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?

There’s lots of conversation about church attendance patterns these days, and that affects how we measure guest retention rate, and the length of time it takes for guests to connect with your church.

Here’s a new reality, new people connect more slowly than in the past 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 necessarily 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 big reasons why people attend church less frequently (not in order):

  • Online church is provided 24/7 on demand, so simply put, there is a less perceived need to physically attend a church.
  • 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.
  • People get bored faster than lightening. If guests attend your church and it gives off even a hint of being out of date, not fresh, “seen this before” or in some way behind or irrelevant, they are gone!

That’s difficult to compete with, so perhaps competing is not the answer. We might be wise to focus just a little less on why people don’t come, and invest more energy into why people do come. Focusing on what church does best is a smarter approach. Doing it the way your church does it best, is smarter still.

That 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.

There is an unmistakable awareness of the presence and power of God at work. It may be inspirational and filled with emotion, or a more quiet and peaceful stirring within, but however it’s experienced, the presence of God is felt.

2) The key leaders are perceived as trustworthy.

Guests come to your church at varying levels of “readiness” to trust the leaders they encounter. But it’s surprising how quickly they can discern if they trust you or not. Even from only a message or two, or brief connections in the lobby, they intuitively have decided if they can trust you. Your level of authenticity and clarity of communication make a huge difference in this process.

3) The worship service is positive, relevant, biblically sound, and executed with heart and excellence.

You don’t have to compete with the other churches near you. The important thing is to be the very best that you can. For example, if the worship team isn’t strong, select less challenging music, and do it with excellence. If the preaching isn’t strong, make the message shorter. In all cases, keep practicing, so you get better. Make sure the service is positive, clearly biblical, upbeat and communicates faith in an atmosphere of grace.

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

Genuine love and attention is 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.

5) They hear current stories of life change.

Connected to brief and creative communication of your purpose or mission/vision are stories of life change every week. These stories need to be communicated in a variety of creative ways. That is hugely compelling and draws people back. Life change is inspiring, and it gives hope that they too can experience positive and spiritually oriented change.

6) There are no “glaring” shortcomings.

There are no perfect churches, we all have flaws. But there should be nothing that is an immediate turn-off, or so grossly out of line that it makes people feel awkward and uncomfortable. For example, I’ve seen nurseries that were unclean and unsafe. I’ve listened to worship sets that were painfully 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’s all it takes!

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. Parents are justifiably protective and want the best for their kids. They don’t yet know you 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. Invest great effort and energy in your children’s ministry.


These are the elements that inspire guests to return. This gives you the opportunity to make the “deeper connections.”

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

  • Small groups
  • Serving opportunities
  • Deeper friendships

Make your next steps simple and clear.

Leading a local church is complicated. But sometimes breaking it down like this helps you become more intentional and know where to invest your energy best.

24 thoughts on “The Top 7 Reasons Guests Return To Your Church”

  1. Great thoughts! This would make for a great leadership and/or ministry team leader meeting. As I am able to visit many churches, I wish that all churches/pastors would make it a priority to teach their people how to be friendly, welcoming and very aware of Sunday morning guests. Those simple gestures of friendship would help so much. Thanks Dan!

  2. This shows me once again that many people mistakenly think church is about what “I get out of it.” You can worship at home, you can pray at home…but you can’t have Church at home. The Church is people. The book of Hebrews encourages us to come together to encourage one another. Come to encourage others. You may not have “missed” anything by staying home…but other missed out on you being there to encourage them, pray for them and otherwise fellowship with them.

  3. Eagerness to connect with visitors is shown by little things like visible signage and name tags. Struggling to remember all of the new names and to find the restrooms or your childs classroom make visitors feel conspicuous and unwelcome.

    1. Hi David. This is not an academic article. These points reflect my current field level experience and 30 plus years of work. If you select one particular thought you are curious about I might be able to share a little more about that thought, and how I arrived at it. Thanks for your comment. Dan

  4. MODERN SECULARISM DEMANDS FROM ANYONE WHO SPEAKS FOR GOD,MUST NOW DEFEND HIM!! AGAINST THE PROBLEMS OF EVIL.THE SOCIETIES THAT GAVE BIRTH TO DECADES OF MEGADEATH,THE HOLOCAUST,THE ABORTION EXPLOSION,… WILL NOW DEMAND THAT GOD ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS… AND REDEFINE HIMSELF. ACCORDING TO THEIR DICTATES!I THINK THAT UNLESS THE PORTRAIT OF GOD IS COMPELLING, THE 6 OF BELIEF IN GOD IS BOUND TO DECLINE!!!

  5. OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PRESENT THE TRUTH OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH WITH BOLDNESS, CLARITY, AND COURAGE– AND IN THESE TES WE WILL NEED ALL THREE OF THESE

  6. Gerald Polmateer

    Christians should be people with the most gratitude because they have experienced the power of God and know the difference between a life focused on Christ. If the church is just about inviting people, but it is not going as Jesus taught then it is nothing more than an Old Testament model. Several months ago I was asked to do some evangelism training at the church I attend. While doing that I asked some I know in the community who go to other churches about the last time they received any training in evangelism. Almost everyone of them said they had never received evangelism training in the church they attend or have attended. Almost nobody could tell me what the gospel actually is. If people do not know what the gospel is then what are they telling people. If they do not know what the gospel is then what kind of disciples are they making? One of the men I meet with each week meets with a man who has been attending the largest church in the area and it is very welcoming. He has been in a small group for two years. The problem is the man has never heard the gospel. He is not a believer and thinks that by doing good works that is enough.

  7. Thanks Dan for sharing these insights. I particularly like #7. Children’s ministry plays a very key role.

  8. Cathi Williford

    #3 hits hime to me. It’s seems to me the basic foundational need is to worship and that means attention to detail and excellence in the worship services is a mess. I have attended many denominations and many seem to celebrate what they believe they do well within the church but don’t seem to focus on what can we do for those that do visit to feel part of us. Thanks Dan for you articles.

  9. Many good points here. We are very discouraged in our church. We are a small rural church with around 60 attendees. We welcome visitors before and after service, and include them in what is going on. Our pastor is the best, giving strong biblical sermons, very outgoing and friendly. We have strong in their faith elders and deacons ….but we are losing a key family because a neighboring church has a top-notch youth group and youth pastor. We have no babies or kindergarten children and no youth program because we only have a few youth. When visitors with children come they don’t come back because we don’t have youth programs so it is a vicious cycle.

Leave a Reply to Dan Reiland Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.