How Churches Can Use Landline Texting?

SMS marketing is the buzzword on every marketer’s lips these days and for good reason. It’s changing the way businesses have been able to communicate with customers and not just for marketing purposes. Landline Texting allows businesses to provide improved customer service, send important business updates and yes, make conversions.

However, what if you’re not a “business” in the traditional sense? Technically, churches are defined by the IRS as charitable organizations. In that case, would SMS or, more specifically, landline texting still be useful? 

The answer is: YES.

At its core, SMS is a communication tool, and there’s no shortage of reasons for why a church organization would need to communicate with its congregation. Especially in the midst of COVID-19 and its resulting shutdowns, the need for increased and expedited communication is crucial to churches.

Read on to explore all the ways churches can use landline texting.

But first, let’s start with the basics…

How Churches Can Use Landline Texting

What is landline texting?

Landline texting is exactly what it sounds like! Through a business texting service, businesses can text-enable existing landlines. They can receive and send text messages from their landline number using a web browser on mobile or desktop.

This means that your church can retain its existing landline number while giving the congregation a new way to get in touch. No additional equipment is required. Just purchase a subscription with a business texting service, and you’ll be ready to get started!

For a more in-depth exploration of this tool, check out our blog article “What is Landline Texting?” When you’re done reading, come back to find out more about how landline texting can benefit churches. We’ll wait!

How Can a Church Use Texts?

Keep in touch with visitors.

According to a 2018 Gallup poll, U.S. church membership has reached an all-time low at just 50%, despite the fact that 87% of Americans confirmed their belief in God. Furthermore, 22% of people who responded that they seldom or never attend church stated that they just haven’t found a church or other place of worship that they like.

Think about it: how many guests have come through your church never to be heard from again? Probably a lot. However, through landline texting, you would have the opportunity to casually touch base with guests to inquire about their experience and urge them to visit again.

Many churches already collect names and contact information from willing visitors. With permission to contact those people via landline texting, you could make sure they’re up-to-date on church events and services. Additionally, you can make those people feel cared for by following up in a low-pressure way.

Churches are communities, and communities can feel intimidating to visitors. Keeping in touch with those people in a thoughtful way will make them feel welcomed and encouraged to keep coming back.

Increase attendance at church events.

Whether they be fundraisers, charity events, holiday shows or bible study, churches are usually planning some event or other. Events build community and give congregants more time to socialize. Fundraising events take it one step further by raising money for important causes. 

Whatever the purpose of an event, it’s only successful if people actually show up! When used with other tools, such as newsletters, landline texting is an excellent way to keep your next event top-of-mind for your congregation. You can shoot them occasional reminders, schedule changes and any other pertinent information they may need ahead of time. Setting up two-way text via landline will make it possible for people to ask questions, as well. 

It’s easy for congregants to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of their lives during the week, so landline texting can be a non-invasive way to stay in touch and increase event attendance.

Communicate with youth ministries in the language they understand.

No, not the literal language. You don’t have to learn all the latest slang and trendy teen language to communicate effectively with youth ministries via text.

According to Pew Research, 91% of teen cell phone users (ages 13-17) use text messages. Anecdotally it’s clear that many teenagers are simply glued to their phone screens. In order to improve your church’s youth ministry, you need to meet those teenagers where they are the most- their phones.

Luckily, many business texting services have a contact segment feature. Segments allow you to organize your subscriber list into groups based on specific categories or characteristics. For instance, “teen youth group” could be one segment. You could select that segment for youth ministry updates or select multiple segments for more generalized messages. This will ensure that your congregants are only getting the messages that are relevant to them.

Landline texting will give you the ability to text reminders about youth group gatherings, church events and volunteer projects. Bringing teenagers into the culture of the church can be a challenge, but communicating with them on the platform they prefer can make it that much easier.

Share service links and/or recaps.

During COVID-19, many churches have resorted to live streaming services in lieu of in-person gatherings. This medium has certainly been an adjustment, especially for members who don’t usually have to interact with video conferencing or other technological tools.

With landline texting, however, you can send your church members a direct link and instructions to view your live stream. Showing up for your congregation during difficult times is one of the main functions of many churches. The simple act of texting them to ensure they can tune into your live stream will hopefully give people some comfort and sense of normalcy.

Additionally, you can send voice recordings of key points of a sermon or a link to watch the replay. Even when in-person services resume, you can text members the key passages or bible verses for those who want to continue a deeper study throughout the week. You can even utilize MMS to send members pictures from the latest mission’s trip or volunteer event.

Basically, the sky’s the limit! Landline texting will ensure that not only are you readily available for your congregation, but that you are actively showing up for them and keeping them involved. 

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Through the use of landline texting, your church will have an affordable option to keep in touch with members in a modern way. Go one step further in showing up for your people, and contact us today to start your 14-day free trial!