Pastors like to fill the pews whenever they can.
Pastors and leaders of churches want people to attend services on a regular basis. The number of people who attend services, for example, often determines the size of the collection for that week. Pastors can consider activities and methods that encourage consistent attendance each week. These activities can ensure sufficient contributions to pay the staff and church bills.
Serial Sermons With Surprise Guests
Begin a series of sermons that piques your congregation's interest. For example, you might begin a series on family relationships and cover topics such as "Who, Me, Submit?" and "Create Peace in the Family." Explain that you will use the life of a family to illustrate the series and that members will have to attend each Sunday to know how a real family handles the complexities of relationships. Recruit various families in the church to interview during the sermon. Do not provide the name of the family prior to the service, and ask interviewees not to tell. Curiosity will spark some members to attend so they can see their friends interviewed.
Church Fair
Invite church members to participate in a churchwide fair after the service. Allow members to set up craft booths, advertise their services and network for jobs and clients. Provide dinner on the ground for a nominal fee and serve something simple, such as tacos people can assemble at a bar or hamburgers and hot dogs. Offer games for the kids and fun activities for all ages, such as a dunk-the-pastor booth, softball, family-movie event or church concert.
Dramatized Sermons
Change up your Sunday format with a dramatized sermon. Cast church members in your drama. For example, with a sermon topic about practical ways to share your faith, present scenes about praying with co-workers, how Jesus would deal with the homeless or a day in the life of the average Christian. The pastor can serve as the narrator, tying the various drama sections together. Encourage the congregation to attend as a show of support for your thespians.
Special Guests
Invite well-known celebrities and artists to be part of a Sunday service. Contact speaker's bureaus or send inquiries through a speaker's website or a publisher to get this process started. Speakers such as Neal Donald Walsh, author of "Conversations with God," and Mark Gungor, author of "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage," will do guest presentations, as will many other authors and speakers. Musical and comedic artists engage in tours that offer opportunities for your church to see them live. Contact your favorite Christian presenters and explore options for getting them to your church. You might present a workshop with a registration fee on Sunday afternoon and Monday evening in exchange for having them speak or sing for free at the Sunday morning worship service.
Tags: attend services, church members, people attend, people attend services, your church