Why Doesn’t My Church Get More VIsitors?

A couple of years ago, I was hired to do some communications work for a local church. It’s a great church, the result of a merger of 3 previous congregations. On the day I was to film, I naturally used Google Maps to direct me to the church. Except…Google Maps directed me to the wrong location. It directed me to the location of one of the antecedent churches. 

Not great. 

I mentioned it to the church leaders I met with, who laughed it off. 

Even worse. 

Here’s the thing: all of us use the internet to find things. We all know it…until we get to church. In our roles at church, we forget this basic fact: “everyone in my city uses the internet to find things, just like I do.”

There are a few places I go, because I’ve gone for a long time. My church. Some companies I work with regularly. My grocery stores. My daughter’s school. But anytime I want to engage with a new thing…I google it first! You do, too. So do most of our neighbors.

Most local churches ignore this. Their website isn’t great. Their Google Business listing is out of date. Their social media hasn’t had a post in 5 years. I’m shocked how often, again and again, I see churches who fumble these basics.

Let me say something clearly: these churches are destined to die. These churches simply will not get much engagement from the community around them. It may take decades, but that is a recipe for one thing, and one thing only: death. 

Your pastor has life-changing sermons? It doesn’t matter. Your community is phenomenal, supporting people in their life with Jesus? It doesn’t matter…because no one knows you exist.

Your church does not need to be intimidated by this. You don’t need Hollywood level video production every week. However, you do need to mind the basics. Consider how people (people who live in 2025) will find you.