INVEST AND INVITE

INVEST AND INVITE

Have you felt that God has made a difference in your life? Don't keep it in. Give it away. We're called to to share God's love and message with people around us. A way to do that in a process called invest & invite. Invest in people far from God in order to invite them to church in order to invite them into a relationship with God. We aren't trying to make "converts". We believe God can make all the difference in our lives and we want people to experience a relationship with Him. So don't be weird, just be yourself. Don't be pushy, just share your experience. Respect people and the process. Pray and ask God to help you see opportunities to share his love and message through our words and actions.

INVITE
Invite someone to join you some Sunday at The Journey. Statistic show it takes at least seven invites for someone to show up. If they come, follow up. Take them to lunch after church or ask them what they thought later in the week. Share your thoughts too. Look for opportunities to invite them to explore God more and maybe begin a relationship with Him.

SHARE YOUR STORY
How has God changed your life? What does follow Jesus mean for your life? How have you experience God? Think about it. Write it out. Be prepared to share it.

BRIDGE THE GAP
Here is a great picture to explain what Jesus did on the cross. You can easily draw it on a napkin or whatever and ask people where they see themselves. It's based on Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Memorize it. Share it.

 

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO INVEST IN?
Here are a few ideas to help you build relationships in our community:

LET'S DO LUNCH

We all eat three meals a day. Why not make a habit of sharing one of those meals with someone who doesn't know God? Go to lunch with a co-worker, not by yourself. Invite the neighbors over for family dinner. If it’s too much work to cook a big dinner, just order pizza and put the focus on conversation. When you go out for a meal or have a cookout, invite someone to join you. Flee the Christian subculture.

BE A REGULAR

Instead of hopping all over the city for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places at the same times. Get to know the staff. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. Build relationships. Support local business. Be a regular.

HOBBY

Hunt? Creative Memories? Watch Football? Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try city league sports. Share your hobby by teaching lessons, such as sewing, piano, knitting, or tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Have fun. Be yourself.

TALK TO YOUR CO-WORKERS

How hard is that? Take your breaks with intentionality. Go out with your team or task force after work. Be interested in your co-workers. Pick four and pray for them. Form moms’ groups in your neighborhood and don’t make them exclusively Christian. Schedule play dates with the neighbors’ kids. Work on mission.

VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY

Find a non-profit in your part of the city and take a Saturday a month to serve your city. Bring your neighbors, your friends, or your small group. Spend time as a church serving our community. Not sure what to do, check out networks. You can do it!

PARTICIPATE IN YOUR AREA

Instead of playing XBox, watching TV, or surfing the net, participate in city events. Go to fundraisers, festivals, cleanups, summer shows, and concerts. Participate missionally. Strike up conversation. Study the culture. Reflect on what you see and hear. Pray for your community. Love the city. Participate with the community.

BE A FRONT PORCH NEIGHBOR 

Help a neighbor by weeding, mowing, shoveling snow. Stop by the neighborhood association or apartment office and ask if there is anything you can do to help improve things. Move the chairs from the back yard to the front porch. Walk around your neighbor - it's good for you & you might meet new friends. Host a cookout or block party. Be a neighbor and make a difference in the lives right around you.