Welcome to church, especially if you are new or visiting as a guest. We are glad that you are here to share this morning with us.

A few weeks ago we circulated pocket-size invitations to encourage all of us to invite someone to church. Sometimes we can be hesitant to invite others even when we think they might accept our invitation. I know that some people are more likely to find the format of cafe church less intimidating. A service which focuses on a community issues (such as our coming drought service) is a good way to connect with the community. Or perhaps any service because any time is a good time to be challenged by the gospel.

While God ultimately changes hearts and produces growth, he often works in harmony with our efforts. Here are a few reasons why we should consider inviting someone to church.

It creates a biblical outward focus. Don’t wait for the church to be perfect before you invite someone. It never will be! Our church vision is outwardly focused because the Scriptures are outwardly focused. The responsibility for growing our church rests with all of us. Session have a leadership role but all of us must be looking beyond ourselves. Even if the church is not all that you want it to be, one of the first steps to change is inviting people to church.

Every Sunday morning when I walk into St Stephen’s I imagine a church full of people. That’s my dream. I dream of a church whose witness impacts the community which is reflected in church attendance and spiritual maturity.

The invitation cards are one way of propelling us into the community. Our concrete walls should not imprison us. Let’s enthusiastically move beyond our walls and go into the community. There’s a map of our neighbourhood on the big whiteboard. Let’s pray for our neighbourhood and be moved to action.

It takes the focus off problems and onto God’s opportunities. Churches are inherently fickle and we all have our own ideas about what should be done or not done. Session and Committee of Management are working diligently to remove barriers which inhibit growth and they are encouraging us to have a biblical mindset. It is obvious that St Stephen’s is not the place it was three years ago.

God is giving us opportunities to grow. Every church has problems and inadequacies. But do we solely focus on the problems or do we focus on the opportunities for gospel ministry that God provides for us? When we drop into an invitation mode it is an indication that we are focusing on what God can create for us.

As a church we need to learn to dream, not in some mystical sense, but upon the possibilities and opportunities that God gives us to become a living church in a secular world. I imagine Abraham dreamed about the fulfilment of the promises God made to him. God is equally working amongst us and we need to seize the opportunities he lays down for us. Let’s use our invitation cards prayerfully and wisely. Our God can do more than we can ask or imagine, so let’s embrace the future with a great desire to “enable faith, know the truth, and pursue godliness” (Tit 1:1).