7 Marketing Strategies to Attract New Church Members

Jono Long • January 25, 2022

Marketing strategies aren’t just for businesses. They’re also for organizations and charitable institutions like the church. In fact, the church can benefit a lot from a well-crafted marketing strategy that’s been executed well. We’ve compiled a list of church marketing strategies that are perfect for retaining and attracting members.


1. Establish a Marketing Team for the Church


The first step to take in order to have a successful marketing strategy is to have a team in place that’s geared towards executing this strategy. If you’re going to have an effective marketing strategy, you’re going to need a team of people dedicated to executing that strategy. When you establish a team for your marketing strategy, you’re able to divide the work according to each individual’s strengths. Each member will be able to contribute the skills they feel are strongest and helpful in the execution of the strategy.


2. Build Up Your Church's Online Presence


If you’re going to have a marketing strategy for your church, you should definitely make it a point to build up your church’s online presence. Building up your church’s online presence will allow you to engage members and potential new members through a variety of social media platforms. There are a lot of different ways to increase your presence online. They include:


Building a website for your church that includes a blog, videos, and other media.

Utilizing your church’s social media accounts.

Creating an online calendar.

Creating a directory page.


3. Be a Resource for Your Members


You have to be a resource for your members if you really want to retain them and keep them coming back on a regular basis. This is one of the best ways to do this. When you provide valuable resources to your members, they’re going to come back to you to use those resources. For example, you can provide them with a place for them to come together with other community members, like a gym. When you become a resource for your members, you’re going to find that they’re going to want to come back.


4. Use Social Media to Connect with Members


Social media is an excellent tool for connecting with people. The key is to actually connect with people. You’ll want to share inspirational stories, as well as other content that’s relevant to your church and ward. Adding value to people’s lives, whether in the form of content or kind words, is a great way to connect with people.


5. Invite Members to Participate in Social Outreach


The church can actually greatly impact the community by involving members with social outreach. If your church has a social outreach program, you should definitely encourage members to participate. Contributing to the community is a great way to get involved and make friends. You should encourage members to attend social outreach events and organize different events that they can participate in.


6. Keep the Message Relevant to Today's World


There are a lot of things in the world today that your members are going to want to hear. One of these things is a message that’s relevant to what’s happening in today’s world. You’ll want to make sure that the message you’re trying to preach is relevant to what’s happening in the world. The world has changed a lot. The church has to change along with it.


7. Plan Events that are Relevant to Your Church’s Mission


If you want to hold onto members, you should definitely plan events relevant to your church’s mission. This means that the events you’re planning are appropriate to the church’s beliefs, as well as things that will inspire people to action. Events that are relevant to your church’s mission will bring in new members and strengthen the resolve of your current members.


Conclusion


The church is an excellent resource for many people in the world. When you have a good marketing strategy in place, you’ll be able to keep members coming back to the church, as well as bring in more members. In the end, we’re not just talking about numbers. We’re talking about the lives of your church members. A good marketing strategy will allow you to reach more people with the things that you want to teach them.


For churches and other faith-based non-profits, you need a reliable partner to help you spread the word about your organization. This is where Faithworks Marketing comes into play. As an expert in
local SEO, we help other people find your church and connect with you. We can help you build a website that can act as a digital bulletin for new and long-time members. Contact us today to get started! 

Jono Long

Digital Marketer for 10 years. Formerly a Youth Pastor for 21 years.

A man with a beard is sitting in a chair wearing a hat.

Latest Posts

Church Ads
June 8, 2025
Discover how timing can transform your advertising for churches. Leverage seasonal and event-specific strategies for year-round church visibility.
church ad campaign
By Jono Long June 1, 2025
Discover strategies for successful church advertising. Learn how to connect with your community through effective advertising for churches.
church
By Jono Long May 25, 2025
Boost engagement by addressing key ad issues. Explore tips on audience targeting and effective visuals for advertising for churches.
church ad
By Jono Long May 18, 2025
Struggling with church advertising campaigns? Discover solutions to improve your results and engage effectively with advertising for churches.
By Jono Long May 8, 2025
Discover how the Google Ad Grant boosts church outreach. Let Faithworks Marketing help you connect with more people and strengthen your community.
Church Online Ads
By Jono Long May 6, 2025
Discover how effective online ads for churches can boost event participation and community interaction. Let Faithworks Marketing guide your strategy.
By Jono Long May 1, 2025
“Jesus is for everyone. Your church is not.” That one sentence from Tyler Hardin of Firm Foundations Marketing perfectly sums up a major challenge most churches face today: a lack of clarity. In a recent episode of the Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Jono Long sat down with Tyler to unpack why churches struggle with growth—even when they’re doing “all the right things.” Whether it's pouring money into Facebook ads or launching a shiny new website, many churches find themselves exhausted, frustrated, and stuck. The reason? They’re starting in the wrong place. The Real Reason Your Church Isn’t Growing Churches often begin with tactics: running ads, creating flyers, redesigning websites. But as Tyler points out, none of those efforts work if you don’t first understand who you’re trying to reach. Too many churches aim for generic goals like “young families” or “unchurched people” without any meaningful definition behind those labels. “If you say you want to reach young families,” Tyler says, “is that a couple in their 30s with toddlers or a single mom in her 40s with teens? Those lives are completely different.” Knowing your community isn’t a marketing luxury—it’s a ministry necessity. Why “We Want to Reach Everyone” Doesn’t Work Most pastors are quick to say, “We just want to reach our community. Everyone is welcome!” While the heart behind that is beautiful, the strategy behind it falls flat. “When you say you're trying to reach everyone, you reach no one,” Tyler explains. “Your message becomes generic. Your ministries don’t feel relevant. And your people are overextended trying to do everything.” Defining a target audience isn’t about excluding people—it’s about making sure someone feels truly seen, known, and served. The 5 Ps: A Simple Framework for Clarity Not sure where to begin? Tyler offers a free, powerful tool: the 5 Ps of Church Target Audience . People – Who are they? (Age, family status, lifestyle) Place – Where are they coming from? (Zip codes, neighborhoods, travel time) Passions – What lights them up? (Causes, community involvement, values) Pain Points – What are they struggling with? (Loneliness, addiction, parenting stress) Pursuits – What are they chasing? (Career, belonging, stability) Start with these. Talk to your members. Ask your community leaders. You don’t need a big budget—just a notebook, a few conversations, and a curious heart. Authenticity Over Hype Many churches feel tempted to “pretty up” their marketing—using photos of young families they don’t actually have, or hyping ministries that are barely off the ground. Tyler’s advice? Don’t. “Embrace who you are. There are people who want your small church, your traditional service, your real community,” he says. Instead of trying to be what you're not, show people what you are. If your sanctuary is full of seniors who love hymns, let that shine. If your church loves messy people and recovery ministry, make that your message. Authenticity is magnetic. Healthy Growth Means Intentional Growth We all want to grow. But fast growth without systems leads to burnout and disconnection. Healthy growth, Tyler explains, is marked by: Clear next steps for guests Real relationships, not just high attendance Sustainable ministry paced for your capacity Growth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about souls. It’s about caring for the people who do show up and making sure they’re known, discipled, and connected. What If You’re a Small, Rural, or Declining Church? Don’t count yourself out. Tyler shared a story of a 30-member church in rural Pennsylvania—mostly seniors—who discovered through research that they were ideally positioned to serve a specific group in their area. They didn’t need to become a megachurch. They just needed to become more intentional. If you can’t afford professional research yet, start with conversations. Ask local teachers, council members, or even families at the grocery store: What’s our community struggling with? What are people looking for in a church? The answers might surprise you—and guide your next steps. Take the First Step Today Clarity doesn’t come from copying the latest trends. It comes from asking better questions. Start with the 5 Ps. Talk to your people. And if you're ready for a deeper dive, check out the community research services at Firm Foundations Marketing . Your church doesn’t need to become something it’s not. It just needs to become more of what it already is—on purpose, with clarity, and with love for the people God has called you to reach.
church digital marketing solutions
By Jono Long April 28, 2025
Elevate your church's reach with Faithworks Marketing. Discover strategies for visibility and engaging wider audiences using digital tools.
Google Ad
By Jono Long April 21, 2025
Discover how the Google Ad Grant can boost church outreach, enhance visibility, and engage your community effectively. Learn strategies for success today.
church
By Jono Long April 13, 2025
Discover effective strategies for church social media management to strengthen your community's online engagement and reach your target audience.
More Posts