Finding Your Rhythm (Part 4 of 6)

Asking the right questions

If you are a pastor of a growing church and you find yourself considering whether or not you should add more services, I have a few questions you can ask yourself that might help as you process your options. These are questions I WISH I had asked myself before I went from four to six services in one weekend! From now on, these are the questions I WILL ask myself before moving forward with more services.

Does the new service have the potential to reach people and be full?

Here is my first filter: Can the service eventually be full?

If not, then I suggest not preaching it live, and possibly not doing it at all. If having an 8 am service on Sunday morning can only reach 30% capacity then really consider not doing it. If your Saturday night service only has the potential to be 20% of your Sunday service, then don’t do it.

If the service doesn’t have the potential to reach people and be full, I would really consider some other options first.

I know what some of you are thinking (it’s the same thing I used to think). “We have to keep reaching people for Christ….right?” Right, but we also have to look at the big picture.

There are other factors to consider that are just as vital, especially when it comes to longevity. It’s not just about your church reaching people next Sunday but reaching people for Christ over the next 20 years. You have to think about health and strength and multiplication.

I know some pastors that just won’t do Saturday night services because of the strain it puts on their families. I know some pastors that will not do Sunday nights. Some pastors will do both. Some pastors will do neither. Some pastors use more video.

Find your rhythm and guard it.

But be careful about adding services at inconvenient times that you know do not have the potential to be full.

Comments

2 Responses to “Finding Your Rhythm (Part 4 of 6)”

  1. John Tail on April 8th, 2008 7:17 pm

    As I read this I cant help but think this is great news to read as the church grows and moves towards its teens it is gaining a long term vision. focused on fighting the good long fight. i was part of a church on its last breath and for the most part because it did not see and plan for the long run. as a leader i try to think 6 -12 months out and try to position the team in a path to get us there sometimes it works and other times well we have to rethink. i think the church is heading towards into a steady jog after a very fast start. i look forward towards getting our second wind in Gods time.

  2. Stovall’s Blog » Archive » Finding Your Rhythm (Part 5 of 6) on April 15th, 2008 9:13 am

    […] I mentioned in my previous post, I would be sharing questions that you can ask yourself if you’re considering whether or not you […]

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    This blog is authored by Lead Pastor Stovall Weems and Executive Pastor David Branker of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, FL.

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