How to Increase Church Attendance: 14 Tactics for Growing Churches

Written by: Jordan Meyers Date: April 4, 2025

Church staff in a meeting abfor how to increase church attendance

Fewer people are walking into churches, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for faith. The question is: Is your church positioned to reach them? If you’re wondering how to increase church attendance, you need the right mix of modern church outreach, social media strategies and engaging church services. This guide lays out proven church growth strategies that successful churches are using right now. Whether you’re a pastor, event planner or church leader, you’ll find actionable steps to attract and retain members. Ready to see your congregation thrive? 

Table of Contents 

The State of Church Attendance in America 
14 Proven Strategies to Attract and Retain Church Members for Higher Attendance

The State of Church Attendance in America

Church leader taking notes on how to increase church attendance

Percentage of Church Attendance in America

According to recent studies, around 31% of U.S. adults report attending religious services weekly or more often, while another 25% say they attend once or twice a month (Pew Research Center, 2023). However, a significant portion – about 41% – attend services only a few times a year or less. These numbers reflect a continued shift in religious engagement across generations, with younger adults attending less frequently than older demographics (Gallup, 2022).

Is Church Attendance Increasing or Decreasing?

Church attendance in the U.S. has steadily declined over the past 25 years. In 1999, 70% of Americans reported belonging to a church, synagogue or mosque; by 2021, that number had dropped to 47% (Gallup, 2021). The Pew Research Center also found that regular church attendance fell from 39% in 2007 to 28% in 2023. This decline is attributed to factors such as changing cultural norms, generational shifts and the rise of the religiously unaffiliated, often referred to as "nones."

What Causes Low Attendance in Church?

Several factors contribute to declining church attendance, many of which churches can address with strategic changes. Key reasons include:

Lack of personal connection: Many people feel disconnected from their church communities due to a lack of relationships or meaningful engagement.
Irrelevant or unengaging services: Worship experiences that fail to connect with modern congregants, especially younger generations, can lead to disinterest.
Inconvenient service times: A rigid schedule that doesn’t accommodate busy lifestyles may prevent attendance.
Limited youth and family-friendly church activities and programs: Families may struggle to find value in regular attendance without dynamic children's and youth ministries.
Weak digital presence: Churches that lack online engagement, live streaming or social media outreach miss opportunities to connect with potential attendees.
Insufficient outreach efforts: New visitors may never feel encouraged to attend without intentional community involvement and invitation strategies.

By addressing these issues, churches can take proactive steps to improve engagement and grow their congregations.

14 Proven Strategies to Attract and Retain Church Members for Higher Attendance

1. Assess Your Church’s State to Boost Attendance

Before implementing new church growth strategies, assessing your current attendance trends and congregational demographics is essential. A clear understanding of where your church stands allows you to identify opportunities for growth and areas that need improvement.

How to Evaluate Your Church’s Current State

Analyze attendance trends: Track weekly attendance over the past 12-24 months. Look for patterns in seasonal fluctuations, member retention and visitor frequency.
Review congregational demographics: Use surveys and church management software to gather data on age groups, family structures and engagement levels.
Identify strengths and weaknesses: Consider aspects like worship experience, community outreach programs and small group participation. Where is your church thriving? Where is it struggling?
Gather member feedback: Ask current members what they value most and what might discourage regular attendance. A mix of anonymous surveys and small discussion groups can provide valuable insights.
Look at national trends: According to Pew Research, church attendance has declined over the past two decades. Still, churches that emphasize community engagement and meaningful experiences see stronger retention.

Once you have a clear picture of your church’s strengths and challenges, you can develop targeted initiatives to increase church attendance effectively.

2. Set Bold Growth Goals for Lasting Attendance and Membership

Setting clear, purposeful goals is essential for any church looking to grow its congregation. Without specific targets, churches often struggle to make meaningful progress in attracting and retaining members. There are two fundamental elements that successful, growing churches consistently implement: SMART goals and clear mission and vision statements. 

Implementing SMART Goals for Church Growth 

SMART goals provide a structured framework for achieving church growth. These goals are: 

Specific 
Measurable 
Actionable 
Realistic 
Time-related

For example, instead of a vague goal like "increase church attendance," a SMART goal would be: "Increase average Sunday service attendance by 25% (from 200 to 250 people) within the next 6 months through targeted community outreach programs and enhanced welcome initiatives." 

As you can see, a SMART goal sets a better path for attaining the goal, especially when multiple people are responsible for meeting the goal. It makes it clear to everyone what your church is striving for, how it's going to do it and when it plans on doing it. For a comprehensive guide on creating effective SMART goals for your church, check out our free Church Smart Goal Guide. 

Establishing Clear Mission and Vision Statements 

While SMART goals provide tactical direction, mission and vision statements serve as your church's strategic compass. A mission statement defines your church's current purpose and daily activities, while a vision statement outlines your aspirations for the future. 

These statements are crucial because they: 

Unite your congregation around common purposes. 
Guide decision-making at all levels. 
Help attract new members who share your values. 
Provide clarity for all church activities and programs. 
Inspire and motivate your congregation.

For example, a mission statement like "Leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ" clearly communicates your church's purpose, while a vision statement such as "Building a community where every person experiences God's love and finds their spiritual home" paints a picture of your desired future. 

To help craft powerful statements that will resonate with your congregation and community, we've created detailed guides: 

Church Mission Statement Guide: Learn how to articulate your church's current purpose. 
Church Vision Statement Guide: Discover how to create an inspiring picture of your church's future.

By combining specific SMART goals with clear mission and vision statements, your church creates a robust framework for sustainable growth. These tools work together to provide both the practical steps and inspirational direction needed to build a thriving congregation.

3. Revamp Worship Services for a Modern Experience

How to increase church attendance? Modernizing worship services is key to growth and engaging new and existing congregants. Worship should be both spiritually fulfilling and accessible to today’s audiences. Here’s how churches can update their services to foster deeper engagement:

Offer Online Worship Services (Essential)

Online worship has become a critical component of church growth. According to a 2021 study by the Pew Research Center, 30% of U.S. adults reported attending religious services online or watching services on TV (Pew Research, 2021). Additionally, Lifeway Research found that 45% of churches now provide live streamed services, a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels (Lifeway Research, 2022).

Hybrid services allow churches to reach those who may be traveling, homebound or exploring faith from a distance.

If your church has not yet set up online services or needs improvements, we created a guide to help with an affordable and effective setup.

Improve Worship Music and Production

Balance traditional and contemporary music to engage diverse age groups. A Barna Group study found that 67% of churchgoers say worship music is a key factor in their church choice (Barna Group, 2023).
Invest in quality sound and lighting to enhance the worship experience.
Encourage congregational participation through song requests, live testimonies or interactive moments.

Focus on Engaging Sermons

Keep messages clear, relatable and applicable to daily life.
Use visual aids, storytelling and real-life examples to deepen engagement. A Gallup poll found that 75% of churchgoers cite sermons that apply to life as their main reason for attending (Gallup, 2017).
Encourage interaction with Q&A sessions, polls or discussion prompts.

Enhance Worship Atmosphere

Create a welcoming environment with warm lighting, comfortable seating and engaging visuals.
Use multimedia presentations to reinforce sermon themes and scripture.
Provide printed or digital sermon notes for better engagement.

Incorporate Testimonies and Interactive Elements

Feature personal testimonies from members to inspire faith and connection.
Allow live prayer requests or spiritual discussions during services.
Encourage fellowship opportunities before and after services to build community.

By revamping worship services with these modern approaches, churches can create a dynamic and spiritually enriching experience that encourages attendance and long-term engagement.

4. Optimize Digital Presence with Refining by Website

Your church's website isn't just another item on your digital checklist – it's your 24/7 ministry hub. Think of it as your church's digital front door, welcoming visitors, engaging members and sharing your message with the world. In fact, most people will engage with it long before they step foot in your sanctuary. 

Building Your Site Without Breaking the Bank 

Here's the good news: creating a professional church website doesn't require a massive budget or technical expertise. Using platforms like Wix or WordPress, you can build a beautiful, functional site that serves your congregation well. These platforms offer church-specific templates and user-friendly tools that make website creation straightforward and affordable. For a complete guide on building your church website, check out our free Church Website Guide. 

Essential Pages Every Church Website Needs 

 While you'll certainly need the basics – home page, about us and contact information – modern church websites require additional pages to serve their communities effectively. Let's look at the must-have pages for your church website: 

Online Giving Pages for Churches

First, take a close look at your giving page. It’s more than just a place to collect donations – it’s a tool for making generosity seamless and meaningful for your congregation. An effective giving page should offer multiple ways to give and clearly communicate how each donation supports your church’s mission. Most churches create their giving pages using online giving software, then link to them through prominent "Give" buttons across their websites. Once visitors arrive, the giving platform should guide them through the available funds and donation options. For inspiration, explore these examples of well-designed giving pages. 

Event Calendar

Your event calendar does more than list upcoming services – it showcases the vibrant life of your church community. Include ministry activities, outreach events and special celebrations, making it easy for people to get involved. 

Newcomer Welcome Page

Create a welcoming space for newcomers with a dedicated visitor page. Share what they can expect during their first visit, introduce your staff and outline ways to connect with your church family. This page should answer the questions that might keep someone from visiting in person. 

Sermon Summaries and Archives

Don't forget to include your sermon archives. Share recordings and summaries of past messages to help people engage with your teaching throughout the week. This resource serves both members who missed a service and potential visitors who want to learn more about your church's teaching. If you’re worried about writing a sermon summary, you shouldn’t be. The process can be done in 10 minutes if your church is posting its sermons online. Here’s a video that explains the simple process.

Location Pages

If your church has multiple locations, give each campus its own dedicated page. Include specific service times, staff contacts and directions. Embed a Google Map and link to your Google Business Profile to make it even easier for people to find you. Doing these things will avoid confusion and make sure newcomers know exactly where to go. 

5. Harness Social Media to Boost Church Growth

The way people connect with churches has undergone a dramatic transformation. In 2025, social media isn't just an option, it's where 72.5% of U.S. adults spend a significant portion of their daily lives. With the average person dedicating 2 hours and 21 minutes to social media each day, churches need to meet their communities where they already are. 

The Challenge of Organic Reach 

Here's the reality churches face today: social media platforms, especially Facebook, no longer offer the free, widespread reach they once did. Where posts used to reach most of your followers naturally, now they typically reach only about 5% of your audience unless you pay to boost them. 

Focusing on High-Impact Channels 

Given these limitations, churches need to be strategic about where they invest their time and energy. Video content has emerged as the most effective way to reach people without paying for promotion. YouTube, in particular, offers excellent organic reach potential and its content can easily be repurposed for TikTok to engage younger audiences. 

Free Social Media Tools to Help 

To help churches navigate this new landscape, we've created a comprehensive social media kit that takes the guesswork out of digital ministry. Here's what you'll get: 

250 Ready-to-Use Social Posts 

 Skip the writer's block and jump straight to engaging content. These professionally crafted templates are designed specifically for churches, ready for you to customize and share. 

Complete Social Media Strategy Guide 

 Transform your church's social media presence with our step-by-step guide to building and engaging your online community. 

Holiday Post Collection 

 Never scramble for holiday content again. Get beautiful, premade posts for: 

Ash Wednesday 
Easter 
Palm Sunday 
Christmas 
Mother's Day 
Father's Day 
Pentecost Sunday 
Good Friday

AI-Powered Content Tools 

Social Media Post Generator: Create engaging posts instantly.
YouTube Optimizer: Turn your sermons into optimized video content automatically.

6. Use Email Marketing to Increase Church Attendance

Email is probably the most cost-effective promotional tool at your church’s disposal, but it is often overlooked. According to Forbes, 88% of email users check their email daily.

Through this tool, your church can engage members and visitors with key pieces of information to capture their attention and encourage participation and engagement.

To effectively engage your church community through email, consider these key strategies: 

Share Weekly Service Updates

Include sermon previews 
Highlight upcoming worship songs 
Feature ministry spotlights

Send Targeted Communications

New member welcome series 
Volunteer opportunities 
Ministry-specific updates 
Special event invitations

Nurture Your Church Family

Birthday and anniversary acknowledgments 
Prayer request follow-ups 
Personal testimonies 
Community celebrations

Provide Valuable Content

Devotional messages 
Bible study resources 
Family ministry tips 
Community outreach opportunities

Effective church email communication isn't about bombarding inboxes – it's about delivering relevant, meaningful content that strengthens your church community and supports your ministry goals. Think quality over quantity. Make sure your emails are the sort that people want to open. To help you maximize the potential of church emails, we built a free comprehensive guide with best practices and templates.

Check out the Free Church Email Guide now! 

7. Empower Volunteer Ministries for Outreach Impact

A strong volunteer ministry enhances church operations, deepens community connections and drives church growth. Churches that effectively recruit, train and celebrate volunteers create a culture of involvement that encourages long-term commitment and outreach.

Recruit Passionate Volunteers

Identify members with specific skills and interests to match them with the right ministry.
Provide clear expectations and responsibilities for each role.
Host volunteer fairs or interest meetings to introduce opportunities.

Train and Equip Volunteers for Success

Offer ongoing training programs to develop leadership and outreach skills.
Assign mentors or experienced volunteers to guide newcomers.
Use online training tools or small group workshops to make learning accessible.

Delegate Responsibilities to Increase Involvement

Encourage volunteers to take ownership of initiatives to build leadership skills.
Empower team leads for ministries like youth programs, family outreach and event planning teams to reduce staff workload.
Rotate roles regularly to prevent burnout and keep engagement high.

Recognize and Celebrate Volunteer Contributions

Publicly acknowledge volunteers during worship services or social events.
Provide small tokens of appreciation like handwritten notes or certificates.
Share testimonials and impact stories to highlight their importance.

Volunteer-driven churches see greater engagement and retention. A 2022 study from the Barna Group found that churches with active volunteer programs experience higher attendance and more substantial community involvement than those without (Barna Group, 2022).

For a deeper guide on empowering members to become leaders in spreading your church’s message and vision, check out our Free Discipleship Training Guide.

8. Host Community Events to Attract New Visitors

When churches open their doors for community events, they transform from being simply buildings where people worship to becoming vibrant community hubs where relationships flourish. In fact, most people first connect with churches through friends or community events rather than simply walking in on a Sunday morning. 

Successful churches have found creative ways to engage their communities through innovative church events that meet real needs and interests.

Family movie nights provide safe entertainment options while building relationships.
Health and wellness fairs offer valuable services while demonstrating care for community well-being.
Educational workshops, from financial literacy to parenting skills, position churches as valuable community resources.
Even simple activities like community picnics or holiday celebrations can create natural opportunities for connection.

The key is choosing outreach event ideas that align with both your church's mission and your community's needs. For example, if your neighborhood has many young families, consider hosting regular parent's night out events or children's activities. If there's a significant senior population, consider focusing on social gatherings that combat isolation. 

Whatever events you choose, we’re here to help. We've created a comprehensive Church Event Kit that includes: 

Detailed planning checklists
Customizable promotional materials
Permission slip templates
Follow-up communication guides

Events are vital, and the most crucial tool for modern church events is reliable event ticketing software. Even for free events, having a system to manage registrations, track attendance and communicate with attendees is essential for success. That's why Vanco offers our event ticketing platform at no cost for churches hosting free community events. This allows churches to professionally manage their outreach activities without adding to their budgets. 

9. Energize Youth Ministry to Attract Young Congregants

Churches prioritizing youth ministry see higher engagement and long-term retention of young congregants. Thriving youth engagement in churches provides a sense of belonging, spiritual growth and a fun, welcoming environment.

Develop Dynamic Youth Ministry Programs

Offer age-specific small groups to foster deeper connections.
Organize faith-based social events, like game nights, retreats or youth-led services.
Encourage peer leadership opportunities to empower young members.
Create mentorship programs pairing youth with experienced church leaders.

Incorporate Interactive, Technology-Driven Elements

Use church communication platforms and social media to keep young people engaged.
Integrate live polls, Q&A sessions or interactive sermon discussions during services.
Leverage faith-based apps and video content to make learning more relatable.
Encourage youth-led digital ministries, such as podcasts or YouTube devotionals.

Young people are increasingly turning to digital platforms for faith engagement. A 2023 study by Springtide Research Institute found that 74% of Gen Z engage with faith-based content online, making it essential for churches to embrace digital tools (Springtide Research Institute, 2023).

Modernizing youth ministry and creating interactive experiences can attract and retain young congregants, ensuring long-term church growth and vitality.

 10. Enhance Communication for Church Unity

Effective church communication forms the foundation of a thriving congregation. When communication breaks down, churches often experience decreased attendance, reduced giving and a disconnected community. Conversely, strong communication channels foster unity, encourage participation and help create a vibrant church family where everyone feels informed and included. In our work with tens of thousands of churches, we’ve found three critical tools for building strong church communications.

Strategic Communication Planning 

 A well-crafted church communication strategy serves as your roadmap for connecting with members, visitors and the broader community. Rather than approaching communication haphazardly, a strategic plan ensures your message reaches the right people through the right channels at the right time. This intentional approach helps prevent information gaps while making the most of your limited time and resources. For churches looking to develop or enhance their communication strategy, our Free Church Communication Strategy Guide provides a comprehensive framework. 

Digital Newsletters That Connect 

 Church newsletters remain one of the most effective tools for keeping your congregation engaged and informed. Digital platforms like Mailchimp make it easier than ever to create professional-looking newsletters at little to no cost. These newsletters can: 

Share upcoming events and ministry opportunities. 
Highlight congregation members and testimonies. 
Provide spiritual encouragement and resources. 
Welcome newcomers and guide them toward deeper involvement.

Modern AI tools have also simplified newsletter creation, helping churches streamline content generation while maintaining authentic, meaningful communication. Through strategic prompts and automation, churches can maintain consistent communication without overwhelming their staff. If you’re interested in scaling newsletter content, we show you how to do it in this video. 

Mobile Apps: The Future of Church Connection 

 Perhaps the most impactful communication tool available to churches today is a mobile app. A dedicated church app serves as a central hub for all church activities and communication. Through features like group chats, private messaging and direct pastor connection, apps break down communication barriers and foster genuine community. 

Modern church apps also provide easy access to: 

Service recordings and materials
Small group resources
Event registration
Online giving
Prayer requests
Ministry updates

For churches seeking to enhance their digital presence, Vanco's church app offers these features and more at no additional cost when paired with their online giving platforms. This comprehensive solution helps churches build stronger connections while simplifying administrative tasks. 

11. Invest in Pastoral Leadership Development

It’s hard to grow a church without strong leadership. That's why pastors or clergy who invest in their leadership skills have stronger church growth. Through their enthusiasm, knowledge and efficacy, they create an environment where people want to be. To help church leaders, we created this free guide to help them in their journey.

12. Leverage Modern Marketing to Boost Attendance

While word-of-mouth remains important, today's church growth increasingly depends on strategic digital presence and modern marketing techniques. 

The Power of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 

 When someone in your community searches for "churches near me" or "worship services in [your city]," your church's visibility in those search results can make the difference between welcoming new visitors and remaining undiscovered. SEO isn't just a technical term – it's about ensuring your church appears when people are actively seeking spiritual community. 

The most impactful aspect of church SEO is local search optimization. This focuses on helping your church appear in location-based searches, which often indicate immediate interest from potential visitors. Key components include: 

Optimizing your free Google Business Profile.
Managing and responding to online reviews.
Ensuring consistent contact information across all online platforms
Creating location-specific website content

If you’re interested in learning how to optimize your church for local searches, check out our free SEO for Churches guide today. In the guide, we explain the processes step-by-step.

Beyond Basic SEO 

 Modern church marketing techniques extend well beyond search optimization. Churches now have access to powerful tools that were once available only to large businesses: 

Google Ad Grants: Qualifying churches can receive up to $120,000 annually in free Google advertising 
Social media platforms: Targeted outreach to specific demographics in your community. 
Digital welcome materials: Engaging first impressions for online visitors

Success in modern church marketing requires a balanced approach that combines digital tools with authentic community-building. Our comprehensive guide to modern church marketing strategies outlines the top 20 techniques that leading churches use to grow their congregations while staying true to their missions. 

Whether you're just starting to explore digital marketing or looking to enhance your existing efforts, these proven strategies can help your church reach more people effectively. 

13. Measure, Adapt and Thrive for Sustained Growth

Churches that track attendance and engagement metrics can identify trends, make informed decisions and sustain long-term growth. Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) ensures that your efforts are producing real results.

Set KPIs to Measure Attendance and Engagement

Tracking specific metrics helps gauge church health and outreach effectiveness. Key indicators include:

Weekly and monthly attendance trends (in-person and online)
New visitor retention rates (how many first-time visitors return)
Small group participation and volunteer engagement
Online service viewership and social media interactions
Giving trends (as a measure of congregational commitment)

Regularly Review Data and Refine Your Approach

Church leaders should analyze data regularly to adapt strategies for growth. Steps include:

Conducting quarterly attendance audits to spot patterns
Gathering congregation feedback through surveys and small groups
Testing different outreach methods and tracking their effectiveness
Adjusting sermon topics and worship styles based on engagement levels

A recent Faith Communities Today (FACT) study found that churches using data-driven strategies saw a 35% increase in engagement compared to those that did not actively measure performance (FACT 2023).

For a deeper dive into church growth strategies, explore our Church Growth Resource Pack, which provides templates and tools for tracking church progress and increasing attendance.

14. Access 400+ Free Church Growth Resources

As they consider how to increase church attendance, it’s important for churches to realize that they're not alone. There are countless materials available to help them achieve their goals. We created a complete package of these resources, including templates, guides and free promotional materials. Start exploring today!