Good News on the Ground — Season 2, Episode 2

Invite: Evangelism Begins with an Invitation

For many Episcopalians, the word evangelism can make us a little uncomfortable. It can bring to mind pressure, persuasion, or trying to convince someone to believe exactly what we believe.

But what if evangelism is much simpler—and gentler—than that?

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, the Rev. Lisa Work and Sarah Reed explore evangelism through the lens of invitation. They talk about the people who invited them into communities, relationships, and experiences that helped shape their own lives of faith—and how something as simple as an invitation can open the door to connection, belonging, and an encounter with God.

Evangelism doesn't have to be coercive. We don't have to have all the answers, and we certainly don't have to "sell" God to anyone. Instead, we can pay attention to where God is already at work, build genuine relationships, and invite others to come and see.

Because sometimes a life of faith begins with something remarkably ordinary:

"Would you like to come with me?"

Lisa and Sarah talk about:

• Why the word evangelism can feel uncomfortable, particularly in the Episcopal Church
• The difference between invitation and coercion
• Personal invitations that changed the course of their own faith journeys
• Why prayer is an important part of invitation
• Building relationships before worrying about getting people through the church doors
• Creating communities where people experience genuine belonging
• Recognizing and naming God's presence in ordinary life
• Invitation as a spiritual practice—one rooted in relationship, sincerity, and courage
• Trusting that God's love is already at work before we ever extend the invitation

Who invited you?

Think about the people who have opened doors for you along the way—not only into church, but into friendship, community, purpose, or a deeper awareness of God's presence.

And then consider:

Who might God be inviting you to invite?

Not to pressure. Not to persuade. Simply to offer the possibility of connection and trust God with what happens next.

In this episode. A few moments from the conversationEpisode ChaptersSomething to ponderGood News on the Ground is a conversation about noticing where God is already at work in our churches, neighborhoods, and everyday lives—and joining in.

Music by: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videosArtist: Benjamin TissotLicense code: DF59UUHQPXFDHM1U

In this episode, Rev. Lisa Work and Sarah Reid explore how churches, especially smaller congregations, can authentically invite, welcome, and connect with newcomers. They discuss the importance of assessing church practices, understanding diverse experiences, and asking the right questions to foster genuine relationships within faith communities.

Key Topics Covered:

• The purpose of the Invite, Welcome, Connect framework as an assessment tool, not a program.

• The significance of small churches participating as cohorts to share insights and growth.

• The role of systematic relationship-building in creating a sense of belonging.

• Stephanie Spellers’ insights on future faith and the importance of authentic connections.

• How to ask meaningful questions about faith, belonging, and challenges facing different generations.

• The value of authentic relationships over superficial programs in attracting and retaining members.

• The importance of asking the right questions to address real needs instead of assumptions.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Good News on the Ground and the new series

00:28 - Purpose behind the Invite, Welcome, Connect initiative

00:56 - How the framework helps churches assess and grow

01:24 - Distinguishing between a program and an assessment tool

02:21 - Tailoring resources for smaller churches within the diocese

03:19 - The cohort model for implementing Invite, Welcome, Connect

03:49 - Emphasizing context-specific and shame-free evaluation

17:09 - Building community through shared belonging and recognizing individual needs

22:50 - Reflection on the importance of being true to your church’s identity

23:19 - The value of human-centered design thinking for church growth and an illustrative story of innovation from Stanford students in India

Resources & Links

• The Church Is Changing - The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers at St. Stephen's Cathedral Harrisburg, PA

• Stephanie Spellers - Official Website

• Invite, Welcome, Connect Resources

• Design Thinking Project about Inncubators

In this episode of Good News on the Ground, Rev. Lisa Work and Rev. Bradley Mattson explore The CMEC Minute—a creative series of one-minute videos from Christ Memorial Episcopal Church that spark curiosity and conversation about faith. These short, engaging clips answer common questions about following Jesus, Episcopal worship, and everyday spirituality, helping people grow in faith one minute at a time.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Answering Everyday Questions: The CMEC Minute grew out of real parishioner questions about liturgical practices—questions that reflect the wider curiosity of people exploring Episcopal faith.

• Faith Education for All: The series aims to make spiritual formation accessible not only to those who attend church but also to seekers and the spiritually curious.

• Evangelism in the Digital Age: Short, shareable videos make it easier for parishioners to invite others into conversations about faith and worship.

• Curiosity as Evangelism: By creating a safe and engaging way to explore “why we do what we do,” the CMEC Minute turns curiosity into connection.