9 Ways to Grow Your Church Membership

As a pastor or ministry leader, you may have noticed that Church attendance had been steadily declining for the past two decades, and the pandemic has highlighted the need for change in the religious community. The pandemic has forced us to confront the reality that our churches are not immune to the same trends affecting other institutions in American society.

In order to grow your church membership, you’d better first identify why people are leaving. Second, you need to create a strategy for outreach and evangelism. And third, you must invest in programs and services that will attract new members.

Here are 9 actionable tips you can do that may increase your membership.

1. Create A Welcoming Environment

One of the main reasons people leave churches is because they don’t feel welcomed. In order to grow your church, it is recommended to create a warm and welcoming environment. This means being intentional about who you welcome, how you welcome them, and making sure everyone feels like they belong.

Start by creating a list of all the different groups of people you want to welcome to your church. This could include families, young adults, seniors, people of different races and ethnicities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, etc. 

Once you have a list, brainstorm ways you can make each group feel welcome. This could involve changing the way you do worship services, creating new programs or events, or hiring staff that reflect the diversity of your community.

It’s also important to be intentional about how you welcome visitors to your church. Make sure they feel like they are part of the community from the moment they walk in the door. This could include having a greeter at the entrance, providing information about upcoming events, and making sure they know where to find the restrooms and coffee.

Finally, it suggests creating a church culture where everyone feels like they belong. This means creating small groups or Sunday school classes for different age groups, offering childcare during services, and being inclusive in your language and messaging.

2. Offer Online Services

Allow your church members and newcomers to watch your services online. This is a great way to grow your church membership because it allows people to access your services from anywhere in the world. It also allows people who are unable to attend in person to still feel connected to your community.

To get started, you’ll need to invest in some quality audio and video equipment. You’ll also need to find a good streaming service like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, or Twitch. Once you have everything set up, make sure to promote your online services through your website and social media.

3. Encourage Church Members To Bring Friends

One of the best ways to grow your church membership is by encouraging your current members to bring their friends. This could involve creating a referral program, offering incentives for referrals, or simply reminding people to invite their friends to church.

Organizing fun church social events can be another successful strategy to encourage church members to bring their friends, in addition to introducing referral schemes and incentives.

When brainstorming fun church social event ideas, it’s essential to consider the interests and age groups of your attendees. In this case, church members will have the opportunity to embrace the occasion that will be aligned with their age and interests and enjoy the company of their friends, while the church will have the potential of having new church members.

You can also make it easy for people to invite their friends by providing them with materials like flyers, business cards, and postcards. You can also promote your church through social media, word-of-mouth, and local advertising.

4. Sponsor Something Local Community Events

Another way to grow your church membership is by sponsoring community events. This could involve hosting a clothes drive, a food drive, or a blood drive. You can also sponsor local sports teams, arts groups, and charity events. This is a great way to get your church’s name out there and to show your community that you care about them.

5. Increase Your Digital Presence

In order to reach more people, you need to increase your digital presence. This means having an active website and social media presence. It also means making sure your church is listed in online directories like Google Maps.

Your website should be easy to navigate and it should include all the essential information about your church. This includes your contact information, service times, and location. You should also include photos and videos, as well as a blog or news section. 

If you can, it is recommended to rank church related keywords like “church in your location” and “church near me” on Google. People who search these keywords are more likely to go to a church. You can use SEO or Google Ads to achieve it.

Meanwhile, your social media accounts should be active and they should be updated regularly. You should post about upcoming events, blog posts, and photos. You should also use hashtags and tag other businesses and organizations in your posts.

6. Be Active On Social Media

Social media is a great way to connect with potential church members. You can use social media to promote your events, share your message, and connect with people in your community. You can also use social media to answer questions, provide support, and build relationships.

To get started, you’ll need to create profiles on major social media platforms, like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Once you have your profiles set up, start posting regularly and engaging with other users. You can also use social media to advertise your church, promote events, and share important news.

7. Reach Out To The Community

Reaching out to your community is essential if you want to grow your church membership. This could involve partnering with local organizations, hosting community events, or starting a marketing campaign.

One way to reach out to the community is by partnering with local organizations. This could involve co-sponsoring events, collaborating on service projects, or providing space for meetings. By partnering with other organizations, you will be able to reach new people and show them that your church is a valuable asset to the community.

Another way to reach out to the community is by hosting community events. This could include a block party, a holiday celebration, or a health fair. These events are a great way to meet new people and show them what your church has to offer.

Finally, you could start a marketing campaign to reach out to potential new members. This could involve advertising in local publications, distributing flyers, or setting up a booth at community events. A marketing campaign can be a great way to reach new people and get them interested in your church.

8. Invest In Programs And Services

Another way to grow your church membership is by investing in programs and services that will attract new members. This could involve starting a youth group, offering financial counseling, or providing ESL classes.

One way to attract new members is by starting a youth group. This could provide an opportunity for teens to connect with each other and learn about the faith. It could also involve service projects and field trips. A youth group can be a great way to engage teens and their families in the life of the church.

Another way to attract new members is by offering financial counseling. This could involve helping people budget their money, save for retirement, or get out of debt. Financial counseling can be a great way to help people in the community and show them that your church is a valuable resource.

Finally, you could provide ESL classes. This could involve teaching English to non-native speakers or providing resources for people who are learning English. ESL classes can be a great way to connect with people in the community and help them integrate into the church.

9. Ask Your Congregation For Feedback

Finally, it’s important to ask your congregation for feedback on how you can grow your church membership. This could involve conducting a survey, holding a focus group, or just having informal conversations with people. The important thing is to listen to what people have to say and use their feedback to make changes in your church.

Asking your congregation for feedback is a great way to get ideas on how to grow your church membership. It’s also a great way to show your congregation that you value their opinion and that you’re committed to growing the church.

Take some time to consider what would work best in your community and reach out accordingly. Don’t forget to ask your congregation for feedback on your efforts.

Final Thought

No matter what size your church is, you can always benefit from having more members. A larger congregation means more people to help with various church activities, a larger financial base, and a greater impact on your community.