How To Grow Church Membership

Suppose you find that membership at your church or place of worship is stagnating or even waning. In that case, you may be wondering what else you can do besides study groups, children’s groups, and emphasis on the younger generations! Here are some ways to grow your church membership and improve your members’ engagement. 

Warm Up Your Welcomes 

Most newcomers worry about whether or not they are dressed appropriately, what time they should arrive, and where to sit. Be sure you’re addressing these concerns on your website, or employ 3-4 volunteers during each service to help the new folks find their way. 

Turnabout’s Fair Play! 

While we’ve all been the newcomer before, it’s easy to forget what it’s like. Send a few members out into the community to different churches and remind them what it’s like to be the new kid on the block. Encourage them to come back with ideas on making the church more inviting for new members. 

Improve Your Accessibility 

This one covers a lot of topics! You should have microphones for your speakers (yes, even the ones who project their voices well) and captions for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Your entrances should be accessible to people using mobility devices like walkers or wheelchairs instead of relegating them to a back entrance or no entrance at all. Consider making your space fragrance-free to accommodate those with chemical sensitivities. 

Your website should be functional, fast, and filled with information about getting in touch and what to expect at a service. Record sermons and post them online, or livestream them for members who don’t live in the area but still want to be involved. Use social media to your advantage and encourage current members to share about the church online. Consider creating a section of your website for distance members! 

Improve Your Communication 

Every month, sending the same email newsletter can quickly get you relegated to the Trash folder. Use inviting imagery, change the layout of your emails, and use a service that lets you evaluate your performance. Which emails do people open the most, and which ones do they unsubscribe from? 

Spend Less Time Behind A Desk 

The last thing you want to do is spend all your spare time behind a desk managing paperwork, keeping track of member renewals, and hunting down payments. Invest in a service like Join It that does it all for you so you can get back to your congregation. 

If you’re looking for more ways to help grow your membership, let Join It help! Sign up today for a free trial, or contact us for more information about how we can help!