Offering Christ Today

Invitational Preaching
by Safiyah Fosua, Director of Invitational Preaching Ministries, General Board of Discipleship

Never underestimate the power of an invitation. Those who write about evangelism agree that many more people would visit churches if they were just invited. There are others who go further to suggest that once people visit, they are more likely to stay in a church if they receive a sincere invitation to join. Have you, however, considered incorporating the element of invitation into your preaching to the baptized?

When many of us hear the words invitational preaching, we immediately envision altar calls. Invitational preaching starts with the Great Commission, but that is only the beginning. Invitational preaching is grounded in the understanding that God's invitations do not cease once a person enters into relationship with God through Jesus Christ. God is always inviting us to come and receive grace.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."
(Matthew 11:28, NRSV)

God invites us to wholeness. "It is easy to underestimate the power religious faith has for people who face the wearisome, unending task of 'making it through the night' and then through the day."¹ How many of us stumble into Sunday worship as weary travelers seeking rest? Sermons about Sabbath rest or sermons about how trust in God can relieve us from worry could help those who attend your church find the rest that they need.

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
(Matthew 5:48, NRSV)

God invites us to be more perfect. The United Methodist Church has experienced renewed interest in Wesley's doctrine of Christian perfection. Wesley did not, by any means, believe that Methodists would be perfect Christians. He did, however, strongly believe that it is our duty as Christians to strive continually to be more Christ-like. Through preaching, you have the opportunity to encourage your congregation to be imitators of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
(Matthew 25:40b, NRSV)

God also invites us to service. When Jesus walked among us, he was concerned about the poor, the voiceless, the sick, and people with all kinds of needs. We are invited to participate in the continuing works of Jesus Christ on this earth. Consider preaching about Christian service and then announcing local opportunities for service at the end of your sermon. Consider encouraging members to volunteer at the local food bank, to take Communion to homebound members, or to participate in other, more ambitious projects, such as providing shelter for the homeless! If there are no opportunities in your local community, then God may inspire your church to create some!

Through invitational preaching, the preacher has a wonderful opportunity to invite individuals to receive wholeness, pursue holiness, or engage in Christian service. We have a more-than-willing audience because people everywhere are aching to hear a word of welcome and invitation from God.

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¹Tex Sample, Ministry in an Oral Culture: Living with Will Rogers, Uncle Remus, & Minnie Pearl (Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1994, page 78).

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Posted 9-22-03.