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What’s Up:
The average visitor return rate in the US is about 15%. In a declining church, that drops to 6%. WARNING: If you only get one or two guests a month and 94% of them never come back, you’re not growing. You’re dying.
So What:
You can’t disciple people who don’t show up. If your church doesn’t have a plan to increase visitors and retention, it’s already halfway to a tombstone.
The Point Is:
One Nut Doesn’t Feed a Squirrel
A surprise visitor now and then isn’t a win. It’s a fluke. Stop celebrating the accidental and start building a real outreach process.
The Math Doesn’t Lie
Six out of every 100 first-time guests in declining churches ever come back. And most churches aren’t getting enough guests to begin with.
Design With Outsiders in Mind
Most worship services are made for insiders. If you want guests to return, start offering something that outsiders see as worth their time.
The Pastor Must Be Present
Whether you like it or not, you’re the face of the church. Get out there. Network. Be seen. And connect with the unchurched.
And … ?
Here’s the cold reality: one or two guests a month isn’t going to turn around a declining church. The death tsunami Len Sweet warned us about is building momentum … and it’s lapping at your worship center’s steps. No one wants to talk about it, but that doesn’t make it any less real. Pretending like the occasional visitor is going to solve your church’s problems is like thinking a leaky bucket is fine because you found a cup of water.
You need more first-time guests. And you need a higher return rate. That means offering something valuable to people who aren’t currently attending church. That means crafting worship and events with them in mind. That means YOU, Pastor, must be in the community, where the people are, not staying stuck in your office or behind your desk. And it means doing real, strategic follow-up that makes guests feel noticed, wanted, and safe. If you want growth, it starts with process, not potluck.
Action!
Download the Ghost Town to Growth Track guide now: https://go.effectivechurch.com/ghost-town
