THE SUPER BOWL OF THE CHRUCH
Easter is often referred to as the Super Bowl in the church world, but let’s not forget about the significance of Mother’s Day. With exactly six weeks between Easter and Mother’s Day in 2024, it’s crucial for churches to leverage this time to not only attract first-time visitors but also to encourage them to come back. In this blog, we will explore some strategic ideas on how to make the most of these six weeks and increase the number of returning visitors.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Did you know that only 20% of first-time visitors ever return to a church? However, the statistics change significantly for second and third-time visitors. 40% of second-time visitors come back, and even more impressively, 60% of third-time visitors return. This highlights the importance of creating a process to increase the number of people who attend Easter and come back for future services.
Secret Shoppers: Gathering Valuable Feedback
Before we dive into the strategies for leveraging the six weeks between Easter and Mother’s Day, let’s talk about secret shoppers. These are individuals who have never been to church before, making them ideal candidates to provide unbiased feedback. Consider inviting a couple of secret shoppers and offer them a gift card as an incentive for their participation. On a designated Sunday, ask them to fill out a form and survey focusing on various aspects such as parking convenience, greetings, signage, ease of check-in, service flow, and clarity of the message. Gathering insights from those who have never attended church before will help you make necessary improvements before Easter, especially considering that over 60% of Americans plan to attend church on Easter Sunday.
Planning Events to Encourage Return Visits
Now, let’s discuss some ideas for events that can be planned between Easter and Mother’s Day, specifically targeting first-time visitors:
- Baptism: Host a baptism following Easter to celebrate those who have found salvation. Make sure to extend a special invitation to the first-time visitors.
- Special Sermon Series: Develop a sermon series focused on new people and their families. Address hot topics or common questions that individuals may have while questioning their faith.
- Meet and Greet: Arrange a casual event like “Pizza with the Pastors” to provide new visitors with an opportunity to connect with church leaders.
- Family Event: Plan a family picnic or another special gathering that encourages families to come together and build relationships within the church community.
- Parenting Workshop: Launch a workshop specifically targeting parents, offering guidance and support in raising their children in a Christian environment.
- Alpha Course: Consider launching an Alpha course to address tough questions about faith and equip individuals with the knowledge to confidently answer them.
Targeted Communication for New Visitors
It’s essential to ensure that your communication for these events is specifically tailored to the first-time visitors who attended Easter service. Consider setting up a separate communication channel, such as a specific subgroup in your existing planning software or using a separate email system like MailChimp. By doing so, you can send targeted emails with language, graphics, and invites that resonate with this specific group of individuals. Avoid sending them generic church-wide emails, such as prayer meeting reminders or voting announcements, as those might not be relevant to their next steps.
Follow-up Systems and Special Gifts
Creating effective follow-up systems is crucial for encouraging return visits. Consider implementing the following strategies:
- Personal Visits: Arrange for members of your pastoral team to make personal visits to first-time visitors, delivering cookies or small gifts as a gesture of appreciation.
- Handwritten Notes: Mail handwritten notes to those who attended Easter service, expressing gratitude for their presence and including a coupon for a free t-shirt or another incentive to encourage their return.
- Gifts for All Ages: Ensure that you have gifts available for individuals of all ages, not just adults. Consider age-appropriate items for youth and children to make them feel included and valued.
Implementing the Strategies
We understand that implementing these strategies may seem overwhelming, especially considering the responsibilities already associated with Easter preparations. However, there are several ways to manage the process:
- Staff Oversight: Assign a staff member to oversee the entire process, ensuring that everything is set up and executed smoothly.
- Temporary Support: Consider bringing on a temporary staff member or volunteer to assist with the implementation of these strategies during the six to eight-week timeframe.
- Virtual Assistant: Another option is to hire a virtual assistant who can handle various administrative tasks, such as managing email communications and scheduling, allowing you to focus on other essential aspects of church ministry.
The six weeks between Easter and Mother’s Day present a valuable opportunity to encourage return visits and build lasting connections with first-time visitors. By leveraging secret shoppers, planning targeted events, and implementing strategic follow-up systems, your church can increase the number of individuals who come back for a second, third, and even fourth time. Remember, the ultimate goal is to provide a welcoming and meaningful church experience that extends beyond Easter Sunday. Let’s make the most of this important time and turn Mother’s Day into a playoff game that brings new visitors back to your church community.
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