Easter Sunday is one of the most attended church services of the year. Families, occasional churchgoers, and first-time visitors flock to churches nationwide to celebrate.
However, the challenge most churches face is turning those Easter visitors into regular attendees. Without a clear retention strategy, many of these guests may not return until Christmas—if at all.
The good news? With intentional planning and follow-up, your church can make a lasting impact that encourages visitors to return and ultimately become part of your church community.
In this blog, we’ll outline practical strategies your church can implement to retain Easter visitors and help them take their next steps in faith.
1. Make a great first impression
The first impression a visitor has when they step onto your church campus can determine whether they’ll return. Data tells us this evaluation begins much sooner than some would think, and it’s much quicker than we would like.
The average visitor makes this decision within just seven minutes, and the clock starts ticking the moment they drive onto your parking lot. While you may not be able to control every aspect of their experience, you can ensure that it is welcoming and seamless. Here’s how:
- Parking spots – It may seem elementary, but having spots available for guests to park in sets the tone for what they will experience once inside.
- Greeters and hospitality team – Have warm and friendly volunteers stationed at every entrance, genuinely welcoming guests.
- Clear signage – Ensure parking areas, kids’ ministry check-in, restrooms, and the auditorium are easy to find.
- Comfortable atmosphere – Create an inviting environment with music, a coffee station, and a joyful, celebratory spirit.
- Kid-friendly experience – Parents are more likely to return if their children have a positive experience. Make sure your children’s ministry is well-staffed, safe, and engaging.
2. Provide an engaging worship experience
Visitors come to church on Easter for various reasons—some out of tradition, others seeking hope, and many exploring faith. A well-crafted worship experience can be a turning point for them. Consider these elements:
- A message that connects – Ensure the sermon is accessible and relevant to both newcomers and regular attendees.
- Quality worship music – Keep worship engaging and easy to follow, avoiding insider language or overly complex arrangements.
- Seamless service flow – Make sure transitions between elements of the service are smooth and well-timed to maintain engagement.
- Personal connection – Have pastors or leaders available after the service to meet visitors, answer questions, and invite them back.
3. Follow up quickly and personally
Following up with Easter visitors is crucial. Many churches lose the opportunity to build a connection simply because they fail to follow up. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Collect contact information – Use digital or physical connection cards, making sure the process is simple and non-intrusive.
- Send a timely follow-up – Within 24-48 hours, send a personalized email or text thanking them for attending. Include a highlight from the service and an invitation to return.
- Handwritten notes or small gifts – A personal touch, like a note from the pastor or leader they met or a small welcome gift, can make a big impression. Pro tip: this gift doesn’t have to be branded! It could be as simple as a $5 gift card to a local coffee shop.
- Offer a follow-up event – Invite visitors to an upcoming sermon series, a “Newcomers’ Brunch,” or a small group gathering.
4. Offer clear next steps
Many visitors won’t know what to do after attending Easter service. It’s up to your church to guide them toward their next steps in a way that feels natural and inviting.
- Newcomer events – Host a casual get-together where visitors can learn more about the church and meet key leaders.
- Small group opportunities – Encourage new attendees to get involved in small groups, Bible studies, or interest-based groups.
- Serving opportunities – Many visitors will feel more connected when they serve. Highlight simple ways to get involved.
- Sermon series invitation – Promote an engaging sermon series that follows Easter, such as one on hope, purpose, or faith basics.
5. Involve your congregation in retention efforts
Church leaders and staff can’t do it alone—your entire congregation should be part of the retention effort.
- Encourage members to engage visitors – Remind your congregation to be friendly and welcoming to new faces.
- Train volunteers – Provide hospitality training so that greeters, ushers, and welcome teams can make a meaningful impact.
- Create a culture of invitation – Encourage regular attendees to personally invite visitors back the following Sunday. Studies show that 82% of people would attend a church service if they were simply invited.
- Follow up beyond the first week – Assign members to check in on visitors in the weeks following Easter, offering encouragement and connection.
6. Leverage digital communication
In today’s world, digital engagement is crucial for retention. Use these strategies to stay connected with Easter visitors:
- Social media engagement – Post highlights from Easter service, share encouraging messages, and invite visitors to upcoming events.
- Email campaigns – Send a series of follow-up emails, providing resources like devotionals, testimonies, or event invitations.
- Text reminders – A simple text reminding visitors about an upcoming service can significantly increase return rates.
- Online small groups or devotionals – Offer virtual ways for people to stay engaged in the weeks following Easter.
7. Evaluate and improve
After Easter, take time to assess what worked well and what could be improved for next year.
- Gather feedback – Your high-level volunteers are the eyes and ears of your congregation. Ask them what they observed, what turned people away, and what piqued visitors’ interests, then adjust accordingly.
- Review attendance data – Track how many visitors engaged in what you invited them to and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Debrief with your team – Hold a post-Easter meeting to discuss successes and areas for growth.
- Make retention a year-round priority – Don’t limit follow-up efforts to Easter. Develop a long-term strategy for welcoming and integrating new people into your church community with a dedicated team overseeing it.
Conclusion
Retaining Easter visitors is not just about growing church attendance—it’s about ensuring people have a clear path to get connected and take their next steps in their faith journey.
This is why having a dedicated leader and team overseeing next steps is critical. When this role is neglected or vacant, churches often see a drop in engagement with members, and miss out on opportunities to engage new attendees.
If your church lacks someone in this position or needs to fill the role with the right leader, Vanderbloemen can help. Finding the right person to oversee next steps can make all the difference in turning Easter visitors into committed members of your church family.
