3 Church Communication Strategies to Use This Christmas

Written by Ali Hofmeyer

Why Christmas Guest Follow-Up Matters More Than Ever

After working with thousands of churches, I can tell you this: Christmas isn’t just “another service.” It’s the biggest guest-connection opportunity of the year.

It’s when first-time guests, occasional attendees, and extended family walk into your church looking for hope, belonging, and maybe even a fresh start.

And while Christmas creates incredible ministry moments, it also creates a challenge:

How do you intentionally follow up with the people God is entrusting to you, so they return, connect, and take real next steps after Christmas?

In this post, I’ll walk you through three practical communication strategies you can use this Christmas to care well for people, strengthen your First Impressions culture, and increase return visits in January.

1. Equip Your Church to Invite Well This Christmas

Give your people simple tools and they’ll invite more confidently and consistently.

You already know that personal invitation is the number-one driver of church attendance. But December is special: even people who don’t typically attend church are more open.

Your goal is to make inviting easy, natural, and repeatable.

Provide Both Physical and Digital Invite Cards

Physical invite cards still work incredibly well. They’re tangible. They make the moment feel intentional. And people tend to keep them, and pass them along.

Digital invite cards multiply your reach. Your church can share Christmas invites through text, email, and social media in seconds.

Why This Matters

December is noisy. A clear, simple invite helps people pause and consider attending, and gives your members something easy to share.

Practical Tips to Strengthen Your Invitation Strategy

• Give invite cards out every Sunday in December
  
  
• Place stacks at entrances, classrooms, and volunteer areas
  
  
• Share digital invites through your communication channels weekly
  
  
• Give sample text messages people can copy & paste
  
  
• Encourage families to invite one household they know
   
• Keep invite designs consistent with your Christmas branding

Just making the invite process easier will dramatically increase Christmas attendance.

2. Build a Clear and Consistent Guest Follow-Up Plan

Warm, consistent communication turns a one-time visit into a long-term relationship.

When a guest attends at Christmas, especially someone spiritually open or stepping into church for the first time in years, you have a small window to follow up with care.

Most churches send one follow-up message. But Christmas guests often need more intentionality.

Why Consistency Matters

People don’t build new habits instantly. Even if someone loves your Christmas service, they’re still fighting an inconsistent church rhythm.

Your communication isn’t pressure, it’s presence.

What Your Follow-Up Plan Should Include

Use this clear, repeatable timeline:

1. Same-Day Thank You Text

Warm. Friendly. Personal. Sent before dinner.

2. Monday Email

Share the message replay, kids ministry info, and simple next steps.

3. Weekend Reminder

Invite them back to the weekend service or January kickoff.

4. Multi-Week Care Touches

Short encouragements, prayer check-ins, or helpful resources.

5. New Year Connect Invitation

Groups, Vision Sunday, serve teams, membership, make taking a next step easy.

Automations help keep this consistent even during your busiest month.

3. Use Church Text Messaging to Engage Members and Encourage Attendance

Your people are busy, texting helps you communicate with clarity.

Your regular attendees shape the Christmas experience:

• They invite
  
  
• They welcome
  
  
• They serve
  
  
• They create the environment guests walk into

But December is chaotic. People forget commitments and plans.

Text messaging is the communication method your people will see, fast.

What You Can Text Your Church in December

• Volunteer reminders
  
  
• Christmas service times
  
  
• Encouraging verses
  
  
• Invite challenges
  
  
• Prayer check-ins
  
  
• Kids ministry details
  
  
• January kickoff info

Don’t Forget Online Viewers

Online attendance often spikes at Christmas. Care for these guests as well:

• Provide a digital connect card
  
  
• Send a thank-you message
  
  
• Offer prayer
  
  
• Invite them to attend in person
  
  
• Share ways to get connected beyond the livestream
  

Even one timely message can turn an online attendee into an in-person guest.

Bonus: Prepare Your Hospitality Teams for Holiday Guests

Clear communication + warm people = unforgettable Christmas experiences.

First Impressions volunteers bring your communication to life.

Encourage your teams to:

• Arrive early and expect new guests
  
  
• Initiate conversations
  
  
• Walk people instead of pointing
  
  
• Be clear about parking, kids, and seating
  
  
• Follow up personally when it makes sense

Your communication builds the expectation.
Your First Impressions team delivers the experience.

Conclusion: Your Communication This Christmas Matters

Christmas creates a rare window when people are spiritually open and willing to attend church, even if they rarely do the rest of the year. What you communicate before, during, and after Christmas plays a major role in whether they return and take next steps.

When you:

• Equip your people to invite well
  
  
• Follow up with warmth and consistency
  
  
• Use text messaging to keep people connected

You set the stage for meaningful relationships and real spiritual next steps.

Often, that simple intentionality is what God uses to draw someone closer to Him.

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