A Pastor’s Guide to Easter Sunday
By America Kimlinger
At our church, we treat Easter Sunday as an All-Call for volunteers. It’s the highest-attended service of the year, and we welcome the most new guests. This means we double our volunteer teams to ensure everyone feels at home and has an incredible experience.
With 93% of Americans planning to attend church this Easter, is your church ready? Easter is just around the corner, and it's more than a time for spiritual reflection—it's a powerful opportunity to touch lives. For many churches, attendance can increase by up to 50% compared to regular services, offering a unique chance to share the message of hope and resurrection with a broader audience.
As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let’s explore these key strategies for creating an unforgettable Easter.
The Power of Invitation
The power of exponential impact is a core biblical principle. Just think about how much your community could be transformed if each congregation member invited just one person to your Easter service. This is more than just filling seats— it’s about reaching the lost. According to Lifeway, 47% of unchurched individuals say they are more open to attending a church service if invited by a friend or family member during Easter.
Take some time to talk with your congregation about the significance of Easter and the incredible opportunity it presents. Share stories, offer encouragement, and remind them of the joy of inviting others to experience God's love. By inspiring your church family to see themselves as ambassadors of Christ, you can collectively turn up the evangelistic temperature and make this Easter a truly transformative season.
Practical tip: Create invitation cards or digital invites that your congregation can easily share with friends, family, and coworkers. Leave a section blank for them to personalize these invitations with a short note about why they love their church or what Easter means to them.
Creating Engaging and Relevant Services
Growing churches understand that Easter is a time when many people who don’t regularly attend church choose to visit. To make the most of this, plan your services to be engaging, relevant, and easy to follow for those unfamiliar with church traditions. Think about the flow of the service—from the warm welcome and inspiring opening through the heartfelt message to a memorable closing. Use a mix of music, prayers, readings, and other elements to create a cohesive and captivating experience. The goal is to ensure everyone feels welcomed and connected regardless of background.
Practical tip: Before the big day, walk through the entire visitor experience, from parking to leaving. Are the directions clear? Is the message accessible? To identify potential difficulties or confusion, add signs or volunteers to help direct visitors. Use this insight to make adjustments that ensure your service is as welcoming and impactful as possible.
Buzz and Excitement
Easter is one of the best times to fill your church with familiar and new faces, but it doesn't happen by accident. Building anticipation and spreading the word is key to drawing in a crowd. Think about it—how often do you get the chance to invite people who might not otherwise step into a church?
Start by promoting your Easter service in a way that resonates with your community. Whether through social media posts, your church website, local community boards, or simple word of mouth, the goal is to generate genuine excitement and curiosity. Share stories, highlight special elements of the service, and let people know what they can look forward to. The more you talk about it, the more people will feel the buzz and want to be part of it.
Practical Tip: Create a fun and engaging hashtag for your Easter event, and encourage your congregation to use it when sharing about the service on their social media.
Get Creative and Fun
Easter is a celebration of life and joy, so why not infuse that spirit into your service? Adding a touch of fun can create a sense of community and make the day memorable for everyone involved. Whether your church is large or small, with abundant resources or working within limitations, there's always room for creativity.
Think about what makes your congregation unique and build on that. Maybe it's designing a new stage backdrop, having flower arrangements, adding special lighting, highlighting church members, or offering special coffee. Don’t shy away from creativity.
Practical Tip: Consider creating a “Fun Team” to brainstorm and execute these creative elements. This team can include a mix of staff and volunteers passionate about making the service enjoyable and memorable. Some ideas include offering refreshments, setting up a photo booth for families to take pictures, or having a "Meet & Greet" session with church leaders.
Make it Special for Kids
Easter is a family affair, and creating a fun, engaging experience for kids can leave a lasting impression on the little ones and their parents. When children enjoy their time at church, the whole family is likelier to return.
Consider including activities like interactive games or simple costumes that tie into the Easter story. Individual play packs with crafts, coloring sheets, and small toys can keep younger children engaged, while performances or short skits can capture the attention of older kids. And, of course, no Easter celebration is complete without a little candy to sweeten the day.
Practical Tip: Plan a special kids' segment during the service where they can participate actively. Whether singing a song, helping with a simple craft related to the Easter message, or even sharing what Easter means to them, giving kids a moment in the spotlight helps them feel included and excited about coming to church.
Tailoring to Your Audience
When planning your Easter service, it is important to adapt the message to genuinely connect with your audience. Consider the different cultural, religious, and personal backgrounds of those attending and how the message can be relevant to them. The goal is to create a welcoming service, whether long-time churchgoers or first-time visitors. Encourage participation and make space for questions.
Practical tip: Assign volunteers to be readily available for any questions or assistance attendees may need, and invite the audience to connect with them after service—this small step can make a big difference in making everyone feel included and cared for.
Present the Gospel with Simplicity
As your church prepares for Easter, remember the greatest impact comes from presenting the gospel with clarity and simplicity. While creative services help engage people, it’s the simple message of Jesus’ love and resurrection that transforms hearts. As Isaiah 55:11 says, "My word... will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Focus on the truth of His Word, and trust it will transform lives in ways we may never see.
Practical Tip: Create a follow-up resource, such as a simple handout or digital download, summarizing the core message of Easter. Include a few reflective questions for attendees to deepen their understanding and personal connection to the gospel.
Leaving an Eternal Impact
At StartCHURCH, we believe this Easter season holds incredible potential for your church. We are excited about what God has in store for you and your congregation, and we hope these steps inspire you. Our prayer is that this season brings not only growth but also a deepening of your connection with your community, helping you create an Easter experience that leaves a lasting impact on everyone who attends.
As you embrace the opportunity to welcome more guests and share the hope of Christ’s resurrection, we pray that you and your teams will find creative and meaningful ways to engage hearts and lives. May your efforts resonate deeply, not just on Easter Sunday but throughout the year, as you continue to make a lasting difference in the Kingdom. We’re praying for you, your teams, and your church as you enter this season with faith, anticipation, and a heart for those around you.
%schedule-a-call-cta%