In addition to some methods for catching the interest of potential attendees at evangelistic endeavors that we discussed previously (June 2008), the following ideas will help increase attendance and maintain continuing interest in your programs.
Biblical authority. Base each presentation firmly on God’s Word. Shun sermons that wander into speculation. Build confidence by referencing the Bible, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and by affirming the Holy Spirit’s power to awaken our hearts to understand what Jesus wants us to experience.
Take-home lessons. During the first week of our series, we provide each person a Bible study guide to complete at home and bring back when they return to the meetings. I challenge participants to complete the lessons as a method for learning to study the Bible for themselves. The lessons emphasize the messages presented and enable the Holy Spirit to speak to each individual as they study.
Preach benefits. More than by merely reciting facts, people are warmed and won by proclaiming the benefits behind factual features. For example, hope beyond death’s grief brings joy when I explain how Jesus regards the benefit of reunion for myself and my loved ones as so important that He personally guarantees the resurrection— the Lord, Himself, descends from heaven to raise the righteous and catches the living up together with them.
Experimentation. When presenting messages that compel behavioral change, share the process as well as the expectation. As I invite people to consider keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, I encourage them to experience the Lord’s Day for themselves by providing opportunities to enjoy a Sabbath blessing. Rather than asking for a commitment to a reality they have not yet experienced, I encourage tasting and seeing that the Lord is good.
Fellowship. While people learn much through proclamation, they absorb more through interaction and discussion. After-meeting times of conversation, light refreshments, questions, and fellowship accomplish much in settling the message into the minds and attitudes of attendees. Such opportunities awaken conviction.
Goals. Encourage faith-stretching objectives. We ask members to pray specifically for those they will invite and to reach out actively and winsomely to their family, friends, and associates expecting heaven to honor their endeavors with fruit for the kingdom. Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God.
Culturally relevant incentives. In some locales, we have encouraged the most popular person in the city to invite all their friends. Then, we recognize the person with the most guests as “Mr./Ms. Congeniality” and give them a special gift for having demonstrated their influence.
Unique experiences. A fellowship banquet featuring healthful recipes makes an inviting introduction to Adventist lifestyle. We always include a Communion service as part of the evangelistic series with advance notice that Adventists celebrate open Communion and we invite any believer to participate.
Family orientation. Our colleagues, Ron and Karen Flowers, prepared a helpful book, Family Evangelism,* which presents techniques of using family systems rather than individuality as an evangelistic tool. While the Western world seems to glory in the individual acting alone upon their convictions, the New Testament presents another approach of leaders bringing their whole extended family with them into discipleship. Providing infant care and attractive children’s programming signals parents that you desire to benefi t their entire family.
Attractive advertising. Your promotional strategies dictate the crowds you attract. Sensationalized portrayals of lurid scenes may detract those who would be open to another emphasis. For example, instead of depicting fierce beasts, our evangelistic brochure features a dad embracing his wife and kids with their puppy. Attendees arrive expecting practical benefits.
Practical topics. Emphasize Bible answers for real-life situations. Discover the powerful impact of topics that provide scriptural methods for successful living—how to face the future with greater confidence; how to have your prayers answered; how your family can be secure. Such titles attract those who are looking for answers.
Enlist support. When an Adventist hospital, school, or publishing institution exists in the community, I always feature these leaders, and they invite their contacts. I also contact spiritual television and radio programs to request a special letter of invitation to their lists. I even ask my fellow pastors of other denominations to notify their congregations that I am beginning a special series in my church designed for the entire community.
Sequence of presentations. Begin with practical and prophetic topics that build confidence in Bible authority and are common to most believers such as the assurance of God’s love and providence in Daniel 2 or the hope and signs of Jesus coming in Matthew 24. Next, preach distinctive truths that anticipate convicting choices and conclude your series with deeply-spiritual decision sermons that motivate a determination to follow Jesus.
Christ-centered. Keep Jesus the central focus of every sermon. Make His power and the joy of walking with Him as your Savior and Lord the theme and appeal of every message. You will discover real power and amazing results from lifting up Jesus.
*Ron and Karen Flowers, Family Evangelism (Silver Spring, MD: Department of Family Ministries of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2003).
