How Do You Invite People to Your Church?
How do you invite people to your church? I thought of this question a few weeks ago, after a pastor and another person invited me to their churches.
I was at the store, looking for a few items, when he approached me with his business card. I asked why and he said he was trying to talk to me, but no really I'm a pastor. I want to invite you to my church. He failed the most important question when I asked if he had special needs kids and adult programs, but he said he would create one if he needs to.
Another trip to the 99 and I was approached by a man, while I was waiting for my Uber home. He asked if I had a church home and I said yes. I go to Houston’s First Baptist, Loop Campus. The man wondered why I went so far when his church was closer. I know of his church. I have been to a few of their community events, but I already knew they do not offer special needs programs.
My neighbor also invited me to his wife’s family's church, on Sunday, while I was heading to my church. He also wondered why I go so far to church. Apparently going an hour to church is too far, when people spend hours on road trips and going to and from work. His church also does not have special needs programming.
I started going to my church for one reason and one reason only. Brad. I am here because of Brad. Brad has been put out of churches since he was four years old. As soon as the choir starts moving and grooving, he starts jumping and screaming. You can scream for Jesus, but not when it comes to a toddler child. I am tired of the familiar tap on the shoulder, asking me to remove my child from the sanctuary.
My former church said they could not handle him because he had a massive scream fest, when he was 17. I was upset. I was sad because I had been looking for churches we could attend, once he was 18. I did not want to be church homeless. Many churches do not offer programming for special needs adults.
When the staff member called me to recommend Houston’s First, I checked my master list of churches I had compiled and Houston’s First did not make the list.
When I moved into my first apartment, in 2016, I knew I had to look for another church because my old church was not on the bus line and I was now living on the bus line. I also knew the church vans did not pick up in the new area, I lived. I started looking for and visiting churches in the area.
One church said they had special needs programming but they walked my kids around the building, while I was in the sermon. Another church--Brad had a massive meltdown and no one came to help. Once I got him calm, We walked back home. I had one church, where a member told me their church does not like kindles and my kindle keyboard in church. I bet they won’t like me taking notes on my laptop now. So I decided to go back to my old church, even if it meant, we caught a ride or an Uber. I knew our stay would end soon but I wanted familiarity. Visiting churches was hard work, mentally and physically.
I walked into Houston’s First, not knowing what to expect, but I felt the church had something special when I first walked in with my kids. I did not know what it was yet. My goal was if they truly accepted Brad and Kalen, I would join the church, even if the pastor and choir was bad. Turns out I love my pastor, the choir, everything.
The staff has been amazing. The staff has helped out in challenging situations and for that, I am truly appreciative. My family has a place to call home. We do not have to worry about being put out.
If I was inviting people to my church, I would say my church has a library and a bookstore, with amazing coffee selections. The prices are reasonable. Chips are .50. 20 mints for a dollar. The church also has an amazing cafeteria with good food, like avocado toast and breakfast croissants. We have a wide selection of events like Boots N Bling, the special needs prom and the monthly women's ministry events. We have VBS during the summer and Celebration during Christmas. Our church is biblically relevant and based. The praise and worship team gets you moving and grooving.
We are on the bus line. The church is across from a bus station.
Finally, we have programming for special needs kids and adults. If your child is 2 or 62, my church has a place for them. You have a church home. You do not have to be church homeless. You are welcomed with so much love.
Churches with Adult Special Needs Programming:
Houston’s First Baptist, Loop Campus. Houston’s First. Thru the Roof.
If you know of any more, let me know and I will add them to my master list on Google maps.
Thank you. Happy Easter.
Stacie D. Wyatt
