The Top 7 Reasons Guests Return To Your Church

The most common reason people check out your church is someone invited them.

The most common reason people leave your church is they don’t feel connected.

But what are the most common reasons people return to your church after their first visit or two?

Conversations about church attendance patterns are an ongoing subject and they affect how we measure guest retention rate and the length of time it takes for guests to connect within your church.

Equally important, church attendance reflects the lifestyle of current culture and the changes in how some view the church.

The curious part is that most would say they continue to value the church, even highly value their church experience, but time compression reduces their personal options. For example, if their kids are in Travel Ball, do they choose church or their kids sports? Two high priorities. How should they make their decision?

In the midst of changing cultural norms and regular attenders who model attendance patterns for new guests, the reality is that new people connect more slowly now and disconnect more quickly than we’ve previously experienced.

It’s a double-edged sword. It takes longer for new people to connect because they don’t attend every week. And they disconnect faster because the best “connection factors” are relationally based and therefore depend on attendance!

We can’t change current culture, or can we?

Here are three common reasons why people attend church less frequently:
(Not in order.)

• Families are busier now than ever. From demands in their jobs (travel etc.) to sports for their kids on weekends, people are on the go nearly seven days a week.

• Because time is among the scarcest of commodities, (at least it feels so emotionally), if church does not seem to be meeting real needs in a fresh and relevant way, people are less likely to attend.

• Church worship services are provided online, so simply put, there is a less perceived need to physically attend a church.

Realities like these and more are difficult to compete with but perhaps competing is not the answer.

Focusing on what church does best is a smarter approach. Doing it the way your church does it best, is smarter still.

This takes us back to the top reasons guests return to your church.

Put your energy here.

Top 7 Reasons Guests Return:

1) The presence of God is felt.

Those who live in your community long for truth, a greater truth that makes sense in a world that increasingly seems to lack wisdom, peace, unity and love.

Your church can offer all of that, and when you specifically add salvation, relationship, meaning and purpose, the church becomes a light of hope in a confusing and divisive time.

When there is an unmistakable awareness of the presence and power of God at work, people are drawn in. They are hungry and want more.

The opportunities to reveal the presence and power of God are many, from your Next Gen ministries to small groups to the worship services. In all your ministries, the grace of God and invitation of Jesus gently connects people to His purpose and plan.

2) The key leaders are perceived as trustworthy.

Guests come to your church at varying levels of “readiness” to trust the leaders they encounter. It’s not that they distrust even before attending, but trust is no longer assumed. As short as a few decades ago, (25-30 years) trust was given until broken and respect had to be earned, now both must be earned. (This is not just in the church, but in most public arenas.)

With that said, those who visit your church are intuitively savvy. Within a modest number of weeks hearing the messages, some conversations in the lobby and a few genuine interactions with volunteers, guests have a sense of whether or not they trust your church.

Our responsibility as leaders is not to perform to win approval or concede to those who might hijack the vision, but to live with authentic character, serve well and lead with the good of the people in mind.

3) The worship service is encouraging, relevant, biblically sound, grounded in prayer and executed with heart and excellence.

Again, let me encourage you with the reminder that people are searching for truth, and many times already believing it is spiritual in nature. You can meet their need. You have the gospel and the love of Jesus to give.

There is no need to compete with the other churches near you. The important thing is to be the very best that you can. Let’s pray for each other as we work for the same big picture purpose.

Allow me to get super practical for a moment. For generic examples, if the worship team isn’t as gifted as you desire, select less challenging music and do it with excellence and genuine joy. If the preaching isn’t strong, give yourself permission to deliver a shorter message and create a teaching team. In all cases, keep practicing, so you get better.

Is there more to it than that? Of course, but the point is to keep growing, strive to make it your best, and remember that ultimately, it’s the presence and power of God that makes the difference.

4) The volunteers and congregation express authentic love and care.

Genuine love and care are unmistakable and irresistible. When people encounter it, it’s truly transforming.

The source is God’s love, but the expression and experience come from the people in your congregation, both from your volunteer leaders and regular attenders.

It is humbling to encounter faithful church volunteers who continue to serve others, even sacrificially at a consistent level and with joyful hearts. Those who visit your church catch that spirit!  

5) Current stories of life change are consistently communicated.

Life change by the redeeming grace and power of Jesus is what we work toward, and few things inspire others in this journey better than stories of a changed life.

Life change gives hope to others that they too can experience positive and spiritually oriented change.

These stories can be communicated in a variety of creative ways, from a moment during the teaching time to a brief video. They do not need to be overproduced, but its essential that they are sincere and authentic.

6) There are no “glaring” shortcomings.

There is no church that has perfect programs, immaculate buildings and flawless ministries, but there should be nothing that is an immediate turn-off, or so obviously unkept or unprepared that it makes your new guests feel awkward or uncomfortable.

For example, I’ve seen nurseries that were unclean and unsafe. I’ve listened to worship sets that were clearly unrehearsed. Or it may be something as simple as the building is in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint or signage that is clear and helpful.

If you are not sure, invite a church consultant to come in for one Sunday, that would be a great help to you. Or ask a leader from a nearby church to come by on a Sunday and give you an honest evaluation from fresh eyes. Maybe the two churches could swap assessments.

7) The children’s ministry is outstanding.

Each of your ministries matter, but children’s ministry is the one that receives the least grace from your guests. Make it outstanding!  Parents are justifiably protective and want the best for their kids.

Guests don’t yet know you, your church, or what happens when they drop off their children. Candidly, guests will give an “average” service another shot, but if their child has a bad experience, they will not likely return. Your significant investment of effort and energy in your children’s ministry is vitally important.

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These are the elements that inspire guests to return. They create the opportunities to make the deeper connections and slowly change culture by the influence of following Jesus.

Among the most common paths to deeper connection – (longer term, greater commitment, and ownership of the vision) are:

• Small groups
• Serving opportunities
• Deeper friendships
• Life change

Make your next steps simple and clear.