One of the most important things church leaders can do is evaluate our methods constantly. While we have a never-changing message, we regularly need to review the ways we have been presenting that message and consider if we need to modify our activities and try new approaches.
Because Easter is one of the most important days for most churches (but not all—see Jim White’s article below), Thom Rainer took a survey and identified the things that seemed to work for churches this year, as well as the things that did not. Among the actions that were positive for churches, according to Rainer:
Personal Invitation: Several churches used small printed materials (e.g., business card or postcard-size) to encourage members to invite their friends, neighbors and coworkers to Easter services. Personal invitation was the most common way churches promoted their Easter weekend services.
Facebook Promotion: Churches boosted posts, created and shared events, and purchased Facebook ads. With the few exceptions of very limited budgets and run time, Facebook promotion was hugely successful. If your church is not using Facebook to promote major events, you are missing a great opportunity.
Coordinated Graphics: Several churches encouraged staff and members to use their Easter graphic as their avatar on social media. This subtle change in visual cues created interest and gave an opening for staff and members to begin gospel conversations with friends.
Door-to-Door Invitations: A variation of this is in the “What Didn’t Work” section below. The key to the success of these door-to-door invitations was the personal conversations and invites.
Intentional, Strategic Planning: We heard from several churches that had been planning their Easter outreach for months. They had a plan leading up to Easter and one for follow-up after Easter.
Prayer: This response was most encouraging. Churches participated in prayer walks, set up special prayer teams, and prayed over the worship center the week before Easter. These prayers were answered in incredible ways.
Read the full article to see what did not work for churches—and the takeaway truths from the survey.
Blessings!
Michael Duduit
MDuduit@SalemPublishing.com
www.MichaelDuduit.com
Follow on Twitter @MichaelDuduit