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In this article, we’ll talk about how to avoid this mistake with a strategic post-Easter follow-up strategy. But first, let’s talk about the legwork you need to do before Easter Sunday rolls around
Easter, with its powerful message of resurrection and renewal, is undeniably one of the most significant occasions for churches worldwide. It's a time when pews are filled to the brim, welcoming both regular attendees and many first-time guests. This influx of newcomers presents a golden opportunity for churches not just to share the gospel, but to encourage genuine church growth.
However, without an intentional follow-up process, new visitors–even those who encounter God in a powerful way–can slip through the cracks. And as every church leader knows, a moment of accepting Jesus doesn’t ensure that anyone will come back the following weekend. The result? A missed opportunity for church growth…and more significantly, a missed opportunity to see someone genuinely discipled in the ways of Christ.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to avoid this mistake with a strategic post-Easter follow-up strategy. But first, let’s talk about the legwork you need to do before Easter Sunday rolls around.
The key to effective follow-up starts well before your church opens its doors for Easter Sunday. Hosting a dedicated meeting with your church staff to brainstorm follow-up tactics is a great start. Reflect on past successes and missteps in engaging with Easter church visitors to refine your approach. Then, determine the budget and amount of manpower that you’ll be able to devote to a follow-up system (if follow-up isn’t a priority, you may want to re-think your strategy). Finally, make a list of action items and delegate them to staff members and volunteers.
Every church leader knows that Easter is a lot of time and effort. Make the most of this special occasion by strategizing for follow-up!
While the temptation might be strong to focus on delivering the most awe-inspiring Easter message or producing the perfect Easter gospel presentation, the true impact lies in the personal connections made with church guests. The goal should be to ensure every visitor, especially first-time guests, feels noticed and welcomed. This can be achieved through simple yet meaningful actions.
Ensure the people who greet at the door are genuinely friendly, perhaps even handing out connection cards. They should warmly welcome everyone, making first-time guests feel important and noticed. Remember to include a range of greeters so that all new visitors–regardless of their age or background–will feel included.
Distribute simple flyers or postcards to visitors that include your church's contact information. These should quickly inform them about your church, its beliefs, and how they can get involved. A QR code that scans directly to your church website or app is even more helpful–and shows visitors that you’re well-resourced and tech-savvy (a big plus!)
Set up a spot where visitors can grab a hot coffee and a pastry or donut. This is also a great place for them to chat with a church member or staff member and learn more about the church community.
While wearing your “Sunday best” has been reduced to jeans and a t-shirt in many cases, many people still pull out their dresses and suits for Resurrection Sunday. Give them an opportunity to take a great photo–and provide another touchpoint with your church community.
You can set up a booth with a floral backdrop, balloon arch, and camera so that visitors can take a photo and then input their email to receive the photo...this is also a great way to collect contact information for potential new church members!
Have a special team ready to look out for new guests after the service. They can help answer questions and ensure newcomers don't feel left out, perhaps even inviting them to a small group meeting. Again, don’t overlook the power of a diverse hospitality team!
If a visitor decides to take a step forward in their faith during the service, ensure a staff member or church leader talks to them afterward. Offer support as they start this new journey, including providing a Bible and the contact information of someone who can guide them more personally through their discipleship journey.
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The days immediately following Easter are critical for reinforcing the connections initiated during the service. An effective guest follow-up strategy could include:
Develop a series of thoughtful follow-up emails using email templates that not only express gratitude to your visitors for spending Easter with you but also introduce them to your church's community and values. These emails should feel personal and inviting, possibly including a link to a welcome message or podcast on your church website.
Whenever feasible, make a personal phone call to each first-time guest. This gesture shows that your church values each individual's experience. During the call, share your genuine appreciation for their visit and extend a personal invitation to future events or services.
Make sure your small groups are ready to welcome new visitors, creating an environment where everyone, regardless of their stage in their faith journey, feels they belong. The first couple of weeks after Easter, focus on the pillars of the Christian faith in your small groups...especially if there are new visitors.
Pro Tip: Encourage your small group leaders and attendees to invite friends, family, and colleagues to Easter service. This can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your Easter service–and follow-up!
Without the right tools and technology, your follow-up efforts will fall flat. Or at the very best, you’ll spend wasted time and effort on manual outreach.
Here’s what you’ll need to ensure your follow-up is a smashing success:
Finally, the right church management software can help you plan and execute your follow-up strategy on one cohesive platform at a minimal cost. Breeze ChMS is a church management system that includes all of the features above–and more. The Breeze ChMS app can help church leaders stay organized on the go during Easter Sunday–ensuring an awesome service and follow-up. Plus, the Breeze Church App (i.e. a custom app for your church) can help visitors quickly get plugged into your community.
While Easter services are a high point in the church calendar, the real work of building the Kingdom continues in the days and weeks that follow. By prioritizing thoughtful preparation, personal connection, and an effective follow-up system, you can encourage Easter visitors to become more than just interested guests or twice-a-year churchgoers. Instead, you can help visitors continue their journey with Jesus well beyond Resurrection Sunday.
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