Factoids

A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE 80% RULE:

Most pastors are familiar with the “80% Rule”: When a sanctuary is 80% filled to capacity, it is perceived by guests to be “full”, making it uncomfortable for them to find a seat, and therefore, less likely to return.

But here’s a different take on that famous rule of thumb:

 “80% + Rule for Growing Churches”

“Despite the rule of thumb that a worship service in which more than 80 percent of the seats are filled is too full, such is the norm among large growing churches.  In fact, in a survey of growing, plateaued, and declining Southern Baptist churches, it was found that the worship services in slightly over 80 percent of the growing churches with large total memberships... were more than 80 percent full.  According to Lyle Schaller, ‘there is no question but that when all the pews or chairs are filled, this has a positive impact on the morale of the worshippers, and especially on the preacher.’ “  (C.Kirk Hadaway, Church Growth Principles)

If you are building a new sanctuary, take note of this Factoid:

“65-70% New Sanctuary Guideline”

“The new sanctuary probably should be no less than 65 to 70 percent filled when the services are consolidated.” (C.Kirk Hadaway, Church Growth Principles)

Schaller has also reported that any sanctuary less than 50% full, is perceived to be empty, and this has a negative impact on the worship experience. 

So the tough part in building, is estimated exactly where your attendance will be after completion, and aiming for not less than 50%, but not more than 80% initially.

These and other Factoids can be found at ChurchGrowth Factoids

Coaching

How to give good feedback which will not create defensiveness:

When interacting with staff or volunteers who ask for feedback, it is important to follow the PHD guidelines for feedback:

Feedback is received better when the following 3 steps are put into practice:

Personal – Feedback is given in a personal manner and tone, that is, as an opinion rather than a universal fact.  Statements like, “I have found that…”  or “What impressed me the most was…”  These anecdotal statements carry much more emotional weight than a fact-based statement like, “Studies have show that…”  or “It is a common fact that…”

Honest – Good feedback statements are honest. They are inherently open and revealing.  People can otherwise tell if we are hedging.  So tactful honesty is preferred.

Direct  - Good feedback statements are direct.   We do not ‘beat around the bush’.  They are also free from hidden motives and meanings.  People hear our heart directly, and so respond better.

Software

SermonBase Update

SermonBase has recently released a small update (1.0.74v2).  This Update has the following two features:

1st – First-run Tutorial – this quick and easy tutorial will run the first time you start the SermonBase Demo, and can be turned on or off in Preferences.  It gives a quick and easy tour of the main page layouts of SermonBase, and will help you get started quickly.

2nd – Fixes the Home Church and Main Speaker preferences.  These two fields were not always updating in the previous Demo release.  They will now accurately reflect the Home Church and Main Speaker as set in the Preferences.

Click on www.SermonBase.com to download your new Demo today.

Seminars

Everyday Commandment

The “Everyday Commandment” is the best seminar to teach the practical side & loving application of friendship evangelism.

Seminar Goal:  Developing a Great Commandment Lifestyle

The Everyday Commandment equips believers with practical skills to reach friends and family with the love of Christ and to build trust and to communicate truth in every relationship through the process of CPR - Cultivating relationships, Planting seeds of truth, and Reaping a Response.

This is a great seminar for learning how to develop a friendship evangelism lifestyle.  Starting with a large 'circle of influence', seminar participants are encouraged to narrow that circle down to specific people with whom they can begin to relate to in specific ways.

This interactive seminar is 4 hours long, and includes Biblical teaching, group discussion & video vignette’s of both a serious and humorous nature.

Click on www.HighPowerResources.com/Seminars to learn more about the Everyday Commandment.

Sermons, Dramas, Bible Studies

HighPower Resources has Dramas!

Are you looking for some good dramas for your church services.  HighPower has Fresh Dramas!  These are dramas which were specifically written for usage in a local church by Steven Dexheimer, gifted drama writer.  For example, “Christmas in Narnia” was written as a 5 part play, based on C.S. Lewis’ famous book and movie by the same name.   It delivers the message of what life would be like to be “always winter, and never Christmas”.