changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: April 2011
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html
Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Idea # 9 – Secret Shoppers. For churches that want to grow there is going to have to be someone who looks at the church as if they were coming to the church for the first time. It's amazing how many strange things regular members overlook (like those unchanged bulletin boards) as they participate in the church. Once you found where it was, and when it was open, how would you get there? Where would you park? How do you get in the building? Where do you want to go inside? We had a ...
changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: Changing Churches #11
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011/05/changing-churches-11.html
Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Idea # 11 - How to get in. It’s fascinating how church architecture changes. In the cathedral type churches there was essentially one door, the one out the back of the church. That was really all that was necessary. Because of the kind of worship experienced there even pews weren't necessary. So it should come as no surprise that architecture is changing once again: to a single entrance. Of course, we could make our main entrance just as functional! That's important. Closed d...
changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: Growing Churches #8
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011/04/growing-churches-8.html
Friday, April 15, 2011. Idea # 8 Parking. Why is it that visitors always have to park furthest away from the church? One of the local clergy has a new hobby. He goes around counting the spaces in church parking lots. Then he multiplies the number of spaces by 2.2, the average number of people that come to church in each car. Then he barges in on the church's pastor to ask what their normal attendance is on a Sunday morning. What does that say about the church's openness to new people?
changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: June 2011
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html
Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Changing Churches # 12. Idea # 12 Inviting Others. Obviously, if we are going to have new people in church, we are going to have to invite them. Though some people just show up, most people have been asked to come. 85% of a church's new members are friends, relatives, or neighbors of people already in your congregation. So we are going to have to do some inviting. In our congregation, we’ve started several new groups lately. In each instance, I've asked the leadership to ...And kee...
changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: Changing Churches #9
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011/04/changing-churches-9.html
Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Idea # 9 – Secret Shoppers. For churches that want to grow there is going to have to be someone who looks at the church as if they were coming to the church for the first time. It's amazing how many strange things regular members overlook (like those unchanged bulletin boards) as they participate in the church. Once you found where it was, and when it was open, how would you get there? Where would you park? How do you get in the building? Where do you want to go inside? We had a ...
changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: Growing Churches #6
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011/03/growing-churches-6.html
Monday, March 28, 2011. Idea # 6 - Are we Open? I couldn’t believe it! After visiting for several weeks with a local woman who's daughter had died, Martha asked me the most unexpected question. "Do you think it would be okay if I came to church? I was flabbergasted. I said yes, of course, but left a few minutes later wondering how she could ask me that question. The first assumption is that people know that the church is open to newcomers. Whether we want that to be true or not, it isn’t! People who have...
changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: Changing Churches #10
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011/05/changing-churches-10.html
Tuesday, May 3, 2011. Idea # 10 – Advertising. If you were going to tell friends about the church and it's activities, when would you do it? Wedding invitations go out about 4-6 weeks in advance. Party invitations usually are sent 2-4 weeks before the party. So when would be the best time to advertise about your church? Think about your church's schedule. When are your most exciting events going to occur? When normally in your church year do lots of people come to visit? And remember, advertising is not ...
changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: March 2011
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html
Monday, March 28, 2011. Idea # 6 - Are we Open? I couldn’t believe it! After visiting for several weeks with a local woman who's daughter had died, Martha asked me the most unexpected question. "Do you think it would be okay if I came to church? I was flabbergasted. I said yes, of course, but left a few minutes later wondering how she could ask me that question. The first assumption is that people know that the church is open to newcomers. Whether we want that to be true or not, it isn’t! People who have...
changingchurches.blogspot.com
Changing Churches: Growing Church #7
http://changingchurches.blogspot.com/2011/04/growing-church-7.html
Monday, April 4, 2011. Idea # 7 - Sharing your Faith. When was the last time you shared your faith with another person? Now don't get all uncomfortable. What I mean is, when was the last time you offered your thoughts about what you believe with another human being. Maybe you explained about why you go to church to a grandchild or a neighbor. Or maybe you told one of your early faith discovery stories to a group of friends remembering the days past. It’s time the church found ways for the faithful ...
