To say the last several years have been a paradigm shift for churches is an understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic brought lasting changes to the way churches operate – and it limited many churches’ ability to grow.
But it also allowed churches to grow more resilient and adapt to these changes, coming out stronger and more faithful than ever.
In this article, we’ll look at six church trends to watch in 2024 so your church can stay on top and keep reaching more people with the gospel. We’ll also share some tips for how to respond to each trend.
Let’s get started!
6 of the Top Church Trends in 2024
1. Donor trust will be the key to more giving
It’s no surprise that many different industries are experiencing negative consequences of the current economy. Economic growth is projected to slow in 2024 and unemployment is on the rise.
Despite this, many churches saw sustained giving in 2023, but this did not keep up with inflation. To bring in more donations in 2024, churches will need to focus on one important factor: donor trust.
Donors are more likely to give (and give more) when they trust that your church is a responsible steward of those funds.
How to respond
The best way to respond to this church trend and boost trust is through better transparency. Share how you use donated funds with your parishioners to reassure them that their donations directly help you serve God.
Another way to boost trust is to continually thank those who give to you. Make them feel like the integral part of spreading the gospel that they truly are! When donors feel appreciated, they are more likely to give again.
2. Multi-campus churches will continue to thrive
Next on our list of church trends shouldn’t be a huge surprise. The last couple of years have shown us that churches with multiple sites have an easier time growing than churches with one campus.
But beyond just multiple campuses, churches with more identical campuses are seeing a 25% attendance boost, whereas churches with autonomous campuses are seeing only 13% attendance growth.
These identical campuses present the same experience for visitors, no matter where they go. A bit like a franchise, this helps build a reliable, dependable brand for your church.
How to respond
If your church has multiple campuses, congrats! You’re set up for success this year. Think about ways you can standardize across campuses. Perhaps this looks like hosting the same themed groups at different times throughout the week to encourage cross-campus participation or hosting a mingle event where both congregations can come together to worship.
If you don’t have multiple campuses, this doesn’t mean you’re out of luck! Think about ways you can broaden your reach in the community. Host meetings and events at off-site locations, if possible, and connect with new members who otherwise might not have encountered your church.
3. Different ideas of “regular” attendance
Gone are the days of consistent, weekly attendance. Polls show that pastors and churchgoers alike agree that attending church at least twice a month or more counts as regular attendance. And this should be standard church service attendance, not counting other church gatherings and events.
How to respond
Chances are your attendance has been wonky ever since the days of COVID-19 and halted in-person services. All this new revelation means is that it’s unlikely we’ll see steady, weekly attendance return – and that’s okay.
In spite of this church trend, you can still serve your mission of connecting these less-than-weekly members with God through online content and powerful in-person sermons when they do attend. Plus, consider adding other church events that they may be interested in joining.
Your goal is to keep them from leaving, so ensure they find value when they do participate.
This is also a great reminder that if you haven’t already turned to online fundraising, you can no longer afford to wait. Encourage your church members to set up a recurring giving plan that allows them to automate weekly tithing so they can keep their philanthropic relationship with the church even if they aren’t physically in the building!
4. AI isn’t coming – it’s here
While it’s easy to want to dismiss AI as a buzzword, we’ve seen firsthand how the ability of AI has gone from bad to almost indistinguishable from human work. And yet, many churches aren’t using it to its full potential.
In 2023, 66% of surveyed ministry leaders reported having little to no experience with AI – while 19% reported using it daily or weekly. 2024 will bring more curiosity about how AI can help churches grow and more church leaders learning the ins and outs of this powerful tool.
How to respond
Now’s the time to learn how AI can help you transform your outreach strategy and fundraising materials!
While you don’t need to dive headfirst into AI for churches, start by sampling some tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to help you write content for your next newsletter. Use Otter.ai to transcribe your sermons and easily share them with anyone who missed church that week.
Get creative, but remember that maintaining the personal, human touch with your congregation will keep them coming back again and again – so don’t lose that!
5. New demographics shaping your church
We don’t have to tell you that millennials and Gen Z have stepped up in a big way. Chances are, you’ve noticed this church trend as new generations fill your pews every Sunday.
But now we’ll start seeing more and more of these generations in church leadership roles. Their views and fresh perspectives will start shaping and updating your church – ultimately making it more welcoming for their peers and increasing your attendance.
How to respond
When a younger member of your church steps up for a leadership role, welcome them! You might consider recruiting some active Gen Z or millennial members to help out by leading small groups, classes, social events, and more.
Staying fresh and open to what the younger generations have to offer will be crucial as your church moves into the future.
6. Multi-avenue fundraising will be key
If you’re still relying on the weekly offering plate to fund your church, you’re missing out on one of our favorite church trends – big time. We all know that our congregants are coming to church less, but they’re also less likely to be carrying cash.
More than this, your congregants are getting asked to donate left and right from worthy causes all over the world. Your church can’t compete with this, and frankly, you shouldn’t have to. Churches with multiple avenues to fundraise will see the most consistent funding in 2024.
How to respond
What do we mean by “multi-avenue”? We mean bringing in new technology and updated techniques for raising more to support your faithful work.
Adding a donation kiosk to your church’s lobby or vestibule is a great way to capture in-person, cashless donations that you otherwise might be missing out on. Text-to-give is another powerful option that allows people to give using their phones.
Multi-avenue fundraising also includes getting creative! Host fun events for the entire community and charge for admission or collect donations during the event. You can also sell concessions and merchandise to bring in more funds.
Conclusion
These church trends go beyond just 2024. They will impact the way your church operates, connects with your congregation, and collects tithes and offerings for years to come.
If the last four years have taught us anything, it’s that being flexible and creative will help us reach more congregants and create a stronger, more faithful community.
Ultimately, you know what will work best for your church. Whether you’re diving head-first into AI solutions or starting slow by inviting a younger congregant to step into a leadership role, any step you take toward addressing these trends will help keep you current and prepared for whatever life throws at you next.
To help you broaden your fundraising, consider partnering with Donorbox MinistryMomentum. Find all of the tools you need to diversify giving and create better financial health for your church.
