Christians can be the biggest chickens when it comes to engaging others. Get over it! Most of us worry far too much about ourselves when it comes to asking someone to consider attending an event. Rule number one about invitations is this: Do not make up someone else's mind for them! Give people options. People generally like to know what makes you tick. If what you're into is interesting, being asked is a way to build your friendship even if the person can't attend.

Once you've decided that it's your friend's choice to go, then you've got to give the option to them. NOT TO INVITE IS TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND. Soooo exactly how do you make a good invitation?

1-Get a postcard invitation in your hands (this weekend at the booth in the atrium) or go to the web page and grab an e-invite. E-mail Invite
2-Send them a note or hand them the invitation. "Here's a cool event I think you might find interesting." If you send an e-mail invite. Follow it up with another short e-mail telling them why you're inviting them.
3-Let them look at it and figure it out first.
4-They may ask about it. Be ready to explain it. "Dr. Hugh Ross is an Astrophysicist coming to Omaha to talk about God, Science and the Origin of the Universe."
5-Offer to help them get to the event (a ride or registration cost if workshop).
6-Ask them one last time. "So, think you'd like to come?"
7-Don't say anything till they speak up. Let them tell you what to do next.

They may want to think about it (that's why you need to invite people NOW not the day before). Ask permission to contact them again in a couple of days. Let it go! Walk away. Give them space. Pray.

Go for it! Go for it today... When I finish this post, I'm going to e-mail four of my neighbors and I'll swing by their place today with a printed invite too.

Labels: chicken, friendship, Invitation, outreach