Affinity Evangelism

In a recent conversation about my new Affinity Evangelism blog, a friend brought up a concern that many people have.  How do you do Affinity Evangelism with integrity?  How do you host these events so that it doesn't seem like you are just luring unchurched people into a trap:  bait them with a fun event and then try to convert them?

When I worked for the Steve Wingfield Evangelistic Association arranging evangelistic festivals we often got accused of the same thing.  We would host great concerts or other fun youth oriented events and as part of them give a gospel presentation.  Our detractors would say, "You're just using Randy Travis (or the Power Team, or whoever ...) to lure them to hear your Christian message.  That's a bait and switch."

In truth, it could be.  It's all in how you invite people and how the gospel message is delivered.  If those are done well, the event will feel like a refreshing blessing to those invited.  If they are done carelessly, those invited will feel betrayed.

Imagine:  What if you invited a friend to a scrapbooking crop or concert or whatever kind of affinity event and never let them know there was going to be a speaker as a part of the program.  And further, you never let them know it was going to be a Christian speaker.  The speaker then got up then gave a long, guilt inducing, biblical expository sermon asking people to turn or burn.  How might your friend feel?

But what if you invited an unchurched friend to a Poker Night hosted by your church men's group at the local community center?  The cover charge is $10 and you'll pay their way.  There will be all plenty of refreshments, prizes and a Christian speaker will give a brief talk at intermission about "What To Do When You're Dealt A Bad Hand In Life".  And then you gave your friend an actual printed invitation with all that information.

Or what if you and your spouse invited some other couples to Sweethearts Dinner hosted by several churches in the community at a banquet facility.  You'll pay their way.  It will be a fun evening with hors d'ouvres, a sumptuous meal, a band or DJ for dancing and a Christian comedian or a Christian speaker talking about "The 10 Ten Things to do to Make Your Marriage Great!"  And again, you gave them an invitation with all that information.

In each of those experiences, the speaker gave a winsome, humorous, challenging message that related to the affinity event and lovingly, thoughtfully presented the gospel.  Your friends would have received the gift of a fun evening and would have known right up front there was a Christian speaker as part of the event.  No one will have felt deceived.  There would be no bait and switch.

IMPORTANT: The affinity event is not meant to be just a lure to hear a sermon.  It is meant to be a vehicle for Christians and churches to serve and bless their unchurched friends.  The event is to be a generous, when possible, lavish gift.  As Christians we are children of benevolent, grace bearing, generous God and we are called to reflect that.


In the case of the SWEA events there was never a bait and switch.  All promotion and publicity would always say that the event was hosted by SWEA (an EVANGELISTIC Association!) and the local churches and would make very clear that Evangelist Steve Wingfield was speaking.  There was no bait and switch.  It was clear these were Christian events with a Christian speaker at them.

However, just this week, a close friend experienced a bait and switch.  She invited some people close to her that do not attend church to a ballet hosted at a local church with a professional Christian ballet troup.  She paid for tickets for her friends and there was no indication of any kind of message, speaker, church experience, etc.  The ballet was just fine but at the end the pastor got up and gave a gospel presentation and called up the worship band, which led into a full blown worship service with people raising their hands and dancing in the spirit.  My friend was incredibly uncomfortable though her friends were gracious.  She invited her friends to the ballet -- not church.

The key to not doing a bait and switch is in having integrity in your both of your invitations: first, to the event and secondly, to receive Christ as Savior.