Are Gas Prices Keeping You From Attending Church?
Published: June 15, 2008
Churchrelevance.com recently identified the following ten trends that may emerge among many churches today due to high gas prices:
1. An Unaffected Core
Most people who are considered core members of a church are not likely to stop attending church to save money on gas. They may make adjustments in their lifestyles, but cutting church from their lives is not an option. However, core members who live especially far away may have no other choice but to find a new, closer church.
2. Worse Attendance from the Uncommitted
For every-other-Sunday church attenders, going to church just gets harder when gas prices make it $2 more expensive to go. It is just one more excuse for their long list of excuses.
3. Greater Challenges in Reaching the Unchurched
Agnostics, Muslims, Buddhists, and non-church-attending "Christians" are rarely, if ever, motivated to visit a church service or event. In fact, many would try their best to avoid anything church related.
As gas prices increase, the likelihood that the unchurched will drive to your church decreases. Your best chance at reaching this group is to give them transportation (e.g., bus ministry or church members bring them).
4. Weakened Advertising Results
Your postcards, billboards, and radio ads need to be interesting enough to create a desire to attend your church.
Rising gas prices are like raising the admission price to your church. Even if someone is interested enough to take the time to attend your church, is he or she interested enough to spend the money needed to drive and attend your church?
5. Difficult Volunteer Recruitment
The financial cost issue can even be a factor for prospective volunteers. They may be willing to give their time, but they may not be willing to pay $4 per gallon to get there.
6. A Shrinking Radius
As gas prices rise, a church's radius of reach may shrink when it comes to reaching new members. Core members may still be willing to drive 40 miles to attend, but first-time visitors will probably come from the nearby areas surrounding your church. So if people are currently willing to drive 20 miles to attend your church, would they only be willing to drive 12 miles if gas prices reached $6 per gallon?
7. Multi-Site Church Advantage
One of the many advantages of a multi-site church format is it can strategically shorten the distance people have to drive to attend church. And in the big picture, it increases a church's scope of reach. For example, a one campus church might be able to reach a 20 mile radius, but a two-campus church might be able to reach a 40 mile radius.
8. Internet Church Advantage
Churches with an Internet campus can obviously avoid the gas prices issue altogether. Or churches who take advantage of online streaming video services may be able to provide members with suitable alternatives as well.
Editor's Note: 316Networks.com serves as a great tool and advantage for churches around the world to utilize the technology of the Internet to help keep members plugged into their respective worship programming.
9. Revitalized Ministry Opportunities
Rising gas prices may cause bus ministries to return as a popular and effective method. After all, what better way to solve the gas problem than to bus people to church.
10. New Ministry Opportunities
Although rising gas prices create a number of problems, they also create some opportunities. For example, Mosaic Church (Charlotte, NC) gave away $2500 worth of free gas ($15 per car) to bless their community and create awareness for their church. And Fellowship Church (Miami, FL) created a direct mail piece that could be redeemed at the church for a $5 gas card.
So now, let's hear from you. 316Networks.com wants to know...
How are rising gas prices affecting your church?
How can a church minimize the negative effects of high gas prices?
What are some ministry opportunities in a world of expensive gas?
Copyright © 2008 316Networks.com. All rights reserved.
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Are Gas Prices Keeping You From Attending Church?
Published: June 15, 2008
Discover ten trends that may emerge among churches due to the unprecedented rise in the price of gas at the pump.
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