As a church leader, you’ve likely felt both the joy and the weight of Easter. It’s a day filled with energy, hope, and spiritual openness. It may involve guests showing up who haven’t attended in years, first-time visitors walking through your doors, and people responding to the gospel for the very first time.
But here’s the tension: Easter creates momentum, but momentum doesn’t sustain itself.
Without clear next steps, spiritual excitement can quickly turn into spiritual stagnancy because Easter was never meant to be a standalone moment. To disciple people well, churches must intentionally create clear, simple pathways for people to take their next step. Tools like Ministry Brands Amplify can help you capture guest information, automate thoughtful follow-up, and ensure no one who raised their hand or filled out a card is overlooked.
So, what does a clear next step actually look like?
Why Clear Next Steps Matter After Easter
When people are spiritually open, they want direction.
A guest who responds to the gospel is often asking silently, “What do I do now?” And unfortunately, if we don’t answer that question clearly, confusion quickly turns into inaction.
Clear next steps matter because they:
- Reduce anxiety for new guests
- Increase follow-through
- Help churches steward Easter fruit well
The more obvious the next step, the more likely people are to take it.
The First Next Step: Connection (From Attender to Known)
Before someone grows spiritually, they need to be known personally. Your first goal after Easter should be simple: move people from anonymous to connected.
This can look like:
- Digital or physical connect cards
- Text-to-connect numbers
- QR codes on screens and programs
- A clearly marked “Next Steps” area in the lobby
The key is lowering the barrier. Don’t overwhelm people with five options, instead offer one simple action. Then, follow up quickly and personally with a timely email, text, or phone call. Even a simple message communicates, “You matter. We saw you.”
Once people are connected, they’re ready to continue growing.
Next Steps That Foster Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth should always be the goal. Easter provides a natural on-ramp into deeper discipleship pathways. This may look different for each person depending on where they are spiritually.
Here are a few discipleship pathways to consider at your church:
1. Baptism: Helping People Publicly Declare Their Faith
Many who respond to Christ on Easter are ready to take a public step of obedience, but they need clarity.
Be explicit about:
- What baptism is (a public declaration of faith in Jesus)
- Why it matters
- How to sign up
- When the next baptism opportunity is
Some churches even create space for spontaneous baptisms on Easter Sunday, removing unnecessary barriers in the moment of conviction.
2. Small Groups & Sunday School: Discipleship Through Community
Relationships are essential for spiritual growth because they encourage belonging, accountability, and encouragement. That’s why small groups and Sunday School classes remain one of the strongest discipleship engines in the local church.
After Easter, consider offering:
- Brand-new groups specifically for new guests
- Short-term groups (4–6 weeks) as a low-commitment entry point
- Groups organized by life stage or season to help foster strong connections
The clearer the pathway, the more confident someone will feel stepping into community.
3. Discipleship Classes & Foundations Courses
Another great way to establish relationships and encourage spiritual growth is to offer discipleship classes and foundational teaching.
These classes could be specifically designed for new believers, returning churchgoers, or people exploring faith as a safe place to ask questions, learn, and grow.
Topics covered might include:
- The basics of the Christian faith
- Spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible reading
- Your church’s beliefs, mission, and values
Structured environments like these build confidence and clarity in a safe environment.
4. Ministries for Every Age and Stage
Lastly, think holistically when you consider the makeup of people attending your church. Easter guests span every generation and season of life, so you want to make it easy for people to see where they fit.
As you think through next steps, highlight ministries like:
- Men’s and women’s ministries
- Student and kids ministries for families
- Young adult gatherings
- Senior adult communities
When someone can quickly recognize, “This is for me,” they’re more likely to engage.
Communicating Next Steps Clearly (Where Many Churches Miss It)
Having next steps is just part of the equation, though. Many churches offer great opportunities, but communicate them inconsistently. When it comes to communication, repetition matters.
Work to get next steps in front of people consistently by sharing them in a variety of ways, including:
- From the stage
- On screens
- Through follow-up emails and texts
- On your website and social channels
And remember: simplicity wins. Choose one primary call-to-action after Easter, and use clear, everyday language to make the pathway obvious.
If your next step requires explanation, it’s probably too complicated.
Next Steps
As church leaders, we have the privilege and responsibility of guiding people beyond a moment into a movement of lifelong discipleship.
This is where intentional communication systems become critical. Tools like Ministry Brands Amplify help churches communicate clearly, follow up effectively, and support connection and engagement long after Easter Sunday ends.
When communication is streamlined, it becomes easier to:
- Track connections
- Automate follow-up
- Promote groups and baptism
- Keep new believers engaged
Easter doesn’t have to be a spiritual spike followed by a decline. When churches create clear next steps, Easter becomes more than a moment; it becomes a movement.
