The Power of Influence in Invitation
“Never underestimate the power of influence.” Indeed, the influence of those around us is so powerful! Many times we don’t even realize we’re being strongly affected because influences generally develop over an extended period of time. In a recent study of churches we discovered that even if a congregation is elderly it can still have powerful influence over younger people. In fact the survey found that 60% of those invited were under the age of 50. Why is this so? I think we have for far too long called our congregations elderly, rather than elders. There is a difference between the two. Elders have respect, and have over a long time done a lot for their kith and kin. Therefore their adult children and grandchildren will often be open to an invite from Grandma and Grandpa. It may well be by using phrases like aging, and elderly we have spoken death to the church and many of our best people have become ”Road” Christians (Retired on active duty). We need to re-recruit the senior members of the congregations and envision them of their position of elders and the of their powerful influence on those around them.