Why Church Leaders Need to Act Now on Fall Outreach and Communication

Summer might still be in full swing, but let’s be honest — fall is coming fast. Families will return from vacation. School routines will resume. And your community will be looking for connection, purpose, and belonging. That makes back to church planning one of the most strategic ministry moments of the year.

But here’s the challenge: if you wait until August to start planning your outreach, you'll already be behind.

Whether you’re leading a small congregation or a multi-campus team, texting is one of the most effective church communication tools available — and starting before August gives you a major head start. In this post, we’ll walk through three compelling reasons to start using texting now, plus how it fits into your back to church planning strategy.

Reason #1: You’ll Reach More People When They’re Actually Listening

Fall Momentum Starts Before the Fall Kickoff

People don’t wait until September to start thinking about their fall schedule — they start planning in late July and early August. That means your church outreach ideas need to hit early if you want to catch their attention.

By using church texting software now, you can:

• Invite recent visitors back before they get busy again

• Re-engage members who’ve been traveling or disconnected

• Get the word out about upcoming events or fall groups

Even a short “Can’t wait to see you this fall!” text can spark reconnection and show people they’re not just a name on a list — they’re part of a community.

Why Texting Wins

Texts get opened and read — fast. Unlike emails or printed bulletins, SMS has a 98% open rate, and most are read within minutes. Meanwhile, emails get buried. Even the best-crafted email newsletters often go unopened, especially during busy seasons.

If your goal is to make sure your message is seen — not just sent — texting needs to be your go-to.

Reason #2: Texting Fits Seamlessly into Back to Church Planning

Don’t Add More Work — Add More Impact

Most church communication tools require time to learn, plan, and manage. But texting doesn’t have to be another thing on your to-do list — it can be the tool that takes a few things off it.

With just a little up-front setup, you can:

• Schedule messages in advance for fall events 

• Automate follow-up to new guests or volunteers

• Send reminders for training, meetings, or ministry launches

• Deliver quick devotionals or prayer prompts during the week

This makes texting ideal for back to church planning, where timing, consistency, and clarity are everything.

Pro Tip

Use your free Gloo account to create up to three groups — like “Volunteers,” “Parents,” and “First-Time Guests” — and send targeted messages that hit exactly the right people at exactly the right time.

Reason #3: You’ll Save Time and Build Momentum by Automating Now

Set It and Forget It (And Still Look Like a Pro)

August is not the time to start scrambling. Between last-minute logistics, volunteer wrangling, and sermon prep, you need margin — not more decisions. That’s why the best church outreach ideas are the ones that scale with minimal effort.

With pre-scheduled texting workflows, you can:

• Welcome new guests with a 3-message follow-up sequence

• Automate weekly check-ins or scripture prompts

• Remind volunteers of their tasks and shifts

• Confirm RSVPs or attendance for events

Think of it as ministry on autopilot. You still lead the heart of the message — but the system handles the delivery.

Bonus: Free = Low Risk, High Reward

Gloo Messaging is a free church texting software that you can try out with zero commitment:

✅ 3 groups
✅ 3 automated workflows
✅ 10,000 free messaging credits
✅ Prayer inbox to collect and respond to prayer requests
✅ Easy-to-use dashboard built for ministry, not marketing

If you decide you want more features later — like unlimited groups, sermon tools, or direct mail to new movers — upgrading to Gloo+ is easy. But for now, starting simple is the smartest move you can make.

Make Church Communication Easier Before the Fall Rush

You don’t need to wait for your full fall launch to use texting. In fact, the churches that start now are the ones most likely to:

• Increase attendance

• Fill volunteer teams

• Make new guests feel welcomed and followed up with

• Communicate clearly and consistently without adding pressure

Texting isn’t a trendy idea. It’s one of the most practical church communication tools available — and one of the easiest to implement in your back to church planning.

Ready to Get Started?

Sign up for free church texting software on Gloo and be ready when your community walks through the doors this fall.