Back to Church Sunday

26 Jul 2009

Hopefully, you’ve already seen the posters and fliers promoting Back to Church Sunday, happening throughout the diocese on the 13th of September. Last year in England, the day saw 37,000 welcomed back to parishes, and this year our diocese is jumping on board. John Day gives four reasons why you should take part in it, and offers three tips on how to take the plunge and invite someone to ‘come as they are.’

4 Reasons to Take Part...

1) Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have drifted away from our church over the past few decades, and some of them would like to find their way back. We can help by inviting those we know to join us at church – our family, friends, workmates and neighbours. That’s the simple idea behind Back to Church Sunday! How about inviting someone close to you?

2) Over the years, some folks who used to come to our church have just got out of the habit. Some would like to come back – but they just don’t know how to. Our invitation might just be what they’re waiting for. Don’t let them wait any longer; why not invite someone you haven’t seen for a while?

3) We can join in with God’s extraordinary mission of love for the world. What am I on about?

• The Father’s caring for creation and for every human being as a beloved child;
• The Son’s love revealed in the historical person of Jesus Christ: his life, death and resurrection;
• The Holy Spirit’s love: alive and active today; inspiring faith, justice and truth; sustaining the life of the world; changing lives and transforming society.

Joining in with Back to Church Sunday enables you to partner with God in love for the world.

4) Back to Church Sunday has worked in many churches already. It really is a great idea, and we’d all like to see more people back at our church. Someone, somewhere, sometime invited you and me along to church. I for one am very grateful to them.

... and 3 Tips on How to Invite Someone Back to Church!

Tip 1 – Say a prayer for those you invite (we have a Back to Church Sunday prayer) and then invite them. We’ve got invitation cards for you to use and you can collect these from your church. Having an invitation card can make it easier – there’s something to talk about and hand across. So take three or four cards and go for it! Why not make a Sunday morning of it? Offer to pick up those you’ve invited, take them for coffee beforehand and take them out to lunch afterwards!

Tip 2 – You may feel nervous about taking the plunge and inviting someone to church, but it’s worth asking yourself the question, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” It’s unlikely you’ll be hung, drawn and quartered, and martyred for your faith (unlike some other countries). Some of your friends might actually be intrigued about what you get up to every Sunday.

Tip 3 – Ask someone you know. You may be surprised who will take up your offer. A lot of people have going to church on their ‘things I must do one day’ list. So don’t feel embarrassed – the people you invite will already know you and like you; they may even love you! Don’t feel embarrassed about your church – so e people may even enjoy the odd quirks that each of our communities have. You never know – the thing you least enjoy about your church may be the thing someone else finds the most engaging.
So be brave, say a prayer, take an invitation card and invite someone you know to come as they are to church with you on Sunday the 13th of September.

WORDS: JOHN DAY