11 Proven Strategies Essential For Your Church’s Growth

“Quick Summary” An honest opinion about the growth of the churches still depends on the people who manage them. The older generations have managed and operated their churches in more traditional ways with reluctance to expand their outreach. When you see the youths getting involved with the church and its activities, they would wish to associate technology with the growth aspect. The youths of today have a new mindset and ideas, using which they can develop powerful strategies to grow your church.

Few churches have explored avenues of expansion and growth and are flourishing today. But most churches still rely on traditional ways of receiving charity or funds to run their show.

The church leadership must entice the younger generation into taking an interest in growing their church. Where the survival of the churches solely depends on their communities, it is essential to switch to innovative methods to induce growth and begin a journey to expansion. Serving the community is the best way to serve God and His purpose.

Attracting new patrons would take time. Engaging them through God's message may only work if the church touches and improves their lives through various causes. Attaching a feeling of responsibility and awareness would pioneer spirituality in the real sense.

This blog is for you if you are a part of or know of any such church looking to grow and develop. This blog will deal with a few proven tips to create the foundation of your church growth strategies. The church authorities can explore and experiment with these strategies before they prepare a blueprint for the church's growth.

Ways to Grow Your Church

Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals 

Creating goals will serve the purpose only if they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Like any other corporate, growth and expansion must be the primary missions of every church. For this to happen, churches must switch to smarter attributes to keep them on the path to achieving their core mission. 

 

Churches that set SMART goals for membership growth will stay focused on their ultimate mission while developing means and activities to reach out to new patrons. 

Setting SMART Goals is one of the few proven strategies for church growth. These strategies will help the churches to attract the younger generation. Every strategy the church leadership creates should be at par with the church's mission statement. The ministry must ensure that the strategies are brought to life. Only then can any program guarantee to achieve the church's objectives.

Memberships for Patrons

Churches must design membership programs for their members, specifically those that majorly impact their lives, define the purpose clearly, and help raise funds. There are several membership programs for churches to choose from.

Through popular membership programs, non-profits can encourage members to use their skills and talents to help society. Churches can offer a powerful platform to their members where they may use their voices to bring a major difference. Membership programs must spread awareness and educate those associated with changing the world. The beauty of such membership programs lies in solving problems for society. Churches can use social media platforms and conduct activities on digital platforms to give voice to their purpose.

Through these membership programs, churches can create small groups of dedicated volunteers to achieve their church's mission and help spread God's message to every corner of society.

Have a Personalized & Effective Communication plan

Addressing your member using generalized communication might not help the church because each member will respond differently to that communication.

To make your communication personalized and more effective, here are a few pointers to consider:

 

Bifurcate your members

Age, gender, the society they represent, financial condition, and level of involvement (with the church), all essential sociodemographic factors.

These should be considered when assessing an individual's familiarity with a given religious institution. Age is a key factor in determining how likely someone will engage with the church. Younger individuals tend to be more socially conscious. Hence, their probability of joining or attending services at the church is higher.

 

Choice of communication

Learning about the communications that fetch the maximum response from the members is essential. Each one has a unique way of communicating.

Choosing how to communicate with a group of members is complicated. Despite this complexity, the church must learn to get the most out of its patrons. By looking at the different kinds of communication and their impact, you can figure out which kind of communication would be best for any given situation. Looking at the situation, the message's content, the way it is sent, and the characteristics of the person who will receive it are all critical for a positive influence on the members.

 

Modes of marketing

It will help you determine the most effective marketing mode if you know the age groups to which your members belong. The older generations might welcome a phone call or a personalized letter from the church, whereas the youths would be pleased to receive an invitation on their smartphones or an email from the church ministry. 

These days people are more inclined to use social media. You may create awareness for your cause on Google, Facebook, and Instagram. Creating a dedicated page displaying all the necessary information about the campaign and sharing its link with your donors can work wonders. When the young members trust your mission, they happily share the church's social media handles with all they know.

 

Talk to members who have visited once

This is a very useful tactic. When a member has once visited your church and has received the best treatment from the community members and church authorities, he would be more than happy to share his experience. 

The church may use this as a testimonial to inspire others in the community. Volunteers representing the church can appeal to the members to share their skills, time, and efforts for the well-being of society and the growth of the church they believe in. 

 

Persuade your audience

Inspiring your community members to visit the church regularly is necessary. This helps them align with the church's purpose and mission to spread God's message deeper and wider. 

Churches may share a few classic examples where the members have been pivotal in helping the church make a major difference in society, changing people's lives, and making critical campaigns a huge success. What more would society need if the church could bring that awareness through its members?  

 

Analyze your members’ responses

As a matter of practice, the administrative wing of each church should always analyze their members' responses. They must look closely at the replies received via email and WhatsApp. 

They may also consider the responses posted on their social media platforms and check if members need to revert to the letters or physical invitations sent. The admin wing can identify the gap and address it. Fetching a solution to this gap can make an enormous difference to the church and society.

11 Proven Strategies Essential for Your Church’s Growth

1. Prioritize growth in your mission statement

Churches are built to spread God's message. Not all would agree that a church also needs a mission statement. It is obvious that churches are here to spread God's word, but a mission statement is way more than a simple statement. A church's mission statement reminds its patrons of the path to follow, goals to achieve, and the purpose to live up to. The ministry and the members can accomplish the church's goals easily if the mission statement is followed with dedication. The church programs and activities must be designed to collaborate with the church's mission statement. If they deviate, the sole purpose will be lost. Refer to your existing and past programs. If you feel that a few of them don't go well with the church's mission statement, you may request the ministry to drop them for good. Moreover, you may talk to other churches and research to find new and relevant programs.

2. Create strong programs for children and young adults

One program does not fit all age groups. The church authorities must always consider children and young adults integral to the church's growth. The program and activities for children must communicate with them in a language they are comfortable with.

Children must understand and accept the purpose wholeheartedly to make the cause successful. The same stands true for the youths. The church must introspect about the activities done in the past. Did they create the necessary impact on kids and youths?

A. Let college students come to virtual church

College students were active in their community during their school days. Unfortunately, many college students cannot get involved in church activities once they leave their hometown. This is a matter of concern that must be addressed. Offering virtual or online church services on Sundays to small groups for college students can help continue their relationship with the church.

B. Help kids and youths volunteer for a local nonprofit organization

In this era, people living a life with the mission to help others are rare. By developing youth volunteers, the church creates a brand ambassador for its mission and programs. You may encourage parents and youths to search for places or organizations where their skills and passions are in demand. The church can partner with them to see how they can make a difference in society and watch these youths blossom.

Churches enjoy a special place in society. People in the congregation look up to the church to strengthen their faith and open the path to a more fulfilling life. Hence, the churches must support and Boost the Nonprofit Organizations in their vicinity. The youth volunteer can help spread their enthusiasm and message to the people around them. This activity can help ministries generate awareness and develop a sense of accountability in the minds of the localities.

C. Inspire teenagers to participate in the ministry

If your church service session addresses only the adults, how do you expect adults and kids to start developing interest? A better solution can be to talk to the pastor or the church ministry, requesting them to allow teens and youths to have a major role to play during the sermons. Listening to younger Christians speak and share their thoughts about Christ will encourage young people to join the church. Moreover, the older church members will feel relaxed to witness their fear of what will happen to the next generation disappear into thin air.

D. Switch to technology. Provide public WiFi during sermons. Help children download Bible-like apps

The church is not a place where kids enjoy sitting quietly. Children have a habit of moving around and playing with anything that comes their way. Hence, most parents need help keeping their kids quiet (or busy) during the sermon. As a pastor, you can help them by offering innovative means to keep their children engaged. There are many Bible-like apps available. Churches can switch to the latest technologies and have one developed exclusively for their community. These apps come with additional games, note-taking features, interactive animations, and other referential material from the Bible. Your church can offer free WiFi to promote the use of such an app to help the younger generations develop an inclined approach towards the church and its services. Fortunately, most of the members in your congregation can familiarize themselves with these tools if the volunteers at your church can help them learn these apps.

3. Involve people in the activities

Contact your most enthusiastic supporters to volunteer for a cause. Ask them to raise funds for your church and spread the word through their networks. This activity will help the church acquire new members and raise additional donations.  During such initiatives, the church ministry must invite their top dedicated supporters with a large network of followers to initiate a fundraising campaign for your purpose. The church can appreciate them for their services and recognize their hard efforts.

4. Build sustainable relationships with your community

Building a community starts with understanding and working with people who need you the most.  The best way to build sustainable relationships within the community is through volunteering. Everyone can benefit from and be involved in service to others. You must consider ways your church can partner with other nonprofit organizations to help those in need. Your volunteers can offer childcare options to poor parents or prepare meals for the homeless, or look after elderly or disabled citizens.

The church ministry may partner with nonprofits helping build a stronger community. Ask your church members to volunteer at a local nonprofit organization that helps the homeless, children, or disabled. Creating small groups of volunteers who want to help the needy can develop a platform for building better and more sustainable relationships with others in society. These relationships will introduce and attract others to a more caring environment, which can lead them to live more fulfilling lives through your church.

5. Build strong relationships with your supporters

Now that you have new supporters and possibly new members, the church must manage them well. You can start by grouping supporters based on their giving ability, geographical location, frequency of giving, and events or campaigns they love. Have a clear picture of communicating with your supporters and strategies to strengthen your relationships. 

Identify the church goals at various donation stages. These stages will assist your fundraisers and volunteers in building stronger community relationships and requesting donations at the appropriate time. Determine how your supporters wish to donate, especially their preferred contribution method. Insist on educating the older generation to use the new donation methods. 

Churches can begin by investing in giving kiosks. One of the best Reasons to Use Church-Giving Kiosks is that they give ample opportunities to the members to donate while they are at the church. As the kiosks transact through a secured channel, the donors can be sure that their money is safely directed to their selected cause and purpose. 

If anyone from the ministry ever asked about the reason for having kiosks at your church, you should present them with the Facts About Church Giving Kiosk Solutions. On the contrary, kiosks are not just devices to accept donations but a complete solution that will help you preserve and manage your donors’ information. It is the most versatile digital platform to promote the church’s brand.  

Text-to-give is perhaps the easiest way to donate, and elderly citizens will always love it.  Let your fundraisers and volunteers display and communicate this simple method of giving amongst your congregation and potential supporters.

6. Collaborate with churches in your neighborhood

Churches, irrespective of their sizes, have a common goal to fulfill. All are on a mission to spread God’s words and make people realize what it is to be a real Christian. Hence, you must not see the church in your neighborhood as your competition but as your ally in fulfilling common causes and purposes that uplift society. 

It is beneficial for churches to collaborate in organizing public events and participating in the community service of other churches. This approach can create a cohesive atmosphere for all Christians and congregations. You might witness a few individuals who attend an event at another church but feel a stronger connection with yours. Connect with other local church leaders and propose collaboration methods for you two.

7. Begin with a virtual church

During the pandemic, the church authorities came up with a new concept of Virtual Church. Where the members with restrictions, professional commitments, or limited mobility can’t attend the church services, the church would virtually come to them. This came as a new concept, and people welcomed it wholeheartedly.

Online streaming services are a new trend that has become effective since the pandemic. It allows people to listen from their homes or anywhere else. Online streaming services offer a more intimate experience. Besides free, members can opt for paid services to help churches stream services.

Churches of sizes and capacities stream their services on Streaming TVs to increase their outreach. With Church Streaming TV, for example, churches can stream their services live or recorded to a worldwide audience, and followers can be a part of the live service through their desktop, laptop, and mobile devices.

To create a database, you can use your website to gather information about your contributors, such as their names and contact details. Church ministry can use this data for the betterment of the church and also keep in touch with its followers. Members of the ministry can give suggestions to new potential donors, depending on their preferences. Your website should clearly state that it can accept donations online. Thereby providing an easy way to give without having to leave the house. 

Your church can provide various benefits that appeal to people these days. You can also mention the recurring payment option on your website, which would significantly impact your church income.

Related Blog: DonateMo’s Church Management Software Grabs The Rising Star Award

8. Promote your church on social media

If you look at the reach and versatility, it is important to pay attention to social media. Social media can spread the word about your church. Your church can stay connected with its members and also with other churches. Raising funds becomes easy with social media posts for the public event happening at your church. Using social media effectively is creating a plan and sticking to it.  

9. Bridge the public to community events

You may have noticed a fair or a food event at another local church in your community. Events like these help to bring in new individuals and communicate their church's mission to the general population. These are typically low-cost and family-friendly events. Every year, parents and children in the neighborhood look forward to these activities, and you are introducing people to your church and raising funds to keep it thriving.

Some churches have been creative in their outreach to the community, urging people to check out what they offer. Churches might invite speakers to address social, family, and psychological issues and discuss possible solutions at church events. Education experts may also be invited to speak and bring their followers to the church. 

10. Inspire church members to give online

Weekly offerings collect less money than they used to because people keep less cash and checks. A cash shortage might make building renovation and church promotion difficult. Churches with a website can accept tithes and contributions online. Churches can use text-to-give and crowdfunding.

The church might launch crowdfunding campaigns for mission trips, facility improvements, and other activities. The organization and parishioners can connect with church members to explain the campaigns. Members can use these campaigns to share their excitement and experiences with friends and family.

The church leadership must understand and agree to the proven Benefits of Online Giving for Churches to attract and retain more youths. Integrating digital wallets into your online donation process will have a positive impact. Let the younger generation use digital wallets such as PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Because of the simplicity of the online method of giving, your donor drop-off rates will significantly reduce. 

11. Small groups are great

Membership in God's family does not necessitate a vast building or many believers. After the death and rebirth of Jesus, new Christians met in their houses. They shared their personal experiences of how Jesus' teachings changed their lives and gave them new meaning. This brought them close to a common feeling of being a true Christian. This became possible as the smaller groups developed better penetration.

All churches can develop their congregations through smaller groups and attract new members. Churches can have small groups for prayer, parent support, and training of children and youths.

Conclusion

The church ministry may not feel an immediate need, but with time, every church must develop an affinity toward technology. When a church accepts technology as a major guide for its growth, adding new members, retaining the existing ones, receiving donations digitally, and building a sustainable relationship with the community of patrons becomes much more meaningful and beneficial.

Where a church is a monument of architectural beauty and a symbol of religious faith and trust, it also elevates society to higher standards of humanitarian deeds and spirituality. This blog will help you understand the various strategies critical to the growth of your church. May it be time-bound campaigns, social causes, the need to renovate the church building, or the overall upliftment of the community, you must employ these proven strategies to achieve the final goals.