Easter Sunday is one of the most attended church services of the year. People show up for the celebration, the music, and the powerful message of resurrection hope. But once the Easter lilies fade and the sanctuary returns to its usual rhythms, a bigger question remains: How do you keep visitors coming back?
While Easter is an incredible opportunity to welcome new faces, it’s not just about filling seats for one Sunday. It’s about making meaningful connections and building momentum that continues long after Easter is over. The reality is that for many churches, attendance spikes on Easter Sunday, but the following week, things return to normal — sometimes with even fewer people than before. To prevent that drop-off and capitalize on the momentum of Easter, you need an intentional strategy to engage visitors and turn them into regular attendees. Here are five practical and effective strategies to keep the momentum going.
Make Follow-Up Personal and Prompt
The first 48 hours after Easter are critical for follow-up. Visitors still have the experience fresh in their minds, making it the perfect time to reach out. But this isn’t the time for a generic “Thanks for coming!” email. If you want to make an impact, follow-up needs to be personal and intentional. A young family who visited your church may be interested in learning more about your children’s ministry, while a single adult might be looking for a small group to build community. Personalized follow-up that addresses their unique needs shows that your church values them.
Consider sending a brief, heartfelt email or text message thanking them for visiting and offering a next step. You might also consider sending a handwritten note or a small gift card to a local coffee shop as a gesture of appreciation. For those who submitted prayer requests, follow up with a note of encouragement, letting them know the church is praying for them. People return when they feel seen and valued, not just counted as part of an attendance number.
Offer a Clear Next Step
When someone visits your church, they often leave asking, “What’s next?” If there’s no clear answer, they’re more likely to slip through the cracks. Before Easter Sunday even arrives, ensure you have a clear, easy-to-follow next step for visitors. This could be an invitation to a welcome lunch where visitors can meet church leaders and ask questions, or a short introductory class that explains your church’s mission and core beliefs. You could also offer a list of small groups, Bible studies, or volunteer opportunities to help people get involved.
If visitors have a clear path toward connection, they’re much more likely to return. Make it easy for them to take that next step by giving them clear, actionable information in your follow-up communication. Mention upcoming events or classes in your closing announcements on Easter Sunday and remind them through your website, email, and social media channels.
Launch a Post-Easter Sermon Series to Engage Newcomers
Easter is the perfect launching point for a compelling sermon series that keeps people curious and coming back. The key is to choose a series that feels relevant, accessible, and meaningful for those who may not have a deep understanding of Scripture. A series like “What’s Next After Easter?” could explore how the resurrection transforms daily life, or “Questions About Faith” could address common doubts and concerns. Another option is to tackle real-life issues with a series like “Finding Hope in a Broken World” that speaks to the struggles people are experiencing.
Promote your post-Easter series well in advance, so visitors know what’s coming next. Mention the series at the end of your Easter message and invite people to return the following Sunday. Use social media to create buzz and offer sermon clips or teaser videos to give them a taste of what’s ahead. When visitors know there’s more to discover, they’re more likely to stay engaged and return to explore it.
Prioritize Community and Connection
While your Easter message may have been powerful, it’s relationships that will keep people coming back. People don’t just stay because of great preaching or engaging worship — they stay because they feel like they belong. Creating authentic community is essential for building post-Easter momentum. Visitors who attend on Easter may be looking for more than just a place to worship — they’re seeking meaningful connections and relationships.
One way to foster community is by offering smaller, relational gatherings after Easter. Host casual events like coffee meet-ups, park days, or family picnics where people can interact and build relationships. Encourage your staff and volunteers to be intentional about noticing and engaging with new people. Also, facilitate connections by making it easy for visitors to join small groups that align with their interests or life stages. People stay when they feel like they’ve found their people — and it’s up to your church to create that space.
Celebrate and Share Stories of Life Change
Stories are one of the most powerful ways to build momentum. As people take next steps in their faith — whether through baptism, joining a small group, or serving — share their stories with the congregation. Highlighting stories of transformation shows that God is actively working in your church and inspires others to engage more deeply. Capture testimonies through video, written blog posts, or even brief interviews during a Sunday service.
When visitors see that lives are being changed, they’re drawn to be part of something bigger than themselves. Use social media and your website to showcase these stories, allowing people to see the ongoing impact your church is making. People want to be part of a movement where God is at work — and stories of life change are a powerful way to demonstrate that.
Don’t Let Easter Momentum Fade
The goal of Easter isn’t just to fill seats. It’s to create an environment where people encounter God — and then to build relationships that make those encounters lasting. By making follow-up personal, offering clear next steps, launching an engaging sermon series, prioritizing community, and celebrating stories of transformation, you’ll create momentum that continues well beyond Easter.
Easter may be a single day on the calendar, but the opportunity to change lives lasts far longer. Taking steps now to ensure that your Easter visitors feel seen, valued, and invited into deeper engagement with your church will have an impact that echoes long after Easter Sunday has passed.
