Countless times I prepared and prepared my message, but did not go over the exegesis of my invitation. Acts 2 shows us that the message is preached and decisions are made. Sixteen times in the book of Acts the invitation decision count is given after the message is shared. The drawing of the net, each and every service, must be a third of your message grooming. How I conclude is often how the audience remembers the application of the message. Meet with God and use your creative team to bounce ideas of how to conclude your messages. Do not be afraid of the invitation offending the unbelieving. Jesus gave an invitation every time He preached in crowds and to individuals.
Here is a list God has used in my experience…
1) Start my message with the invitation.
2) Begin the message with no music and conclude the message with worship through song with altar open.
3) Not doing a “come forward” invitation every week.
4) Ask household leader to bring family to verbalize commitment.
5) A video testimony that has overcome the topic being preached.
6) White board with paint available for an attendee to write down their agreement with God’s call.
7) Unlit candles on the stage then calling attendees to come and light a candle declaring obedience.
Built a bridge and asked those desiring repentance to walk across it.
These are just a few ideas to help you with your next invitation. Let me know your ideas to better the invitation.
Kirk Anderson says,
Thanks for these very practical ideas! I often do the same thing, concentrating on my content rather than the desired result of souls in the kingdom. Thanks again Shannon.
on 01 June 2011 / 8:44 AM
fred gurule says,
I have wooden crosses that I use some time for people to write down their burdens and then invite them to come forward and nail them to the cross. We provide tacks for them to use and paper in the bulletin to write down the concern. I do this 4-5 times a year.
on 04 June 2011 / 4:13 PM
Joseph Cole says,
That is a fantastic list! I’ve never heard of having the congregation do something to show their response other than to come forward. The power of a symbolic act is powerful. That’s incredible. Thanks!
on 01 June 2011 / 9:03 AM
Randy Smyre says,
we give our congregation something to do in response to the msg every week. this sunday we will ask them to dip their finger in cool water as the rich man asked of Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-30). The action step is to encourage people to speak to their loved ones about eternity before it is too late.
on 03 June 2011 / 9:34 AM