Reach Your Community: 6 Creative Ways your church can connect with families
Laura Coulter, Writer | Upward Sports
If you’re looking for ways to attract new families to your church, be encouraged that many families are looking for churches near them, whether they’re new to the area or hoping to get their kids engaged in a positive spiritual community. Even families not actively looking for a church are probably looking for things your church can offer—like family activities, support, and community.
Here are a few ideas for how your church can reach families with children. Some are big, and some are small, but all give you the chance to share the love of Jesus with people and
invite them into your church community.
If you’re looking for ways to attract new families to your church, be encouraged that many families are looking for churches near them, whether they’re new to the area or hoping to get their kids engaged in a positive spiritual community. Even families not actively looking for a church are probably looking for things your church can offer—like family activities, support, and community.
Here are a few ideas for how your church can reach families with children. Some are big, and some are small, but all give you the chance to share the love of Jesus with people and
invite them into your church community.
1. Provide childcare for mom's morning out or Parents' night out
All parents need a break! Providing free, safe, reliable childcare meets a need and presents a good impression of your church. Give parents the opportunity to go to the grocery store, a workout class, or on a date without little ones needing their attention. Consider offering this at your church regularly.
2. Offer Summer programs for kids
Vacation Bible School or a week-long kids camp are summer staples among many churches. But parents are looking for activities for their kids throughout the summer, not just for one week. Your church could offer day camps, activity days, or field trips for various interests: sports and games, crafts, science, music, and more. Be sure to advertise your summer activities early so families can plan ahead.
3. Be a positive presence in your community
A great way to connect with families is to go beyond the walls of your church and meet people where they are. Make sure your church is represented at community events. Find ways to partner with local schools. Build good relationships with other organizations in your area. Is there a way your church can contribute to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt? Are the high school sports teams looking for chaplains? Is there a need for after-school tutoring? When you learn the specific needs in your community, you can find creative ways that your church can help meet those needs.
4. Open a preschool
Operating a church preschool requires a greater investment than some of the other items on this list, but it’s a very effective way to meet families in your community and introduce them to your church. Good preschool programs are often in high demand, and parents want to send their young kids to a place where they can adjust to school, learn important foundational knowledge, and spend time with other kids their age. The key is to be intentional about connecting families in your preschool with your church. Invite them to church events, have your pastor and church staff interact with them regularly, and ask how you can pray for them. Make the transition from weekdays to Sundays as seamless as possible!
5. Share family resources
You can provide parents with resources to help them grow their relationships with their kids and tackle parenting challenges. Offer training for parents about social media, bullying, technology, and other relevant topics. Make it easy for families to spend quality time together by providing a game/movie night kit or instructions for a family scavenger hunt. Designate an area in your church as a resource center for families, with helpful information available about a variety of spiritual and relational topics.
6. Run a youth sports league
A youth sports league brings kids, parents, and grandparents all together in one place where your church volunteers can meet them and build relationships with them over an extended period of time. Many communities lack recreational youth sports leagues where kids can learn a sport, develop skills, and be part of a positive team atmosphere. Upward Sports, the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, allows you to customize your league and get started. The mission of Upward Sports is to “promote the discovery of Jesus through sports.” Partnering together, Upward will come alongside your church to support you with ministry resources and materials that will equip your church to share the gospel with families in your community.
To learn more about starting a sports league at your church, visit Upward.org/Church-leaders
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