How to Invite Your Friends to Church Without Feeling Awkward

Let’s be honest, inviting someone to church can feel intimidating, even awkward. But what if, instead of focusing on the discomfort, we were able to approach it with confidence and boldness? What if we embraced the possibility that the life of the person we’re inviting could be changed forever?

Inviting a friend to church is a powerful way to help them connect with other people of faith, and grow in their understanding of who Jesus is.

Inviting someone to church can be a major step in their faith journey. It’s more than an event—it’s a chance for them to experience a welcoming community and the love of Jesus firsthand. But before that happens, there’s the invitation, and we often worry: "What if they say no?" or "Will I seem pushy?" We tend to dwell on the negatives, but what if we shifted our perspective? What if they say “yes”? What if God has already been working in their heart? What if this simple invitation leads them to a life-changing relationship with Christ? With these possibilities in mind, what’s holding you back?

Here are three simple steps to help you invite your friends to church.

Step 1: Pray

Before we even interact with anyone, the best way to reach others is to start by approaching God in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your interactions with the person you want to invite. Prayer reminds us that while we’re the ones inviting, it’s the Holy Spirit who works in their hearts. (John 16:7-15)

As we prepare to invite, we should also ask for our will to be aligned with God’s. Take time to prayerfully reflect on your own motivation, and the posture of your heart as you approach them. If your goal is simply to increase church attendance, ask God to align your heart with His. Effective evangelism is always rooted in a revelation of God’s unconditional love for us, and that’s the spirit we want to carry into our invitation.

Step 2: Relate

Building a genuine connection with someone is key. The goal isn’t to rush through an invitation and move on, but to take time and show them the patient and compassionate love of Jesus. This process is as valuable for our own growth as it is for them to experience. An invitation without a relationship carries little weight compared to an invitation from a friend.

As you connect, it also allows you to better understand what this person’s experience of church is, which will inform the way you invite them. It’s possible that they’ve never stepped foot inside a church, in which case they might be open to a simple invitation! Otherwise, you may learn through conversation that they grew up in church but drifted away, or they attended a church but experienced hurt from someone. Some questions that might help guide this conversation are:

• “I’m curious—did you attend church at all when you were growing up?”
• “If you don't mind me asking, what makes you feel like church isn't for you?”
• “If it’s not too personal a question, what was the bad experience you had?”

The answers to these questions can guide you in making a more personal invitation at the right moment. Use what you learn, and seek God’s wisdom on when and how to invite them to church.

Step 3: Invite

When it’s time to invite, remember that it’s not just about attending a service—it’s about helping them find community. So, your invitation might be to a church service, or it could be to a bible study, a conference, or even a casual BBQ! 

“My friends from church and I decided to put on a BBQ and we invited our non-Christian friends along. We are hoping to introduce them to Jesus and the Christian lifestyle.” — yesHEis community

Since you've built a genuine connection, tailor your invitation to meet them where they are—whether it's joining a Sunday service for community, a small group for deeper friendships, or an Alpha course for exploring big questions. Keep in mind that your expectations can influence how you invite them. Instead of putting pressure on them, pray for the best outcome and trust that their journey may take time, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in His timing.

Inviting friends to church doesn’t have to feel awkward or intimidating. By approaching it with prayer, genuine connection, and thoughtfulness, it can become a meaningful and powerful opportunity to share the love of Jesus with those around us. Whether they say yes or no, your willingness to extend the invitation is a step toward helping them on their spiritual journey. 

‍This week, take a moment to pray and ask the Holy Spirit who He’s prompting you to invite. When you know, don’t wait, reach out today. After all, what if they say yes?