As I was driving around today, I noticed a hand-made poster sign stuck in the ground beside the road that read something like, "Free Ride to Church. We'll Pick You Up."  And, the poster listed a telephone number to call for a ride.

This is a simple, yet incredibly effective marketing iniative.  By offering free rides with the increase in gas prices, you are eliminating another excuse for lack of attendance.  Also, some individuals/families might not even have transportation.  This is a great way for churches to minister and serve their local communities.

For small churches, your members and regular attendees are already coming to church; so, why not call and ask them to pick up someone on their way?  For larger churches, you can, perhaps, provide a van service.

How cheap and easy is it to make some home-made posters with the church's phone number and hang them up all over town (on telephone posts, shopping centers, grocery stores, public libraries, restaurants, bars (hey, bring 'em to church even if they're hung over), stick 'em in the ground)?

Poster board = $.50 - $.75 per sheet
A few markers = $2 - $3
Salvation, Discipleship, & Relationships = Priceless

Churches without marketing budgets have NO EXCUSE for not reaching their communities.