How to Increase Church Attendance

Church attendance began to change in the US in the 1960s and the trend hasn't reversed in the first decade of the 21st century. Statistical studies on attendance at both Catholic and Protestant services show that as of 2009 the percentage of those Catholics stating that they attend Mass regularly has fallen to less than half while Protestants have had a slight increase in attendance. An individual pastor seeking to increase attendance at his church can follow a few steps to help increase attendance at his church.

Things You'll Need

• Money

Instructions

1. Develop the mindset that your work is not to build a good church but to build a good congregation. The Bible teaches that the most important goal for individuals is the salvation of their souls and those of others.

2. Express your love to your congregation. Pastors loving their congregation will not be able to attract as many followers without expressing their love to them.

3. Pray aloud to God to help assist your congregation.

4. Visit the homes of your congregation for a meal as they will feel a more personal connection to and comfort with you.

5. Look at whatever issues or problems that your church may be going through. Persons refusing to come to your church may do so for a variety of reasons that may be out of your control, such as when the breadwinner of the house has to move on orders from his or her job and thus cannot attend your services.

6. Remedy those issues or problems that your church may be facing.

Tips & Warnings

• Love your congregation. Persons not attending your church services may feel that you do not sincerely care for them. They may feel that you're simply after them for their wallets.

• Do not impose services or church activities that are unnecessary as you want to give your congregation a greater amount of time to spend alone with their families. Pastors requiring their congregation attend long and/or frequent services during the week may conflict with the precious amount of time that the congregation has to spend with their families.

References

• How to Boost Your Church Attendance
• How to Handle a Decline in Church Membership

Resources

• The Fall of Mass Attendance