How can you boost the chances of your unbelieving friends and family visiting our church? In a recent Renew webinar, Thom Rainer, a statistician and research resource for U.S. churches, highlighted three effective action steps:
Extend a personal invitation to your friend.
Commit to meeting them at the door and sitting together.
Plan to take them out to lunch after the worship service.
Surprisingly, the most challenging part is often mustering the courage for the initial invitation. The subsequent steps are relatively straightforward. The key isn't having a rehearsed gospel presentation or being an expert on God and the Bible; it's about inviting your friend to join in your routine activities. This isn't just a casual social media invite; it's intentional and communal, promising to accompany your friend from the parking lot, to a seat, and back out of the worship space. It's a hospitable invitation, including plans to spend time together over a meal, discussing life and addressing any questions that may arise.
This approach isn't limited to Sundays—it can also serve as a blueprint for inviting someone to participate in the IDES food pack event this weekend. It goes beyond sharing information on social media to becoming a deliberate, personal experience with someone whom you already have a relationship. It's an intentional invitation for them to join an unfamiliar church-oriented activity, not just to complete the packing of 60,000 meals, but to spend meaningful time together.
Consider identifying people of peace among your friends and family—those open to Jesus, and not antagonistic to Jesus. Invite them to join you in worship and the IDES food pack this weekend, creating intentional experiences that go beyond a simple invitation.
Below you will find other CCC updates and resources for participating in the body of Christ over the coming weeks.
See you Sunday if not before then!
Jordan Byrd
It’s this weekend!!!
This year’s foodpack through IDES is this Saturday, February 3rd — 9am-noon, and Sunday, February 4th — Worship: 10am, Food Pack: 11:00am-2:30pm.
The materials will be arriving on Friday, February 3rd. If you’re free and able to help meet at CCC to unload the trucks and setup tables and equipment in the gym for about an hour, that would be helpful. Thanks in advance!
The food packing process will happen at ten stations. Each station involves at least ten people. Would you consider being a table leader for one of these ten stations? All this role involves is receiving some further instruction from the IDES food pack coordinator, and being a point-person for your packing station to help relay any needs or questions to the IDES food pack coordinator. You can sign-up to be a table leader via the information linked here.
This event is a great opportunity to invite your family or friends to join you in being a blessing — to be the hands and feet of Jesus — to people in need around the world. You can invite and encourage people to participate via the information linked here.
As followers of Jesus, we are part of the church (the body, family, community) of Christ. Our church has various ways to connect beyond Sunday morning worship in the auditorium. There are opportunities for all ages to engage and grow in their likeness to Jesus. If you haven't yet connected beyond Sunday worship, I encourage you to consider joining one of these groups. You could also ask 1-2 CCC friends if they would be willing to start meeting weekly to connect, pray, and reflect on God's word with you — all aimed at helping you become more like Jesus in community with others.
The Chosen Group:
Watch and discuss the episodes from season 4 of the Bible-based show, The Chosen. Starting Sunday, February 11th, 8:30am (before 10am worship). Meets in CCC youth room. Feel free to jump in any time. Contact Dave Farley to connect further.
Merge Youth Group:
For 6th-12th grade-aged kids. Sunday nights, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Meets in CCC youth room. Games and Bible lesson: continuing to look at the fruits of the Spirit. The next gathering is this Sunday, February 4th. Also check out this other opportunity: A youth retreat at the Southern Tier Church of Christ in Elmyra, February 9-11. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.
Impact Kids:
For PreK-5th grade-aged kids. Sunday mornings. Meets in the auditorium for music. Split into PreK-1st* (Little Impact) and 1st*-5th (Big Impact) grade-aged groups at Prayer Time. Parents pick-up kids at the end of the worship service. Kids participate in a game, lesson, and craft or reflective activity during each gathering. Contact Mitch Knight for more information. (*parental preference)
Ladies Bible Study:
Meets at CCC on the first and third Thursdays of the month, 10:30am-11:30am. Contact Linda Cronin for more information.
Flourish Ladies:
Meets at CCC on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Currently discussing Justin Whitmel Earley’s book, Made for People. Contact Bobbie Ludwick, Valerie Hubert or Renee Paul for more information.
Guys Work Group:
Meets from 9am-11am at CCC. Coffee, treats, conversation, and a little upkeep work around the church building/property. Contact Dan Corbett for more information.
A CCC hosted event for 6th-12th grade-aged kids (local and regional), March 22-23. Be on the lookout for the opportunity to sign-up and participate as a kid or help as an adult. Contact Mitch Knight for more information.
On March 21st, Mike Bowers is being recognized as a Lifetime Achiever of the Year by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce. See more information here about access to tickets to join in the Gala.