Interest in Spirituality is an Evangelistic Opportunity
by Shirley F. Clement

Do you doubt that there is a great interest in spirituality out there in the world? In a recent visit to Amazon.com, we found 9,055 books and 4,042 web sites on spirituality. Of that number, 2,152 books and 1,204 web sites were listed under the word search "Christian spirituality." The issue is not whether people "out there" are interested in spirituality. The issue is, "How are we inviting people to explore Christianity, a relationship with Jesus Christ, in response to that hunger?"

Advent and Christmas are wonderful times to reach out to people who are seeking. Many people who are searching would be willing to come to a Christmas Eve service, if invited. How are we encouraging people to invite those in their network of relationships -- friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors -- to come with them to these important worship experiences in the Christian life? Examine the worship bulletin and service to be sure that all the words are understandable and clear for people who have not grown up in the church or who are not used to "religious" language. How is your church planning to make a follow-up contact with visitors to the Christmas Eve service?

Often, churches engage in special outreach ministries during special times of the year, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Maybe one of your Sunday school classes or small groups is planning to go to a shelter to feed the homeless. Why not have some members who are going invite a friend who is unchurched to go with them? Often, people who are seeking are interested in participating in service to others. If you are planning to visit people in a nursing home, invite seekers to go with you to visit with the people and to join in singing carols. (Be sure to have the words of the carols for them to follow so they do not feel like outsiders.)

Identify people in the congregation who have the gift of hospitality. Invite them to use that gift to welcome newcomers, visitors, and inactives who may feel nudged and prodded in their own spiritual lives to come to church during these important times. Help those gifted with hospitality not only to welcome, but also to listen to people. They may hear how the church might walk with them in their journey. During Advent and Christmas this year, perhaps some of those seekers will experience the coming of Christ into their lives and will come to make a commitment to the journey in Christian faith.

Shirley F. Clement is retired from the staff of the General Board of Discipleship.