Christians in UK Invite Friends and Neighbors to Church on "Back to Church Sunday"
"It’s so easy for people who don’t normally come, to imagine that they’ll be unwelcome intruders if they walk into a church service. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. We will aim to make them feel really at home."
(United Kingdom)—The national "Back to Church Sunday" initiative, in which Christians throughout the UK invite neighbors and friends to attend a church service with them on Sunday, September 28, began four years ago when research revealed that non-churchgoers would come to services if they were invited by their friends.
Last year, 20,000 people responded to the invites. This year, Christians have given special "VIP" invitation cards out assuring them of a "warm welcome" and some parishes are hosting lunches afterwards.
"It’s so easy for people who don’t normally come, to imagine that they’ll be unwelcome intruders if they walk into a church service," said Rev. Paul Moore, vicar of St. Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain. "In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. We will aim to make them feel really at home."
"Sometimes people lose touch with church because of family commitments or personal circumstances and then feel it would be hypocritical of them to come back again," he added. "Our job is to persuade them that they are actually very welcome."
