{"id":31254,"date":"2022-09-10T15:23:08","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-ideas-for-growing-your-church-during-a-pandemic\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:23:08","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:23:08","slug":"3-ideas-for-growing-your-church-during-a-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-ideas-for-growing-your-church-during-a-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Ideas for Growing Your Church During a Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"
Daniel \u00d6berg photo – Unsplash <\/p>\n

By Diana Davis<\/em><\/p>\n

It was totally unexpected. On a typical pre-COVID Sunday, our co-ed Bible class averaged about 20, but as we began meeting online during the current crisis, the Hollywood Squares-style Zoom class quickly jumped to 50 attendees.<\/p>\n

During this chaotic time, many former members returned, and guests joined us. We even have three new members! Growth during COVID? Totally unexpected. Absolutely an act of God.<\/p>\n

As your church deals with the ever-changing challenges of a pandemic, realize this is a unique opportunity to impact the lost for Christ. People are lonely, afraid, confused.<\/p>\n

Others are bored, stressed, living in financial, health, or personal crisis. Today is the time to introduce them to God, who never leaves us or forsakes us, who brings peace, comfort, assurance, and eternal life through Jesus.<\/p>\n

No, this moment in history isn\u2019t a time for God\u2019s people to nap or binge-watch television. It\u2019s time to wake up! \u201cBut I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest\u201d (John 4:35b NLT).<\/p>\n

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Here are three easy-to-incorporate tips to ignite growth in your church or small group this week.<\/p>\n

1. Get all hands on deck for personal invitations.<\/strong> <\/strong><\/h3>\n

In today\u2019s unusual climate, a personal invitation to connect with God\u2019s church can be priceless.<\/p>\n

Constantly remind every person in your church to invite friends and acquaintances to join their online or onsite Bible class and worship service. A simple invitation can be effectively used by God to change lives.<\/p>\n

Re-invite last year\u2019s visitors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Make a list of each person who visited your church over the past year, including guests in worship, Bible study, Vacation Bible School, camps, and events.<\/p>\n

Divide the list among Bible classes or assigned volunteers, with a challenge to contact each person within two weeks.<\/p>\n

Inquire about their needs, inform them of new worship and Bible class schedule, invite them to join you Sunday, and pray for them.<\/p>\n

Many unchurched people are seeking God right now. Make the personal contacts.<\/p>\n

Invite peripheral members<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Re-welcome members who haven\u2019t attended recently. Prepare a full list of members who haven\u2019t attended for a year.<\/p>\n

Organize volunteers to personally contact each one to inquire about needs, invite them to current church gatherings, and pray with them. You may be astonished at the results!<\/p>\n

Use social media to invite unchurched people.<\/strong><\/p>\n