Your Biggest Easter Yet: Why Reaching Out Is Essential
This week marks a turning point in ministry. Many community members have grown distant over time. Easter now offers a fresh opportunity for renewal. If your church is ready to act in faith, you can make this Easter your biggest yet.
Why This Easter Could Be Big
- Lost Connections: Many people have stopped attending church, both in person and online.
- Renewed Interest: Community members are eager to gather and share hope.
- Craving Connection: Those who have felt isolated are seeking new relationships.
- Seeking Change: Even non-religious people want to help improve our world.
How This Can Impact Your Church
Easter is a time to celebrate the hope that Jesus brings. It is a perfect moment to share the message of the resurrection. Churches that reach out and welcome both newcomers and lapsed members often see a significant response.
Develop a plan that covers three key outreach areas:
- Broad General Invitations
- Reaching Out to Lapsed Members and Past Visitors
- Empowering Your Members to Invite Friends and Neighbors
Below are some effective tools to help you build a comprehensive plan that fits your budget.
Broad Invitations
The community around your church has many people who have never attended or who stopped attending long ago. Use these methods to invite them to your Easter events. Always craft benefit-oriented messages.
Direct Mail Postcards:
Mail invitations to thousands of homes in your community. A clear design and simple layout help your postcard stand out. Postcards also enjoy low postage rates thanks to non-profit authorization from the postal service.
Facebook Ads:
Social media ads target people in your church’s area. They work well alongside a postcard campaign by delivering both physical and digital invitations.
Outdoor Banners:
Use a large outdoor banner on your building or near your service location. Print your website URL so viewers can easily get more details.
By reaching out in these clear, concise ways, your church can create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere this Easter. Embrace the opportunity, and make it your most impactful Easter ever.
Reconnect With Past Guests and Attendees
Many churches have lost touch with some members over recent times. Some people no longer attend in person or online. Others may have tried another church or simply fallen out of the habit. You might also have visitors who never returned. Easter offers a great opportunity to reach out. Make sure your invitation sounds warm and caring, with a genuine “we miss you” tone.
- Email:
Email is the easiest way to connect. However, messages can get lost in a busy inbox. - Personal Note:
Send a short, hand-written card. Let them know you miss them and include service times and dates. - Phone Calls:
A brief call can re-establish connections. Equip volunteers with guidelines to refer any difficult topics to staff. - Social Posts:
Use your church’s social media pages to reach digital members. Keep the pages updated with announcements and inspiring posts. Consider using services like Outreach Digital to keep your content fresh.
Engage Members With Personal Invitations
Personal invitations are very effective. Encourage regular attendees to invite neighbors, friends, and coworkers to Easter services. Give them tools to feel confident in inviting others.
- Personal Invite Cards:
Provide each member with 5-10 small, easy-to-carry invitation cards in various designs. These cards work well during the Lenten season to spark interest.
Reaching out personally can help rebuild connections and make your Easter events more welcoming.
Door Hangers
Choose a day to send teams into neighborhoods around your church. Have them leave invitations on doors and pray for the community. DoorHangers also offer an easy way for members to share invitations in their own neighborhoods. Read this article for more tips.
Social Sharing
Update your website and social media platforms with fresh content. Ask regular attendees to like your posts and share them with their online friends. Create a Facebook Event for your Easter services. Encourage people to share it with other families.
With just a month until Easter, act fast on these tips. If you need extra help, contact an Outreach Specialist. They can guide you through the tools and timing. Do everything you can to share hope this Easter!
