Limited and fresh announcements are good and needed, but the best way to encourage participation is through prayer and a personal one-on-one invitation.
You’ve witnessed these scene many times during Sunday’s announcements. Maybe you’ve been the one to make a similar announcement:
“The dear ladies of our church have an awesome opportunity coming up in a few weeks to grow in the faith and develop greater community! It’s the Ladies Retreat at Ridgeway Camp that will occur Friday and Saturday, April 26-27. You don’t want to miss it! Be sure to go online and register today!”
The same announcement is made for the next several weeks, and it is now the Sunday before the retreat.
Pastor: “Now, ladies, we need you to sign up for Ladies Retreat! You don’t want to miss it! We have only three that have registered, so get out your phone right now, scan the QR code on the screen, and register for this opportunity that will spiritually enhance your life as well as the life of this church! I’m going to wait a moment for you to do so.”
Once again we find ourselves begging from the pulpit, trying to motivate folks to participate, to commit. The above scenario occurs week after week. Quite frankly, it can wear out the pastor and the congregation.
There’s a better way and it runs parallel with the previous blog post, A New Way To Increase Your Volunteer Base.
The best way to get others involved is through prayer and a personal invite.
It might look something like this:
Sunday:
Mary: “Sue, we have an awesome opportunity coming up in a few weeks to grow in the faith and develop greater community among us! It’s the Ladies Retreat at Ridgeway Camp on Friday and Saturday, April 26-27. Would you pray about going? You can find out all the information by checking out their website. I’ll be praying for you.”
Next Sunday:
“Sue, have you prayed about attending the Ladies Retreat? Do you have any questions that I could possibly answer? If not, I’ll continue to pray.”
Third Sunday:
Mary: “Sue, what has the Lord revealed to you about the Ladies Retreat through prayer?”
Sue: “Well, I’m not sure yet.”
Mary: “How about let’s have coffee together this week, and I’ll share with you how the Lord has used this retreat to grow me. I can answer questions about the camp and the retreat. And, if you are ready, I’ll help you register.”
Note the personal interest Mary has taken in Sue to be a friend, to pray with her, and to lovingly disciple her. This is the fulfillment of some of the one another’s in the Word.
(Side note: Obviously, you do not want to push and beg “Sue” every week, but you sure don’t want to stop praying for God’s will to be done and for the Spirit to guide you in coming alongside “Sue” to encourage.)
Limited and fresh announcements are good and needed, but the best way to encourage participation is through prayer and a personal one-on-one invitation.
1 John 4:7 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Hebrews 10:24 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Pastor friend, you can start this trend in your own church. Pray for and personally invite men to join you in discipleship and service, and watch God work!
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