Reaching People Outside of the Church
When I was creating MarriedLife Live events at North Point Church, I knew whatever we created had to be relevant to all audiences.
I thought we would primarily reach the core of our church, aka committed Christians. And if they invited a few non-Christians, then we were certain they would have a great experience.
After all, the environment was always welcoming, guy-friendly, fun and had one go and do that everyone could go and do. While we hoped those outside our church would attend, we didn’t have a clue so many would.
Almost immediately, we received emails from people who brought their neighbors, friends and family to MarriedLife Live events. One person wrote: “Thank you for creating such a great night to invite our neighbors. It was much easier to invite them to a marriage thing on Saturday night, than Sunday morning church.”
Creating Ministry Evangelists
I heard this same sort of thing over and over.
One of the pastors told me he almost invited his neighbor to MarriedLife Live. He changed his mind because this neighbor was too much of a man’s man. Another neighbor invited that man’s man. Not only did the neighbor attend, he became known in the neighborhood as the MarriedLife Live evangelist.
One night after the event, I talked to a pastor from a nearby church. He said, ”Every time you guys have an event, I bring a bus load of people. It’s the single greatest entry point into our church.”
Yes, this struck me as odd, but it added to the conclusion:
You Don’t Have to Love Jesus to Want Your Marriage to Work
All these non-Christians and non-church goers were showing up. Just like believers in Christ, when your marriage isn’t working, nothing is working. The attendees were teaching me that marriage is a great bridge from the world into the church.
Let’s be honest—the church needs some bridges. Those outside the church so often see Christians and churches as judgmental and different than real people. If we can get them to the church, and ultimately to Jesus, by pouring into their marriages, then pour away.
How To Create Events That Attract People
While these one-night events are great for believers and non-Christians alike, they are often cost and labor intensive.
That’s why every year, as a part of our Strategy Pack, we at MarriedPeople, the marriage division of Orange, create four new larger group experiences that are plug and play. Why? Because we know that one of the greatest ways to get non-Christians in your church is to pour into their marriages. There has to be an entry point that is a safe way to start that process.
Nothing is better at that, than one-night events. Go ahead and try it. If you do the first event right, chances are you just might reach a family you would not have reached otherwise.
Ted Lowe is a speaker and the director of MarriedPeople, the marriage division at Orange. Ted is the author of two books—one for marriage ministry leaders (Married People: How Your Church Can Build Marriages That Last) and one for married couples (Your Best US: Marriage Is Easier Than You Think). He served for almost 10 years as the director of MarriedLife at North Point Community Church. He lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with his four favorite people: his wife, Nancie, and their three children.
