7 Tips to Grow Your Church in 2025
By Brandon Williams, VP of Marketing
As the VP of Marketing at StartCHURCH, I’ve had the privilege of engaging thousands of pastors and church leaders across the nation. One of the greatest joys of my role is seeing churches thrive—not just administratively but in their mission to grow and reach more people for Christ. As a result, we’ve learned first-hand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to engaging communities and fostering sustainable growth.In 2025, churches have more tools and opportunities than ever to expand their reach and deepen their impact globally. In fact, leaders like Mike Todd of Transformation Church and Sadie Robertson Huff of Live Original have shown how embracing social platforms and digital strategies can dramatically expand a church’s reach. Here are seven practical tips, based on insights and data from our work at StartCHURCH, to help your church grow this year.
1. Increase your Churches reach through Multi-Channel Campaigns
The reality is social media isn’t just a platform for announcements—it’s a mission field. In my experience, churches that embrace intentional and consistent social media strategies on various platforms see remarkable growth.
- Content that Connects: Share stories of real-life transformation, behind-the-scenes work of your ministry, and engaging sermon highlights. Pro Tip: Use Canva, CapCut, or other design tools to make your posts visually appealing.
- Post Shareable Content: Focus on inspirational quotes, sermon highlights, and video clips that people will naturally want to share.
- Video Reigns Supreme: According to industry trends, short videos have the highest engagement. Think 60-second devotionals, personal testimonies, or even fun moments and events with your team. Pro Tip: Live-stream your services and create short, engaging reels or TikToks
- Analytics for the Win: Use insights from platforms like Instagram and Facebook to see what content resonates with your audience and adjust your strategy accordingly.
2. Engage Your Audience Like Sadie Robertson Huff
Sadie Robertson Huff has built a thriving digital community by sharing her faith and life experiences in an approachable, personal way. Through her podcast, Whoa That’s Good, and other platforms, she has shown the power of being relatable and consistent.
- Start a Podcast or Blog: Share your insights and teachings on popular platforms. Podcasts or blogs allow you to build deeper connections and resonate with people beyond Sunday morning.
- Encourage Interaction: Sadie’s audience feels like they know her because she responds to comments, answers questions, and creates content her audience cares about. Ask for input often or prayer requests to foster connection.
- Incorporate Personal Stories: Vulnerability draws people in. Share your journey, challenges, and victories in faith to inspire and connect with your audience.
3. Capitalize on Seasonal Growth Opportunities
Mike Todd and Transformation Church have seen attendance and engagement grow exponentially during high-attendance seasons like Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s, largely due to strategic planning and targeted-group campaigns.
- Plan Events with a Purpose: Host well-thought-out services during Easter and Christmas with clear calls to action for visitors to return.
- Utilize Social Media Ads: Promote these events with targeted ads using keywords like “Easter service near me” or “Christmas Eve church event.”
- Back-to-School Outreach: Host community events like backpack giveaways or family picnics to attract families searching for “family-friendly events near me.”
4. Turn Visitors Into Disciples
A recurring theme in Mike Todd and Sadie Robertson's strategies is their emphasis on personal growth and discipleship. It’s not just about drawing crowds—it’s about changing lives.
- Offer On-Demand Sermons: Ensure visitors can easily access past sermons on your website or app. Include downloadable sermon notes or discussion guides for deeper engagement.
- Launch Discipleship Tracks: Guide new believers and visitors through their faith journey with courses or tracks which are accessible online, mentorship programs, or small groups.
- Follow Up with Visitors: Use digital tools to collect visitor information and send follow-up emails or texts. Include links to your social media pages, personable and high-quality video messages, and resources for new attendees.
5. Run Data-Driven Campaigns and Ads
Mike Todd’s Transformation Church uses targeted ads and digital campaigns to promote major events and sermon series like “Relationship Goals” or “Crazy Faith.” These efforts attract local attendees as well as global online audiences.
- Use Google Ads for Nonprofits: Tap into Google’s nonprofit grants to reach people searching for “churches near me” or “faith-based events.”
- Promote Your Events: Whether it’s a sermon series or a conference, run ads highlighting the value of attending services. Include strong calls to action, such as “RSVP today” or “Watch live this Sunday.”
- Target Strategically: Use Facebook and Instagram ads to reach people based on their location, age group, and interests, ensuring your message connects with your ideal audience.
6. Be Present in Your Community and Online
Both Mike Todd and Sadie Robertson engage not just with their immediate communities but also with global audiences by being present where people are—in person and online.
- Host Community Events: Transformation Church hosts outreach events that meet real and tangible needs, such as food drives and mentorship programs. Your church can do the same to build trust and relationships.
- Stream Services Online: Just as Mike Todd’s Sunday services are live-streamed to millions, your church can reach people outside your building by streaming on YouTube, Facebook, or your website.
- Create Downloadable Resources: Sadie Robertson provides resources like devotionals and inspirational guides. Your church can do the same, offering tools that help people grow in faith while drawing them closer to the heart of your ministry.
7. Adapt and Stay Innovative
Pastors such as Mike Todd and Sadie Robertson are constantly innovating through both technology and considerable fresh approaches to ministry. Churches that adopt this mindset are more likely to grow.
- Track Analytics: Monitor what’s working (and what’s not)—whether it’s online engagement, attendance trends, or outreach participation—and refine your approach accordingly.
- Experiment with New Tools: Use new platforms like Threads or explore AI tools to streamline administrative tasks, increase your impact, and amplify your ministry's voice.
- Stay True to Your Mission: While innovation is important, ensure every new strategy aligns with your church’s core mission of sharing the Gospel and serving your community.
Ready to Grow in 2025?
Leaders like Mike Todd, Sadie Robertson, and hundreds of others have shown us how the incredible power of digital strategies and authentic community engagement can help your ministry reach global heights. At StartCHURCH, we’re passionate about equipping pastors and churches to grow, not just in numbers but in their Kingdom impact.