Choosing an Acceptable Easter Invitation

by Reba Collins

You know it’s coming this week, right? You’re going to be invited to an Easter service at a church you’ve never attended. Someone knows you’re not attached to a church, and every church in the country is pushing the “Big Easter Invite.” Unchurched people are on every churched person’s radar.

Easter is billed as one of the “easiest invitations” a church member can make to their non-churched friends and acquaintances. Christians believe, and rightly so, that the message of Easter is for everyone – Jesus came, died, and rose again for everyone. The basics are the same, church to church, but each church’s delivery of the Easter message may not be.

And there’s the rub. The invitation may sound really appealing, but does it give you enough information to make a good decision about where you will spend your Easter morning? So how do you honor that invitation's good intent, yet gather enough other facts and feelings to make a god choice? You ask some questions, get some details, and then get back with them. 

Here are three helpful questions to ask before deciding to accept an Easter invitation:

1. What usually happens at your church on Easter?  Listen for added services or spaces in worship, good information on when to arrive and where to park, an explanation of the sermon topic and special music, and a general excitement for what is about to happen. Chances are you’ll get an idea of not only the logistical issues but also the overall focus of the church. But, if all your friend can talk about is the busy-busy-busy-ness of over-crowded rooms, out-of-control kids, and egg hunts with a brunch, they are probably more focused on getting through Easter than getting to the Easter experience. And, you will probably feel the same way if you go with them on this madcap romp. Politely decline. 
2. What makes Easter special at your church?  When you can’t tell how one Easter invitation differs from others you’ve received, ask this question. It helps you know what a church does well on Easter. The Resurrection Story is told in many forms – music, scripture readings, preaching, eating, meditation, drama, and prayer. If your friend answers, “Everything,” that may or may not be a good thing. Consider what makes Easter special for you, too, and pointedly ask your friend what that looks, sounds, or feels like at their church before you decide to accept.
3.  Can you email or text me your church’s Website address so I can check it out first? You definitely want to follow through on this action. But the real question is – will your friend follow through first? This is a great way to gauge how genuine the invitation was in the first place. Does your friend really want you to come to their church, or are they making the invitation out of obligation? This also is a good measure for how well the church has equipped its member to invite people. Some churches develop special Easter invitations that make it easier for members to invite their friends and acquaintances. You want to go to a church where you’re wanted and expected, not just invited.

With these three pieces of information you’ll have a pretty good picture of what to expect from your friend’s church. So start by graciously thanking them for the invitation, then letting them know you’ll check out their church online and get back with them.

Remember, it’s more than your friend who is inviting you to Easter. If the church doesn’t seem at all like a friendly fit for you, then graciously decline the invitation. A good church choice backs up its members and makes an easy invitation easy to accept.