Your Church Announcements Are a Snooze

One of the biggest communication mistakes churches make? They only talk to the people already in the pews.

I once worked with a smaller congregation that had once been full of young families, a thriving children’s ministry, and a strong youth program. But over the decades, attendance declined, and the church’s demographic shifted—most of the weekly worshipers were now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

The leadership wanted to attract younger people and families again, but their communication didn’t reflect that. Their church-wide email was filled with prayer updates and birthday notes—meaningful to current members but not relevant to new families or younger visitors who might receive it. They had started functioning like an extended Sunday school class, focused only on those already in the community.
They needed a new mindset—one focused on growth, not maintenance. One is focused on what’s inside, while the other is focused on opportunities outside.

How to Communicate with Growth in Mind 

✅ Make Church-Wide Messaging Universally Appealing – If something doesn’t apply to everyone, it shouldn’t be sent to everyone. A church-wide email should feel welcoming to new people, not just insiders.

✅ Segment Your Email List – Use your church management system to allow members to opt-in to only the information they need. This way, weekly emails stay focused on church-wide updates, while prayer chains, birthday lists, and ministry-specific details go to the right people.

✅ Speak to the Church You Want to Build – If your goal is to welcome young families and youth again, make sure your messaging reflects that vision. Highlight ministries, events, and stories that would resonate with the people you hope to reach.

Want to make sure your communication is aligned with your church’s future?

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