Church participation is on the decline in many parts of the world. In the U.S., church membership was at 73% in 1937, but as of 2020, it had dropped to 49%.
This low church participation can be attributed to several factors, such as busy lifestyles and a lack of interest in organized religion.
However, there are things that churches can do to boost church participation and bring people back into the fold. This blog post will discuss the most effective ways to increase church attendance and get more people involved in church activities.
Offer Online Services
Expecting people to show up at church in person every Sunday is becoming increasingly difficult. Work commitments, travel, health complications, and other obligations often get in the way.
More and more people are turning to the internet for their religious needs. Offering a live stream can be a great way to reach out to this population and increase participation in the church.
You can also offer online Bible studies, prayer groups, and other activities that allow people to participate in the church from anywhere in the world.
With online church services, people can still participate in the church community and connect with other members even when they cannot attend in person.
You may also find that new families are more likely to check out your church if they can watch a service online or get a feel for the church community online first.
Check out this church live stream guide for more tips on how to offer online church services.
Hold Events That Appeal to All Ages
Many churches focus their events on one specific age group, such as children or seniors. While this is great for engaging those particular age groups, it can leave other age groups feeling left out.
Holding events that appeal to all ages can help engage more church members and increase church attendance. This could include various activities, such as family-friendly movie nights, game nights, concerts, or service projects.
By including events that appeal to all ages, you’re sure to have something for everyone and create a sense of community within the church. This also helps bridge the gap between different generations and allows them to learn from each other.
You may even find that some families start coming to church more often because they have something fun to do together as a family.
Create a Welcoming Environment
One of the main reasons people stop attending church is because they feel unwelcome. They may not know anyone there, or they may feel judged by others in the church.
Creating a welcoming environment can help encourage church attendance and participation. This could include:
- Making sure that the church is physically accessible for everyone
- Providing welcome packets or directories for newcomers
- Having greeters at services and events
- Creating an online community where people can connect with each other
When church members feel welcomed and accepted, they’re more likely to attend church regularly and participate in church activities.
Make sure your congregation knows that you’re always happy to have them there and that everyone is welcome.
Offer Childcare
Many parents feel guilty about leaving their children with a sitter and not bringing them to church.
By offering childcare, you’re removing that barrier and making it easier for parents to attend church. This could include having a nursery or child care area during services or events and providing babysitting services for special events.
More parents are likely to attend church and get involved in church activities when childcare is offered. Plus, your church will be able to minister to the next generation of Christians.
Make sure that your child care policies are up-to-date and that you have enough volunteers to help run the child care area.
Encourage Members to Get Involved
Many church members feel like they don’t have anything to offer or are unsure how they can get involved.
Encouraging church members to get involved is a great way to increase church attendance and participation. This could include:
- Making it easy for people to find out what ministries or committees are available
- Providing training or resources for volunteers
- Having a variety of opportunities for people to get involved, such as teaching Sunday school, leading worship, etc
When church members feel like they can make a difference and contribute their talents, they’re more likely to attend church regularly. Plus, it allows them to connect with other church members and form relationships.
Promote Church Events
If people don’t know about church events, they’re not likely to attend.
So how do you get the word out? There are a few ways to promote church events that include:
- Make sure that the church has an up-to-date website with event information
- Creating flyers or posters for upcoming events
- Sending out email announcements or text messages
- Putting a calendar of events in the church lobby or on the website
When people know what’s going on at the church, they’re more likely to attend. Make sure you promote all types of events, such as worship services, Bible studies, social activities, and special events.
Social Media Presence
You can also promote church events through social media. Most people who use social media are active on at least one platform, so make sure the church has a presence on all popular platforms.
Make sure to post about upcoming events and include photos and videos to capture people’s attention. You can also ask church members to share event information with their friends online. This will help get the word out even further.
Boost Church Participation Today
When it comes to boosting church participation, there are many things churches can do. By using some or all of these methods, churches can see an increase in attendance and involvement from their members. Try out a few of these ideas and see what works best for your church.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to boost church attendance, please continue reading our other articles on the blog.
