Do Yourself a Favour!

It’s Easter Sunday tomorrow.   That is the single most important day of your calendar as a pastor and leader.

People will come to church who have never been before or only been occasionally.

There are many things you could do to make this service great.  Advertise, encourage people to invite friends, plan a new series and start it this Sunday to draw people in to returning next week.

It’s probably too late to make major changes this late in the day, but if you are pastor or preaching tomorrow, let me tell you one thing you can do.  One favour you can give yourself.

Make an appeal for salvation.

At the end of the service, clearly explain what Jesus did and how to become a Christian.  Then boldly ask if anyone would like to make that step today.  Then invite them forward.  Then…

1.  Pray with them.  Lead them to Jesus

2. Record their details.  Name, address and phone and email as a minimum.  Then call them in the week.

3. Lead the church in a little rejoicing.  Let them know heaven rejoices.

What if no one responds?  My first answer to that is stop being so negative.  What if someone does?

My second answer is this: even if no-one responds … you are creating a culture where people expect altar calls and expect non-Christians to actually be in church.  That can only help you build a growing, missional church.