How to increase attendance at church after COVID

There is no question that overall church attendance has been hurt by COVID.  As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to subside in the United States, many churches are looking for ways to increase attendance and re-engage their congregations. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, a few strategies can help churches bring people back to in-person worship.

1. Prioritize safety measures: Even though the pandemic is slowing down, many people are still concerned about the risk of contracting COVID-19. Churches can help alleviate these concerns by prioritizing safety measures like making masks available, providing hand sanitizer, and practicing social distancing at certain events where older or immunity-impaired individuals are present. Communicating these measures clearly to the congregation can help increase attendance by making people feel more comfortable attending in-person worship.
2. Offer hybrid worship options: While many people are eager to return to in-person worship, others may still need more time. Offering mixed worship options that allow people to attend either in-person or online can help increase attendance and engagement. Churches can live stream their services or record them for later viewing, making it easy for people to participate in worship in the most comfortable way.
3. Create community events: One of the key reasons people attend church is to feel a sense of community and connection with others. Hosting community events like cover dish dinners, game nights, or volunteer opportunities can help build relationships among church members and make people more invested in attending church regularly.
4. Utilize social media: Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be powerful tools for churches looking to increase attendance. Posting regular updates about upcoming events, sharing photos and videos from past services, and engaging with followers through comments and messages can help keep the church in mind and encourage people to attend in-person worship because of Tik Tok short-form video has become very popular. Instead of posting the whole service, adding part of the music or worship.
5. Emphasize the benefits of in-person worship: While online worship has been a lifeline for many during the pandemic, there are benefits to in-person worship that can't be replicated online. Churches can emphasize the spiritual benefits of attending in-person worship, like the opportunity to connect with others, feel a sense of community, and experience the presence of God in a physical space.

By prioritizing safety measures, offering hybrid worship options, creating community events, utilizing social media, and emphasizing the benefits of in-person worship, churches can help increase attendance and re-engage their congregations after the COVID-19 pandemic.