May 28, 2025

Zero Invitations: The Unforced Error Series

26 minutes

An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one’s own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure. Thom and Jess examine one of the most common unforced errors in this podcast: zero invitations.

Research shows that nearly 8 out of 10 unchurched people would attend church if invited personally.

Despite this openness, most churches lack a structured approach or culture of regular invitation.

Members often need encouragement and practical tools to extend an invite confidently.

Personal invitations remain one of the most powerful evangelism tools available to the local church.

Programs like the Hope Initiative and Invite Your One help congregations mobilize members to reach their circles of influence.

Resources:

Chaney & Associates

The Church Advisory Podcast

Upward Sports

“Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

“The Unchurched Next Door” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link)

FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights

The Hope Initiative

Invite Your One

Church Answers Membership

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Upward Sports is the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, partnering with local churches to use sports as a powerful outreach tool to engage the community.

To remind our listeners, Upward offers a variety of league options, including basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, running for adults, and now, pickleball.

Partnering with Upward Sports helps your church reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel in a meaningful way.

Is your church striving to be known as a welcoming space where families come together? Sports can naturally become your invitation. Upward Sports understands this and is ready to help you cultivate that atmosphere.

Exciting news from Upward Sports! Pickleball is now available as an Upward sport! Perfect for middle and high schoolers, pickleball is easy to learn, quick to set up, and one of the best ways to keep kids engaged. Whether you’re looking to start a traditional league or a flexible practice-and-play format, Upward Sports is here to help you build a strategy that fits your church. Ready to get started? Schedule a call today and launch a purposeful pickleball ministry in your community!

At Upward, they will customize your sports outreach strategy to fit your church’s budget, and community needs because we know one size doesn’t fit all.

Already have a thriving outreach ministry? Add sports to further fuel your outreach and connect with even more families.

Are you looking to engage new families, bless your community, or mobilize your congregation to serve? Whether you have a gym, field space, or access to a facility, Upward Sports can help. We’re here to support your church in creating a first-class, organized, and intentional outreach ministry that tells families, “You are welcome here!”

Whether you’re expanding an existing sports ministry or starting from scratch, explore Upward Sports. With a trusted history of partnering with over 5,000 churches nationwide, Upward stands ready to support you.

Schedule your call today at www.Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

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