Rx for the Invisible Church

Symptoms: Slumping attendance. Confused visitors. Poor outreach response.

Diagnosis: Invisible Church Syndrome.

The music is great, the sermons are challenging, the greeters are friendly but you’ve got a problem. Sure, you can blame your portable church’s recent move, the city cracking down on sign usage, or even being hidden in the back rows of a business park. But there’s no denying it: You’ve got “Invisible Church Syndrome.”

How can a church overcome “Invisible Church Syndrome” and turn its outreach obstacles into Kingdom victories? The answers are not as difficult (or costly) as you might think.

The answer to creating church visibility goes beyond a phone book ad or simply mailing out a postcard. Church visibility and promotion need to be addressed comprehensively and consistently. However, with a little creativity and effort, the results can be excellent and the cost can be reasonable.

Energy through Synergy

First, evaluate your current outreach efforts. Whether your efforts are large or small they need to be ongoing with seasonal “pushes” 4–6 times per year. Make sure that the materials and messages you are using work together to create a consistent image for your church. This can be as simple as a consistent tag line (e.g. “New Hope — San Marcos’ Family Church”) or a prominent use of your logo and colors (e.g. on car stickers or neighborhood signs).

Important to Your Community?

Make it Important to You! What are the interests of the segment of the community you are targeting? Is it soccer? Sponsor some soccer teams. Entertainment? Take out movie theater ads. Racing? Do a message series on “It all Comes Down to the Finish Line.” Prominent local hospital? Sponsor a monthly blood drive.

By taking part in what’s already important to your community, you will become a positive and welcome part of the community life. This will make potential guests much more receptive to the invitations and events you offer.

Feet For Finances; Creativity For Cash!

Can’t afford direct mail? Walk the neighborhoods with DoorHangers at a fraction of the price. If movie advertising is prohibitive, then hand out free popcorn at the local video rental store with a creative invitation to your next outreach. Is your church on a busy street? Hang up a sign. Here’s a tip—send mailings to your existing database regularly. It’s inexpensive and you’ll reach an audience that is likely to respond. And of course, e-mail is free and easy to “pass along.”

Outreach doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. With a little creativity, you can reach out all year, regardless of your budget.

The Good News

The prognosis for “Invisible Church Syndrome” is excellent. Often the challenge of a poor location or lack of signage can fuel a more intentional and progressive outreach mindset. Using creativity and consistency, churches can overcome “invisibility” to become growing, vital healthy churches.