How 15 Texts Increased Church Guest Retention by 56%

Guest retention is one of the biggest challenges churches face. While welcoming new guests is important, keeping them engaged and helping them feel at home in your church is what builds lasting connections.

For Holly Howard, a Text In Church user, this challenge was very real. She shared, “Our struggle was to get guests to return. We knew guest retention was critical in helping us fulfill the Great Commission because personal relationships are what drive the majority of salvation decisions.”

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Despite their best efforts, traditional methods like printed bulletins and email newsletters weren’t working. Guests weren’t filling out connect cards, members weren’t engaging consistently, and their volunteer teams weren’t growing. Holly and her team knew they needed to pivot.

They asked an important question: How do we build meaningful relationships with guests and encourage them to return?

The answer turned out to be simpler than expected: gather guests’ contact information and follow up with intentional, consistent communication.

This led to a remarkable transformation. After implementing a six-week follow-up system using 15 carefully crafted texts, Holly’s church retained an average of 56% of their guests who filled out a connect card.

This is their story—and it could be yours, too.

Why Texts Work So Well

People respond to texts because they’re personal, direct, and timely. Unlike emails that might get lost in a crowded inbox, a text message arrives in a place people check daily—their phone.

When you use these 15 texts intentionally, you’ll notice a significant shift in how engaged your guests feel and how connected they become to your church community.

In today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world, communication is more critical than ever for building meaningful relationships. For churches, texts have become one of the most effective tools to engage with guests and create lasting connections. Why? Because texts are personal, direct, and timely—qualities that are essential for nurturing relationships and encouraging continued engagement.

Texts Are Personal

When someone receives a text, it feels like a message meant just for them. Unlike a mass email that may feel impersonal or get caught in spam filters, a text message lands directly in a guest’s most intimate digital space: their phone.

Texts can be tailored to address the recipient by name and reference their specific experience at your church. For example, instead of saying, “Thank you for visiting our church,” you can say, “Hi [First Name], thank you for joining us at [Church Name] this Sunday! We loved meeting you and your family.” A personalized text like this shows that you see and value the individual, making them more likely to feel connected to your church.

Texts Are Direct

With emails, there’s a risk of the message getting buried under dozens—or even hundreds—of other emails in an inbox. Social media posts, while helpful, can also get lost in a flood of content. Text messages, however, cut through the noise because they go straight to the recipient without distractions.

The directness of texts ensures your message is seen. Research shows that text messages have a 98% open rate, compared to only 20% for emails. This means that almost every text you send will be read, giving you a much better chance of reaching your guests.

Moreover, texts are concise and easy to digest. Most people can read and respond to a text in seconds, making it the perfect medium for quick communication about upcoming events, prayer requests, or simple “thank you” messages.

Texts Are Timely

Timing is everything when it comes to guest follow-up. A delayed response can make a guest feel forgotten or overlooked, while a timely text can reinforce their positive experience and encourage them to stay connected.

For instance, sending a follow-up text on Sunday evening or Monday morning thanking a guest for attending your service keeps your church fresh in their mind. Similarly, sending a reminder text about an event or service a day or two before ensures your message is top-of-mind when they’re making plans.

Texts also allow for immediate responses. If a guest replies with a question or prayer request, you can respond in real time, demonstrating that your church is present and attentive to their needs. This kind of prompt interaction can leave a powerful impression.

Texts Build Relationships

At their core, texts are relational. They mimic the way we naturally communicate with friends and family, creating a sense of familiarity and trust. When guests receive a text from your church, it doesn’t feel like a formal communication; it feels like a friend checking in.

Texts are also conversational, inviting replies and interaction. For example, a text saying, “Hi [First Name], we’re so glad you joined us this Sunday! Do you have any questions about our church?” opens the door for a two-way conversation. This simple step helps guests feel heard and cared for, building a strong foundation for a lasting relationship.

Texts Meet People Where They Are

People are constantly on their phones. Studies show that the average person checks their phone over 80 times a day. By using text messages, your church meets people where they already are—on their devices.

This accessibility makes texts one of the most effective ways to communicate with today’s busy, mobile-first culture. Whether a guest is at work, home, or on the go, your message reaches them in a format they’re already accustomed to engaging with.

Start Building Connections That Count

Guest retention doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By embracing text messaging as a key part of your follow-up strategy, you can transform the way your church connects with guests.

Imagine what could happen if you started retaining more than half of your first-time guests like Holly did.

Need help getting started? Download our Ultimate Guest Follow-Up Plan for done-for-you text templates that you can customize and send right away. Let’s start creating connections that count.

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