The Pandemic Continues: Tips to Get Your Members Back in Church
Life is returning back to normal for most people and businesses after the COVID-19 pandemic. This also includes churches, 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 many customers or, in a church’s case, members. Announcement of the reopening 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 to your members’ personal phone numbers and email them to let them know the church is open again, and we would love to have them back. Personalized messages can help further, but a general message is good enough.
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 the church is fully functional. The event could include food, entertainment, congregational praying sessions, etc. One church is now bringing back its 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, and a minimum distance of 4-6 feet must be maintained between people. Make sure people wear 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 returning to the church.
If you’re a church leader, you must know that your church might be liable if a person catches a disease and presses charges. You need to be prepared for 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.
