Church newsletters used to be one of the most reliable ways to communicate with your congregation. Whether it was a printed handout in the Sunday bulletin or an email sent out once a month, it kept people informed, inspired, and involved.
But something has changed.
Now, church leaders are starting to realize that their monthly newsletter is getting ignored. People do not open it. They do not read it. They do not click on anything. And they definitely do not share it with other members.
So what happened?
Let’s dig into the real reasons your church newsletter is not working and what church leadership can do to fix it fast.
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Table of contents
The Real Problem
It is not that newsletters are a bad idea. In fact, when done right, a church newsletter can be one of the most powerful ways to keep your church community connected, informed, and encouraged.
But today’s audience is different. They are overwhelmed with content, flooded with emails, and quick to delete anything that does not grab their attention in the first few seconds.
That means church newsletters cannot just be a recycled list of announcements. They need to provide real value, connect with real life, and support the church’s mission in a fresh and engaging way.
Church leaders need to rethink the purpose of their newsletter and treat it less like a bulletin board and more like a tool for ministry.
7 Reasons No One is Reading Your Church Newsletter
Before we jump to solutions, let’s break down why your church email newsletters may not be getting through to people. These are the seven most common problems we see, and they are easier to fix than you might think.
1. You’re Sending the Wrong Content
Too many church newsletters read like a to-do list.
Volunteer meeting on Tuesday. Potluck on Friday. Youth trip sign-ups. Budget report update.
These things are important, but they do not inspire people to open the newsletter in the first place. If the content only appeals to a small fraction of your church family, it will not drive the kind of engagement you want.
Instead, focus on content that speaks to everyone in the congregation. That includes a short devotional, a real story from a church member, highlights from a recent outreach program, or even a quote from last Sunday’s message that helps people dive deeper.
Good content helps people grow. Do not just inform. Inspire.
2. It’s Too Long
Nobody wants to read a five-paragraph essay in their inbox.
Long blocks of text feel overwhelming. People skim. They get bored. They click away.
Your church newsletter should feel easy to digest. Think of it like a social media post or a text message: short, clear, and visually scannable. Break things up with headers, bullet points, bold text, and simple layouts.
A short newsletter that gets read is better than a long one that gets ignored.
3. Your Subject Line is Boring
Your email subject line is the first and sometimes only chance to get someone to open your newsletter.
If your subject line says “October Newsletter,” it is going to the trash.
Use subject lines that create curiosity, urgency, or emotion. Here are a few examples:
- “You will not believe what happened at Sunday’s service”
- “Three ways to make your week more meaningful”
- “A message from Pastor Sarah you need to hear”
If it sounds like every other church email, it will get treated like every other church email. Aim for subject lines that feel personal, relevant, and intriguing.
4. You’re Not Mobile Friendly
Most people read emails on their phones now.
If your newsletter looks great on a desktop but is a disaster on mobile, people will not scroll past the first sentence. This is one of the most common reasons church newsletters get skipped over.
Make sure your layout is responsive. Use single-column formatting. Avoid giant images that take too long to load. Test your newsletter on multiple devices before hitting send.
A newsletter that does not work on mobile is a newsletter that will not work at all.
5. You Never Change It Up
If your church newsletter looks exactly the same every time, people start to tune it out.
Same format. Same categories. Same tone. Same sender. Same day.
Even good content loses its punch when it feels too routine. That does not mean you need to reinvent it every month, but you should look for ways to introduce variety.
Try rotating who writes the intro. Share a surprise story from a church member. Highlight different ministry areas. Add a short video clip or audio message from the pastor.
When people know something new is coming, they are more likely to keep opening it.
6. You’re Not Using Clear CTAs
You might be including great content, but if you are not telling people what to do with it, they will not do anything.
Every newsletter should include clear and simple calls to action. These should invite people to engage, not just observe.
Here are some examples:
- Submit prayer requests through this quick form
- Sign up to serve in the children’s ministry this Sunday
- Register now for our upcoming community events
- Watch last weekend’s message online
- Invite a friend to next week’s service
If you want people to stay engaged, make it obvious and easy.
7. You’re Sending It to the Wrong People
Here is a question most church leaders never ask: Who is this newsletter actually for?
If your newsletter is being sent to every person who ever filled out a connection card, it might be going to people who have not attended your church in years. That leads to lower open rates and more unsubscribes.
You also do not want to send your full internal ministry calendar to visitors who came once and never returned.
Instead, create lists or tags in your email tool. Segment by interest, frequency, or involvement. That way, your volunteer newsletter goes to volunteers. Your outreach newsletter goes to outreach teams. Your monthly newsletter goes to active church members.
Right content, right audience. That is how you increase engagement.
What the Best Churches Are Doing
Some churches are still getting great results from their newsletters. The difference is that they know what their people need and they deliver it well.
Here is what top-performing church newsletters tend to include:
- A short devotional thought that connects with real life
- A personal note from the pastor or leadership
- A highlight from the children’s ministry, youth, or small groups
- A short video or audio message to make it feel more personal
- A spotlight on upcoming events, not just a list
- Encouragement to submit prayer requests or stories
- Two to three strong calls to action that are easy to follow
- A clean layout with short paragraphs, bold headings, and graphics
They also make sure to align the newsletter with the church’s mission. It is not just a communication tool. It is part of their spiritual care strategy.
Your church newsletter should feel like a gift, not a chore. That starts with shifting the focus from information to transformation.
Example Church Newsletter
Subject Line: What God Did at Youth Night Might Surprise You
Header Image: Smiling teens with the text “Thank you for making it happen”
Intro Paragraph:
This week, we saw God move in powerful ways through our youth ministry. Dozens of students gathered for worship, games, and a message that left everyone talking. We wanted to share just a few highlights with our church family.
Story Highlight:
Meet Mia. She is 14 and just started attending a few months ago. This week, she raised her hand to begin a relationship with Jesus for the first time. Click here to watch a 60-second video clip of her sharing her story.
Devotional Thought:
“Let the little children come to me.” In Matthew 19, Jesus reminded us how important it is to make space for young hearts. Our youth are not just the future. They are the now. Take a moment to reflect and pray over our next generation.
Upcoming Events:
- Fall Festival | Saturday, Oct 14 | 3–6 PM
Invite your neighbors. Candy, games, and community fun. - Serve Sunday | Oct 22
Sign up to serve with our outreach teams and volunteer opportunities.
CTAs:
- Submit a prayer request
- Sign up to serve
- Watch the full youth night recap
Footer:
Stay connected. Follow us on social and visit our church online to stay up to date on church events and weekly messages.
Your Next Step
If your newsletter is not reaching people, now is the time to make a shift.
Church leaders do not need to scrap their email strategy. They need to align it with how people actually engage in 2026. A church newsletter still has the potential to be a vital communication tool, but only if it reflects your congregation’s needs and the digital world they live in.
Make your newsletter less about announcements and more about connection. Share God’s word in creative ways. Give your church members a reason to open, read, and respond.
When you do that consistently, you will see your church’s efforts multiply and your community grow stronger.
Your monthly newsletter can be more than a habit. It can be a ministry.
More Resources on Church Newsletters
