Use Texting to Improve Retention: Create Consistent Touch Points with Your Church Members

Effective communication is at the heart of building and maintaining strong relationships with your church members. By leveraging text messaging, along with email and social media, your church can ensure that members stay informed, involved, and connected to your mission. Whether you’re sending timely updates, reminders, or words of spiritual encouragement, creating consistent touch points through texting is a powerful way to keep engagement high and foster long-term commitment.

Here’s how you can use texting to create meaningful connections with your church members:

Here are some ideas: 

Video Messaging

Videos are an engaging way to capture attention and convey important messages. By sharing video content via text, your church can provide more dynamic and personal touch points.

• Clips from previous sermons to reinforce key messages.
• Weekly “state of the church” address from the head pastor, giving members a glimpse of what’s happening and what's upcoming.
• Short, behind-the-scenes videos showing ministry efforts, or highlighting volunteer stories.

Example: Send a quick sermon recap video on Wednesday to remind members of the core message and prepare their hearts for Sunday.

Devotional Texts

Devotionals delivered straight to members' phones can keep them focused on spiritual growth throughout the week. A short, meaningful devotional is perfect for helping members stay grounded in their faith between services.

• Daily or weekly devotionals to support personal growth.
• Devotional series that aligns with your current sermon theme.
• Scripture verses with reflective questions to encourage deeper thinking.

Example: Text a short devotional every Tuesday that reflects on Sunday’s sermon, encouraging members to apply the message in their daily lives.

Mid-Week Words of Encouragement

A quick word of encouragement in the middle of the week can provide members with spiritual uplift and motivation to get through their week with faith and hope.

• Short, inspiring scripture verses.
• Encouraging quotes or thoughts from the pastoral team.
• Prayers or blessings to remind members that their church is thinking of them.

Example: Send a simple text on Thursday morning saying, “Just a reminder: God is with you today. Stay strong!” and attach a relevant Bible verse.

Reminders

Text reminders are essential for keeping members informed about what’s happening within your church. They ensure that important events and opportunities don’t get overlooked.

• Event reminders, such as service times, small groups, or community outreach activities.
• Volunteer opportunities with clear instructions on how members can get involved.
• Special announcements, like new sermon series or holiday celebrations.

Example: “Don’t forget! This Sunday is our special family service at 10 AM. Invite a friend!”

Connect Points

Offering opportunities to connect personally with church leadership helps members feel more valued and engaged. Use texting to invite members to more intimate gatherings or personal touchpoints with pastors.

• Coffee meetings with pastors or small group leaders.
• Invitations to one-on-one conversations or prayer times.
• Opportunities for new members to get to know leadership more personally.

Example: Send a text inviting new members to a coffee chat with the lead pastor: “New here? We’d love to get to know you! Join us for coffee with Pastor Mark this Saturday at 10 AM. Reply YES to RSVP.”

Conclusion

Being with your congregation for an hour on Sundays doesn't always lead to deeper relationships. Texting helps bridge the gap between Sunday's and gives you the opportunity to connect with your congregants on a deeper level throughout the week. Text messaging is a powerful tool for building consistent touch points with your congregation. By sending videos, devotionals, words of encouragement, reminders, and invitations to connect, you can foster a deeper sense of community and help members stay engaged throughout the week. Regular communication helps maintain their connection to the church and encourages ongoing participation in your mission.