Churches need members to cover their expenses and expand their ministry. Many churches are struggling as church attendance declines. Although some church buildings are replaced with new structures, many church buildings have been sold and converted into businesses or homes.
Church leaders can prevent membership declines and increase their memberships by recognizing why people are leaving churches and using modern technology to expand their reach to new potential members. Consider these strategies for putting your church on the map in your community.
Contribute to the Community
Churches develop a reputation in the same way people and small businesses do. The conduct of your church’s leadership and membership will impact how people view your church. Be involved in your local community. Meet needs without conditions. Your church can start a soup kitchen or food bank to help people who are struggling financially or homeless. Your church can also opt to make donations to a local food bank or soup kitchen. If you contribute to another organization, encourage your church membership to volunteer regularly at the soup kitchen. Look for other volunteer opportunities, such as clearing trash from roadsides and parks. Donate to support community resources, such as dog parks and playgrounds. When people see your church contributing to the local community, they will know your church cares about the local community.
Provide Resources
Give people different reasons to come to your church property. Build a collection of outfits people can choose from to prepare for job interviews. Allow local groups to use meeting rooms in your building. If you have a large amount of land available, provide public access to walking trails, or construct a park people can use.
These are effective ways of meeting a community need and welcoming people from your community to your property. They provide you with organic opportunities to meet people from your community who can learn about your church from visiting the property for other purposes.
Be Web Savvy
Over 80% of consumers research products online before they make purchases. People of all age groups use the internet to inform their decisions, which means they will likely research your church as well. Invest in professional website design Denver. Webolutions can customize your website to provide specific, compelling information about your church, services, and special activities. The site can feature the resources you provide. Web design experts can integrate your church’s tone and style into the design of the site and generate appropriate content to appeal to your target audience. For example, some churches prefer a traditional worship style, while others have a modern approach to worship. Worship style can affect the types of instruments used during church services. Your website can convey this to allow potential newcomers to know what style of worship your church uses. You may also have different worship styles for different services, and you can use your website to convey this so people can find a service where they will feel comfortable.
Presentation
Show your community how valued your church is by investing in routine maintenance. Have landscapers or volunteers trim hedges, mow the lawns, plant flowers, and look after the gardens. This is a way of showing your community that your church is cared for and valued.
You can make a good impression with professional clergy attire, such as clergy shirts and robes. Maintaining a neat, professional appearance will ensure people feel comfortable approaching you.
Social Media
Your website is one facet of your internet presence. A strong social media presence should support it. Use Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to establish your church’s online profile. Provide information about services and special activities through these social media channels. You can also have a newsletter people can sign up for that distributes information about upcoming events. Social media and newsletters are practical tools for providing up-to-date information to the public and your membership. You can also use social media to promote community contributions. Retweet fundraisers for local groups. Perhaps the community school is trying to raise funds for team uniforms, or a local hospital is trying to raise money for renovations. Encourage people to contribute. Post polls to get a sense of how people feel about important issues. Promote local businesses whether they’re run by your church members or people you don’t know. When you do this, you establish your church as part of your community network, which can help raise your church’s profile and prompt newcomers to attend events or services.
