Some general Rules of Thumb having to do with Growth Planning are as follows: 

• When a Worship Center is 80% full it is “full.” A new service should be added or capacity increased. Work with the rule of doubling worship capacity for growth. For example, if your present facility seats 250 a new or expanded facility should seat 500. 

• Always provide adequate parking, see Primary capacity limiters  

• Always keep the youngest children/nursery in close proximity to the Worship Center (If you create a new Worship Center that results in a remote nursery you may just find that you don’t get the growth that you planned, because parents with little children are uncomfortable with the distance.) 

• Remember the “10 minute window.” Statistically, a person attending your church for the first time will make up their mind about returning to it within 10 minutes of entering the property. Think about your visitor’s first impression. How easy is it to find the right entrance? How are their children assimilated? How spacious is the entry. How easy is it to find information? 

• Building a bigger Worship Center, but not paying attention to the other needs, can be shooting yourself in the foot. Also see our article on “Frontline Outreach Spaces.” 

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