Are you planning church events, but no one is signing up? Are you putting in the time, energy, finances, and effort to put together events for your congregation, but no one seems to want to be a part of it? There are many reasons why your church event attendance might be declining. Let’s look at six possible reasons for low church event signups.
Please note that while this list is not all-encompassing, it covers many reasons people would not want to sign up or participate in your church event. When planning your next event, consider these things as you get ready!
6 Reasons Your Church Event Attendance Is Lacking
1. Your Church Event Is Not Interesting
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s something you truly must consider. If you are planning a church-wide event where you intend to sit on the front lawn and watch the grass grow, people aren’t going to come.
When you plan church events, it needs to be appealing enough to your church body for people to want to come. For example, if you have a lot of young families, a family-centered event may be perfect.
In addition to considering whether or not the event is interesting, you must also consider the last event you hosted. Was that a success? Did people enjoy it? Was the feedback overall good, bad, or just so-so? Take these things into consideration. While you may have an outstanding event planned, if your last one wasn’t good or interesting, you may lack success for this one.
2. The Church Event Signup Steps Are Unclear
People will sign up if they want to come — and if the steps are clear. Sometimes, you could plan a fantastic event, but the signup steps are complex or confusing.
Generally speaking, the simpler and more precise you can make the steps, the greater your success. Use the same tools or systems for all signups to help eliminate this struggle.
For example, Planning Center provides churches with the Church Center App. This app will list your events and allow your church to sign up easily. If your church members always sign up the same way in the same place, you will see greater success.
3. Your Church Event Is Too Expensive
Are you hosting a women’s retreat but requiring attendees to pay $400 for 2 nights? People will consider cost when deciding if they want to attend an event or not. Consider: Is the price of this event affordable for the average person in your community?
If your church event has a high price tag, let church members know what they’ll be getting for that:
- Are meals included?
- How above transportation?
- Is the church covering a percentage of the costs? How much?
- For overnight events, where are attendees staying? Do they get their own hotel room? What amenities are included with the accommodations?
Be sure to communicate if there are additional things they must pay for on top of the cost to sign up.
Additionally, remember that cost isn’t just measured in dollars but also in time:
- How long is your event? Will it take too much of people’s time?
- Does it happen at normal working times?
People won’t just factor in the financial investment, but they will also consider the time investment. They may not sign up if it’s too long or requires too much.
4. People Didn’t Have Enough Notice
I believe this is one of the greatest reasons your church event attendance is low. Historically, churches don’t give enough notice! People need to plan and prepare to attend your event. If no one is signing up for your church event, it may be because they only heard about it 2 weeks before.
This is especially true for weekend events because people’s weekends fill up with kids’ sporting events, birthday parties, and family activities. As you plan your church events, consider the timing of your communication.
Additional Note: People won’t sign up for your event if they don’t know about it! Have you communicated clearly? Have you advertised well? If not, you may not receive a lot of signups. Make sure you’re promoting the event well within your church!
5. You Aren’t Offering Childcare
Families are extremely important to the church. Is your event family-friendly? Are the kids invited or included? If not, do you have childcare available? One major reason parents of young children cannot attend an event is childcare.
Like the cost of the event, childcare is another expensive challenge. Babysitters are not always easy to come by and, at times, not in the budget. If you’re planning an adult-only or couples event, provide childcare as a part of the signup so parents of small kids can be there. This is actually a huge selling point. Many parents will not turn down free childcare!
6. Your Church Event Is at a Bad Time
Think about the time of your event. Are you planning something during normal working hours? Are you hoping people will take off work to come?
As you plan your church events, consider the regular life flow of the people of your church. Think about the regular flow of the lives of those in your church. Plan events during times and seasons people can attend. You wouldn’t likely host a church-wide event on Christmas Day, would you? Nor would you plan a church-wide potluck at midnight. Why not? Because people won’t come! So, one possible reason church event attendance is low is that it is at a bad or difficult time for people. Consider the calendar, people’s lives, and when the best times for any event may be. Plan around that!
Be Mindful with Church Event Planning
Church events can be some of the greatest successes, but they can also be extremely disappointing. That’s because church events all depend on people attending! As you consider your church calendar and the events you have mapped out, have you considered these six reasons why no one is signing up for your church event? As you plan, consider these things and adjust to achieve greater success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions pastors might ask:
1. How far in advance should we announce church events to maximize attendance?
Church events should be announced at least 6-8 weeks in advance to give attendees ample time to plan and adjust their schedules. For major events like retreats or conferences, start advertising 3-4 months prior. Use a combination of in-person announcements, social media, email campaigns, and printed materials to ensure everyone knows about the event.
2. What are some cost-saving strategies for hosting affordable church events?
To keep costs manageable for attendees:
- Seek sponsorships or partnerships with local businesses to cover part of the expenses.
- Use volunteer teams to reduce labor costs for setup, cleanup, and event facilitation.
- Host the event on church premises to avoid venue rental fees.
- Consider tiered pricing to encourage participation, such as early bird discounts or family bundles.
- Offer partial scholarships for attendees with financial constraints.
3. What are effective ways to simplify the signup process for church events?
A streamlined signup process is crucial for boosting attendance. Here’s how to make it easier:
- Use a user-friendly online platform with clear instructions and a mobile-friendly interface, like Planning Center or Eventbrite.
- Provide multiple signup options, including in-person forms, phone registration, and online portals.
- Include links to the signup page in emails, social media posts, and church announcements.
- Use QR codes in printed materials for quick access to the signup form.
- Offer on-site assistance during church services so that less tech-savvy attendees can register in person.
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