Connection Card Questions That Increase Responses (Without Feeling Invasive)

If your connection card asks for address, phone, email, prayer requests, and interest in 12 ministries—people leave it blank.

Or they fill in their name and nothing else. Maybe an illegible email that bounces.

The problem isn't unwillingness. It's overwhelm. Too many fields feels invasive. So people give you nothing.

Less is more. Fewer questions = more responses = more useful data.

The Essential Questions

You need enough information to follow up. That's it.

First and last. This is non-negotiable.

Your primary communication channel. How you'll stay in touch long-term.

For text follow-up. Also captures mobile vs. landline (which tells you something about communication preferences).

That's three fields. Name, email, phone.

You already have what you need to:

• Send a follow-up text
• Add them to your email welcome sequence
• Reach out personally

Everything else is optional.

The Engagement Question

One question to gauge interest level.

Format:

"I'd like to learn more about:" (check all that apply)

• Small groups
• Serving
• Baptism
• Kids ministry

Keep it to 4-5 options. These should be entry points, not an exhaustive list of every program.

Why this matters:

It tells you what follow-up content to send. Someone interested in serving gets different info than someone asking about baptism.

Alternative version:

"What brought you here today?"

• First-time visitor
• Returning visitor
• Regular attender
• Just exploring

This helps you segment responses. First-timers get the welcome sequence. Returning visitors might get a different touch.

What to Remove

These fields feel invasive or add friction without adding value:

Do you actually mail things? If not, skip it.

If you do mail a welcome packet, you can ask for address in a follow-up form—after trust is established.

Nice to have for birthday emails. Not essential for follow-up. Ask later if you want it.

Why do you need this? Unless there's a specific reason, cut it.

You can gather this over time. It's a lot to ask on a first touch.

Connection cards aren't the best place for this. If you offer prayer, use a separate card or form specifically for prayer requests.

Mixing "I'm new" with "here are my deepest needs" creates friction on both ends.

15 checkboxes for 15 ministries = nobody checks anything.

List entry points: groups, serving, kids. Not every niche program.

Physical vs. Digital Cards

Physical cards:

Still work. Pen in pew, collected during offering or at the end of service.

Pros:

• Familiar format
• No phone required
• Low tech barrier

Cons:

• Handwriting can be illegible
• Data entry required
• Cards get lost

Digital cards (via QR code):

A QR code in the bulletin or on screen leads to an online form.

Pros:

• Legible data
• Goes straight to database
• Can offer more options without looking overwhelming

Cons:

• Requires phone and willingness to scan
• Some people prefer paper

Hybrid approach:

Offer both. Some people will fill out the card. Others will scan the code. Collect through whichever channel they prefer.

Just make sure both collect the same info.

Designing the Card

Keep it simple. Keep it small. A cluttered card discourages response.

Good:

• Name, email, phone
• One engagement question (4-5 checkboxes)
• Space for "anything else you'd like us to know"

Too much:

• Name, address, phone, email, birthday
• 12 ministry checkboxes
• Prayer request section
• "How did you hear about us?" dropdown
• Comment box

The more fields, the lower the completion rate. Aim for a card someone can fill out in 60 seconds.

What Happens After

The card is just the beginning. What matters is what you do with it.

Same day or Monday morning:

Someone enters the data. This can't wait until next week.

Follow-up triggers:

• Name + email → welcome email sequence starts
• Name + phone → personal text sent
• Interest in serving → volunteer coordinator receives notification

Interest checkboxes route to the right person:

If someone checks "kids ministry," the kids director should know.

Build your intake process so data flows to action, not just a database.

The "Progressive Profiling" Approach

You don't need everything upfront.

At first visit: Name, email, phone

At second touch: "Do you have kids?" or "Interested in a small group?"

Over time: Birthday, address, more details

Each interaction teaches you more. You build a complete picture over time—without asking for everything at once.

This approach feels less invasive and leads to higher completion at each stage.

Reviewing Your Card

Pull out your connection card. Ask:

☐ Can someone complete this in 60 seconds?

☐ Are there fields we don't actually use?

☐ Does it feel invasive, or inviting?

☐ Is the data we collect actionable?

If fields exist that no one uses—cut them. Streamline.

The goal is information that leads to connection. Not data for data's sake.

Sample Card

Name: ________________________

Email: ________________________

Phone: ________________________

☐ I'm visiting for the first time

☐ I've visited before

☐ I'm a regular attender

I'd like to learn more about:

☐ Small groups

☐ Serving opportunities

☐ Kids ministry

☐ Baptism

Anything else you'd like us to know?

_________________________________

Simple. Scannable. Actionable.

More responses. Better follow-up. Stronger connections.