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Church Tech Check
Outreach strategies to bring your community together on Back to Church Sunday
Discover practical outreach strategies to boost attendance and connection for Back to Church Sunday 2025 at your local church.
Back to Church Sunday, happening on September 21, 2025, is a unique opportunity to reconnect with lapsed members, welcome new visitors, and strengthen your church’s relationship with your surrounding community.
In a season when many people are searching for connection and hope, this Sunday can be a day when the church can open its doors wide, extend a genuine welcome, and share the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that is approachable for someone who hasn’t been to church in years—or maybe ever.
Start with prayer and vision
Every great outreach initiative starts with prayer. Invite your leadership team, staff, and key volunteers to pray intentionally for your community in the weeks leading up to the event. Encourage members to pray for specific people they can invite.
Alongside prayer, cast a clear vision for your team. Ask questions like:
- What do we want guests to experience the moment they arrive?
- How will we communicate the gospel in a way that connects with both believers and visitors?
- What story will guests share with their friends afterward?
A clear vision helps every ministry work toward the same goal.
Build momentum before the big day
Leverage personal invitations
Personal invitations remain the most effective outreach tool. Equip members with invite cards, branded QR codes, or short digital videos they can text to friends. Encourage them to think about neighbors, coworkers, and family members who might be open to attending.
Use digital outreach
Create excitement online with countdown posts, behind-the-scenes setup photos, and short testimonies from members about why they’re excited for Back to Church Sunday. Schedule email reminders through your church’s communication platform, and update your website so visitors can easily find event details and service times.
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Partner with your community
Reach out to local schools, nonprofits, and small businesses. Offer to share their events on your social channels if they’ll help promote Back to Church Sunday. You might also coordinate a service project together in the week leading up to the event as a way to meet practical needs while building relationships.
Make your Sunday morning experience welcoming
Train your welcome team
Think of them as a first impressions team. From the parking lot to the sanctuary doors, every interaction shapes a guest’s experience. Hold a volunteer training before the event to refresh skills, answer questions, and remind your team of the vision and importance of the day.
Provide clear signage
Make it easy for guests to find parking, kids’ check-in, restrooms, and the main entrance. Inside the building, consider a welcome center with volunteers ready to answer questions and guide people where they need to go.
Plan an engaging worship and message
Craft a service that feels accessible to those unfamiliar with church traditions while still encouraging and equipping long-time believers. Share the gospel message in a relatable way and offer practical next steps for faith and community involvement.
Offer something for everyone
Think beyond the service itself. Family-friendly activities such as a picnic, bounce houses, face painting, or a photo booth can create an environment where guests linger, meet others, and feel more comfortable returning.
Follow up with every guest
The follow-up you do after Back to Church Sunday is just as important as the event itself. Use digital connection cards, your church app, or a simple paper form to collect guest information.
Within 48 hours, send a thank-you email or text message. If possible, include a personal note from someone they met on Sunday. Invite them to upcoming opportunities like Bible studies, small groups, or community service projects.
Use technology to keep the connection strong
Tools like Pushpay’s ChurchStaq make it simple to track attendance, note follow-up progress, and send targeted communication. Your church app can share sermon replays, daily devotionals, and event invitations that keep guests engaged well beyond Sunday morning.
Consider setting up automated reminders for new guests to attend an upcoming newcomers’ lunch or membership class. The easier you make the next step, the more likely people will take it.
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Measure and celebrate your impact
After the event, review your key metrics:
- Total attendance
- Number of first-time visitors
- Follow-up engagement rates
- And, in the future, number of guests who returned within the next month
Share stories of how God worked during Back to Church Sunday. Celebrate the efforts of volunteers and thank your congregation for inviting their friends and neighbors. When people see the results, they’re more likely to participate again.
Keep the spirit alive all year
Back to Church Sunday is a launchpad, not a finish line. Use it to set the tone for ongoing outreach and hospitality in your church. Keep inviting, keep connecting, and keep making space for those who are seeking a place to belong.
When your church lives out a culture of welcome year-round, every Sunday can be a “back to church” moment for someone.
Frequently asked questions
When is Back to Church Sunday in 2025?
It’s on September 21, 2025. Many churches start outreach four to six weeks beforehand.
How far in advance should we start outreach?
Begin at least one month ahead to give invitations and marketing time to take root.
What are some low-cost outreach ideas?
Host a free community BBQ, organize a neighborhood cleanup, or share personal invitation videos on social media.
How do we keep guests coming back?
Consistent, warm follow-up and clear next steps like small groups or Bible studies are key.
Can we track our outreach success?
Yes—use your church management software to track visitor data, follow-up touchpoints, and return visits.
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Jonathan Louvis
Jon is the SEO Marketing Manager at Pushpay. Most recently, he worked as the Communications Director for his local church in Ohio. Having worked in the Church, he’s able to bring a unique perspective to his role at Pushpay. When he’s not busy creating content, you can find him spending time with his wife, two sons, and dog, or indulging his love of fantasy football. Jon holds a B.S in Marketing Management and an M.B.A from Western Governors University.
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