COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (WordNews.org) Aug. 22, 2012 – As many as 14,000 churches will participate in a movement to encourage people to give their local church a chance.
Already more than 10,000 congregations have committed to actively participate in National Back to Church Sunday on Sept. 16. Those that registered at www.backtochurch.com/roster have signaled their intentions to invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, who, for a variety of reasons, no longer attend church.
Considered the largest community outreach in the nation, Back to Church Sunday is expected to draw the participation of more than 14,000 churches.
Recent surveys show that 48 percent of church members have not invited an unchurched person to attend a worship service or other program at their church in the past six months. National Back to Church Sunday offers a unique opportunity for thousands of people across the nation to receive and respond to a personal invitation to go back to church.
“The personal touch is the most effective means for churches to reach out to their communities,” said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, a supporting partner of National Back to Church Sunday. “Good news is best delivered by good messengers.”
Organizers said Invitations to the unchurched are expected to skyrocket with the newest National Back to Church Sunday social media tools, such as “e-vites” and a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/backtochurch). The “Pastor Rap” video ( http://backtochurch.com/videos) promoting the special Sunday has gone viral on YouTube and is being shared by thousands.
National Back to Church Sunday also offers a church kit, including a campaign planning guide, suggested sermons and graphics and widgets for church websites or social media.
“Citywide initiatives are multiplying the event’s effectiveness,” said Philip Nation, director of adult ministry publishing at LifeWay and spokesperson for National Back to Church Sunday. “Churches are encouraged to partner with one another to increase the scope of their reach into every community.”
The initiative dates back to 2009 when more than 2.6 million people were invited to attend church. Last year, 3,800 churches participated, reporting an average of 26 percent increase in weekly attendance.