Easter Digital Strategy: 3 Top Tasks for your Church

Many of us are looking forward to celebrating Easter in church this April. There’s a lot to do to get ready. Is your church texting system doing its part?

Task #1: In church vs. Online

For many of us, 2019 was the last Easter we spent physically in church. This April, many are looking forward to celebrating in church again. However, there may be a significant number of your flock who are still “at risk” and would prefer to join you online.

What to do: It’s not too early to set up a Data Capture Campaign (Text Bot, no links) to ask. Using this automated series of text messages, you can find out who’s planning to be in church and who’s planning on remaining online.

Who to contact: Connect with your regular membership, those in your “new guest” nurturing group, and perhaps even those who have joined you online during COVID-19 but have never entered your church doors.

Top Tip: Once you have your attendee list, you can cross reference that with the information in your church texting system about any special needs they have. If you do not have this information, just set up another data capture to find out.

Task #2: The unchurched

Some say Christmas has the largest church attendance; some say Easter. What we know for sure is that Easter is a powerful time to connect with the unchurched: those who have never been to church as well as those whose attendance has lapsed.

What to do: Create an automated messages campaign that sends a series of bulk text messages announcing (and then reminding about) your Easter events.

Who to contact: Hopefully, you have a list of phone numbers to use. Perhaps people who attended past events or anyone who donates via text-to-give but have never actually attended an in-church event.

If you don’t have any lists (or want to further publicize your ministry’s Easter events), print posters with QR codes for a “text to join” option.

Task #3: Horizontal growth

Several reliable church posts have discussed the emerging importance of “horizontal rather than vertical growth”. Vertical growth is when churches expand their membership, for example, by increasing the number of first-time guests. Horizontal growth is when your church adds more worship/participation options.

What to do: Take a look at your Easter worship services. Could you add another option? For example: a shorter service with childcare for parents of young children; what about a worship option in which attendees get into small groups and share the relevant Bible quote they have prepared; or even a “sing along” service of hymns only.

Who to contact: Using your church texting service, send an SMS to everyone you can. Don’t forget posters with a QR “text to join” option.
Here’s a bonus idea in case you have time for another task…

Last year, we were honored to have permission to post a great seasonal idea. When you get to our website, type (or copy/paste) “Texting Can Resurrect the Easter Story” into our search option at the top of our webpage. We think you will find it worth your while.

Start your SMS Easter strategy now.