Lifting Your Church's Lids

In their book "Simply Strategic Stuff", Tony Morgan and Tim Stevens of Granger Community Church discuss three 'lids' that they say will prevent your church from sustaining continued growth. According to Tony and Tim, it doesn't matter how great your weekend services are, or how organized and successful your youth ministry is... if you aren't able to address these three 'lids' on a continual basis, your church will eventually stop growing. Here's what Tim has to say about 'lids'...

LID #1 -- Parking
If it's difficult for newcomers to go to your church, they won't go. If they have a bad experience getting into your building or getting out of the parking lot, they won't return. Lifelong church attendees may not care if they have to park in the gravel and walk three blocks, but if you are going to reach new people, you will need to make their experience pleasant.

LID #2 -- Children
If you have a space problem, either real or perceived, then your growth will be limited until the problem is addressed. Parents care about their children and therefore want them in a safe, secure environment. They want them to have personal attention. They want them to succeed and to thrive. If it looks like a child is entering a room that is too small, understaffed, or unsafe, then the parents of that child will not return. As a result, your growth will be hindered.

LID #3 -- Seats
We've all heard the "80 percent rule." Church experts have said for decades, "When your auditorium reaches 80 percent full, you are at capacity." Your growth will begin to level off when your space is 80 percent full. For years, I tried to disprove this theory. I found it to be true of Granger as well. At 80 percent capactiy in our auditorium, a married couple or a family of three will not be able to sit together. It's not likely that their experience will be enjoyable and they probably won't return.

Has your church experienced these lids? How have you creatively removed these lids? If you are just now determining your lids, how will you address them? I'd love to hear your comments... just click the comments link below...

Have a great weekend!

Todd

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