What Happens After Someone Says “I Might Come This Sunday”

The ad is only the beginning

In my last article, I shared how our Plan Your Visit campaign helped bring roughly 100 first-time guests to Riverview Church over three or four months. Roughly 25 to 30 of them have come back for a second visit or more.

That second number is the one I care about most. An ad can get someone to raise their hand. What happens next decides whether they walk through your doors, and whether they come back.

Here's the path we walk with someone from the moment they say, “I might come this Sunday.”

Before Sunday: reply in minutes, not days

When someone fills out our form, they get a friendly text from the church within minutes. At the same moment, someone on our team is notified so a real person can follow up.

Speed matters more than polish. A quick, warm text says, “We saw you, and we’re glad you’re thinking about coming.” A phone call three days later can feel like a sales pitch, and by then the moment has passed.

I’d also recommend a short reminder a day or two before Sunday with the basics a newcomer worries about: service time, where to park, which door to use, and what to do with the kids. Most first-time guests aren’t nervous about the sermon. They’re nervous about walking in and not knowing what to do.

On Sunday: expected, not spotted

In a small church, a new face is hard to miss. That can be a gift or a burden. Nobody wants to feel like the whole room just turned around to look at them.

The goal is for guests to feel expected, not spotted. A greeter who knows someone may be coming, a clear welcome from the front, and a simple way to share their contact information go a long way. Keep the connect card short and simple. A name, a phone number, and one or two checkboxes are plenty for a first visit.

Most of all, make sure a real person talks with them. Some of our best moments came from simply having a conversation after the service.

After the first visit: give them a reason to come back

The week after a first visit is when most churches go quiet, and it’s exactly when a guest decides whether they’ll return.

Here’s a simple rhythm I recommend:

1. The same day or the next morning: a short thank-you text. “It was great to have you with us yesterday. Let us know if you have any questions.”
2. Midweek: a personal note or a call from the pastor or a greeter they met.
3. Before the next Sunday: a warm invitation back, ideally tied to something specific, like the next message in a series or a midweek meal.
4. After a second visit: an invitation to take one small next step, like a small group, a meal, or a newcomer lunch.

None of this needs to be pushy. Each message should feel like it came from a friend who’s glad they came, because it did.

From guest to participant: invite them to serve

People stay where they belong, and they belong where they contribute. A guest who serves on a team quickly becomes part of the church family.

At Riverview, we built a short series of texts and emails for anyone who fills out a serve card. They’re written in my own voice, and they walk people step by step toward a team, instead of leaving their card in a pile until someone remembers to call.

Two things help a lot here. First, ask for something specific and doable, like “Would you help greet one Sunday this month?” rather than a vague “We’d love your help.” Second, follow through fast. Enthusiasm fades quickly when nobody responds.

Why this is built into Shepherd Station

Setting all of this up by hand took me a lot of time: learning texting rules, wiring tools together, and writing each message. Most pastors don’t have that kind of time, and they shouldn’t need it.

That’s why Shepherd Station comes with six follow-up sequences ready on day one: plan your visit, connect card, prayer card, serve card, first gift, and baptism. Each one can be edited to sound like you, and your team is notified whenever a real person should step in. The automation doesn’t replace your people. It makes sure nobody slips through the cracks.

I’m currently onboarding a small group of founding pastors and walking each one through setup myself. If you pastor a church of roughly 30 to 300 people and want to see more guests come back a second time, I’d love to talk.

Pastor Ben Fischer leads Riverview Church in Anoka, Minnesota, and is the founder of Shepherd Station.