More than 10,000 churches nationwide will participate in National Back to Church Sunday on Sept. 16.
There are banners in Soddy-Daisy, a special message series in Dalton and a circus theme in Hixson.
But nothing, say ministers at three area churches, is better than a one-on-one invitation to get people to attend or return to church.
“They say it takes seven touches” of communication by a congregation before someone is likely to visit, said Alan Rogers, pastor of New Salem Baptist Church in Soddy-Daisy.
New Salem is advertising the date on its website, on banners in the community and through mailouts to inactive members, previous visitors and newcomers to the area. Sunday school classes have a contest to see how many each can invite.