introductory meeting (Celebration Dinner). Make sure the invitation has a "no strings attached feel." Put yourself on an equal level with them - "I am going to check this thing out, would you like to come with me?"
Make it CLEAR
Make sure you always have printed information that you can leave with the person. Let them think about it and get back to them later.
Anticipate the BARRIERS
Make sure you think through barriers that might cause them not to attend:
- Getting there - Invite them to ride with you or provide a good map.
- What to do with children - Describe the childcare program.
- Don't know anyone else - Offer to go with them.
- Different faith background - Alpha is for everyone no matter what your faith background may be.
Take a moment to make a list of people to begin to pray for:
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* Click here for a pdf flyer with all of the information in this Alpha Tip. You can print this and give it out to your entire congregation. |
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