Life is returning back to normal for most people and businesses after the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes churches as well, which have seen members return to their congregations gradually.

Despite the return of church members, the number of members is still not even close to the number before the pandemic. If you’re concerned about the steps you need to take to bring in more members to your church, this blog is for you.

1.  Announce Your Church’s Reopening

The modern era is the era of digitalization. If you don’t have a presence online or on social media, you’re missing out on a lot of customers or, in a church’s case, members. Getting the reopening announced on your website or social media will make your members aware of the church opening again and will help bring back members.

Another conventional way of announcing your opening is to put up banners and flyers outside your church and in nearby areas so that your members passing by can see it and return to your church.

2.  Email and Text Messages

If you’re in charge of a church, you must have a directory of its members. Send a message on your member’s personal phone numbers and email them about how the church is open again, and would love to have them back. Personalized messages can help further, but a general message is good enough.

Make sure you don’t spam your customers with emails and messages. It might be counterproductive as it won’t get the message across and will annoy people. One or two messages and emails should do the trick.

3.  Arrange a Reopening Event

Arrange a reopening event at your church to engage with your members and let them know about how the church is fully functional again. The event could include food, entertainment, congregational praying sessions, etc. One church is now bringing back their Saturday morning men’s breakfast, while another is hosting a movie night.  Keeping your church members engaged, is critical to any successful church.

4.  Make Your Church a Safe Place

Although COVID appears to be on its way out, the pandemic is still not over. Many people are hesitant to come to places where there are a group of people gathered, and rightfully so. Immunocompromised people, especially, can’t attend any public gatherings where there are a lot of people jam-packed in a confined place.  Many church members left their congregation as they did not feel safe inside a church building with groups of people.

Your church can counter this problem by enforcing proper social distancing. A no-compromise policy is required for this, and a minimum distance of 4-6 feet must be maintained between people. Make sure the people are wearing masks to protect themselves and others. Make sure there is adequate ventilation in your church. All these things will help gain the members’ trust and make them feel safe about coming back to the church.

If you’re a church leader, you must be aware that your church might be liable if a person catches a disease and presses charges. You need to be prepared for any of these situations, and getting your church insured is the best way to do it.  While most insurance policies contain an exclusion for viruses, there are many other insurance coverage for churches you will want to ensure you have in place.

Integrity Now Insurance is a church insurance company that provides church insurance policies in multiple states, including Arizona, Ohio, Washington, California, and Nevada. We specialize in a whole suite of church insurance services, including but not limited to, general liability insurance, business auto insurance, workers compensation insurance, directors and officers insurance, abuse and molestation insurance, and more for nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Get in touch with us now for further information.