Why Do People Attend Church?

Will Mancini is the founder of the church vision coaching service Auxano and the author of the blog "Clarity Changes Everything". He writes that there are three reasons why people come to church for the first time:

Something is Missing. The seeming fullness of a life (full of appointments, responsibilities, comforts, distractions, opportunities, etc.) does not indicate a full and healthy spirit. People may have everything, but a life-event or a time of reflection leaves them wondering what is missing. Are all the accomplishments of career, health and relationship enough? Mancini asks, "How does your church equip believers to engage people who are missing something?"

I would suggest that we engage others most effectively and with integrity when we tell our own stories. The stories of the faith are most compelling when we own them. What would be missing from our lives if we did not have faith in Jesus Christ?

We may not be able to accuse a friend, colleague or family member of having an "empty life" (how can we really know?), but we can talk clearly about what makes our life full. How does faith inform our purpose in life?

Something is Broken. It is my experience that when I move to serve a new congregation it takes two to three years to hear the real hurts of congregation members. I will minister to the public pain, illness and death, but the deep hurts stay buried until there is a level of trust. Many people come to church hurting. The hurt might be a dull ache from life regrets or the sharp pain of a marriage that is falling apart. Mancini asks, "Whether people are overtly hurting or trafficking in hidden hurt, how is your church poised to connect with them? Do you have an atmosphere that is conductive to restoration and where it is safe to be 'messed up'?"

These are insightful questions. I believe that the majority of church attenders desire with all their hearts that church be a safe and restorative place for healing. And yet, church cannot be that kind of place without congregation members willing to be vulnerable themselves. A church that is safe for those whose lives are "messed up" is a church where a good number of those present understand that "messed up" is a typical state of being.

One of the greatest tools I've been given in my service as a pastor is permission to refer those who are hurting to those who have gone through the same struggles. I have seen people experience death of a loved one, chronic pain, recovery from addiction or bankruptcy, then minister to others from those broken places. It is humbling and it makes faith real.

As the Body of Christ, we depend on all the "parts" of the body to lead a full life. We know that God does not desire that we go it alone. How can we demonstrate in our worship, our small groups and classes, and in our mission efforts a vulnerability, an acceptance of our own brokenness that will help others?

Something is New. Another reason that people attend church for the first time is because something new is happening in their lives: a new marriage, a new home, a new baby, a new job in a new location, new friends. Mancini challenges the church, "What does your church do to leverage the 'new zones' that people in your community are going through?"

This is a very real reason why people attend Brighton First for the first time. They may be sending their first child to preschool at First Steps Preschool on our church's campus. They may be new residents in the Brighton area or be newly married. They may have a new baby and are seeking a church home in which to raise their children. They may even be new to the Christian faith.

Is our church prepared to welcome people at new stages? Can we make any assumptions about the people who choose to visit Brighton First?

We cannot simply be prepared to be "us" and expect new attenders to figure out how to fit in. Whether people attend to explore what's missing from their lives, to find healing in brokenness or to make a new start, it is the responsibility of the congregation of Brighton First to meet people where they are with a welcoming spirit.

Why Do People Attend Church?

Will Mancini is the founder of the church vision coaching service Auxano and the author of the blog "Clarity Changes Everything". He writes that there are three reasons why people come to church for the first time:

Something is Missing. The seeming fullness of a life (full of appointments, responsibilities, comforts, distractions, opportunities, etc.) does not indicate a full and healthy spirit. People may have everything, but a life-event or a time of reflection leaves them wondering what is missing. Are all the accomplishments of career, health and relationship enough? Mancini asks, "How does your church equip believers to engage people who are missing something?"

I would suggest that we engage others most effectively and with integrity when we tell our own stories. The stories of the faith are most compelling when we own them. What would be missing from our lives if we did not have faith in Jesus Christ?

We may not be able to accuse a friend, colleague or family member of having an "empty life" (how can we really know?), but we can talk clearly about what makes our life full. How does faith inform our purpose in life?

Something is Broken. It is my experience that when I move to serve a new congregation it takes two to three years to hear the real hurts of congregation members. I will minister to the public pain, illness and death, but the deep hurts stay buried until there is a level of trust. Many people come to church hurting. The hurt might be a dull ache from life regrets or the sharp pain of a marriage that is falling apart. Mancini asks, "Whether people are overtly hurting or trafficking in hidden hurt, how is your church poised to connect with them? Do you have an atmosphere that is conductive to restoration and where it is safe to be 'messed up'?"

These are insightful questions. I believe that the majority of church attenders desire with all their hearts that church be a safe and restorative place for healing. And yet, church cannot be that kind of place without congregation members willing to be vulnerable themselves. A church that is safe for those whose lives are "messed up" is a church where a good number of those present understand that "messed up" is a typical state of being.

One of the greatest tools I've been given in my service as a pastor is permission to refer those who are hurting to those who have gone through the same struggles. I have seen people experience death of a loved one, chronic pain, recovery from addiction or bankruptcy, then minister to others from those broken places. It is humbling and it makes faith real.

As the Body of Christ, we depend on all the "parts" of the body to lead a full life. We know that God does not desire that we go it alone. How can we demonstrate in our worship, our small groups and classes, and in our mission efforts a vulnerability, an acceptance of our own brokenness that will help others?

Something is New. Another reason that people attend church for the first time is because something new is happening in their lives: a new marriage, a new home, a new baby, a new job in a new location, new friends. Mancini challenges the church, "What does your church do to leverage the 'new zones' that people in your community are going through?"

This is a very real reason why people attend Brighton First for the first time. They may be sending their first child to preschool at First Steps Preschool on our church's campus. They may be new residents in the Brighton area or be newly married. They may have a new baby and are seeking a church home in which to raise their children. They may even be new to the Christian faith.

Is our church prepared to welcome people at new stages? Can we make any assumptions about the people who choose to visit Brighton First?

We cannot simply be prepared to be "us" and expect new attenders to figure out how to fit in. Whether people attend to explore what's missing from their lives, to find healing in brokenness or to make a new start, it is the responsibility of the congregation of Brighton First to meet people where they are with a welcoming spirit.

Inviting Friends to Worship

This week, I sent out an email to those who are committed to attending our new band-led worship service, that is scheduled to open on Sunday, September 11. I reminded those who will be regularly attending the worship service, that the worshiping congregation will only grow through personal invitation.

We can send out fliers and put a compelling image on our web site, but that will not capture the attention of would-be worshipers. When we welcome new people to worship, it will be because they have responded to a personal invitation. In fact, this is the case for all three of our worship services. 

We have heard from those who have come to be part of Brighton First over the last five years that the majority came because they heard about the church from another attender. This follows statistically with a pattern for new attenders at churches around the nation. About 50% of newcomers will first hear about the church by doing a web search and the other 50% will hear about the church from friends and acquaintances. 

We will raise the attendance with personal invitation to worship and other ministries. Why not invite someone to Brighton First? Here are some ideas for inviting a friend or family member to join you!

• Who? Each of us can think of someone who "should go to church". Perhaps we assume that he/she would change a destructive habit or come to see "the light" if they had church exposure. Unfortunately, deciding who needs to be "changed" is not the reason we invite people to church. Instead, ask the people that you share your very best discoveries with. Who do you tell about the best restaurants, good deals and great movies? Just share one more thing with enthusiasm, an invitation to Brighton First.
• Pray. This is essential. If you can't think of anyone to invite, ask God to offer a name or an opportunity. If you have a person in mind, try putting that person's name on a note on your table, desk, or bedside stand. Stick the name to your refrigerator, right where you'll see it when opening the frig door. Each time you see the name offer a brief prayer to God for that person. Give God the work of preparing him/her to receive your invitation.
• The Approach: You know the best way to communicate with the friend or family member you want to invite. Do they discuss all things by text? over the phone? in person? Do you have a friend that likes things spelled out in an email or would they be thrilled to receive a hand-written invitation from you? Communicate in the same way you typically would with your friend.
• The Ask: Tell your friend or family members why you like Brighton First and why you have decided to invite people. Be honest. Be real. Tell them how you would feel if you saw them or sat with them at worship on Sunday morning. Tell them what qualities they have that would strengthen and/or enrich a community of faithful people. Finally, tell them that you will take them to breakfast or lunch after worship so you can hear what they think!

Worship attendance and attendance at other ministry events will rise when we start to talk about our church with our friends and neighbors. Let's join together and invite our friends.

Inviting Friends to Worship

This week, I sent out an email to those who are committed to attending our new band-led worship service, that is scheduled to open on Sunday, September 11. I reminded those who will be regularly attending the worship service, that the worshiping congregation will only grow through personal invitation.

We can send out fliers and put a compelling image on our web site, but that will not capture the attention of would-be worshipers. When we welcome new people to worship, it will be because they have responded to a personal invitation. In fact, this is the case for all three of our worship services. 

We have heard from those who have come to be part of Brighton First over the last five years that the majority came because they heard about the church from another attender. This follows statistically with a pattern for new attenders at churches around the nation. About 50% of newcomers will first hear about the church by doing a web search and the other 50% will hear about the church from friends and acquaintances. 

We will raise the attendance with personal invitation to worship and other ministries. Why not invite someone to Brighton First? Here are some ideas for inviting a friend or family member to join you!

• Who? Each of us can think of someone who "should go to church". Perhaps we assume that he/she would change a destructive habit or come to see "the light" if they had church exposure. Unfortunately, deciding who needs to be "changed" is not the reason we invite people to church. Instead, ask the people that you share your very best discoveries with. Who do you tell about the best restaurants, good deals and great movies? Just share one more thing with enthusiasm, an invitation to Brighton First.
• Pray. This is essential. If you can't think of anyone to invite, ask God to offer a name or an opportunity. If you have a person in mind, try putting that person's name on a note on your table, desk, or bedside stand. Stick the name to your refrigerator, right where you'll see it when opening the frig door. Each time you see the name offer a brief prayer to God for that person. Give God the work of preparing him/her to receive your invitation.
• The Approach: You know the best way to communicate with the friend or family member you want to invite. Do they discuss all things by text? over the phone? in person? Do you have a friend that likes things spelled out in an email or would they be thrilled to receive a hand-written invitation from you? Communicate in the same way you typically would with your friend.
• The Ask: Tell your friend or family members why you like Brighton First and why you have decided to invite people. Be honest. Be real. Tell them how you would feel if you saw them or sat with them at worship on Sunday morning. Tell them what qualities they have that would strengthen and/or enrich a community of faithful people. Finally, tell them that you will take them to breakfast or lunch after worship so you can hear what they think!

Worship attendance and attendance at other ministry events will rise when we start to talk about our church with our friends and neighbors. Let's join together and invite our friends.