Podcast Episode #534
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Low attendance days happen in the life of every church. While they are often unavoidable, you can potentially improve them and make them fewer and farther between.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- In your new members class, you need to address the importance of regular worship attendance.
- Unexpected low attendance days can be frustrating for church leaders.
- Churches might consider adding an alternative worship service on weekends they know will have low attendance.
- Groups are the best way to connect people deeply to the life of a church.
The seven keys we discuss are:
- Make certain expectations are clear and front-end.
- Have a clear understanding of why those low attendance days take place.
- Consider an occasional additional service, such as Thursday night.
- Consider a permanent additional service.
- Consider alternate times for inclement weather.
- Keep groups active.
- Don’t let the dips stress you out.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network
Episode Sponsors
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Today’s episode is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Be sure to check out Midwestern’s Doctorate of Ministry Degree. The D.Min. is an advanced degree preparing students for leadership in local churches and denominational service. It is also fully attainable in hybrid format which means you don’t have to move to pursue the degree.
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Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Scrappy Church.
Another help is keeping a “prosperity” chart. Compare attendance with the attendance of a year ago…not last week. When there is higher attendance put the number in black ink/font. When lower, use red ink/font. The goal is to be in the black as many weeks as possible compared to the same weeks the previous year.
You will begin to see natural attendance patterns which will help in planning campaigns, emphases, etc. it is amazing how knowing where you stand compared to last year helps keep focus on reaching, caring, and growing. It keeps everyone from getting complacent with the status quo. We put the base year in green ink/font to symbolize growth. We placed the chart where all can see it and used it in weekly leader meetings of all levels. Its old school but it still is effective.
#2 has been key for me. July is always a slow month for us, and it used to frustrate me something terrible. After a few years, I figured out what was causing it. We have a lot of school teachers in our church. They usually stay around in June to help with VBS and other summer activities, and they have to start school early in August, so guess then they all take their vacations? I still don’t look forward to the low attendance in July, but at least now I know why it happens, and I’ve learned to work around it.
Very interested in your idea of having a Thursday night service when there is a holiday weekend. Question – Those few that are trying that out – Do they have any normal Wednesday activities? Or do they just have the Thursday evening service? I’m interested but will have to pray and talk with leaders and see if this would go over in a traditional SBC Church in the South. Thanks for bringing up something outside the box.
Thursday night service question – I assume this means you have to be done with sermon prep by then? That’s a paradigm shift for sure.