Every church is the local expression of the Body of Christ. As such, every church has the capacity to passionately address the issues of brokenness and loneliness that pervade our society. The Church, as messy as it might be, is a beautiful place where people can come together to find wholeness, friendship, healing, forgiveness, guidance and love through Jesus and His people. National Back to Church Sunday is celebrating this beauty with our 2019 theme, Together.
In Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus we see this “together” theme emphasized again and again. In Ephesians 2 we are encouraged by the declaration that “together, we are His house.” Paul prays in Ephesians 3 that “together with all the Lord’s holy people” we could “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” In Ephesians 4 we see how we grow in strength together as Jesus “makes the whole body fit together perfectly.” A powerful picture is painted for us in Ephesians 5, showing that together we can truly make a difference as we “live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” We come together in Christ as the Church, and that makes all the difference for each and every person that steps through the doors of your local church, finding a place they can call their own with a family that reminds them they are not alone.
We have been praying for every local church because we believe that, together, we can see an incredible harvest this fall through National Back to Church Sunday. Your church has the opportunity to join God in the work He is already doing in your neighborhood. We want to partner with your church to help you experience revitalization and growth as you mobilize your people to invite their friends to hear the life-transforming message of Jesus and experience the love and support of your church.
Did you realize that, on average, churches that participate experience a 27% increase in attendance on National Back to Church Sunday? This is incredibly significant. This means more of your people are having conversations with friends, neighbors and co-workers and inviting them to church where they can hear a clear presentation of the Gospel. This means people, many for the very first time, are being introduced to Jesus! We have heard story after story of how celebrating National Back to Church Sunday has reinvigorated churches as pastors and lay people alike are encouraged by what God can do through their local church.
We would love to have your church join us as, together, we reach those who are far from God. Here are three simple steps you can take now to begin preparing your church to engage your community for National Back to Church Sunday:
- Add your church to the map of participating churches – this allows visitors to find your church on FindaChurchnow.com and allows other ministry leaders know that you are participating.
- Download the free resources we have to help your church impact your community and start planning your National Back to Church celebration, including the free full-color printed Engager invitations
- Challenge your people to pray about who God is leading them to invite and then take action and make that invitation
- Join the Back To Church Facebook group to share ideas and find inspiration from other pastors who have joined the movement.
Let’s rally together for Jesus and extend his hope and truth to our communities!
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