Q:Have you developed enough leaders to conduct another service? Doubling your leadershipbase before you commence another meeting is vital so that you don't overextend your current leaders.
Consider the needs of your congregation. Prepare them for the change, consider their suggestions, get them involved in the process.
When the congegation complains of not enough parking/space/leaders... evaluate where you are as a church and make plans with your leaders/board...for change.
Above all, seek the LORD for the timing and what you should do and how.
Charles Arn (Guest)
Posted: September 13, 2007
There are two initial questions: 1) Do you want a SIMILAR service as the one you have? 2) Do you want a DIFFERENT style of service...to reach a new group of people? If the question is for a SIMILAR style service, the answer is to begin planning when you reach 80% room capacity for 3 Sundays in a row. If possible, begin the new service at a calendar "high point" (i.e., Fall, Christmas, etc.). If you're trying to reach new people with a new style, your lead time will be 6-8 months. So, start the planning process as soon as you have a consensus that a new service is a direction the church wants to take. In humility, I believe you'll find my book (HOW TO START A NEW SERVICE; Baker Books) to be quite helpful in walking you through the steps of adding a new style service.
