In Less Than 5 Minutes, Turn Good to Great With These Texting Tricks

Christmas is right around the corner, and it’s not too late to make a big impact! Whether you’re planning services, thanking volunteers, or inspiring generosity, texting is a quick and effective way to reach your church and community. Here are 5 simple last-minute texting ideas you can send in less than 15 minutes to set yourself up for success this Christmas season.

1. Send a Friendly Christmas Service Reminder

Holiday schedules get busy, and it’s easy for plans to slip through the cracks. A quick text reminder about your Christmas service times, location, and any special details (like childcare or parking) can make all the difference. 

After all, this is the biggest week for your church—it doesn’t hurt to get people excited! They will be glad for the reminder and the touchpoint for the upcoming holiday. 

Pro tip: Use Gloo Workflows to do a drip text campaign, sending out reminders the week before, the day of, and an hour before your first service. 

2. Invite Your Church to Share the Service

Your congregation can be your best advocates! Empower them to forward a simple invitation text to their friends, family, or neighbors. A personal invitation goes a long way during the holiday season; when someone receives a heartfelt invitation from someone in their life, who is thinking of them and wanting them to join in their church events, it can fill their holiday season with love and thanksgiving—and they’re more likely to attend with their loved ones. 

People are more likely to attend when invited by someone they know and trust. Give your people the tools, opportunity, and encouragement to reach out to the people in their life who could enjoy a personal invitation to your Christmas service. 

Pro tip: Send your congregants a text template to make asking a friend or neighbor extra easy!

3. Prepare Your Volunteers with a Quick Note

Your holiday volunteers are the backbone of your Christmas services and events. Make sure they are prepared by sending them reminders and details about upcoming events that need their attention—but it doesn’t end there. 

Gratitude builds connection and encourages long-term commitment to serving—and you can (and should) give your volunteers the thanks they deserve. This Christmas, take 5 minutes to send a heartfelt thank-you text to let them know how much you appreciate their time and effort.

Pro tip: Raffle off some gift cards ahead of your Christmas Eve service to get your volunteers excited about serving. 

4. Prepare Your People for the New Year

As Christmas wraps up, it’s a great time to let your congregation know what to expect in the coming weeks. Send a quick text to let them know things will quiet down between Christmas and the New Year so they can enjoy time with family and loved ones. 

At the same time, use this opportunity to build excitement for the last big church event of the year —and remind them of the fresh start ahead, encouraging them to stay engaged and start 2025 with a renewed commitment to your church.

Pro tip: Send a teaser or schedule to preview what you’ll be covering in the early part of the new year so that people can get excited to hear what you have to say. 

5. Last-Minute Giving Reminder

Many people plan their year-end giving in December. Send a gentle, encouraging text reminding your congregation about your church’s Christmas giving initiative. Rather than being pushy or gauche, your people will appreciate a gentle reminder about the opportunity for them to give back. ‘Tis the season, after all!

Pro tip: Let people know their contribution matters. Send a follow-up text to your givers using Groups to let them know how much was raised this holiday season. 

Ready to Get Texting?

These 5 simple texting ideas can make a big impact with just a few minutes of effort. Whether you’re reminding, inviting, or inspiring, texting helps you connect with your church and community right when it matters most. Try one or all of these tricks, and make this Christmas season even more meaningful!