ACR Strategies - Increase Church Visitors
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Transcript of ACR Strategies - Increase Church Visitors
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
How do we fill our pews?
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
The Condition of the Church in America - Key Statist icsCompiled by Andy McAdams
• Only 15% of churches in the United States are growing and just less then 5% of those are growing by conversion growth.
•10,000 churches in America disappeared in a five-year period.
•The number of people in America that Do Not attend church has doubled in the past 15 years.
•No more then 38% of the population attends church at all and that's in the Bible belt. The next highest is the Midwest at 25%, West 21% and the Northeast 17%.
•The vast majority of churches have an attendance of less then 75.
•In 70 % of the churches in America, the pastor is the only full-time staff person
•Leading church analysts Lyle Schaller, George Barna , and Mike Regele stress the alarming truth that over 80% of American Protestant churches are in plateau and/or decline.
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
To accomplish this we NEED more people in the pews!
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
How do we fill our pews?
INCREASE VISITORS by Targeting a CROWD!
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
CROWDS – Biblical?Matthew 4:25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,* Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
Matthew 5:1 One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the mountainside with his disciples and sat down to teach them.
Matthew 5:36 He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they
didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 13:34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds . In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.
Mark 3:20 When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying, the crowds began to gather again, and soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.
John 1:15 John pointed him out to the people. He shouted to the crowds , “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before I did.’”
Luke 4:42 Early the next morning Jesus went out into the wilderness. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them.
Acts 5:14 And more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women.
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
1
Implement strategies to close back door.
2
INCREASE the number of VISITORS.
3
Convert more visitors to members.
Which CROWD?
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Which CROWD is your target?
People who regularly
attend church
People who occasionally
attend church“UNCHURCHED”
People who Do NOT attend
church
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Which CROWD is your target?
Research from Media Audit for the Tampa/St. Petersburg marketamong Adults 18+ indicates …
People who regularly
attend church
People who occasionally
attend church“UNCHURCHED”
People who Do NOT attend
church
= 36% = 34% = 30%Regular + Occasional = 70%
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Target CROWD = UNCHURCHEDSource: George Barna
People who occasionally
attend church“UNCHURCHED”
More likely than the norm of the population to be male, to have experienced a divorce, to have more education, and to
have a larger income.
Aggressive, energetic, and driven people.
They do not attend church largely because they do not
think it is worth the time and effort.
Hooks that will speak to them are notions of compassion to others, applied faith, love of
children, integrity, authenticity, and personal
experience.
Focused on the matters they believe to be important. For
example, God is vital, but the church is not. They tend to be
material first, spiritual second.
A huge explanation for their absence from church is that they have not been invited to participate. Successful church marketing strategies will be sensitive to
UNCHURCHED’S needs for control, perceived value and personal touch!
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Target CROWD = UNCHURCHEDSource: Thom S. Rainer
People who occasionally
attend church“UNCHURCHED”
Survey results; Extremely Important factors in selecting
church: Doctrine/Theology (58%), Caring people (53%),
Preaching (52%), Friendliness (45%).
We found that relationships were important in bringing the UNCHURCHED to the church.
But, not the overwhelming reason as most studies have
indicated.
The formerly UNCHURCHED are positive about and attracted to Sunday School. It was this
group that indicated the greatest allegiance to Sunday
School.
Almost one out of three of the formerly UNCHURCHED said
they returned to church for their children.
An important lesson that we learned from the UNCHURCHED is that churches should try to appeal to the UNCHURCHED person’s altruistic
motives.
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Target CROWD = UNCHURCHEDSource: Media Audit Research
People who occasionally
attend church“UNCHURCHED”
Upscale;Annual Household Income
$50,000+49% of UNCHURCHED
21% more than norm population
Educated;AT least one College Degree
22% of UNCHURCHEDAdvanced Degree
15% of UNCHURCHED
Plan within next year to:Buy a PC – 19%
Buy New TV set – 19%Buy New Furniture – 22%
Remodel Home – 24%Buy New Auto – 17%
Working Women – 33%Family Size – 5 or more – 20%
BIG SPORTS Fans!Rays – 59%Bucs – 62%
NASCAR – 31%
Own a cell phone(85%), Cell phone texting (43%), NOT Exposed to weekday newspaper (55%), Heavy exposure to radio (21%), Heavy exposure to internet (37%), Medium
exposure to Tv (36%), Logged on past month to – FACEBOOK (51%)
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
How to reach the“UNCHURCHED CROWD”
Own a cell phone(85%), Cell phone texting (43%), NOT Exposed to weekday newspaper (55%), Heavy exposure to radio (21%), Heavy exposure to internet (37%), Medium
exposure to Tv (36%), Logged on past month to – FACEBOOK (51%)
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Conversations with the“UNCHURCHED CROWD”
Utilize Facebook, Texting, and Email to invite “UNCHURCHED CROWD” friends using communications insights from the various studies in this report. Invites to be personal and include appeals for Sunday School, doctrine, preaching, “making a difference”, etc.
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Social Media …Do not do social media for social media’s sake. Mer ely having a Facebook page or a Twitter account does not help yo u. In fact, using social media the wrong way will hurt how people per ceive you.
You must add value.
Conversations with the“UNCHURCHED CROWD”
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
• He or she has a fresh point of view, but does not try to thrust it upon everyone else. • Speaks politely and respectfully.• Tells good stories to illustrate key points .• Is good at drawing other people’s views out and drawing them into the conversation. • Speaks intelligently on a variety of subjects, but is not afraid to admit areas of ignorance.• Avoids trotting out well-worn arguments that have been made time and time again .• Listens with genuine interest.
Adding Value is like a good conversationalist at a dinner party!
You Must add Value
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Facebook Church IDEAS
“Unchurched CROWD” friendly church “page”
• Have conversations that “equip” and “lift-up” people. • Stay away from “church” terms.• Assume visitors to your page know nothing about your church.• Tell stories.• Post invites as if you were talking to someone in person. Not “You’re cordially invited to.”• Use video.• Post messages that can be used by others in your ch urch to send to their friends.• KEEP IT UPDATED!
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Texting Church IDEA
•Engage your church family in the sermon.Church members can forward text to friends.
•Text bible verses to prepare for this weeks sermon.
•Early following week follow up question to last ser mon.
•Few days later text this week’s sermon Bible verses .
More and more people are choosing texting as their means to have conversations!
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Email – Sermon Applications
•Email allows for longer conversations.•Use to keep the sermon alive.•Develop conversations about the life applications of the message.•Church members can forward email to their friends.
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Engage the “Unchurched CROWD”
Using TV Advertising
Church advertising ideas and marketing should be the first thing on every church leaders mind. When you advertise your church you are not promoting yourself; you are advertising Jesus to a lost world in need of a savior.
Did you know that the average church will lose more members than they grow by this year?It may not be because no one wants to visit… they may just not know who and where your church is !
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Engage the “Unchurched CROWD”
Using TV Advertising
Advertising on cable TV allows you to focus your message to people around your church.
Research tells us the following cable stations are some of the best for reaching the “Unchurched CROWD.”
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Interactive TV Advertising allows
viewers to press a button on their remote control
and automatically have literature from your
church sent to their home.
Engage the “Unchurched CROWD”Using ITV Advertising
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
A GREAT way for churches to share the cost of TV advertising!
Engage the “Unchurched CROWD”Using ITV Advertising
Press A for South Lakeland Church, Press B for North Lakeland Church, Press C for Winter Haven Church
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Your church can buy a half hour time slot from a
local Broadcast TV station and air your
church service
Engage the “Unchurched CROWD”
Put your service on Broadcast TV
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Engage the “Unchurched CROWD”
while they are on the go - RADIO
Research tells us talk radio is a great vehicle for reaching the “Unchurched CROWD.” Especially strong are News talk stations and Sports talk stations.
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Engage the “Unchurched CROWD”
When they are on the - INTERNET
Research tells us the following local web sites are a couple of the best for reaching the “Unchurched CROWD.”
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Is Church Advertising
Effective ?
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
Since 1991, over 10,000 churches have effectively used faithHighway’s church commercials for outreach. An independent survey found that over 85% of the churches who utilized faithHighway church commercials showed measurable growth within the first six months of us e.
Mainstream churches take a leap of faith into TV ad vertising Methodists report a 6 percent increase in worship attendance where ads have run during high seasons for newcomers: Lent, Advent, and back-to-school time. Some in the church harbor hopes for the "open hearts, open minds, open doors" message to steer viewers toward a better way of life.
Church announces $2 million advertising push, ‘The Journey’Aug. 22, 2005NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Church will begin airing its newest television commercial Aug. 29, inviting millions of Americans to join in a journey of faith.The spot, titled “The Journey,” is the newest element of the denomination’s advertising and welcoming ministry, said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive at United Methodist Communications.
Study: United Methodist TV Commercials Shifting Att itudes About Church; First-Time Attendance, Worship Attendance Increasing at Test C hurchesNASHVILLE � A new research study shows The United Methodist Church�s national television advertising campaign continues to encourage first-time attendance and build positive images of the second-largest U.S. Protestant denomination.
Church Advertising is Effective
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
The United Methodist Church launches $20 million 'R ethink Church' advertising campaignNASHVILLE, TENN. (May 1, 2009) /PRNewswire/ — Rethink Church, the next evolution of The United Methodist Church's "Open hearts" welcoming and advertising campaign, will kick off on May 5 and 6 with major launch events in New York City and Washington, D.C., and other cities nationwide.Audiences will see and hear more than $20 million in new advertising over the next four years on television, radio, print, and in new media, including banner and keyword advertising on major secular Web sites.
Church television ads prove surprisingly successfulWhile flipping through the channels on a Sunday morning, television viewers may not expect to see a message from the Catholic Church amidst the many advertisements filling the airwaves. But in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, TV audiences are getting a chance to see the Church portrayed in a new light through a series of commercials featuring Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien.The 30-second advertisements, which began airing last November, feature a variety of messages aimed at reaching out to fallen-away Catholics, encouraging increased participation from active Catholics and educating non-Catholics about the teachings of the Church.
Church Advertising is Effective
Increase Visitors - Target a CROWD!
If you would like to learn more about how connecting with the “Unchurched CROWD” could
help grow your church please contact us:
Don Koehler, Founder & Chief Strategist(352) 363-9682 [email protected]