The best way to have good attendance at any event is through personal invitation.  Some people think it is an unconventional method, but it can be effectively used to attract people to a particular ministry or event.  Since "relationship" is one of the three values of the church, you can see the level of importance it has at GBCC.  Nothing beats "relationship" to get people to hang out with you.  You can do all kinds of costly marketing and promotions, but if the relationship is not there to begin with, your chance of attracting new attendees at your event is greatly lessened.

Basic relational ideas to help a ministry grow:

• Initiate conversation; don't wait for a stranger to approach you
• Be friendly, smile
• Be genuinely happy to meet them
• Introduce yourself
• Ask and remember the new person's name
• Shake hands
• Find common ground in something
• Introduce the new person to others you know
• Help them feel comfortable by offering them refreshments and actively involve them in your conversation

Do you remember your first experience of walking into a room of people you didn't know? Did anyone make you feel welcome by coming over and initiating a conversation or did you have to do it? How did it feel to stand there all alone, not knowing a soul, while others were having fun and animated conversations? The vast majority of people dislike social situations where they do not know others and will avoid those kinds of situations at all costs.

Do you want your ministry to grow? Personally invite one new person or a friend to attend as your guest.  If everyone in your group invited one new person, attendance could double.  Some years ago an informal survey was conducted of a number of church members asking them why they came to GBCC.  The largest percentage of respondents said it was due to a personal invitation.

Are you doing your best to reach out to your friends?