Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1979

Bring A Friend
William Lensink

Title - Bring a Friend

Topic - Evangelism

Do you remember Sunday services when you had to come early to be sure there was a seat for you, and extra chairs were brought in to accommodate the latecomers? That can still happen today and did happen in our church on Sunday, April 1, 1979. Over 500 people entered the sanctuary that morning and at 10:30 even the last seats in the front pews and on the balcony were occupied.

The praise on that beautiful spring morning in God's house was simply overwhelming. When so many people, supported by the choir, the band and the organ, started to sing the praise of their Redeemer and glorify their Creator it felt indeed as if the roof lifted and all the windows moved. Following the benediction the many guests were greeted and invited to stay for the coffee fellowship in the social hall.

The theme to introduce that "Bring a friend Sunday" was the parable of the banquet. Luke 14:23 -"And compel them to come in, that My House may be filled." Our Lord had guests invited to His great supper till the house was filled to the last seat. Does this not imply that we must invite friends and neighbours to come and worship with us, so that the sanctuary may be filled to capacity?

It is a known fact that people do not come to a church for the first time because it happens to be located in the next block or because a stranger knocked on their door and sweet talked or high pressured an invitation. Most people started coming to church when a sincere friend invited them to do so, when someone is willing to share the joy of worship, the beauty of praise and the unsearchable riches of God's Word. Then, when that newcomer is welcomed to a warm fellowship of believers that person's life receives a new dimension. Worship to the newcomer will be exciting when it is exciting to those who invited him, since joy is contageous.

Invitation cards for that day were printed, which read: "You are invited to attend a special service of worship on Sunday, April 1, 1979 at 10:30 AM as the guest of............. These were handed out 3 weeks ahead of time and mailed out by the members with the challenge to think of the person down the street, that lonely person at work and that shy individual in your class. Those who mailed out invitations were asked to call or contact their guests a few days ahead of time and offer transportation. The response of the congregation was precious, 150 invitations were mailed out and an equal number of guests were welcomed on April 1

It was an unforgettable day in the life of the congregation. There was a deep sense of gratitude for the many people who worshipped with us. There was a new realization that our church can grow if we take our Lord's command seriously to go out into the highways and hedges and compel people to come in. There was a new challenge for the elders for follow-up visits, to seek the lost and to build up the saved. But above all there was the joy of experiencing His promise: And lo, I am with you always.

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