Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

A national weekend of invitation 

The UK’s first 'National Weekend of Invitation', which encourages church members to step beyond the fear barrier to invite friends and family to church events, takes place later this year (15-17 June 2018)


WeekendofInvitationlogoThe Weekend is an initiative of Back to Church Sunday pioneer Michael Harvey, who says research shows up to three million people in the UK are open to an invitation – but the vast majority of Christians are too fearful to invite. 

The initiative offers churches 'an opportunity to do something – big or small, for young or old, for a special group or for all. They may choose to invite people to something that’s a regular activity, to a special guest event or guest service.’

The date for the Weekend has been set to follow the Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative, which invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension and Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. 

To help churches respond, The Weekend has a preparation programme to help churches see the process of invitation as an opportunity to develop the faith and spiritual growth of its members. 

Organisers say the project is already underway in many UK churches - and is bearing fruit.

‘We are thrilled with the congregation’s reaction,’ said Lucy Brewster, Edgeley and Cheadle Heath Parishes. ‘Many members have been leaving their comfort zone and inviting. It is changing the mind-set of our church.’

‘In the past few months we’ve seen our largest number of visitors to events. Most recently 37 people come to an Alpha Course,’ said Jason Clark, Leader of Vineyard, London. 

The Weekend has been endorsed by a number of denominations. The Revd David Shosanya, regional minister at the London Baptist Association, said, 'The simplicity of and power of the research and thinking behind The National Weekend of Invitation has the potential to revolutionise individuals and the way the church goes about executing the Great Commission.’


The National Weekend of Invitation’s website offers churches videos to use in their preparation and extensive resources to download.



 

Baptist Times, 26/02/2018
    Post     Tweet
Project Violet: Council affirms commitments to action
Baptist Union Council receives and affirms the commitments to action on women’s experience of ministry made from across Baptists Together in response to the findings of Project Violet
Collaboration; contextual approaches - first Everyone Everywhere national conference
Collaboration in sharing the gospel and a recognition that contrasting, contextual approaches are all needed to help people encounter Jesus were key themes at the first Everyone Everywhere national conference
Prayer bulletin for very small Baptist churches
A number of small, often rural, Baptist churches are being strengthened in their ministry by an initiative which sees them praying for each other on a regular basis
The Centre for Baptist Ministry at St Hild College officially launches
St Hild College has celebrated the launch of the Centre for Baptist Ministry during an event at St Thomas Crookes in Sheffield
A unified call to mission and renewal
Andy Glover reports on the recent day of prayer and fasting, which saw gatherings take place in all Associations, as well as online
We Will Repay - reparations study resource
A new study resource designed to help churches and Christians delve into the discussion of reparations on biblical terms has been released
     Latest News 
    Posted: 26/02/2024