Stop Saying Attractional Church Is Dead!

[Music] [Music] Stop saying the attractional church is Stop saying the attractional church is Stop saying the attractional church is dead. I am sick and tired of leaders dead. I am sick and tired of leaders dead. I am sick and tired of leaders using this great sound bite. Oh, the using this great sound bite. Oh, the using this great sound bite. Oh, the attractional church is dead in reals or attractional church is dead in reals or attractional church is dead in reals or on Instagram or maybe in a blog post. on Instagram or maybe in a blog post. on Instagram or maybe in a blog post. Remember blogging? People used to do Remember blogging? People used to do Remember blogging? People used to do that. They still do it, believe it or that. They still do it, believe it or that. They still do it, believe it or not. Rich Bur here from the unseminary not. Rich Bur here from the unseminary not. Rich Bur here from the unseminary podcast solo episode today. I want to podcast solo episode today. I want to podcast solo episode today. I want to reframe one of your assumptions and I reframe one of your assumptions and I reframe one of your assumptions and I want to invite you to an upcoming event. want to invite you to an upcoming event. want to invite you to an upcoming event. But really what I want to convince to But really what I want to convince to But really what I want to convince to you is that the attractional church is you is that the attractional church is you is that the attractional church is not dead. It is alive and doing all not dead. It is alive and doing all not dead. It is alive and doing all kinds of amazing good things at churches kinds of amazing good things at churches kinds of amazing good things at churches all across the country. But first, let's all across the country. But first, let's all across the country. But first, let's start with confession. I have start with confession. I have start with confession. I have misdiagnosed things being dead in the misdiagnosed things being dead in the misdiagnosed things being dead in the past time and time again. In fact, when past time and time again. In fact, when past time and time again. In fact, when I started this podcast in 2013, I I started this podcast in 2013, I I started this podcast in 2013, I thought I was like way late to the whole thought I was like way late to the whole thought I was like way late to the whole podcasting thing. Like I was like, man, podcasting thing. Like I was like, man, podcasting thing. Like I was like, man, I've listened to podcasts for a long I've listened to podcasts for a long I've listened to podcasts for a long time now. There's no way. Little did I time now. There's no way. Little did I time now. There's no way. Little did I know that the the kind of golden era of know that the the kind of golden era of know that the the kind of golden era of podcasting was still to come. Joe Rogan podcasting was still to come. Joe Rogan podcasting was still to come. Joe Rogan was still on. Fear Factor didn't have was still on. Fear Factor didn't have was still on. Fear Factor didn't have his podcast at the time. Podcasting is his podcast at the time. Podcasting is his podcast at the time. Podcasting is just accelerating, becoming even more.

just accelerating, becoming even more. just accelerating, becoming even more. It was far from dead in 2013 when we It was far from dead in 2013 when we It was far from dead in 2013 when we started over 800 episodes ago. Or QR started over 800 episodes ago. Or QR started over 800 episodes ago. Or QR codes. I remember my friend Kenny, he codes. I remember my friend Kenny, he codes. I remember my friend Kenny, he was a big booster of the QR code when it was a big booster of the QR code when it was a big booster of the QR code when it first came out. And I was like, listen, first came out. And I was like, listen, first came out. And I was like, listen, this thing is terrible. No one's going this thing is terrible. No one's going this thing is terrible. No one's going to pull out their phone and scan that. to pull out their phone and scan that. to pull out their phone and scan that. You know, I was so confident of that. You know, I was so confident of that. You know, I was so confident of that. Fast forward to 2020 and the QR code Fast forward to 2020 and the QR code Fast forward to 2020 and the QR code came back with a vengeance. Every came back with a vengeance. Every came back with a vengeance. Every restaurant menu, conference check-in, restaurant menu, conference check-in, restaurant menu, conference check-in, and even church connect cards, man, we and even church connect cards, man, we and even church connect cards, man, we use the QR code now more than ever use the QR code now more than ever use the QR code now more than ever before. Or what about YouTube? So, when before. Or what about YouTube? So, when before. Or what about YouTube? So, when I started doing video podcasts a bunch I started doing video podcasts a bunch I started doing video podcasts a bunch of years ago, and that in fact actually of years ago, and that in fact actually of years ago, and that in fact actually eight years ago, I stopped doing it eight years ago, I stopped doing it eight years ago, I stopped doing it because I thought, no one's ever going because I thought, no one's ever going because I thought, no one's ever going to watch these things. No one's ever to watch these things. No one's ever to watch these things. No one's ever going to sit down for 30 minutes and going to sit down for 30 minutes and going to sit down for 30 minutes and watch us talk to each other. Little did watch us talk to each other. Little did watch us talk to each other. Little did I know that like today, YouTube is the I know that like today, YouTube is the I know that like today, YouTube is the most listened platform for podcast. most listened platform for podcast. most listened platform for podcast. Listen, it's easy. Even books, listen, Listen, it's easy. Even books, listen, Listen, it's easy. Even books, listen, I'm a huge Kindle fan. I started reading I'm a huge Kindle fan. I started reading I'm a huge Kindle fan. I started reading Kindle when they first came out. I think Kindle when they first came out. I think Kindle when they first came out. I think it's an incredible technology, but it's an incredible technology, but it's an incredible technology, but still, and I was like, yeah, Kindles are still, and I was like, yeah, Kindles are still, and I was like, yeah, Kindles are going to overtake digital books are going to overtake digital books are going to overtake digital books are going to overtake print. It just is so going to overtake print. It just is so going to overtake print. It just is so much easier. It's cheaper. It's much easier. It's cheaper. It's much easier. It's cheaper. It's fantastic tool. But still to this day, fantastic tool. But still to this day, fantastic tool. But still to this day, print way out sells books year after or print way out sells books year after or print way out sells books year after or or ebooks year after year after year.

or ebooks year after year after year. or ebooks year after year after year. There's something about the paper, the There's something about the paper, the There's something about the paper, the texture, the smell, the ability to trade texture, the smell, the ability to trade texture, the smell, the ability to trade it with you and share it. Print books it with you and share it. Print books it with you and share it. Print books just are not going anywhere. And that is just are not going anywhere. And that is just are not going anywhere. And that is partly the reason why I roll my eyes partly the reason why I roll my eyes partly the reason why I roll my eyes when someone confidently says when someone confidently says when someone confidently says attractional church is dead. I've heard attractional church is dead. I've heard attractional church is dead. I've heard it at conferences. I've read it in in it at conferences. I've read it in in it at conferences. I've read it in in books. I've seen it on, you know, books. I've seen it on, you know, books. I've seen it on, you know, clickbait reels. People don't want clickbait reels. People don't want clickbait reels. People don't want polish anymore. The attractional church polish anymore. The attractional church polish anymore. The attractional church doesn't work. We've moved beyond that. doesn't work. We've moved beyond that. doesn't work. We've moved beyond that. No, no, no, friends. We have not. It's No, no, no, friends. We have not. It's No, no, no, friends. We have not. It's been absorbed into the normal churches. been absorbed into the normal churches. been absorbed into the normal churches. And churches that win in 2025 are the And churches that win in 2025 are the And churches that win in 2025 are the ones that understand that invitation as ones that understand that invitation as ones that understand that invitation as culture, not as campaign. And pair this culture, not as campaign. And pair this culture, not as campaign. And pair this with great next steps to community and with great next steps to community and with great next steps to community and disciplehip are winning. But friends, I disciplehip are winning. But friends, I disciplehip are winning. But friends, I want to tell you about an event that's want to tell you about an event that's want to tell you about an event that's coming up that I do not want you to coming up that I do not want you to coming up that I do not want you to miss. It is on Tuesday, November 12th, miss. It is on Tuesday, November 12th, miss. It is on Tuesday, November 12th, 12:00 p.m. Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific. I 12:00 p.m. Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific. I 12:00 p.m. Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific. I am running a workshop specifically for am running a workshop specifically for am running a workshop specifically for churches between 500 and a,000 in churches between 500 and a,000 in churches between 500 and a,000 in attendance that feel like their growth attendance that feel like their growth attendance that feel like their growth is stalled. I want to invite you to this is stalled. I want to invite you to this is stalled. I want to invite you to this live workshop. It's called Church Growth live workshop. It's called Church Growth live workshop. It's called Church Growth Launchpad. It's designed to help you Launchpad. It's designed to help you Launchpad. It's designed to help you reignite momentum and rebuild your reignite momentum and rebuild your reignite momentum and rebuild your church's invite culture. You'll discover church's invite culture. You'll discover church's invite culture. You'll discover five key systems that we've seen that five key systems that we've seen that five key systems that we've seen that growing churches use to get unstuck and growing churches use to get unstuck and growing churches use to get unstuck and start reaching more people again just in start reaching more people again just in start reaching more people again just in time for Christmas, just in time for time for Christmas, just in time for time for Christmas, just in time for 2026. You're going to want to be there.

2026. You're going to want to be there. 2026. You're going to want to be there. You've already got the people, you've You've already got the people, you've You've already got the people, you've got the passion, you've got the program, got the passion, you've got the program, got the passion, you've got the program, this workshop will show you how to align this workshop will show you how to align this workshop will show you how to align them so that your church can lift off in them so that your church can lift off in them so that your church can lift off in this next season of growth. Again, it is this next season of growth. Again, it is this next season of growth. Again, it is churchgrowthaunchpad.com. churchgrowthaunchpad.com. churchgrowthaunchpad.com. Drop by there. That's coming up November Drop by there. That's coming up November Drop by there. That's coming up November 12th, Tuesday. It's not Tuesday. It's on 12th, Tuesday. It's not Tuesday. It's on 12th, Tuesday. It's not Tuesday. It's on November 12th. That's a Wednesday at November 12th. That's a Wednesday at November 12th. That's a Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. Eastern, 9:00 a.m. for our 12:00 p.m. Eastern, 9:00 a.m. for our 12:00 p.m. Eastern, 9:00 a.m. for our friends on the Pacific Coast. Well, friends on the Pacific Coast. Well, friends on the Pacific Coast. Well, let's talk. Let's get back to talking let's talk. Let's get back to talking let's talk. Let's get back to talking about the attractional church. So, what about the attractional church. So, what about the attractional church. So, what used to be attractional, I believe, is used to be attractional, I believe, is used to be attractional, I believe, is now just simply back is now just now just simply back is now just now just simply back is now just baseline. It's just normal church. Once baseline. It's just normal church. Once baseline. It's just normal church. Once upon a time, these were edgy moves. upon a time, these were edgy moves. upon a time, these were edgy moves. There were things that were not done There were things that were not done There were things that were not done before. We had we we went to like music before. We had we we went to like music before. We had we we went to like music that actually people loved. It's not a that actually people loved. It's not a that actually people loved. It's not a stunt, but contextualized worship lowers stunt, but contextualized worship lowers stunt, but contextualized worship lowers the barriers for guests. We see this the barriers for guests. We see this the barriers for guests. We see this time and again teaching that connects to time and again teaching that connects to time and again teaching that connects to everyday life. There used to be a time everyday life. There used to be a time everyday life. There used to be a time where religious leaders, they really where religious leaders, they really where religious leaders, they really didn't connect to everyday life. People didn't connect to everyday life. People didn't connect to everyday life. People wanted or they didn't actually want wanted or they didn't actually want wanted or they didn't actually want this, but some church leaders talked in this, but some church leaders talked in this, but some church leaders talked in a way that didn't make sense to real a way that didn't make sense to real a way that didn't make sense to real life. Now it's just table stakes. Felt life. Now it's just table stakes. Felt life. Now it's just table stakes. Felt need series that are biblically clear, need series that are biblically clear, need series that are biblically clear, have concrete application that move from have concrete application that move from have concrete application that move from Sunday information to Tuesday Sunday information to Tuesday Sunday information to Tuesday application. That's just normal. Even application. That's just normal. Even application. That's just normal. Even our buildings, our lobbies have been our buildings, our lobbies have been our buildings, our lobbies have been designed with outsiders in mind. Our designed with outsiders in mind. Our designed with outsiders in mind. Our church facilities used to be really church facilities used to be really church facilities used to be really insider focused, but wayfinding, insider focused, but wayfinding, insider focused, but wayfinding, hospitality, kids environments that kids hospitality, kids environments that kids hospitality, kids environments that kids actually want to be a part of. All of actually want to be a part of. All of actually want to be a part of. All of those things are a and more are a part those things are a and more are a part those things are a and more are a part of the attractional movement. It's not of the attractional movement. It's not of the attractional movement. It's not flash, it's hospitality. You don't extra

flash, it's hospitality. You don't extra flash, it's hospitality. You don't extra you don't get extra credit for this you don't get extra credit for this you don't get extra credit for this stuff anymore for clean bathrooms, clean stuff anymore for clean bathrooms, clean stuff anymore for clean bathrooms, clean signage, songs that don't sound like signage, songs that don't sound like signage, songs that don't sound like they came from 1998. That bar has been they came from 1998. That bar has been they came from 1998. That bar has been is just what we all do. Call it is just what we all do. Call it is just what we all do. Call it attractional if you like. I just call it attractional if you like. I just call it attractional if you like. I just call it normal prevailing church. Listen, follow normal prevailing church. Listen, follow normal prevailing church. Listen, follow the data and stop following the hot the data and stop following the hot the data and stop following the hot takes. Don't don't get sucked in by the takes. Don't don't get sucked in by the takes. Don't don't get sucked in by the hot takes. Big days still work. Easter hot takes. Big days still work. Easter hot takes. Big days still work. Easter and Christmas remain the largest and Christmas remain the largest and Christmas remain the largest attendance Sundays in most churches. In attendance Sundays in most churches. In attendance Sundays in most churches. In fact, we've really seen churches double fact, we've really seen churches double fact, we've really seen churches double down on invite a church, sorry, invite a down on invite a church, sorry, invite a down on invite a church, sorry, invite a friend Sundays is now embraced by nearly friend Sundays is now embraced by nearly friend Sundays is now embraced by nearly half or one in five churches. That's up half or one in five churches. That's up half or one in five churches. That's up from a decade ago. Uh these Sundays from a decade ago. Uh these Sundays from a decade ago. Uh these Sundays work. Invitation remains the front door work. Invitation remains the front door work. Invitation remains the front door of your church. 80 more than 80% of the of your church. 80 more than 80% of the of your church. 80 more than 80% of the people who come to your church for the people who come to your church for the people who come to your church for the first time come because a friend invited first time come because a friend invited first time come because a friend invited them. In a recent survey, it was found them. In a recent survey, it was found them. In a recent survey, it was found that the biggest channel for people to that the biggest channel for people to that the biggest channel for people to get connected to your church by a long get connected to your church by a long get connected to your church by a long shot are people inviting your friends. shot are people inviting your friends. shot are people inviting your friends. It always has been and I'm convinced it It always has been and I'm convinced it It always has been and I'm convinced it always will being. Growing churches always will being. Growing churches always will being. Growing churches train, equip, and motivate their people train, equip, and motivate their people train, equip, and motivate their people to invite their friends. Research on to invite their friends. Research on to invite their friends. Research on large fast growing congregations shows a large fast growing congregations shows a large fast growing congregations shows a straight line relationship to the faster straight line relationship to the faster straight line relationship to the faster the growth the more their people invite.

the growth the more their people invite. the growth the more their people invite. That is just true. The stronger their That is just true. The stronger their That is just true. The stronger their pathways for incorporation. So they're pathways for incorporation. So they're pathways for incorporation. So they're not just inviting, they're moving people not just inviting, they're moving people not just inviting, they're moving people to groups, teams, classes, that sort of to groups, teams, classes, that sort of to groups, teams, classes, that sort of thing. Attractional momentum plus thing. Attractional momentum plus thing. Attractional momentum plus disciplehip together create a powerful disciplehip together create a powerful disciplehip together create a powerful connection for churches like yours. And connection for churches like yours. And connection for churches like yours. And ultimately multiplication correlates ultimately multiplication correlates ultimately multiplication correlates with evangelism. Churches that are with evangelism. Churches that are with evangelism. Churches that are multi-sight, that are church planting multi-sight, that are church planting multi-sight, that are church planting churches report higher conversion rates churches report higher conversion rates churches report higher conversion rates than those of churches that don't do than those of churches that don't do than those of churches that don't do that. More campuses mean more front that. More campuses mean more front that. More campuses mean more front doors means fresh invite strategy. It's doors means fresh invite strategy. It's doors means fresh invite strategy. It's not attractional. It's not just not attractional. It's not just not attractional. It's not just attractional. It's also attractional. It's also attractional. It's also transformational. It's not just transformational. It's not just transformational. It's not just attractional. It's that plus biblical attractional. It's that plus biblical attractional. It's that plus biblical literacy that roots people in the truth literacy that roots people in the truth literacy that roots people in the truth of Jesus and his teaching. It's of Jesus and his teaching. It's of Jesus and his teaching. It's attractional plus gospel- centered attractional plus gospel- centered attractional plus gospel- centered teaching that changes hearts and teaching that changes hearts and teaching that changes hearts and launches new lives. It's attractional launches new lives. It's attractional launches new lives. It's attractional plus active work of the Holy Spirit plus active work of the Holy Spirit plus active work of the Holy Spirit providing an accessible encounter with providing an accessible encounter with providing an accessible encounter with God together. That's what makes God together. That's what makes God together. That's what makes prevailing church churches both magnetic prevailing church churches both magnetic prevailing church churches both magnetic in the attractional sense and mature. If in the attractional sense and mature. If in the attractional sense and mature. If you check out the blog post, the show you check out the blog post, the show you check out the blog post, the show notes, I've given you a bunch of notes, I've given you a bunch of notes, I've given you a bunch of examples from churches all across the examples from churches all across the examples from churches all across the country that are leading what I like to country that are leading what I like to country that are leading what I like to call the new attractional movement. In call the new attractional movement. In call the new attractional movement. In fact, uh, at that webinar that we've got fact, uh, at that webinar that we've got fact, uh, at that webinar that we've got coming up, the workshop that's coming up coming up, the workshop that's coming up coming up, the workshop that's coming up on Wednesday, November 12th at at 12 PM on Wednesday, November 12th at at 12 PM on Wednesday, November 12th at at 12 PM Eastern, 9:00 am for our friends on the Eastern, 9:00 am for our friends on the Eastern, 9:00 am for our friends on the Pacific Coast at Pacific Coast at Pacific Coast at churchgrowthaunchpad.com. We're going to churchgrowthaunchpad.com. We're going to churchgrowthaunchpad.com. We're going to be unpacking the strategy of some of be unpacking the strategy of some of be unpacking the strategy of some of those churches that really help them those churches that really help them those churches that really help them build an invite culture that lasts. But build an invite culture that lasts. But build an invite culture that lasts. But what actually died? Something did

what actually died? Something did what actually died? Something did change. Something has changed over the change. Something has changed over the change. Something has changed over the last number of years. Well, what died last number of years. Well, what died last number of years. Well, what died was that you can run a you used to be was that you can run a you used to be was that you can run a you used to be able to run a slick weekend and call it able to run a slick weekend and call it able to run a slick weekend and call it disciplehip. The Vibe era is over. And disciplehip. The Vibe era is over. And disciplehip. The Vibe era is over. And frankly, that's good news. In 2007, frankly, that's good news. In 2007, frankly, that's good news. In 2007, Willow Creek, are we still allowed to Willow Creek, are we still allowed to Willow Creek, are we still allowed to mention them? Are they like, are they so mention them? Are they like, are they so mention them? Are they like, are they so canceled that we can't talk about them? canceled that we can't talk about them? canceled that we can't talk about them? They dropped a study called Reveal. They dropped a study called Reveal. They dropped a study called Reveal. Where are you? It was a data-driven Where are you? It was a data-driven Where are you? It was a data-driven autopsy of its own ministry model. A autopsy of its own ministry model. A autopsy of its own ministry model. A part of what bugs me um when people say part of what bugs me um when people say part of what bugs me um when people say attractional church is dead is this attractional church is dead is this attractional church is dead is this study has been out there since 2007 study has been out there since 2007 study has been out there since 2007 going on almost two decades ago and they going on almost two decades ago and they going on almost two decades ago and they revealed that you cannot just do slick revealed that you cannot just do slick revealed that you cannot just do slick weekends and call that disciplehip. weekends and call that disciplehip. weekends and call that disciplehip. Crowds aren't the same as life change. Crowds aren't the same as life change. Crowds aren't the same as life change. They didn't scrap weekend ex They didn't scrap weekend ex They didn't scrap weekend ex experiences. They didn't find that you experiences. They didn't find that you experiences. They didn't find that you should get rid of all of those things. should get rid of all of those things. should get rid of all of those things. What they did was added coaching, What they did was added coaching, What they did was added coaching, personal disciplehip, next step systems.

personal disciplehip, next step systems. personal disciplehip, next step systems. They didn't kill attractional church. They didn't kill attractional church. They didn't kill attractional church. They deepened it. Now, almost two They deepened it. Now, almost two They deepened it. Now, almost two decades after this study, the lesson decades after this study, the lesson decades after this study, the lesson still stands. The problem wasn't being still stands. The problem wasn't being still stands. The problem wasn't being attractional. It was being only attractional. It was being only attractional. It was being only attractional. The weekend is still the attractional. The weekend is still the attractional. The weekend is still the front door for your church. But now, the front door for your church. But now, the front door for your church. But now, the smartest churches obsess equally over smartest churches obsess equally over smartest churches obsess equally over what comes next. Attractional did not what comes next. Attractional did not what comes next. Attractional did not die. It just grew up. There's a clear die. It just grew up. There's a clear die. It just grew up. There's a clear pathway that we see time and again in pathway that we see time and again in pathway that we see time and again in prevailing churches. One, a warm invite prevailing churches. One, a warm invite prevailing churches. One, a warm invite to friends and family. That's where it to friends and family. That's where it to friends and family. That's where it starts. That's where the impact of your starts. That's where the impact of your starts. That's where the impact of your church starts is by with your invite church starts is by with your invite church starts is by with your invite culture. Two, an excellent weekend. That culture. Two, an excellent weekend. That culture. Two, an excellent weekend. That includes clear gospel presentation, real includes clear gospel presentation, real includes clear gospel presentation, real people, real stories, music that people, real stories, music that people, real stories, music that engages. Three, fast follow-up. People engages. Three, fast follow-up. People engages. Three, fast follow-up. People when they're new here, guests are being when they're new here, guests are being when they're new here, guests are being followed up within hours, personal followed up within hours, personal followed up within hours, personal touches within days. Number four, touches within days. Number four, touches within days. Number four, concrete next steps. Get on a team. concrete next steps. Get on a team. concrete next steps. Get on a team. Here's how you get into a group. Not a Here's how you get into a group. Not a Here's how you get into a group. Not a million options. Here are the one or million options. Here are the one or million options. Here are the one or maybe two things that you should do. And maybe two things that you should do. And maybe two things that you should do. And then five, multiplication. Invite then five, multiplication. Invite then five, multiplication. Invite others. Launch new campuses. Tell the others. Launch new campuses. Tell the others. Launch new campuses. Tell the story and repeat. These are the five story and repeat. These are the five story and repeat. These are the five steps we see time and again. But it steps we see time and again. But it steps we see time and again. But it starts with a robust invite culture.

starts with a robust invite culture. starts with a robust invite culture. What you're doing is normalizing What you're doing is normalizing What you're doing is normalizing invitation and then engineer invitation and then engineer invitation and then engineer integration. You see, when friends come integration. You see, when friends come integration. You see, when friends come because someone invites them, they are because someone invites them, they are because someone invites them, they are much more likely to then get plugged in much more likely to then get plugged in much more likely to then get plugged in to the church long term because they to the church long term because they to the church long term because they already have relational connections. already have relational connections. already have relational connections. Okay, so here are five ways that you can Okay, so here are five ways that you can Okay, so here are five ways that you can normalize the invitation. How can we do normalize the invitation. How can we do normalize the invitation. How can we do that? Number one, make invitation a that? Number one, make invitation a that? Number one, make invitation a year- round sport. Don't just do this year- round sport. Don't just do this year- round sport. Don't just do this like a couple times a year. Don't just like a couple times a year. Don't just like a couple times a year. Don't just wait till Christmas. Don't just wait wait till Christmas. Don't just wait wait till Christmas. Don't just wait till Easter. every weekend. We need to till Easter. every weekend. We need to till Easter. every weekend. We need to be anchoring the year with invite be anchoring the year with invite be anchoring the year with invite moments and invite encouragement all moments and invite encouragement all moments and invite encouragement all year long. We need to do this through as year long. We need to do this through as year long. We need to do this through as many different channels as we possibly many different channels as we possibly many different channels as we possibly can. Again, come to the workshop on can. Again, come to the workshop on can. Again, come to the workshop on November 12th. We'll talk you through November 12th. We'll talk you through November 12th. We'll talk you through how to do that. Number two, design for how to do that. Number two, design for how to do that. Number two, design for first timers without dumbing it down. first timers without dumbing it down. first timers without dumbing it down. Design for first timers without dumbing Design for first timers without dumbing Design for first timers without dumbing it down. Like, so think about your it down. Like, so think about your it down. Like, so think about your wayfinding and welcome. Like, walk wayfinding and welcome. Like, walk wayfinding and welcome. Like, walk through your experience. Can you see it through your experience. Can you see it through your experience. Can you see it as if you are a brand new person parking as if you are a brand new person parking as if you are a brand new person parking through the doors to kids checkin to to through the doors to kids checkin to to through the doors to kids checkin to to seating? Take the mystery out of every seating? Take the mystery out of every seating? Take the mystery out of every single step in your guest's experience.

single step in your guest's experience. single step in your guest's experience. Plan your message assuming that there Plan your message assuming that there Plan your message assuming that there are people in the room who do not follow are people in the room who do not follow are people in the room who do not follow Jesus. It only takes a couple extra Jesus. It only takes a couple extra Jesus. It only takes a couple extra sentences when you reference, hey, this sentences when you reference, hey, this sentences when you reference, hey, this morning we're going to open the book of morning we're going to open the book of morning we're going to open the book of John. John was a Greco Roman biography John. John was a Greco Roman biography John. John was a Greco Roman biography written by one of the followers of Jesus written by one of the followers of Jesus written by one of the followers of Jesus based on what he saw and evidence of based on what he saw and evidence of based on what he saw and evidence of people around him. Today, this is what people around him. Today, this is what people around him. Today, this is what we're doing is looking at that original we're doing is looking at that original we're doing is looking at that original text. Show the bridge. Help people text. Show the bridge. Help people text. Show the bridge. Help people understand. Number three, build a understand. Number three, build a understand. Number three, build a two-week journey from coming as a new two-week journey from coming as a new two-week journey from coming as a new here guest all the way through to fully here guest all the way through to fully here guest all the way through to fully engaged. What would the fastest twoe engaged. What would the fastest twoe engaged. What would the fastest twoe engagement pathway look like for engagement pathway look like for engagement pathway look like for someone? They get a text on day one. Day someone? They get a text on day one. Day someone? They get a text on day one. Day two, they get a personal invite maybe two, they get a personal invite maybe two, they get a personal invite maybe from a campus pastor. Not a do not not from a campus pastor. Not a do not not from a campus pastor. Not a do not not from a do not reply email, but from from a do not reply email, but from from a do not reply email, but from someone actually. Day five, before the someone actually. Day five, before the someone actually. Day five, before the next weekend, they're invited to a new next weekend, they're invited to a new next weekend, they're invited to a new here meetup after any service. Day 12, here meetup after any service. Day 12, here meetup after any service. Day 12, we're giving them really easy steps to we're giving them really easy steps to we're giving them really easy steps to join a team. Think through this. If join a team. Think through this. If join a team. Think through this. If someone was going to go through the someone was going to go through the someone was going to go through the ideal experience in a short period of ideal experience in a short period of ideal experience in a short period of time, what would that be? Number four, time, what would that be? Number four, time, what would that be? Number four, tie big weekends to tangible next steps.

tie big weekends to tangible next steps. tie big weekends to tangible next steps. baptism scheduled within the next two baptism scheduled within the next two baptism scheduled within the next two weeks. Have a recall after this weeks. Have a recall after this weeks. Have a recall after this Christmas. Alpha starting in the new Christmas. Alpha starting in the new Christmas. Alpha starting in the new year. If you find yourself here for the year. If you find yourself here for the year. If you find yourself here for the first time and you've got questions first time and you've got questions first time and you've got questions about following Jesus, you should join about following Jesus, you should join about following Jesus, you should join our alpha course. It's designed for our alpha course. It's designed for our alpha course. It's designed for people who are frankly not convinced people who are frankly not convinced people who are frankly not convinced about what it means to follow Jesus. And about what it means to follow Jesus. And about what it means to follow Jesus. And they it's a place for you to bring your they it's a place for you to bring your they it's a place for you to bring your questions or group launches after an questions or group launches after an questions or group launches after an invite series. Think these things invite series. Think these things invite series. Think these things through to tie big weekends to tangible through to tie big weekends to tangible through to tie big weekends to tangible next steps. And then finally, number next steps. And then finally, number next steps. And then finally, number five, multiply front doors. Think about five, multiply front doors. Think about five, multiply front doors. Think about more services, more locations, more more services, more locations, more more services, more locations, more campuses, more venues. How can we create campuses, more venues. How can we create campuses, more venues. How can we create more space to make it easier for people more space to make it easier for people more space to make it easier for people to invite their friends? I know you I to invite their friends? I know you I to invite their friends? I know you I know some people are listening in and know some people are listening in and know some people are listening in and you you've come this far, which I really you you've come this far, which I really you you've come this far, which I really appreciate you coming this far, and appreciate you coming this far, and appreciate you coming this far, and you're like, "No, no, this guy doesn't you're like, "No, no, this guy doesn't you're like, "No, no, this guy doesn't know what he's talking about." Young know what he's talking about." Young know what he's talking about." Young people don't want this. This is just not people don't want this. This is just not people don't want this. This is just not true. If it's warm, authentic, and true. If it's warm, authentic, and true. If it's warm, authentic, and powerful, both Gen Z and Millennial are powerful, both Gen Z and Millennial are powerful, both Gen Z and Millennial are showing up more frequently, frankly, showing up more frequently, frankly, showing up more frequently, frankly, than us old Gen Xers and older. They are than us old Gen Xers and older. They are than us old Gen Xers and older. They are looking for this. We want to give them looking for this. We want to give them looking for this. We want to give them responsibility to serve, to lead, to responsibility to serve, to lead, to responsibility to serve, to lead, to create, to take this ball and go with create, to take this ball and go with create, to take this ball and go with them. Or people might say, "Oh, no, no.

them. Or people might say, "Oh, no, no. them. Or people might say, "Oh, no, no. Attractional churches are shallow. I've Attractional churches are shallow. I've Attractional churches are shallow. I've had this voiced against me so many had this voiced against me so many had this voiced against me so many times." And listen, that's true. If you times." And listen, that's true. If you times." And listen, that's true. If you stop at the lobby, the fastest growing stop at the lobby, the fastest growing stop at the lobby, the fastest growing churches are more, not less obsessed are churches are more, not less obsessed are churches are more, not less obsessed are more, listen to me, not less obsessed more, listen to me, not less obsessed more, listen to me, not less obsessed with small groups and integration. with small groups and integration. with small groups and integration. They're more biblically grounded than They're more biblically grounded than They're more biblically grounded than churches are that are shrinking and in churches are that are shrinking and in churches are that are shrinking and in decline. crowd isn't the end. It's an decline. crowd isn't the end. It's an decline. crowd isn't the end. It's an on-ramp. Or they're saying, "Listen, on-ramp. Or they're saying, "Listen, on-ramp. Or they're saying, "Listen, it's just entertainment." Creativity is it's just entertainment." Creativity is it's just entertainment." Creativity is hospitality. It lowers defensives. It hospitality. It lowers defensives. It hospitality. It lowers defensives. It opens ears. It earns you a hearing of opens ears. It earns you a hearing of opens ears. It earns you a hearing of the gospel. That does that hasn't the gospel. That does that hasn't the gospel. That does that hasn't changed. Sure, our method has changed. Sure, our method has changed. Sure, our method has contextualized. The people that are contextualized. The people that are contextualized. The people that are coming in are changing. And so, we coming in are changing. And so, we coming in are changing. And so, we should be doing something different. The should be doing something different. The should be doing something different. The fruit, decisions, baptisms, transformed fruit, decisions, baptisms, transformed fruit, decisions, baptisms, transformed lives keep showing up where invitation lives keep showing up where invitation lives keep showing up where invitation and followup are tightly coupled. and followup are tightly coupled. and followup are tightly coupled. Listen, do not confuse needed reforms Listen, do not confuse needed reforms Listen, do not confuse needed reforms with funerals. We've all have a tendency with funerals. We've all have a tendency with funerals. We've all have a tendency to say that things are over. I said to say that things are over. I said to say that things are over. I said podcasts were done. I said QR codes were podcasts were done. I said QR codes were podcasts were done. I said QR codes were a gimmick. I said YouTube wouldn't work a gimmick. I said YouTube wouldn't work a gimmick. I said YouTube wouldn't work for a long time. And I was wrong on all for a long time. And I was wrong on all for a long time. And I was wrong on all of those. And let me posit this. If you of those. And let me posit this. If you of those. And let me posit this. If you think that the attractional church is think that the attractional church is think that the attractional church is dead, you're wrong on that. Paul dead, you're wrong on that. Paul dead, you're wrong on that. Paul councils to a young outnumbered movement councils to a young outnumbered movement councils to a young outnumbered movement in a pluralistic world was brief. Does in a pluralistic world was brief. Does in a pluralistic world was brief. Does that sound like us today? Walk in wisdom that sound like us today? Walk in wisdom that sound like us today? Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the most the towards outsiders, making the most the towards outsiders, making the most the best use of your time. Wisdom towards best use of your time. Wisdom towards best use of your time. Wisdom towards outsiders looks like lowering barriers, outsiders looks like lowering barriers, outsiders looks like lowering barriers, speaking plainly, making the way to God speaking plainly, making the way to God speaking plainly, making the way to God visible and viable. It's not a fad. It's

visible and viable. It's not a fad. It's visible and viable. It's not a fad. It's faithfulness. So please, friends, stop faithfulness. So please, friends, stop faithfulness. So please, friends, stop saying attractional church is dead. saying attractional church is dead. saying attractional church is dead. What's dead is laziness. What's dead is What's dead is laziness. What's dead is What's dead is laziness. What's dead is gimmicks. What's dead is vibe with no gimmicks. What's dead is vibe with no gimmicks. What's dead is vibe with no pathway. Friends, I want to see you at pathway. Friends, I want to see you at pathway. Friends, I want to see you at this workshop on November 12th, 12pm this workshop on November 12th, 12pm this workshop on November 12th, 12pm Eastern, 9:00 am for our friends on the Eastern, 9:00 am for our friends on the Eastern, 9:00 am for our friends on the Pacific Coast. If you are a church Pacific Coast. If you are a church Pacific Coast. If you are a church between 500 and a thousand, I want to between 500 and a thousand, I want to between 500 and a thousand, I want to see you and your leadership team there. see you and your leadership team there. see you and your leadership team there. churchgrowth launchpad.com. It's churchgrowth launchpad.com. It's churchgrowth launchpad.com. It's designed to help you reignite momentum designed to help you reignite momentum designed to help you reignite momentum by rebuilding your church's invite by rebuilding your church's invite by rebuilding your church's invite culture. You'll discover five key culture. You'll discover five key culture. You'll discover five key systems that growing churches use to get systems that growing churches use to get systems that growing churches use to get unstuck and start reaching people again unstuck and start reaching people again unstuck and start reaching people again just in time for Christmas and New just in time for Christmas and New just in time for Christmas and New Year's. You've already got the people. Year's. You've already got the people. Year's. You've already got the people. You've already got the passions. You've You've already got the passions. You've You've already got the passions. You've already got the programs. This workshop already got the programs. This workshop already got the programs. This workshop will help you align those so you can will help you align those so you can will help you align those so you can lift off in this next season and see lift off in this next season and see lift off in this next season and see your church do amazing things. I would your church do amazing things. I would your church do amazing things. I would love to see you there. Thanks so much. love to see you there. Thanks so much. love to see you there. Thanks so much. Stop saying attractional church is dead.