Tis the Season to Invite and Inspire

Eternities are changed through church communication work, but boy is it exhausting this time of year.  Perhaps it is time to recruit and train new communication volunteers to help ensure your church is ready for the onslaught of folks that make a rare appearance at church during the holiday season. Have you been creating a 'culture of invitation' by encouraging members to bring friends and loved ones to hear about the reason for the season? Have you asked members to "share" the church publicity posts on social media to widen your invitational net? Is the nursery in tip-top shape and are greeters ready to spot visitors and give them a personal welcome? Have you looked at your communication messages through the eyes of a guest unfamiliar with church jargon? Have you sent community bulletin boards and newspapers information on your holiday schedule of events -- with pictures? Do you have connection cards that provide an easy way to capture personal contact information for quick follow up?


During the holidays, crowds typically fill the pews on their own, so, perhaps church communication leaders should focus on strategies to get those end-of-year guests to return in January and beyond. Remember to have colorful and inviting information on upcoming Bible studies, family events, sermon series insight and other special activities for folks of all ages -- and plaster those 'teasers' on the bulletin, newsletter, worship slides, social media, website, and halls of the church. Encourage children's ministry staff to send a "thanks for visiting" note and invite families back to some specific activity that will help your church build on that relationship.