Great Checklist for Church Planters

The whole "I must re-invent the wheel" approach to ministry can be extremely counter productive. Obviously God will cause you to find your own expression of ministry that will effectively reach your community, but also there's a great deal that can be gleaned from church planters that are already doing it.


I came across this list from a church planting friend of mine who is launching a church in North Carolina next September. Tadd has worked hard researching some of the greatest church plants in the country. Here is the list of things that he is looking for and seeking information about when visiting other churches.

Church Plant Visiting Checklist:

Road Signage-
Is there any?
Is it readable?
Does it show me where to go?

Parking Lot-
Is there enough parking?
Is anyone directing me where to park?
Do I know where to go from the parking lot?
Are there signs showing me where to park?

Building Signage-
Do I know where to go without anyone directing me?
Do I know what door I am supposed to enter?
Do I know where the worship center is?
Do I know where the Children/Preschool Ministries are?
Do I know where the restrooms are?
Are they visible and readable?

Greeters-
Are they friendly?
Can they answer my questions and point me in the right direction?
Are they overbearing?
Are they focused on the visitors or talking with their friends?

Café-
How do they set-up the café?
What are they serving?
Is the area chaotic?

Lobby-
How chaotic is the area?
Is there visible signage for me to know where I am going?
Is the lobby messy and things just sitting around out of place?
Do they have an information area?
If so what information do they have available?
How well is it printed?
What is the interaction of the people in the lobby?


Children/Preschool Ministry-
How do they check-in the kids?
How secure is the area?
How clean is the area?
How kid friendly is the area?
Are there friendly people working in the areas?
What are they using for their curriculum?

Worship Center-
How do they set-up their stage?
How do they set-up their chairs/or how is their theatre set-up?
What creative elements are they using for their service?
What are they using for their worship media?
What type of equipment are they using?
How is the lighting?
Too much light or way too dark?
How is the sound?
Is the sound too overbearing?
Is there a good mix?
How is the band?
How does the worship leader engage people to worship?
Are people in the crowd worshipping?
How are the musicians?
How does the speaker communicate to the crowd?
Does he keep their attention?
What is the reaction of the people to his mesage?
What series are they currently doing?
What videos/graphics are they using?
How is their worship guide?


Others-
What makes them unique from other church plants I have visited?
What are they doing right?
What could they be doing better?
What seems to be missing?
What upcoming events do they have planned?
What ministries do they offer?
How many volunteers do they have serving?