This is a guest post by Ashley Beaty, Customer Marketing Manager at Gloo.

Effective communication is more challenging than ever in today’s fast-paced world, and church leaders, in particular, struggle to connect with their congregations as emails and social media posts often go unread, buried under an avalanche of messages.

Important church announcements can easily get lost in crowded inboxes, wasting the effort put into crafting these communications.

That makes it nearly impossible to effectively communicate with new visitors or even existing members of your community.

Then add that the time spent on these tasks takes away from pastoral care, sermon preparation, and other ministry activities, leading to reduced productivity and contributing to a larger issue: burnout.

Complexity, ineffectiveness, and lack of results all contribute in some way to the way pastors feel about their jobs, and burnout is quickly moving to crisis levels.

The Burnout Crisis

Burnout is a growing concern among church leaders; in fact, 40% of pastors are at a high risk of burnout. 

The constant pressure to stay connected with the congregation while managing other responsibilities can be overwhelming, and it hurts that, no matter how much time you spend, you’re not seeing the results you deserve. 

When crucial announcements are overlooked and engagement remains low despite hours of effort, it can leave you feeling exhausted and uninspired. 

This wasted effort not only drains time that could be better spent on your other meaningful duties, but in the long run, it can also erode your passion going into your work, ultimately affecting your well-being.

Finding efficient ways to communicate without adding to the workload is crucial for protecting your mental bandwidth without sacrificing the quality of communication your people need. 

A Piece of Your Solution: Text Messaging

Technology can’t solve pastoral burnout, but it can help reduce the stress leaders face day in and day out.

Amid the communication chaos, one tool stands out as both effective and efficient: text messaging. 

Texting offers a streamlined, personal, and direct method of communication that can significantly enhance the bond between church leaders and the people they serve.

Instead of feeling lost and unheard, imagine the relief and purpose you will feel—and the engagement your congregation will experience.

Why Text Message Works

So why has texting proven to be SO great for churches? 

Impressive Open Rates: Text messages boast an astonishing 98% open rate. Unlike emails, which can sit unread for days, texts are almost always opened and read within minutes. This ensures that important messages reach the intended recipients promptly.

Simplicity and Ease of Setup: Setting up a texting system is straightforward and user-friendly. With minimal technical know-how, church leaders can quickly implement a texting strategy that reaches their entire congregation.

Personal Connection: Texting feels personal and immediate. It creates a sense of direct communication between the sender and recipient, fostering a closer relationship. By customizing texts for different groups within the congregation, leaders can make their messages even more personal and relevant.

Versatile Uses: Text messages can serve a variety of purposes within the church community. From communicating event changes to sending personal notes to sick members, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few examples:

5 No-Brainer Ways to Use Text

1. Event Changes

Instantly notify your congregation about any changes to scheduled events, ensuring everyone stays informed.

2. Personal Notes

Send a heartfelt message to a member who is ill, offering support and prayers.

3. Volunteer Requests

Reach out to potential volunteers for upcoming events or initiatives.

4. Prayer Requests

Facilitate a simple and direct way for members to request prayers, making it easier for the prayer team to respond promptly.

5. Reaching New People:

Connect to new people in your church community using the tool that they prefer, making them feel welcome and energized about their involvement in your church. 

3 Texts You Should Be Sending

The benefits of texting speak for themselves, but how do you know where to start? Here are three types of texts every church should be sending:

1. Engaging New Visitors

New visitors are the lifeblood of a growing church. Engaging them from the moment they first interact with your church is crucial for fostering a lasting connection. Consider sending the following types of texts to new visitors:

• Invitations to Services or Events: A warm invitation to join an upcoming service or event can make new visitors feel welcome and valued.
• Follow-Up Messages: A friendly follow-up text after their visit shows that you care about their experience and are interested in their feedback.
• Check-Ins: Regular check-ins help maintain the connection and encourage them to become active members of the church community.

2. Devotional Texts

Devotional texts are a powerful tool for helping congregation members grow in their faith between services. These short, engaging messages can support the week’s sermon themes and provide spiritual nourishment throughout the week.

• Weekly Devotionals: Send out a devotional that reinforces the sermon message and gives members something to ponder and apply in their daily lives.
• Encouragement and Inspiration: Share uplifting scriptures or quotes that provide encouragement and inspiration during the week.
• Spiritual Challenges: Offer small challenges or actions that members can take to deepen their faith and connect with others.

3. Prayer Requests

Prayer is a fundamental aspect of church life, and text messaging can enhance this vital practice. By facilitating easy and direct prayer requests, you create a more connected and supportive community.

• Direct Contact for Prayer: Encourage members to send prayer requests via text. This puts them in direct contact with someone who can offer immediate support and prayer.
• Organized Prayer Team Communication: A centralized system for prayer requests helps the prayer team stay organized and ensures no request is overlooked.
• Private and Personal: Texting allows members to request prayers from their phone, which can be more comfortable for those who might be hesitant to share their needs publicly.
• An Easy Way In: Offer your community a phone number where they can text in a prayer request. People in your area are hurt and looking for support. Texting begins anonymously so they feel safe and trusted to reach out. You can connect and offer a caring ear. 

Is Effective Communication Part of the Solution to Pastor Burnout?

Hopefully, yes!

By embracing this technology, leaders can cut through the noise of overloaded inboxes and connect with their congregation in a meaningful and personal way. 

Texting is proven to be the preferred communication method in 2024; 97% of adults in the US own a cellphone, with 90% having a smartphone specifically. The vast majority of Americans prefer to communicate over text because of the convenience and clarity of the messages. 

When leaders embrace texting as their default church communication method, they see more engagement and stronger connections in their congregation, all with a stronger culture of communicating about faith. 

Save time on communicating, as texting is by far the easiest communication method out there.

That means more time for sermons, prayer, studies, and more. Most importantly, texting opens doors to more engagement, stronger relationships, and better communication about faith in the church. 

The Gloo Difference

Gloo is the only texting platform for churches that’s completely free to set up. Sign up and send unlimited messages to up to three groups. Engaging your people has never been easier.