The following is Part 2 of what church leaders can learn from new facilities, in this case the new Yankee Stadium.
- A “New” facility creates positive momentum for a church. When you visit a new stadium, the grass looks greener. The hot dogs taste better. The parking and amenities are better. When a new church building is constructed, the music sounds better. The seats and temperature are more comfortable. The bookstore has a better selection. The coffee tastes fresher. The pastor communicates better. It just creates a more conduscive environmanet for people connecting to the heart of God and other people. “New” generates momentum. The launch of a new minsitry generates enthusiasm and momentum. The hiring of a new staff person mobilizes people and interest. Everyone shows up to hear the new pastor. “New” generates momentum. Church leader, what have you done that’s “New” lately?
- While “New” generates momentum, “Improved” sustains momentum. A new facility requires sustained excellence because the increased costs will be fixed to maintain it, but the revenue will only remain high if the product improves at an equal or higher rate. In other words, a winning team is needed to initailly populate a new stadium and keep people coming back. The church must deliver consistent ministry excellence to populate its new facililty and create repeat attenders.
- Therefore, a new facility requires new or additional talent. The Yankees signed Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and AJ Burnett to help fill its new stadium. An expanded facility with new and improved ministry, will need an expanded leadership base to support the expanded audience and ministry need. Whether that is paid staff or an increase in your volunteers, additional talent will be required. Without expanded leadership, expansion will soon be followed by contraction.
- A new facility will help allow a church to become everything God wants it to be. The Detroit Tigers’ new ownership felt their new product finally “hit the shelves” when their new stadium was built. Once a church has the adequate space to facilitate what it feels God has called them to do, the leadership finally gets the sense that they can have the impact on their community and the world that they always dreamed of.
Coming soon will be the final chapter of this series. Let me know what you think.