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Easy Ways to Turn Long-term Visitors into Faithful Parishioners

LPi • May 20, 2021

Do you see familiar faces in your pews that don’t match to a name on the parish membership roster? You’re not alone. In recent years, not only are younger generations becoming less religious, but those who are religious are becoming less “rooted” in one particular community (we’ve all heard of the rising of Roamin’ Catholics, those who visit a different church every Sunday). A Gallup Poll released in early 2021 reveals that, for the first time ever, less than half of Americans report belonging to one particular worship community — a downward trend that has been steeper for Catholics than for other faiths.

But our parish communities require that sense of rootedness, and the financial support, that comes with a devoted membership. And if you’re seeing the same visitors return again and again, it’s likely that membership may be on their mind. If you’re wondering how to turn some of those familiar faces into members of your parish family, here are tips for easy ways to start.

Provide Brief Education on the Importance of Parish Membership

It’s just better to be a parish member than a parish visitor. Use the bulletin or back of the worship aid to emphasize the importance of membership. Members are more easily able to access sacramental privileges because they have an existing relationship with the parish and with a priest, and there are often financial benefits like school tuition reduction associated with membership. But on a deeper level, there is a profound meaning attached to the idea of belonging to a parish family — a concept that has faded from culture in recent decades. Membership is a powerful statement that says: This is our community. This is where we worship. This is who we are.

Make it Simple

Many of these visitors may have “parish registration” on their to-do list but never seem to get around to calling the office. Make it easy for people by offering registration on your parish website, and publicize that this is an option. Host a monthly signup after Mass, when people are already at church, or have a table out at each event your parish holds. Equip ushers with cards for people to fill in their personal information, so a staff member or volunteer can call them and complete registration later. Drive home the point that this is a quick and almost effortless process that will afford them great spiritual and practical benefits for years to come.

Make it Interesting

Get everyone excited about the prospect of increasing membership. To capture people’s attention, make it a contest (“Let’s get everyone signed up to be members by Father’s birthday! By the parish’s patronal feast day! By Easter!”) or a raffle (“Register and your name is entered to win!”).

Roll Out the Welcome Wagon

Joining a new community can be intimidating, especially if the new member is unmarried and childless. Does your parish have a welcoming committee tasked with reaching out to new parishioners to help them become part of parish life? Even a simple phone call or email of welcome from a fellow parishioner could make all the difference. If the new parishioners are comfortable, include a short introduction in the bulletin to help people get to know them. Make it known that your parish embraces its new members, and new members will be more eager to join.

Keep Reminding Them

Never doubt the power of brief announcements before or after Mass, perhaps delivered by representatives of different councils, clubs or groups within the parish. Help visitors to understand the vibrancy of parish life that awaits them if they join. Print testimonies in the bulletin from parishioners speaking to what parish membership has brought to their lives both spiritually and socially.

Engaging your parishioners is an ongoing job, but we can help! Check out the “Parish Life" section of our weekly blog for inspiration!

Updated on 3-11-2024.

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In a world full of digital content, it’s easy to assume that printed church bulletins are becoming a thing of the past. Wrong! Recent studies show that well-designed, content-rich Catholic parish bulletins are still going home with families after every Mass. Is your parish running out of your printed bulletins every week? If not, we can help you level up. By following our tips to enhance your bulletin's design and content, you can increase its appeal and effectiveness within your congregation. Why Are Printed Church Bulletins Gaining Popularity? Professional Design: A strong, easy-to-navigate parish bulletin design is one of your very best tools to getting your parishioners to pick up the bulletin every week. Churches with professional, attractive designs are finding bulletins fly out the doors! Tangible Connection: A physical bulletin provides a sense of tradition and belonging that digital formats often can't replicate. Engaging Content: Elements like pastoral letters, beautiful Catholic covers , and parishioner spotlights can make the bulletin more engaging. Exclusive Content: Make your bulletin one of a kind with content your parishioners won’t find anywhere else! With WeCreate, our exclusive library of Catholic content, you’ll have access to Catholic comics that engage and inspire, Gospel story illustrations that bring scripture to life, saint illustrations that highlight the heroes of our faith, and so much more ! How to Enhance Your Parish’s Bulletin 1. Lean In and Invest in Professional Design: If your bulletin is cluttered with small copy and hard to read, many folks may simply overlook it. An intentional and professionally designed layout enhances readability and reflects your church's commitment to excellence. Don’t forget, parishes that print their bulletins through LPi get a free professionally designed, custom bulletin template to easily cross this task off their list! 2. Incorporate that Engaging and Exclusive Content: Consider the content you include and remember to: Highlight Key Information: Important announcements, event details, and staff/ministry contact information should be prominently displayed and easy to find. Maintain Consistency: Use consistent branding elements, such as colors and fonts, to create a cohesive look that aligns with your church's identity. We can help if you don’t know where to start with a professional brand for your parish. Solicit Feedback: Encourage congregation members to provide input on the bulletin's content and design to ensure it meets their needs and preferences. In fact, consider putting a survey in the bulletin for them to return the following week! 3. Print Your Bulletin in Vibrant Color: Give your parish a bulletin that stands out with high-quality paper and gorgeous, eye-catching color — without breaking the bank. With LPi’s free, ad-supported bulletins, your parishioners will feel proud to pick up a beautifully crafted bulletin as soon as they see it at Mass. By focusing on these areas, your church bulletin will become a cherished resource that congregants look forward to each week, fostering a stronger sense of community and engagement. To learn more about LPi’s ad-supported free printed and digital bulletin service for Catholic parishes, and see some examples of the beautiful bulletin designs we create for thousands of parishes across the country, head on over to our website . We would love to help you spread the love of Christ!