youtube/watch?v=RX__g8b5tQA Id be interested in peoples comments on the article below, whether youre a church-goer or not. For me, it starts to explain why people arent going to church anymore. Im sure that a lot of us could add many more issues. Your comments welcomed ... THE PERFECT CHURCH? As I sit and write this I’m fully aware that there’s no such thing as the perfect Church because the instant I walked in there, it’d no longer be perfect as I know that I’m not. Having said this, I’ve done a lot of research on why churches succeed and why they fail. A lot of what follows is of course, subjective. For example, during just one service I’ve heard people say that the worship is too loud yet others ask for it to be turned up. We’re all different and we’ll often view issues as failures where others will view them as sufficient or successes. Anyway, here’s my “Church checklist” for the first-time visitor who decides whether to come again or leave in a hurry after their first experience: 1. An up-to-date Church website — can I find the church? What does it tell me about the congregation(s) and what ministries the Church is involved in?. I don’t use a phone book anymore. If I can’t find the website, I try to call the church office to find out that information. Does someone answer the phone or do I get an answerphone? 2. Is there a Church Facebook page where I and others can interact about issues and get updates about what’s going on? 3. Are the Church’s congregational numbers growing, static or shrinking? 4. Is the exterior Church signage up-to-date and informational? 5. “Guest Parking” stalls near the front entrance. 6. Landscaping and physical appearance of the building. 7. Accessibility issues (due to people in wheelchairs, those with disabilities and the elderly) 8. Is there a hearing aid loop for the hearing impaired? 9. If it is a night service, is there adequate lighting in the parking area and entrances? 10. Greeters at the door — eye contact and near entrance, or are they just holding the door open in a boring job? 11. Directional Signs — can I find what I want without feeling stupid asking for directions? 12. Greeting at the auditorium entrance, friendliness of ushers. 13. Do ushers guide me to my seat or make me fend for myself? 14. Interactions with members — do they engage me in conversation at any point? 15. Pulpit Greeting – someone greeting visitors from the front. Handouts and information for new visitors? 16. Is the building clean and does it smell good? 17. Are the toilets modern with hot and cold water, soap dispensers, sanitary items for women, clean and dry towels or drying machines? Facilities to change babies and dispense with nappies. 18. As I sit down before the service, am I in a welcoming, serene and respectful atmosphere or is the worship team still going over their arrangements? 19. Are people seated in the auditorium before worship starts or do they straggle in when they hear it start – an indication of a lukewarm congregation. 20. Is the sound of good quality? 21. Do the worship team sound good and well-practised for the day. 22. Is the way that audio-visual is presented well practiced and clearly visible from the back of the Church? Are words for songs correctly projected? 23. Are there any distractions from worship such as people moving about or other noises. 24. Is the temperature inside comfortable. There’s nothing worse than freezing or being boiled to death during a service. 25. Are the songs being sung congregational, theologically sound or just plain boring and sung in a key of “Z” that no-one can possibly achieve without being a soprano. 26. Is the lighting in the building warm and inviting? 27. Are the seats comfortable and clean without any necessity for the traditional 15 minute tushy shuffle. 28. Quality and strength of sermon (as it’s still the central feature). Do I feel inspired and “filled” when I leave? 29. Does the overall service glorify God? 30. Is there structure to the service or is anyone allowed to just stand up and say something without the pastor having prior knowledge of what’s about to be said or the length of it? I‘ve seen some real disasters happen such as people falsely prophesying national disasters in 2 days time and then being allowed to spend 5 minutes telling us about it. 31. Is there an active and regular organised children’s Church? 32. Is there a crèche for breastfeeding mums where the sermon can be heard but children cannot be heard from the auditorium? 33. Is there an active and regular organised Youth ministry? 34. Is there an active mens group ministry? 35. Is there an active womens group ministry? 36. Is there good tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits available after the service?
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 02:07:39 +0000
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