2. The next consideration is determining where the ministry
will best take place- our best ministry setting
Definition of a Setting- the setting is broader than the
church’s location and facilities. A definition is anywhere
it’s ministry takes place, any location where there is
ministry in some way in the name of Christ. It is where
your church has a ministry presence. There are at least
two kinds of ministry presence: physical and electronic.
Our focus will be where the primary ministry events occur
and that is at its facilities.
Setting Considerations
1. Affects of First Impressions
2. Launching Pad (Geographical Location)
3. Determine Who Will and Won’t Attend Church (Travel
Time)
4. Sending A message to the Community
5. Reflect on the Church’s Culture
6. Form Follows Function
7. Strategic Ministry and Outreach
3. Developing a Strategy to Maximize the Church’s Setting
To best maximize your ministry location, you need to address ten
critical questions:
a. Where are your current members and attendees located in
relationship to your church?
b. Where are the people you need to reach or will most likely
reach with the gospel- your focus community?
c. Is your facility in the best location to serve your current
constituency and your focus group?
d. To whom will you give preference when deciding the
location-
members and attendees or your unchurched, unsaved focus
community?
e. How visible is your church/
f. How accessible is your church?
g. How good is your signage?
h. Do you have a campus master plan?
i. How committed are you to your present location?
j. How big do you want to get?
4. The Best Ministry Facilities- Once you have
determined the best location for your church,
you must consider what will be the best ministry
facilities. Some guiding principles follow:
1. Form follows function
2. Maintenance of facility is a stewardship issue
3. Maintenance of facility is a testimony issue
4. Church people have a higher tolerance for
facilities neglect than do unchurched people.
5. Some important factors to consider-appearance,
church size, the grounds, parking, signage,
cleanliness, the playground and outside
equipment, décor, natural space.
