Invite a Friend to Church This Christmas Eve

December 21, 2023

Christmas has always been a great time to invite a friend to church. Even people who have never been to a church, at least not in a very long while, are open to attending a service on Christmas Eve. I hope you will plan on having one of your friends join you this weekend at Browncroft!

In our present cultural moment, however, there is another kind of friend who may need an invite—the churchgoer who is no longer coming to church. Many people who stopped coming during the pandemic have decided not to return. Jim Davis and Michael Graham’s The Great De-Churching, a recent book based on a large and extensive survey, suggests this is a phenomenon taking place across the country.

The good news in this data is that most of these friends have not left their faith nor changed their beliefs. And one of the book’s most important findings is that relationships play a key role in the likelihood of people returning. When asked their reason for leaving, the dominant answer was “my friends are not attending.” This implies that many of those who have left would return if they were invited.

“Some people need a nudge, others need a dinner table, and others need years of patient and prayerful, consistent movement into their lives.

Davis and Graham, The Great De-Churching

This weekend, the whole world will be focused on Christmas. For some, the holiday is a reason to celebrate their faith and spend time with family. For many others, however, who have neither a strong faith nor good relations with their family, it can be a lonely time.

I hope you will join me in taking time to ask God who in your life might need an invitation–whether for a Christmas Eve service, a meal together, or a catch-up conversation. Allow God to use you to make this Christmas a more meaningful one for someone in your life today.

For details about Christmas Eve at Browncroft and to RSVP for the service you’ll be attending, click the button below. I look forward to seeing you this weekend. Merry Christmas!

Pastor Rob

On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him.

Matthew 1.11

About The Author

Further reading

Help Us Celebrate 25 Years of the Wolof Partnership!

The Wolof Celebration being held at Browncroft on the evening of Sunday, November 10th celebrates 25 years of partnership between Browncroft and the Wolof, and the many successes and beautiful things God has done and is doing there as His kingdom grows. Join us for the occasion!
Read more

Browncroft’s Mission Partnerships

A mission partnership is a shared ministry by the church and an outside partner for the purpose of advancing the gospel of Jesus. Central to the idea of our Browncroft mission partnerships is mutuality, a shared commitment where both parties learn from each other as they work together to serve God’s greater mission in the world.
Read more

Will You Join Us for Send Me?

In the month of November, we are going to be celebrating a church on mission during our annual Send Me outreach emphasis. I hope you will join us for this special occasion!
Read more