Preparing for Easter: How Churches Can Make the Most of This Season
For many churches, Easter is one of the biggest Sundays of the year. More people walk through the doors on this day than almost any other, many of them visitors who are open to engaging with the church. The question is: Are we ready for them?
Revitalization-minded churches should not just see Easter as a one-day event; they see it as a season to connect, engage, and plant seeds that lead to long-term growth. Preparing well means thinking beyond just a great service and considering how to make the most of every opportunity Easter brings.
Encourage Your Church to Invite People
One of the simplest and most effective ways to reach new people is through personal invitations. But here is the reality—most of our people will not invite anyone unless we challenge them to do so. Make it a priority in your preaching, announcements, and small groups. Give practical tools, like invite cards or social media graphics, and remind your church that people are more open to an invitation at Easter than almost any other time.
Make Worship Meaningful, Not Just Impressive
It is easy to get caught up in making Easter a production—bigger music, special effects, and all the extras. But what people need most is a real encounter with Jesus. The goal should not be to impress but to create a space where people experience the hope of the resurrection in a way that stirs their hearts.
At the same time, we should put effort into making the service clear, welcoming, and well-prepared. That means:
Gospel clarity – Making sure everything points to Jesus.
Guest awareness – Avoiding insider language that confuses visitors.
Next steps – Giving people a clear way to connect beyond Easter.
Think Beyond the Service: Plan Your Follow-Up
A great Easter service means nothing if there is no plan to reconnect with people afterward. Follow-up does not have to be complicated, but it does have to be intentional. Here are a few simple steps:
Collect visitor information – Whether through a welcome card, a digital check-in, or a simple text message system, have a way to follow up.
Send a personal follow-up – A text, email, or handwritten note thanking them for coming can go a long way.
Invite them to a next step – Whether it is a small group, a post-Easter sermon series, or a new member class, give them a reason to return.
Challenge Your Church to Keep the Momentum Going
Easter is a high point, but it should not be the finish line. The weeks after Easter matter just as much. Encourage your church to keep reaching out, following up, and staying engaged. The goal is not just a big crowd on Easter Sunday but a healthier, more connected church in the weeks and months that follow.
Easter is an opportunity—one that we can either let pass by or make the most of. Let’s prepare well, pray hard, and trust that God will use this season to bring renewal to our churches.