Strategic Partners
VisitorReach and ARC: Advancing the Gospel Through Connection and Growth
Connection often begins long before someone walks through your church doors. A simple text can be the first step toward hope, healing, and community. How you respond can shape whether someone takes the next step toward faith and belonging. These 10 tips will help you turn everyday text conversations into meaningful connections and lasting relationships.
In today’s digital world, connection often begins long before someone walks through your church doors. A simple text can be the first step a person takes toward finding hope, healing, and community. People aren’t just looking for information, they’re looking for someone who cares.
How you respond in that moment matters. A timely, thoughtful reply can turn a brief interaction into the beginning of a meaningful relationship—one that leads to real connection and lasting faith.
People aren’t just looking for an event—they’re looking for a place where they belong. Research shows it takes 12 to 15 interactions before someone feels comfortable attending a church in person. That means a simple invitation won’t build trust, but consistent, personal conversations will.
Instead of saying, “Join us this Sunday,” try asking about their journey:
This approach shows that you care about their story, not just their attendance, and turns an invitation into a relationship.
Timeliness matters. Research shows that if you respond within the first 10 minutes, 92% of people will reply.¹ Wait more than 24 hours, and that number drops to 25%.²
When someone texts your church, they’re likely experiencing a moment of spiritual openness or personal need. A prompt reply communicates something powerful: You matter. Your message matters. We see you.
Even a short response like, “Thanks for reaching out! I’d love to hear more about what brought you here” can make a lasting impression.
We’re all busy. But if responding to messages isn’t prioritized, conversations get lost. That missed response may be someone’s only step toward seeking spiritual community—or even help in a time of crisis.
Creating simple rhythms for engagement ensures that every person who reaches out receives the care and attention they need. Here are a few practical ways to stay consistent:
First impressions matter. When someone reaches out to your church, they’re hoping to connect with a real person who’s approachable, kind, and genuinely interested in them.
That’s why it’s best to keep introductions simple and personal. Instead of saying, “Pastor Mark from First Church,” try something like, “Hey, I’m Mark. Thanks for reaching out, how are you today?”
A relaxed introduction sets the tone for honest, two-way conversation. People are far more likely to open up when they feel like they’re talking to a person, not a position.
When someone takes the step to reach out, they’re often carrying something heavy—grief, anxiety, doubt, or deep spiritual questions. These are not casual messages. They're expressions of vulnerability, and how you respond can either open a door to healing or quietly close it.
A rushed or generic reply may seem harmless, but it can communicate that their pain isn’t worth your time.
Instead, slow down.
A thoughtful response doesn't need to be long—it just needs to be real. Something like, “I’m so sorry you’re walking through this. That must feel incredibly heavy. You’re not alone—how can I be praying for you right now?” can mean the world.
Long paragraphs can be overwhelming. Instead, use the Three A’s Framework:
Asking a question encourages further engagement, making conversations feel natural.
When you're responding to multiple messages, it can be difficult to keep up, especially when many of the questions are the same. People often ask about service times, parking, kids' check-in, or what to expect on their first visit.
Instead of typing out similar replies over and over, save time by using pre-written responses to frequently asked questions.
VisitorReach makes this easy with built-in Quick Replies. Most of the texts that come through the app fall into a few common categories. Having these responses ready allows your team to reply quickly and consistently.
These aren’t generic auto-responses—they help you answer frequently asked questions with clarity and care, without starting from scratch every time.
Be ready with practical resources. You don’t need to have all the answers or meet every need directly, but you can be a trusted guide who connects people to help.
Keep a list of both church-based ministries and community resources easily accessible and, if you’re using VisitorReach, store them in Quick Replies for fast, consistent sharing. For example:
When you respond to someone with a relevant resource, it shows that you're listening—and that your church is prepared to walk with them beyond just words.
Jesus never ignored people’s physical or emotional needs. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and comforted the broken. In the same spirit, offering someone a helpful resource is one small but powerful way to reflect His love.
Before sending a response, pause for 15–30 seconds and pray for the person on the other side of the message. It might feel small, but that moment of intercession shifts the conversation from practical to spiritual.
Ask God to give you wisdom, clarity, and compassion. Pray that the person feels seen, known, and loved. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your words and open their heart.
Even if you never see the outcome, prayer invites God into the conversation, and that changes everything.
If you follow these principles, people will visit your church. When they do, how you welcome them in person should reflect the same warmth and intentionality you’ve shown through digital conversation.
Text them before they arrive with a simple message like, “I’d love to meet you in the lobby, just let me know when you get here!”
And have someone available to greet them. Even if you're unavailable, make sure there's a friendly face waiting to help them feel at home.
Turning digital conversations into real-life church engagement doesn’t have to be overwhelming. VisitorReach gives you the tools you need to:
As a reminder, every text is an opportunity for transformation. It’s critical to have the right tools to make every interaction count. You might be the only representation of Jesus they encounter today.
Footnotes:
1. Rep.AI (2024). 9 Lead Response Time Statistics.
2. LeadAngel (2024). Important Speed to Lead Statistics: Why Response Time Matters.
Create 100+ monthly connections with people in your area, have meaningful SMS conversations, and watch new visitors walk through your doors — All through the VisitorReach App!
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