8 More Ways to Keep Your Church Email List From Feeling Like Junk Mail
Struggling to get your church’s weekly emails opened and read? Here are 8 more practical tips to make your emails engaging, personal, and impossible to ignore.
If your church sends a weekly email, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point if anyone is actually reading it. You put time into writing announcements, checking details, and sending it out. But still, you wonder if it’s getting lost in the shuffle of inbox clutter.
Most people aren’t avoiding your email because they don’t care about the church. They are just busy. Their inboxes are full. They scan more than they read. That means your email has to work a little harder to get noticed, opened, and remembered.
If you want your weekly church email to stay helpful instead of getting ignored, here are a few practical ways to make that happen.
Change things up each week
If you say the same things the same way every single week, people will stop paying attention. A person might open the email, glance at it, and think, "I already saw this last week."
Yes, you should remind people of important events, but don’t copy and paste the same paragraph. Rephrase the details. Add a short update or quote. Highlight a different angle.
Even small changes can keep it fresh. This helps readers stay engaged and actually notice what’s new.
Use short stories to bring announcements to life
People connect with people, not bullet points. Sharing a short story or a single quote makes an email feel more personal and meaningful.
Instead of just listing the date and time for a small group kickoff, try adding something like, "Last semester, Maria joined a small group after moving to town. She said it helped her find community when she felt alone. Groups start again next week, and there’s a place for you too."
You don’t need a full story every time, just a few lines that make the announcement feel human and real.
Lead with encouragement, not information
It’s easy to slip into writing emails that feel like a list of instructions. But before people need to know what time something starts, they need to know why it matters.
For example, you could say, "This Saturday, we are hosting a worship night. Come at 6:00 PM." That’s fine, but it doesn’t connect emotionally.
Instead, try something like, "If you’ve felt tired or disconnected lately, Saturday night is a chance to pause, rest, and worship together. Come as you are."
When you speak to the heart, people tend to pay attention. The details still matter, but they come second.
Shine a light on your ministries and volunteers
Don’t let your email become just a calendar. It should also reflect what is actually happening in your church family.
You might include a quick shoutout to the youth volunteers who served at last weekend’s retreat. Or highlight a ministry that is quietly doing great work behind the scenes.
Emails are a great way to tell your church’s story week by week. When people see real ministry happening, they are more likely to get involved and stay connected.
Remind people of the bigger picture
It’s easy for church emails to become all about tasks, schedules, and events. But what if your weekly message could also remind people why your church exists?
Each email can include a line or two that points people back to the mission. Something like, "We’re here to help people find hope and grow in faith, and this week we get to live that out together."
These small reminders build unity. They also keep the heart of your church in front of your people.
Always proofread before sending
Spelling errors and broken links can make a strong message feel careless. People notice when things are off.
Find someone on your team who is detail-oriented and has a good grasp of the church calendar. They can help spot typos, catch incorrect dates, and make sure every link works.
A second set of eyes can save you from making the same mistake go out to hundreds of inboxes.
Write like a person, not a press release
People open emails from friends, not corporations. So keep your tone warm, clear, and natural.
Use words you would say in a conversation. Instead of “Greetings,” try “Hey church family.” Avoid phrases that feel stiff or overly formal.
Even the way you sign off can make a difference. A closing like "See you Sunday – Pastor Mark" feels more real than "Rock Hill First Baptist Communications Office."
Keep it simple and focused
You do not have to cram everything into one email. If your message is too long or includes too many calls to action, most people will give up before they get to the end.
Think of your email like a hallway chat. What are the one or two most important things someone needs to know this week?
Put those near the top. Use headers and spacing to make it easy to skim. And if something can wait until next week, leave it out.
Final thought
Your church email is not just a list of announcements. It’s a tool to help people feel connected, encouraged, and part of something meaningful.
Write with care. Speak from the heart. Tell stories. And always aim to serve, not just inform.
If you do that consistently, your emails won’t get ignored. They’ll become something people look forward to—one simple way they stay connected to the life and mission of your church.
For even more practical tips to keep your emails out of the junk filter, read How to Keep Your Church Email List From Feeling Like Junk Mail, where we discussed 8 ways to make sure your church email doesn't get ignored.
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Chuck has dedicated over 20 years to serving churches in various capacities, including as a coach, consultant, and in the trenches as a communications director. His passion is helping churches leverage technology and communication tools to fulfill their God-given mission. He's the former executive director at the Center for Church Communication, and you can connect with him @chuckscoggins on most social media platforms.
If your church sends a weekly email, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point if anyone is actually reading it. You put time into writing announcements, checking details, and sending it out. But still, you wonder if it’s getting lost in the shuffle of inbox clutter.
Most people aren’t avoiding your email because they don’t care about the church. They are just busy. Their inboxes are full. They scan more than they read. That means your email has to work a little harder to get noticed, opened, and remembered.
If you want your weekly church email to stay helpful instead of getting ignored, here are a few practical ways to make that happen.
Change things up each week
If you say the same things the same way every single week, people will stop paying attention. A person might open the email, glance at it, and think, "I already saw this last week."
Yes, you should remind people of important events, but don’t copy and paste the same paragraph. Rephrase the details. Add a short update or quote. Highlight a different angle.
Even small changes can keep it fresh. This helps readers stay engaged and actually notice what’s new.
Use short stories to bring announcements to life
People connect with people, not bullet points. Sharing a short story or a single quote makes an email feel more personal and meaningful.
Instead of just listing the date and time for a small group kickoff, try adding something like, "Last semester, Maria joined a small group after moving to town. She said it helped her find community when she felt alone. Groups start again next week, and there’s a place for you too."
You don’t need a full story every time, just a few lines that make the announcement feel human and real.
Lead with encouragement, not information
It’s easy to slip into writing emails that feel like a list of instructions. But before people need to know what time something starts, they need to know why it matters.
For example, you could say, "This Saturday, we are hosting a worship night. Come at 6:00 PM." That’s fine, but it doesn’t connect emotionally.
Instead, try something like, "If you’ve felt tired or disconnected lately, Saturday night is a chance to pause, rest, and worship together. Come as you are."
When you speak to the heart, people tend to pay attention. The details still matter, but they come second.
Shine a light on your ministries and volunteers
Don’t let your email become just a calendar. It should also reflect what is actually happening in your church family.
You might include a quick shoutout to the youth volunteers who served at last weekend’s retreat. Or highlight a ministry that is quietly doing great work behind the scenes.
Emails are a great way to tell your church’s story week by week. When people see real ministry happening, they are more likely to get involved and stay connected.
Remind people of the bigger picture
It’s easy for church emails to become all about tasks, schedules, and events. But what if your weekly message could also remind people why your church exists?
Each email can include a line or two that points people back to the mission. Something like, "We’re here to help people find hope and grow in faith, and this week we get to live that out together."
These small reminders build unity. They also keep the heart of your church in front of your people.
Always proofread before sending
Spelling errors and broken links can make a strong message feel careless. People notice when things are off.
Find someone on your team who is detail-oriented and has a good grasp of the church calendar. They can help spot typos, catch incorrect dates, and make sure every link works.
A second set of eyes can save you from making the same mistake go out to hundreds of inboxes.
Write like a person, not a press release
People open emails from friends, not corporations. So keep your tone warm, clear, and natural.
Use words you would say in a conversation. Instead of “Greetings,” try “Hey church family.” Avoid phrases that feel stiff or overly formal.
Even the way you sign off can make a difference. A closing like "See you Sunday – Pastor Mark" feels more real than "Rock Hill First Baptist Communications Office."
Keep it simple and focused
You do not have to cram everything into one email. If your message is too long or includes too many calls to action, most people will give up before they get to the end.
Think of your email like a hallway chat. What are the one or two most important things someone needs to know this week?
Put those near the top. Use headers and spacing to make it easy to skim. And if something can wait until next week, leave it out.
Final thought
Your church email is not just a list of announcements. It’s a tool to help people feel connected, encouraged, and part of something meaningful.
Write with care. Speak from the heart. Tell stories. And always aim to serve, not just inform.
If you do that consistently, your emails won’t get ignored. They’ll become something people look forward to—one simple way they stay connected to the life and mission of your church.
For even more practical tips to keep your emails out of the junk filter, read How to Keep Your Church Email List From Feeling Like Junk Mail, where we discussed 8 ways to make sure your church email doesn't get ignored.
podcast transcript
Chuck has dedicated over 20 years to serving churches in various capacities, including as a coach, consultant, and in the trenches as a communications director. His passion is helping churches leverage technology and communication tools to fulfill their God-given mission. He's the former executive director at the Center for Church Communication, and you can connect with him @chuckscoggins on most social media platforms.
If your church sends a weekly email, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point if anyone is actually reading it. You put time into writing announcements, checking details, and sending it out. But still, you wonder if it’s getting lost in the shuffle of inbox clutter.
Most people aren’t avoiding your email because they don’t care about the church. They are just busy. Their inboxes are full. They scan more than they read. That means your email has to work a little harder to get noticed, opened, and remembered.
If you want your weekly church email to stay helpful instead of getting ignored, here are a few practical ways to make that happen.
Change things up each week
If you say the same things the same way every single week, people will stop paying attention. A person might open the email, glance at it, and think, "I already saw this last week."
Yes, you should remind people of important events, but don’t copy and paste the same paragraph. Rephrase the details. Add a short update or quote. Highlight a different angle.
Even small changes can keep it fresh. This helps readers stay engaged and actually notice what’s new.
Use short stories to bring announcements to life
People connect with people, not bullet points. Sharing a short story or a single quote makes an email feel more personal and meaningful.
Instead of just listing the date and time for a small group kickoff, try adding something like, "Last semester, Maria joined a small group after moving to town. She said it helped her find community when she felt alone. Groups start again next week, and there’s a place for you too."
You don’t need a full story every time, just a few lines that make the announcement feel human and real.
Lead with encouragement, not information
It’s easy to slip into writing emails that feel like a list of instructions. But before people need to know what time something starts, they need to know why it matters.
For example, you could say, "This Saturday, we are hosting a worship night. Come at 6:00 PM." That’s fine, but it doesn’t connect emotionally.
Instead, try something like, "If you’ve felt tired or disconnected lately, Saturday night is a chance to pause, rest, and worship together. Come as you are."
When you speak to the heart, people tend to pay attention. The details still matter, but they come second.
Shine a light on your ministries and volunteers
Don’t let your email become just a calendar. It should also reflect what is actually happening in your church family.
You might include a quick shoutout to the youth volunteers who served at last weekend’s retreat. Or highlight a ministry that is quietly doing great work behind the scenes.
Emails are a great way to tell your church’s story week by week. When people see real ministry happening, they are more likely to get involved and stay connected.
Remind people of the bigger picture
It’s easy for church emails to become all about tasks, schedules, and events. But what if your weekly message could also remind people why your church exists?
Each email can include a line or two that points people back to the mission. Something like, "We’re here to help people find hope and grow in faith, and this week we get to live that out together."
These small reminders build unity. They also keep the heart of your church in front of your people.
Always proofread before sending
Spelling errors and broken links can make a strong message feel careless. People notice when things are off.
Find someone on your team who is detail-oriented and has a good grasp of the church calendar. They can help spot typos, catch incorrect dates, and make sure every link works.
A second set of eyes can save you from making the same mistake go out to hundreds of inboxes.
Write like a person, not a press release
People open emails from friends, not corporations. So keep your tone warm, clear, and natural.
Use words you would say in a conversation. Instead of “Greetings,” try “Hey church family.” Avoid phrases that feel stiff or overly formal.
Even the way you sign off can make a difference. A closing like "See you Sunday – Pastor Mark" feels more real than "Rock Hill First Baptist Communications Office."
Keep it simple and focused
You do not have to cram everything into one email. If your message is too long or includes too many calls to action, most people will give up before they get to the end.
Think of your email like a hallway chat. What are the one or two most important things someone needs to know this week?
Put those near the top. Use headers and spacing to make it easy to skim. And if something can wait until next week, leave it out.
Final thought
Your church email is not just a list of announcements. It’s a tool to help people feel connected, encouraged, and part of something meaningful.
Write with care. Speak from the heart. Tell stories. And always aim to serve, not just inform.
If you do that consistently, your emails won’t get ignored. They’ll become something people look forward to—one simple way they stay connected to the life and mission of your church.
For even more practical tips to keep your emails out of the junk filter, read How to Keep Your Church Email List From Feeling Like Junk Mail, where we discussed 8 ways to make sure your church email doesn't get ignored.
VIDEO transcript
If your church sends a weekly email, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point if anyone is actually reading it. You put time into writing announcements, checking details, and sending it out. But still, you wonder if it’s getting lost in the shuffle of inbox clutter.
Most people aren’t avoiding your email because they don’t care about the church. They are just busy. Their inboxes are full. They scan more than they read. That means your email has to work a little harder to get noticed, opened, and remembered.
If you want your weekly church email to stay helpful instead of getting ignored, here are a few practical ways to make that happen.
Change things up each week
If you say the same things the same way every single week, people will stop paying attention. A person might open the email, glance at it, and think, "I already saw this last week."
Yes, you should remind people of important events, but don’t copy and paste the same paragraph. Rephrase the details. Add a short update or quote. Highlight a different angle.
Even small changes can keep it fresh. This helps readers stay engaged and actually notice what’s new.
Use short stories to bring announcements to life
People connect with people, not bullet points. Sharing a short story or a single quote makes an email feel more personal and meaningful.
Instead of just listing the date and time for a small group kickoff, try adding something like, "Last semester, Maria joined a small group after moving to town. She said it helped her find community when she felt alone. Groups start again next week, and there’s a place for you too."
You don’t need a full story every time, just a few lines that make the announcement feel human and real.
Lead with encouragement, not information
It’s easy to slip into writing emails that feel like a list of instructions. But before people need to know what time something starts, they need to know why it matters.
For example, you could say, "This Saturday, we are hosting a worship night. Come at 6:00 PM." That’s fine, but it doesn’t connect emotionally.
Instead, try something like, "If you’ve felt tired or disconnected lately, Saturday night is a chance to pause, rest, and worship together. Come as you are."
When you speak to the heart, people tend to pay attention. The details still matter, but they come second.
Shine a light on your ministries and volunteers
Don’t let your email become just a calendar. It should also reflect what is actually happening in your church family.
You might include a quick shoutout to the youth volunteers who served at last weekend’s retreat. Or highlight a ministry that is quietly doing great work behind the scenes.
Emails are a great way to tell your church’s story week by week. When people see real ministry happening, they are more likely to get involved and stay connected.
Remind people of the bigger picture
It’s easy for church emails to become all about tasks, schedules, and events. But what if your weekly message could also remind people why your church exists?
Each email can include a line or two that points people back to the mission. Something like, "We’re here to help people find hope and grow in faith, and this week we get to live that out together."
These small reminders build unity. They also keep the heart of your church in front of your people.
Always proofread before sending
Spelling errors and broken links can make a strong message feel careless. People notice when things are off.
Find someone on your team who is detail-oriented and has a good grasp of the church calendar. They can help spot typos, catch incorrect dates, and make sure every link works.
A second set of eyes can save you from making the same mistake go out to hundreds of inboxes.
Write like a person, not a press release
People open emails from friends, not corporations. So keep your tone warm, clear, and natural.
Use words you would say in a conversation. Instead of “Greetings,” try “Hey church family.” Avoid phrases that feel stiff or overly formal.
Even the way you sign off can make a difference. A closing like "See you Sunday – Pastor Mark" feels more real than "Rock Hill First Baptist Communications Office."
Keep it simple and focused
You do not have to cram everything into one email. If your message is too long or includes too many calls to action, most people will give up before they get to the end.
Think of your email like a hallway chat. What are the one or two most important things someone needs to know this week?
Put those near the top. Use headers and spacing to make it easy to skim. And if something can wait until next week, leave it out.
Final thought
Your church email is not just a list of announcements. It’s a tool to help people feel connected, encouraged, and part of something meaningful.
Write with care. Speak from the heart. Tell stories. And always aim to serve, not just inform.
If you do that consistently, your emails won’t get ignored. They’ll become something people look forward to—one simple way they stay connected to the life and mission of your church.
For even more practical tips to keep your emails out of the junk filter, read How to Keep Your Church Email List From Feeling Like Junk Mail, where we discussed 8 ways to make sure your church email doesn't get ignored.
Sign Up for Product Updates
Chuck has dedicated over 20 years to serving churches in various capacities, including as a coach, consultant, and in the trenches as a communications director. His passion is helping churches leverage technology and communication tools to fulfill their God-given mission. He's the former executive director at the Center for Church Communication, and you can connect with him @chuckscoggins on most social media platforms.
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