Revitalize your ministry with these strategies to encourage in-person engagement

By Camille Jamerson, CEO, The Camille Company.

In a post pandemic era where virtual church services have become a staple, it’s crucial for church and ministry leaders to find effective strategies to re-engage their congregations in-person. The key lies in offering doable, creative, and inclusive solutions that appeal to a diverse congregation without straining your budget. 

Understanding the Shift

The pandemic era accelerated the shift to virtual services, offering convenience and at the time, safety. Now that restrictions have ended and in-person services have resumed, some members are uninterested or hesitant to return. Pastor Robb Stancer, Creative Arts Pastor for Brightmoor Christian Church states, “As a whole, our society looks for the easier thing to do. Live streaming is easy. We can sit in our lounge chair with a coffee and put our feet up. It requires very little effort. We don’t have to travel, fight traffic, talk to people or sacrifice our time.”

Understanding the reasons behind this shift in perspective is crucial for church leaders looking to re-engage their congregations and potential visitors. Addressing them is a vital step for church leaders in devising strategies to encourage a return to in-person worship while also continuing to support those who choose to remain virtual.

Here are some key factors:

• Convenience of Virtual Services: Many have found that attending services virtually from the comfort of their home is simply more convenient. This is especially true for families with young children, individuals with mobility issues, or those with busy schedules.

• Health Concerns: The pandemic heightened awareness of health and safety, particularly in crowded spaces. Some members, especially the elderly or immunocompromised, may honestly still feel uneasy about gathering in large groups.

• Changed Routines and Priorities: The pandemic caused a significant shift in daily routines and priorities. For some, this period led to a reevaluation of how they spend their time, with less emphasis on physical attendance at church services.

• Disconnection from the Community: Prolonged absence from physical church activities can lead to a sense of disconnection. This can make the prospect of returning seem less urgent or important.

• Shift in Spiritual Practices: The pandemic allowed individuals to explore different forms of spirituality and worship. Some may have found alternative spiritual practices that they prefer over traditional church services.

• Work and Life Balance: With the rise of remote work, many people have relocated or adjusted their schedules in ways that make returning to a physical church location less feasible.

• Satisfaction with Online Communities: Some members might have found or created online religious communities that meet their spiritual needs, reducing the incentive to return to in-person services.

• Lack of Childcare or Youth Programs: If churches have not resumed their full range of children’s and youth programs, families might be less motivated to return.

• Financial Considerations: The economic impact of the pandemic on individuals and families might also play a role. The costs associated with attending in-person services (like transportation, extra giving or attire) might now be seen as unnecessary expenses.

Why Convince Members to Return?

To be honest, some of those reasons make sense. So, what is a valid argument as to why members should “come back” to in-person worship? Or why should visitors come to your sanctuary instead of simply viewing online?

First, in-person services foster a sense of community and belonging that is hard to replicate online. Physical presence allows for deeper connections, mutual support, and a shared sense of identity among congregants. Face-to-face interactions are fundamental for building relationships and provide opportunities for personal ministry, pastoral care, and the kind of spontaneous conversations that often lead to meaningful relationships. “We come to church to be spiritually uplifted, but we are also there to help and encourage others,” Pastor Stancer added.

Regular social interaction, such as that found in church gatherings, is also essential for mental and emotional health. In-person attendance can combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially important in the post-pandemic context.

Recent Vanderbilt University research suggests that attending religious services at places like churches, synagogues, or mosques can lead to reduced stress and increased lifespan. The study found that middle-aged adults (ages 40 to 65), regardless of gender, who regularly participate in religious services, have a 55% lower risk of dying prematurely. 

Certain religious practices and sacraments, like communion, baptism, or a blessing by the laying on of hands, require physical presence. These practices are central to many faith traditions and lose their communal significance if they are only observed virtually.

Dr. Terry Caldwell, Senior Pastor of Rock International Church, doesn’t condone staying at home.  He says, “You can get the information, but you won’t get the impartation of being there. For example, it’s amazing how Beyonce was in town a few months ago and her fans, who have all of her songs, still paid a lot of money to go see her. If you asked one of her fans, why would you buy a ticket, go to downtown Detroit, get in that crowd, and be around all of those people? I’m sure they would tell you, that it is something about being there. It’s the atmosphere! It’s the SAME thing with church, it’s something about being there.”

Attending church in person can help maintain spiritual discipline and commitment. It provides a structured time for worship and reflection, which can be more challenging to uphold with online services. For younger or newer members of the faith, observing and interacting with more mature believers in person can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth and discipleship.

Strategies for Re-engagement

Helping your membership and potential members recognize the unique value of in-person gathering is the endgame in building any strategy. The goal is to “show and tell” that community and personal interaction are priceless in growing spiritually and that members are missing something important by not being present. 

So, let’s dig in and curate a strategy that will work for you and your ministry!

1. Personal Communication

Invitations, whether sent directly to you from a friend or colleague or even given to you face to face are regarded as personal and in most cases even treasured!

Springfield Baptist Church used this strategy with their annual Homecoming event to invite past members to return to the worship experience. They also printed invitation cards and encouraged current members to pass them out to their family, friends, and at places they visited in the community. 

This personal approach resulted in great attendance and also served as a “refreshers course” for members to get back into the habit of inviting visitors–something they couldn’t do during the pandemic.

2. Enhancing In-Person Experience

Make your church service more than a routine. Introduce thematic Sundays, guest speakers, or special music performances. These elements can be low-cost but highly effective in drawing interest. This themed event, also by Springfield Baptist Church, not only built excitement among members participating, but interestingly also gave the leadership data as to what their congregation’s generational makeup is.

What they did was have each generation of their church wear a specific color. So the silent generation wore a specific color, the boomers, the Gen Xers, the millennials, the Gen Zers, everyone had their own color. And what was so cool about that is that everyone got excited to rep their generation.

The surprise was that while leadership thought they had a church filled with millennials, they found out that some of the people that they thought were millennials were actually Gen Xers. This insight helped them steer their programming to meet the needs of their growing church.  

3. Community Projects

Organize community projects like neighborhood clean-ups or charity food or clothing drives. These events promote fellowship and service, key tenets of many faiths. Community projects allow congregants to work side by side, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. This can strengthen interpersonal relationships within the church community, creating a welcoming atmosphere that encourages regular participation.  

By engaging in public service, a church can also demonstrate its commitment to the community. This not only benefits those in need but also raises the profile of the church, potentially attracting new members who see the positive impact of its work. If the community sees you and the volunteers from your church doing, perhaps, a food pantry or giving away clothes or participating in other community events as a church, it may entice them to come by and see what your church is all about. 

Thanksgiving season is a perfect example of a way to “give” back to the community and to leverage the opportunity for evangelism and personal invitations to church services.

4. Hybrid and special un-streamed events

Continue offering online services but incorporate elements that are exclusive to in-person attendees, like special blessings, branded promo items or fellowship meals. Create a “FOMO” (fear of missing out) vibe in your services. This taps into the human psychology of wanting to be part of something special and not wanting to miss out on experiences that others are enjoying. 

This can be a powerful motivator, as people often value experiences more when they perceive them as unique or scarce. 

One church used a one night revival featuring a renowned speaker. This event was not streamed. It was like hey, if you wanna be a part of this, you kinda gotta come to the sanctuary. People wanted to hear that speaker, so they came to ministry.

Another example would be like a breakfast with the pastor or a special potluck dinner. Something you just can’t do online.

When you host in-person events,you can also provide a special award or prize for coming. This might be a promo item such as t-shirts or hats. When people see those t-shirts and hats they are bound to wonder: well, why didn’t I get that? So you create an environment where people are rewarded for coming and being a part of it in person.

And while you’re at it, be sure to get video feedback from those that attended to share on your socials (see the next tip).

5. Testimonials and Story Sharing

Encourage members who have returned to in person services to share their experiences and testimonies, either through social media or during services. Testimonies provide a personal connection that can resonate more deeply than general invitations or announcements. Hearing from peers about their positive experiences can inspire others to return. As more people share their positive return experiences, it can normalize the idea of returning to in-person services for those who may still be undecided.

Members might share experiences that others can relate to, such as the joy of reconnecting with friends, the impact of live worship, or the benefits of participating in church activities, which can’t be fully replicated online.

The ideal time to capture testimonials is at your events in real time. Literally, just pull people over and interview them on the spot. Ask them about their experience at church and what they learned. That way they’ll convey the excitement of the moment in their interview–which will make it far more compelling to others.

This approach works on two levels. People seeing the interviews will get a sense that they are missing something by not attending church in person. At the same time, the person being interviewed will realize that they got more from attending in person than they would have gotten viewing online.

Some great interview questions to ask are: what did you get out of today’s sermon? Will you be back next week and why? How did your kids enjoy the service? 

6. Small Group Meetings

Coordinate small group meetings or Bible studies in person. Settings such as someone’s home are less intimidating and foster deeper connections. So that means you can invite people who wouldn’t otherwise come to church or who may not feel comfortable coming to church. 

Pastors with smaller to midsize congregations should do quick home visits. If they aren’t home, leave a note with an invite. A personal invitation from the Pastor goes a long way. To know that a Pastor, with all of their duties, took time out to see about them as a member, certainly displays love in action. Additionally, when word gets out that “my Pastor actually stopped by MY HOME”, it becomes a marketing tool in itself. 

Here is an example of a “sorry I missed you” card. Also, in addition to a personal invitation, buying them a coffee is an extra gesture that can yield dividends. The café volunteers (upon seeing this card) know that this person is someone that the Pastor personally tried to connect with and can use that information to welcome them back to church in a special way.

7. Youth and Children’s Programs

Enhance programs for children and youth, making them interactive and fun. Parents are more likely to attend if their children are engaged. Ask me how I know! This strategy alone led me to a church that upgraded my life spiritually, simply because my children LOVED it and I decided to stay for them.  When children are eager to attend, they can be the driving force behind the family’s weekly routine. Parents often prioritize the happiness and development of their children. If their kids are enthusiastic about a program, parents are more likely to consider regular attendance a worthwhile commitment. 

Churches can extend the appeal by integrating elements of the children’s programs into the broader church experience, such as having children participate in services or share their projects with the congregation. Or like in the case of this event, invite the grown-ups into their space for an event.

For instance, a great activity can be a Sundae Sunday where a youth service is followed by a make-your-own sundae party.

Another activity I’ve seen work well is Bring Your BFF to Church day. Friends were asked to dress alike and whoever brought the most friends won a prize.

8. Midweek Service| Bible Study

Some people just can’t get to church on Sunday. Maybe they work in the medical field or retail. Or maybe they have a family or caregiving responsibilities. Either way, Sunday services are rarely  going to work for them. ​​But what if you had a midweek service that promised to get people in and out in 60 minutes flat?

Midweek option provides an alternative opportunity to worship and stay connected with the church community. With a shorter format, there’s flexibility to experiment with different worship styles and structures, which can keep the experience fresh and engaging.

One church that I worked with did what’s called an hour of power. It was done on Thursdays and called BET – Blessed and Empowered Thursdays. Every Thursday the pastor had a different guest to do Bible study. It’s 60 minutes, in and out. It was one of the most successful programs that they were able to do. 

People commented on how cool it was that they were able to experience this within a set amount of time. Others were quick to share it on their social pages “bragging” on the fact that their pastor could be done in one hour! This led to visitors and guests checking out the ministry.

9. Special Services and Events

Plan special events like holiday services, pop-music concerts, plays, game night, or guest lectures. Creative programming can attract people who may not be drawn to normal worship services. You may have to be bold and daring. BUT the results can make it more than worth it. 

For example, the late Bishop Jack Wallace of Detroit World Outreach, was determined to draw the youth, young adults and those not typically found in a formal traditional worship service. His solution was to pull out rows of his church seating, clear the stage and drop a regulation wrestling ring in the middle of the sanctuary. Then the church sponsored a full wrestling show with matches from top world wrestling federation wrestlers such as Shawn Michaels and Ted DiBiase.

The response was unlike anything the church had seen, filling it to capacity at 4,200 people plus overflow. After testimonies from the wrestlers, there was an altar call and the church won hundreds to Christ as a result of this creative and non-traditional move.

Even the smallest ministry can take advantage of this tactic by hosting things like a concert featuring a popular local artist, a comedy show, or a community talent show.

10. Feedback and Surveys

Implement a feedback mechanism to understand the needs and concerns of your congregation. When a church actively seeks feedback, it communicates to the congregation that their opinions and feelings are valued. Polls and surveys can provide valuable insights into why members may be hesitant to return to in-person services. Understanding these reasons can help church leadership to address specific concerns. 

This can increase their sense of belonging and investment in the church community. Churches that are willing to adapt based on feedback are more likely to stay relevant to their members’ lives. 

Adaptation can involve adjusting service formats, enhancing safety measures, or incorporating new types of worship and fellowship that resonate with the congregation. When members see their suggestions being implemented, they feel a sense of ownership and pride in their church, which can be a powerful motivator for increased involvement. Surveys can be as simple as a mailer or as tech savvy as using an app such as Survey Monkey. 

One of the survey questions I recommend is to ask how people found your ministry. Was it on social media? Through an invitation from a member? A Google search? Or somewhere else?

Often pastors and leaders are surprised by the results because quite often, new members are finding them on social media or YouTube through a video or clip that shows what services are like. The clip may have been shared by the church or by a member of the congregation but either way–it was what drew someone to the ministry.

When a church receives regular results like that, I advise them to do a few things: 1. Note the content of the video and what read in the comments on what made it “special”  2. Then shoot and post more video clips that mirror that, and 2. encourage your members to do the same.

11. Social Media Engagement 

Utilizing social media to foster a sense of community can be a compelling way to encourage members to return to in-person worship. Social media platforms offer various avenues for interaction and engagement that can complement physical church services. Leverage it to share behind-the-scenes content from church life which can humanize the church leadership and staff, making them more relatable and approachable. This transparency can build trust and a stronger emotional connection with the congregation.

Or think about hosting live sessions with pastors or ministry leaders to allow for real-time engagement. Members can ask questions about Sunday’s sermon or Bible study and receive immediate responses, which helps in creating a lively and interactive online community. Then offer to continue the conversation on topics that stood out at bible study or in the next sermon series.

Creating interactive posts, such as polls, quizzes about biblical knowledge, or discussion threads on sermon topics, can engage the congregation throughout the week, keeping the church community active and connected.  

Games and quizzes can be an amazing opportunity to get members engaged and back into the fold. You can do social media games where you have quizzes and polls and have people DM the answer. You can even create a treasure hunt and have some of the clues or answers in the sanctuary.

Another thing that you can do is have a picture challenge where people have to take specific pictures and turn them in on social media in order to be eligible for a drawing for a prize. And some of those pictures have to be taken on the church grounds. For instance, you might require that people take a picture of themself in front of the church or with one of the leaders. 

12. Volunteer Opportunities  

Offering a variety of volunteer opportunities is a strategic way to engage church members and encourage their return to in-person worship. 

Volunteer roles can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. People often want to feel like they are making a difference, and contributing to the work of the church can meet this need. Volunteering facilitates connections between members. It builds a network of relationships that can reinforce the desire to be part of the church community regularly.

By offering diverse opportunities, members can find roles that align with their skills and passions. Whether it’s helping with administrative tasks, participating in music ministry, or leading a youth group, there’s a sense of contribution that comes from using one’s talents for a greater purpose.

When members volunteer, they take ownership of the church’s mission and activities. This investment often translates into regular attendance and a deeper commitment to the church community.

Another way to attract people is by opening up volunteer opportunities that provide the volunteers with new experiences or skills. To make it a free training ground for skill that can be used both inside the church and in your everyday life.

One of my former churches had a call for volunteers for the media department. What was cool was that you didn’t need to have any experience–but by volunteering, you would learn to tape and edit and use complicated equipment. Within a month or two, volunteers knew how to create captions, prepare video for streaming and more. 

13. Inclusive Messaging

Ensure that your messaging is inclusive, reflecting the diversity of your community. This encourages a sense of belonging among all members.

If your congregation is 50% white, 30% black, 10% Hispanic and 10% other, your visuals should include people from each demographic. Also, be sure your visuals don’t just show young people in every graphic. As mentioned, you want to show ethnic diversity for sure, but generational diversity is just as important. Keep in mind to also show families, singles, marrieds’ as well as students on your website and general branding collaterals.

Generations Church in Moreno Valley, CA does a great job with this. They are as diverse as California is and are always very mindful of that fact. A large portion of the community is Spanish speaking, so the church makes sure all of its messages are inclusive–not just language-wise but in how they say what they say. They make sure everything translates well. This is applied to everything from its services to signage, collateral, and graphics. 

14. Creative Outreach

Consider unconventional outreach methods like podcasting, vlogging, or partnering with local businesses for community events. 

Creating a podcast can provide another touchpoint for members to connect with their church. Regular episodes can include sermons, discussions on faith, interviews with church leaders, or testimonials from members. It can reach people during their daily routines, like commuting or exercising, and spark interest in attending services to delve deeper into discussed topics. 

Video blogs (vlogs) offer a visual and personal way to connect with the congregation. They can be used to share daily devotionals, updates about church life, or reflections from church members and staff. Seeing and hearing from their church community can create a longing in members to return and experience these connections in person. Collaborating with local businesses for community events can increase a church’s visibility and demonstrate its investment in the local community. It also provides an informal setting for members and non-members alike to interact with church representatives, potentially leading to an increase of in-person attendance.

15. Focus on Life Events

Offer in-person support or counseling for life events, weddings, baptisms, and funerals. These personal moments can deeply connect individuals with the church community. Additionally, during these types of events, extended family members that don’t belong to your ministry would be the guest of your member. 

For example, baby dedications, weddings and baptisms are a family affair. Your church will have the opportunity to showcase their ministry and turn up the hospitality to make these guests feel welcomed. They could possibly be the next members of your congregation. 

As shown on this baptism graphic, the candidates are not only encouraged to invite their family and friends, but the church has also provided a dedicated space for them to be seated to make them feel extra special. Visitor cards are distributed during the service and cards that are turned back in get added to the congregation’s mailing list.

One church I know of hands out sympathy cards at funerals that include an offer of grief counseling. When someone makes an appointment for counseling,, they’re also added to the mailing list and it launches a new relationship.

Bonus for those with more robust budgets:

Invest in Technology Upgrades

• High-quality sound, signage, staging, video walls and lighting systems can significantly enhance the in-person experience.

Professional Marketing Campaigns

• Consider hiring a professional marketing firm  to create a branded turnkey targeted campaign to build your brand and draw people back to your in-person services.

Re-engaging your congregation in person requires a creative blend of traditional and innovative approaches. The goal is to remind your community of the irreplaceable value of physical fellowship while respecting the comfort and safety of all members. By implementing these strategies, you can create a welcoming, engaging, and spiritually fulfilling environment for both existing and new members.

Pastor Stancer adds, “A creative analogy I use is that a video on tv of a crackling fire, sounds like a real fire. It looks like a real fire. But it cannot replace the power, heat and essence of real wood and fire. The same is true of watching a service. It looks good, sounds good.  But something is missing. It cannot replace the feeling of being in God’s House, feeling the fire, and feeling His presence while with other believers”

Remember, the journey of re-engagement is continuous and evolving. Stay adaptable, listen to your congregation, and you’ll find the right balance between virtual and in-person engagement for your unique community.

Camille Jamerson is an expert fixer and creative strategic planning mastermind. She serves as CEO of The Camille Company, the parent company for CDJ & Associates (a business management consulting firm). The CDJ & Associates client roster includes small-mid-size businesses, churches, service providers, creatives and political figures.