A few years ago we had that problem. There were 411 parking spots on campus, and we knew that our attendance was being limited by our amount of parking. So, we decided to build a “Black Friday” parking lot (we added 364 parking spots for a total of 775 spots). Everyone knows that Black Friday is the largest shopping day of the year. Stores like Wal-Mart build their parking lot for Black Friday (the parking lot will never be full at any other time of the year). As a church, your Black Friday is Easter (or your largest weekend each year). As you approach Easter weekend, do you have enough parking? Consider this:

Total Service Attendance (kids & adults on campus) / # Cars in Parking Lot = Average Attendees per Car

So, at Faith Promise, we have found that our Average Attendees per Car is 2. With 775 parking spots, we can never exceed 1500 in total worship attendance per service. However, you should tithe your total parking for transitions between services. So, with 700 parking spots, we can never exceed 1400 in total worship attendance at a service. And guess what: we have never exceeded 1400 in a service (we have 1,050 seats in our main worship center).

Here’s your action: next weekend, count people and cars! Then, create a plan for more parking on Easter Weekend and add spaces BEFORE next Easter!

• Staffing: I never had a class on identifying church staff, but MinisterSearch can do that for you and save you lots of time and heartache from bad decisions.
• Human Resources: when you are letting someone go, HR is important. Although you have probably never had a class in HR, someone like The Church Law Group can help you.
• Church Buildings: how many pastors constructed a building before they entered ministry? My guess – not many! Even though you haven’t built a building, people like the folks at MG&A can help you overcome the building obstacles.
• Church Calendar Management: although I never created a program to schedule church calendars and resources, I found a simple, great program that did. The folks at ServiceU can help you do that and so much more.
• Database Administration: I have a love/hate relationship with computers. When I was in Seminary, computers were just coming into existence on the “personal” level. So, I was never taught a way to keep up with the people and their giving that came to my church. However, the people at Fellowship Technologies can help you with that.
• Finances: most people stink at this area! But, Intacct can help you take your church finances to a whole new level.

There are tons of other resources that we used each day in areas that Seminary never prepared me for. If you have a question about an area not mentioned, let me know.

Static: adj; showing little or no change

We like to give people lists of information that they are to analyze and implement in their ministries. It’s the common model of most coaching networks. The interaction is typically a mind dump of information that happens 6 times over the course of 6 months. There’s nothing wrong with coaching networks (I’ve been a part of Tony’s and agreed to lead one for PCC that didn’t work out). But I think there is a better way.

In April, I am going to be launching a ministry that provides dynamic help.

Dynamic: adj; pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic

As a part of this type of experience, you will receive help characterized by actions that you should take that will help you in ministry. Honestly, it’s a dream and I could not be more excited about it. Look for the release of the name and launch of the website in 4-6 weeks.

(BTW, I’m NOT leaving my current ministry position at FPC, so don’t panic!)

A few years ago I attended a denominational meeting and noticed something – I was one of only 20 people out of 3,000 under the age of 50. Seriously, it may have been better than that, but it was not much better. My thought: there are no young faces in the room. There is no influence over or input from the next generation. The people here have completely lost the next generation and they either do not know, do not care, or a combination of both.

As I left that meeting, it made me evaluate our church and staff. Are we attracting a portion of the next generation in our ministry? Does a portion of our staff reflect the next generation? Are the people who are serving a part of the next generation? If not, our church is going to die. Oh, it may not cease to exist for a long time, but it is going to die or is already dead.

Look around your office today. Is the next generation represented? If not, who are you mentoring? Who are you developing? Who are you taking to the next level? We want to prepare the next generation to lead our church and The Church. Are you doing your part?

Last night as I talked with my father-in-law about so many things happening around the world, I was reminded of another “plot” that has morphed more and more into nothingness, even though it is the absolute core of the hope for our world.  The phrase that hit me:

Change the church, change the world.

Only through the Church (God’s people collectively) will the world ever be changed. Unfortunately, in so many expressions, the church has become an irrelevant entity that has little meaning instead of the growing, vibrant Bride of Christ that impacts the world for eternity.

I want to be (NO, I am) a part of a church that changes the world. I want you to be a part of a church that changes the world. How can I pray for your church?

In the same way, you should spend time unpacking the ideas from the time you spent away. Each initial idea needs time for reflection, analysis and improvement. Whether you are at a conference or on a retreat, take time to unpack the ideas. Consider spending a significant amount of time asking tough questions about the decisions that were made, those that are in process and those for the future. Otherwise, you are just wasting your time.

Lord, help me cultivate my kids relationship with you and keep me from manipulating it.

Honestly, it is so much easier to manipulate some times and the progress seems to be so much greater. Manipulation is like food in the microwave: you can get things so much more quickly but they often do not taste as good as a well prepared meal.

When I manipulate a situation, I can often avoid difficult conversations. Growth appears to be much faster. Life seems to get better so much more quickly. But it is all really a mirage. Manipulation is a trap that will only lead to dissatisfaction in life and relationships. So, why do we choose it?

• Cultivation takes time. When you place a seed in the ground, it does not spring up over night. Cultivating takes the right conditions that only happen over time.
• Cultivation takes commitment. You cannot just leave something you are cultivating – you must care for it regularly.
• Cultivation gets messy. When it rains to much, things rot! You make the life application.

In the lives of the people around, build a plan for cultivation. Don’t manipulate to get them where you want them or to accomplish your desires. Walk with them, and help them fulfill the desires of their heart.

What’s your tendency – cultivation or manipulation?

Today, my friend Casey Graham and The Change Group launch their new website. More importantly, they are premiering a resource that I believe will change the way that church is done. The bottom line: The Change Group will manage your church finances for you – while helping you build a culture of generosity and giving. If you work with them, you will get:

• Weekly bookkeeping,
• Monthly updates on your finances, and
• Quarterly financial consulting

Casey and team know their stuff! If you are launching a church plant or in an existing church, you should contact the guys at The Change Group. They will give you a free 2 hour consulting session if you click HERE before October 31, 2009. You may ask,

• Why should I contact them? Because your church finances will directly limit your ability to reach people for Christ.
• Can I afford them? Many churches will pay them less than the cost of a staff person – AND you will get quarterly financial consulting you would not get from that staffer.
• Would you work with them? I’ve already met with Casey at Cross Point Church and have followed up with a couple of phone calls. I believe in Casey and The Change Group.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment. If you are still reading this, quit and click on the link above!

It truly is humbling and an honor to have Faith Promise on the list of fasting growing churches in America. We have been a part of something special that is all about Him. And even though we were on the list, there is so much work left to do:

• There are still 350,000+ people that do not know Christ or attend a church in the areas surrounding our church. That would fill Neyland Stadium 3.5 times.
• Many people in our area do not believe that the church cares for them.
• Our great city has a problem with continued chronic homelessness.
• Hundreds of churches are struggling to exist, and we need to pray for them.

The strength of FPC is the “come as you are” culture. Our church continues to grow in diversity on every level. But as Craig Groeschel said, “We are still just a micro-church” when you consider all of the people that need Christ in our area. We have not arrived, we have just begun. The future is going to blow you away!

So, pray that God’s anointing stays on His church and His people. And, pray that we keep a culture that allows people from every background to worship and grow together in Him.

• Construction: I am currently looking on two projects. First, the next phase of our campus is under revision. We are looking at some cool ways to save money but not compromise the integrity of the facility. It’s going to be awesome – can’t wait for the staff and church to see this. Second, we are going to change our entrance and egress patterns in and out of the campus. I’m meeting with county to fast-track this tomorrow.

• 15th Anniversary: Our leadership team is considering how to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the church which comes in February 2010. That’s going to be an exciting month!

• Senior Team Retreat: We get away for our major retreat in September to make preparations for 2010. This year there is so much happening that it is difficult to make an agenda that we can cover in 3 days!

• 2010 Growth Challenges: Although we will launch our first multi-site venue in 201o, we have some major growth challenges to continue to reach people next year. We are considering some creative solutions to keep reaching people for Christ. It’s really making us think because we are moving past capacity during our optimal hours!

Seriously, I love my job! Our Pastor makes doing ministry more fun than I could ever imagine. At the same time, he makes us face the challenges head-on and overcome there. He’s a great leader!

What are you working on in your job or ministry?