Media Outreach

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For Christians around the world, Easter is a time of reflection and celebration. As we remember the sacrifice Christ made for us on the Cross and His resurrection from death, we are encouraged and full of praise. Easter Sunday is marked with an increase of church attendance as people who might not normally come to church are drawn to this remembrance and celebration. “Research Gallup has conducted in past years has shown that anywhere between 62% and 64% of Americans say they plan to attend church on Easter. That can be contrasted with the more typical attendance patterns by which about 4 out of 10 Americans tell Gallup interviewers that they either attended church within the last seven days, or that they attend at least once a week or almost every week.”1

Most churches have already recognized this pattern of increased attendance around Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day. Pastor Shadwick at the Gathering Church informed us that last year they ran ads leading up to Easter which drove people to their website. This led to more than 50 people attending; their average Sunday attendance was 35. This lines up with what others have said as well. “Church attendance reaches peaks every Easter Sunday. Although holiday church attendants are usually absent from the pews on any other given weekly worship service throughout the year, church leaders see such days as a booster.”2

It is exciting to see the increase in numbers on days like these. What can your church do to tap into this potential growth?

1. Attract those seeking to attend churches these days to come to your church

• Utilize print pieces – billboards, mail drops, and door hangers can all inform your community of your presence
• Involve members – give members invite cards and access to e-invite so they can invite family, friends, and coworkers
• Update your website – include an announcement right on the homepage that lets visitors to the site know what you are doing

2. Turn these occasional visitors into active members

• Prepare your leaders for the new comers – have people ready to greet new visitors, help them find a seat, answer questions, and show them love through caring for their needs
• Prepare your church facilities – make sure you have lots of designated parking for visitors, plenty of seats in the church and extra clean and tidy restrooms
• Prepare your children’s ministry – get extra volunteers to help with child care and Sunday school so that the parents can enjoy the service

As you do these things, you will attract this group of people into your church and help them feel welcomed so that they will return. We would like to hear from you. Think about the questions below and then tell us about your experiences during these peak attendance weekends.

• How do you prepare for peak attendance Sundays?
• What have you done in past years that helped this process? What have you found to be a hindrance?
• What are your plans for the coming weeks?

As you move through this time, we encourage you to be aware of the potential and opportunity for changing lives. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing more thoughts and ideas on preparing for Easter and Mother’s Day. Please join us and let us know how things are going and what you see God do through you this Easter and Mother’s Day season.

References:
1 “Easter Season Finds a Religious, Largely Christian, Nation” by Frank New Port. March 21, 2008. Gallup. http://www.gallup.com/poll/105544/Easter-Season-Finds-Religious-Largely-Christian-Nation.aspx Accessed: March 18, 2009.

2 “Weekly Attendance Highest Among Evangelical Churches” by Audrey Barrick. April 18, 2006. The Christian Post. http://www.christianpost.com/church/Polls_reports/2006/04/weekly-attendance-highest-among-evangelical-churches-18/index.html Accessed: March 18, 2009.