Advocate Article - 2/07/05

VOLUNTEERS ONLY

 A Sunday without an Episcopal commitment to fulfill is a gift.  It allows me to visit local churches.  Led by the Holy Spirit, I find myself worshiping at University United Methodist Church in East Lansing.  Frank and Carole Lyman are co-pastors.  It is Sunday, January 23, 2005.  Rev. Frank Lyman is preaching.  He does not know I am there.  (Surprise)  During the sermon, Lyman reminds the congregation that it hosted the Installation Service for the new bishop of the Michigan Area.  Then, Pastor Frank emphasizes a phrase from the address still resonating in his mind, “Your bishop is going fishing (for people)…and he invites you to join him.”  I sat up.  Unexpectedly, my words, my challenge, my commitment “to make disciples of Jesus Christ” return to me from the same pulpit where those words were uttered October 17, 2004.  (Surprise, Surprise!!) 

A set of statistics caught my ear during Frank’s sermon.  Lyman found them in a 1992 study by the Alban Institute.  While not all studies are “generalizable” to any local church, the figures evoked an interesting time of conversation and reflection.  For instance, members of local churches provided answers to the question, “What brought you to this church?  Advertising accounted for 2% of the respondents in the pews.  6% of them attended church because of the program.  Another 6% cited the pastor as the draw!!  However, laity wielded the most influence.  A whopping 86% of respondents came to church because a family member or friend invited them.  What a great way to shine light on the mission of the church.  “Go, ye therefore and make disciples of all nations… (Mt. 28:19) Ask them suggests the study. (James 4:2) They will come.  Some might object saying, “Bishop, BISHOP!!  It’s not that simple.”  True, but…    

A noteworthy survey demands critical reflection.  Does advertising work?  2% of most anything is a pittance.  However, awareness of the faith, the love of God, the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit finds its way into the human heart via communication.  Across the denomination, Igniting Ministries has been a success.  It is the Television and Welcoming Ministry of the United Methodist Church-bringing new folks to Jesus Christ using the media.  Advertising works.    

A young couple very interested in attending my former church in Rockford, Illinois came sporadically.  Why?  We had an understaffed nursery.  Conversely, some folk were bound to Broadway UMC because we participated in a softball league and a bowling league.  Other folks loved the pastor led Bible Study, worship and the preaching.    For others, it was the choir.    Parents with teenagers wanted their young adults to learn the faith, do mission projects and have fun.  When the program life of the church met the needs of the entire congregation, more people came.  The survey said, “6 % of the congregants were motivated to attend church as result of the churches program life.  Programming for the whole family works.             

A good pastoral leader positively affects membership and worship.  But in this survey, just 6% of the members come because of the pastor.  Do not disparage the percentage or the necessity of good pastoral leadership.  What the pastor does, how he/she leads continues to be a vital element in the churches self-image, well-being and future growth.  More often than not, a pastor’s leadership and/or reputation puts’ folk in the seats.  Effective pastoral leadership is good for the church.        

A lot of people come to church because of family and friends.  In the survey, the number is 86%.  That’s staggering.  There’s more.  When the interviewers talk to non-churched people, 90% of them state that an invitation would get them to church.  Invitations work.  Other survey findings reveal that “growing churches focus on children and youth, welcoming new people and incorporating them into the mission and ministry of the church.”  As Pastor Frank remarks, “Evangelism can be just as simple as…inviting someone to come to church.”    

Here’s my bright idea for local churches, Volunteers Only.  Using the four categories in the Alban Institute Survey, do a survey.  Over a period of 90 days, find out what brings folks to your church.  Record the quarterly results and send them to me.  Some of your conclusions will be printed in one of my articles during the month of May.  Together, we can learn more about the effects of invitational evangelism.  Thanks Frank.  I shall try not to slip in and surprise you again.  I’ll do it elsewhere.