Would You Like to Come to Church with me?

Homily Sunday Sept. 4, 2011

You may have noticed our sign outside today says: “Soul Food, Served Here.” And it isn’t referring to our popular monthly suppers.

One of the best definitions I have heard of evangelism is: “one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.”

We Anglicans have not been known for our enthusiasm for evangelism. We’ve prided our selves on our excellent traditional worship— hymns, the prayer book and newer liturgies, and a rich parish life which has made the church an important part of many communities.

In the 50’s and 60’s when many new churches were built, and in times of growth before that, we just had to open a church and people flocked to come.

It was a different time—a time when a large number of Canadians attended worship frequently. When Sunday was a day of rest, and a day to worship God—not commerce or sports or entertainment.

Now while most Canadians are nominally Christian, church attendance has plunged over the past 30 years. Yet there are many more churches of different denominations, and ethnic churches to serve those who have come to Canada from other parts of the world.

In the culture Sunday is a time for busy two income families to rest, or play, or engage in sports.

It has always been a challenge to attract and retain young people. I came back to church at the age of 24 when I was asked to join the choir of All Saints Cathedral, Edmonton, with some friends. I hadn’t been a member of a parish since leaving home for university at age 18.

When I moved to Calgary I joined another choir, and was quickly invited not only to join the parish council, but take part in fundraising for an organ restoration. By the age of 30 I was serving as people’s warden. There were others in my age group.

That just isn’t happening as much anymore. Young people –or people of any age who have drifted away--aren’t coming back to the church.

It’s certainly not just Canon Davis which has experienced this. As I’ve mentioned before, in my travels I’ve found many congregations struggling with attracting younger people, youth and children, and for that matter people of any age.

The universality of these experiences of the past 40 years is why our Diocese of Huron is embracing a program this year called Back to Church Sunday, which we will celebrate Sunday Sept. 25 along with Harvest Thanksgiving.

The idea started out in England seven years ago. It is based on a simple premise, if all of us invited a friend to church, and they accepted, we can double our congregation for one Sunday.

And once people come, there is a chance they will return. Indeed in the seven years the program has run, reports indicate more than 10 percent of those who came have returned.

Now that does sound simple. But there is some preparation.

First, we need to think of people to invite. They don’t have to be Anglicans. Just people who are not regular church attenders who might consider coming.

Next week we will provide invitation cards.

Now I’ll have to admit that like most Anglicans I haven’t been accustomed to inviting people to church. Perhaps that’s why this is a good idea.

Studies have proven that new church members come not through ads in the newspaper, or signs outside, though have to do those things, but personal invitation.

Think of who invited you to church for the first time as an adult. For me it was my first boss Ted, a hard-nosed magazine editor who sang in the choir at All Saints Cathedral.

Think of who God might be calling you to approach? A close friend? A member of a club you are in? A neighbour? A fellow golfer or gardener?

Then comes the hard part. Could you could say it out loud with me: “Would you like to come to church with me?”

There, that wasn’t so difficult.

We do have to pray for courage, not only to make the invitation, but to those we invite.

Provided the invitation is accepted your work isn’t over. One of the most difficult things for many of us is going into an unfamiliar environment.

So the Back to Church movement suggests you pick up your guest and bring them to church with you for the first time.

Then after the service invite them to join us in our Harvest Thanksgiving brunch.

Then follow up the first invitation by asking them to return the next Sunday. And give them a copy of our fall newsletter with special activities coming up.

Many of us were thrilled by having almost 150 people come for our 85th anniversary---including many who came from other parishes, and other former parishioners.

We hope, with God’s help, to swell our numbers again. If there is one thing which sums up this whole effort it is: Invite someone you know to something you love.”

It is appropriate that we are doing this at the same time as Harvest Thanksgiving. We are thankful not only for nature’s bounty, but for 85 years of mission and ministry in this place.

We recall our roots as a Sunday school mission in North Sarnia. And we pray for our Christian witness and community in 2011 and in the years to come.