82 & 2

How are the numbers "82" and "2" connected?

The stats came out a few years ago. Do you know what they said?

82% of people surveyed said they were at least "somewhat likely" to attend church if invited. To put it another way, according to one survey, more than 8 out of every 10 people would attend church if you invited them.

So where does the number 2 come into play? It's not about the 2/10 people that wouldn't attend. Its not the number of invites it would take for someone to decide to go either. The 2 represents the percentage of Christians who actually invite someone to church each year.

Yep. Studies show that only 2% of Christians actually invite someone to attend church with them in a given year.

We all know it's not hard to think of reasons not to invite someone to church.

• It might make them uncomfortable if I ask.
  
• It'll definitely make me uncomfortable if I ask.
  
• They probably don't want to anyway.
  
• I don't think they are interested.
  
• They won't know anyone else there.
  
• The pastor might say something that offends them. Plus he's a weird guy on the best of days.
  
• They wouldn't know what to do during the worship time.
  
• They might feel pressured to give.
  
• And on, and on, and on.

Do you feel like 82% is way too high? Do you think it is unlikely that  8/10 people in your life would come to church if you invited them? It would be a shame if only 2% found out forsure because they actually tried to invite people.

So this Christmas season (which is statistically by far the time of year when people who do not go to church are most likely to be willing to try it out), let's make sure that we are thinking about, praying for, and inviting our friends and family to experience the miracle of Christmas with our church family. 

And hey, what if every person did their own survey, asked 10 people, and found that only 1/10 people they asked was willing to attend? Would that be disappointing?

Not really. Because if that happened our church attendance would still double and we'd have twice as many people hearing the good news that brings great joy to all people, that a Saviour has been born! And that wouldn't be such a bad thing at all.