Ridge Stone Church in Canton, Ga., has launched Ridge Stone Backstage, a blog to share some of the lessons they've learned as a church plant that held their first service in August 2004. Pastor Gary Lamb (you may remember him for only freaking out a few people during his Buzz Conference panel) shares some of the marketing techniques they used prior to launch:
Cover & two-page article in local direct-mail magazine.
Partnered with the city to provide the entertainment (concerts/ inflatables) for a big car show.
Invite cards.
10,000 door hangers.
Huge neon yellow banners.
Press release that was picked up by local newspapers.
T-shirts their people wore all over town.
Lamb reports they did all of this for less than the cost of a single direct mail campaign. They had about 200 new people show up at the opening service.
Hope Open Bible of Orlando Starting Plan
The following is a sketch plan of a church start in the neighborhoods of Windermere, Winter Garden and Stoneybrook, the city limits of Orlando, Florida. It is not intended to be a rigid plan, but just an idea of direction. As God blesses and leads, plans will change to follow His desire for Hope Open Bible Of Orlando. We believe that as God’s Spirit is present in this process there will be many changes. Some things will go faster, others slower. The purpose of this outline is to provide a place to start and a direction in which to proceed. As He leads, we will follow His direction.
Neighborhoods
The city of Orlando has 115 neighborhoods in the city limits.
The target areas as of the census of 2000, there were 185,951 people, 80,883 households, and 42,382 families residing in the city. The population density was 767.9/km² (1,988.9/mi²). There were 88,486 housing units at an average density of 365.4/km² (946.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.10% White 26.70% African American, 2.90% Asian, 0.34% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.41% from other races, and 2.54% from two or more races. 17.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [Total is greater than 100% because Hispanics may be of any race.] The city has large Puerto Rican, Colombian, Haitian Vietnamese communities (among others), and a growing number of Russian and British (mostly English) residents.
There were 80,883 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.6% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,732, and the median income for a family was $40,648. Males had a median income of $30,866 versus $25,267 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,216. 15.9% of the population and 13.3% of families were below the poverty line. 27.0% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Like fellow Florida cities Miami and Tampa, Orlando has a large and increasing number of Hispanic residents living in the city. Orlando is home to one of the nation's largest Puerto Rican communities. This is reflected by the abundance of Hispanic-themed restaurants and radio stations. Spanish-language music, such as reggaeton, is common on Orlando radio stations. The Orlando Magic basketball team is the only team in the NBA to have a Latin Night, which is geared towards the Hispanic population in the area. Throughout the city, many Puerto Rican flags can be found on or near buildings, including car dealerships. The city's local newspaper, The Orlando Sentinel, publishes a weekly all-Spanish newspaper called El Sentinel.
Orlando has an equally large African-American population. The city is located within six miles of Eatonville, Florida, the first all-black town to be incorporated in the United States.
Orlando is also becoming popular with Russian immigrants seeking careers or relocating their families to warmer climates. That growth rate of Russians in Central Florida is second only to the rising Hispanic population. The Russian community, made up of several countries of the former Soviet Union, has the Russian language as their common bond. Community and cultural groups are growing in popularity as is the number of Russian-American marriages.
The diversifying economy has led to an incredibly low unemployment rate in Greater Orlando of 3.4% as of September 2005. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 2005) The result is explosive growth that has led to urban sprawl in the surrounding area and skyrocketing housing prices. Housing prices in Greater Orlando went up 34% in one year, from an average of $182,000 in August 2004 to $245,000 in August 2005. (Source: Orlando Regional Realtor Association)
Church Start
The church start will have no core group and one will need to be developed over the first few months. There are benefits to starting without a core group. Previous experience has shown that the core group often leaves quickly when the new pastor arrives (particularly if they were there a long time before the pastor). However, when the new pastor gathers around him people who share the vision, they tend to stay.
A core group can be developed using a community wide survey and mailing lists of residents as well as newcomers to the community. Mailing lists will be followed up by personal phone calls and additional mailings.
It is our intention to solicit financial resources, equipment, and manpower from friends and partners of Hope Open Bible of Orlando.
Below is a strategy based on the available information, projected resources, and strengths/weaknesses of the planting team. The strategy will need to be changed over time to accommodate the evolving situation, but it provides a blueprint and measurable goals over the first 18 months.
July 2006 - October 2006 (Preparation)
During the initial months of preparation, the central focus will be upon developing a core. Direct mail and door-to-door visits will build small groups aimed at the target.
Small group meetings will be an ongoing process throughout the preparation stage. As these grow, new leaders from among the harvest will be trained to lead new groups. The goal is to produce a strong core of leadership. As the core develops, training for childcare, set-up/take-down, and leadership will take place.
Checklist for Preparation Stage
Personal Preparation
_____ Assessment complete and conditions accomplished
Family Preparation
_____ Spouse on board with Planting Strategy
_____ Spouse Role Determined
Strategic Preparation
Pre-Launch strategies designed for………
_____ Personal Evangelism
_____ Understanding the target
_____ Neighborhood events
_____ Personal follow-up
_____ Pioneer family worship and teaching meetings
_____ Construction Crew recruiting
_____ Construction Crew training workshops
_____ Construction Crew planning meetings
_____ Construction Crew retreat
October 2006-December 2006
Small groups will continue to meet, and training will be held for ushers and greeters. Two months prior to launch there will be a preview worship service preceded by a 10,000-piece mailing. During the final month before launch, a high quality 15,000-piece mailing will be sent to the target group.
Checklist for Pre-Launch/Preview Stage
Evangelism
_____ System for meeting people
_____ Listening survey system
_____ Neighborhood events
_____ Methods for sharing the gospel
Fellowship
_____ Church social events
_____ Pioneer Family
_____ Crew membership processes designed
Discipleship
_____ New Christian follow-up system installed
Service
_____ Personalized training process
Worship
_____ Enlistment and training system for worship related teams
_____ Advertising strategy designed
_____ Place for preview secured
_____ Date for previews set
January 2007-April 2007 (Launch)
The Grand Opening (Launch) will be held in April 2007. It will be a seeker-oriented service led by a worship team. Contemporary music, professionalism, and an atmosphere that is friendly, while preserving the anonymity desired by the target group, will be key emphases. Every active small group member will be involved in the service, dividing between children's programs, usher/greeter, assimilation, financial, and worship. Every attendee will fill out a registration form so that the prospect list can be updated.
Checklist for Launch
Worship
_____ Seeker service previews
_____ Seeker service
Evangelism
_____ Seeker service previews
_____ Seeker service
_____ Holiday Services
Fellowship
_____ Membership processes
_____ Small Group Incubator
_____ Communication System
_____ Children's Classes
Service
_____ Pre-training
_____ Leadership community
May 2007 - July 2007 (Crowd to Core)
Follow-up will begin immediately after the first service. Letter, phone, or personal visit will contact all guests. During this time the assimilation processes will begin to operate and will be based upon the assimilation plan including classes aimed at moving people from the crowd to the core. This process will be ongoing as the church continues to reach out to the community. The initial members class, will be required for membership and is intended to help the crowd discover church membership, including beginning a relationship with Christ. Following members move on to deeper areas of commitment, including spiritual maturity, ministry, and mission.
Checklist for Crowd to Core
_____ Friend day
_____ Holiday services
_____ Bringers equipping
_____ Life plan process
_____ Church Planting Strategy
Fellowship
_____ Small Groups
_____ Group leader training
_____ Group leader coaching
_____ Group multiplication process
Discipleship
_____ Additional classes designed
_____ SHAPE interview process
Worship
_____ Second service plan
August 2007 - December 2007 (Evangelism and Growth)
This will be a recognized time of evangelistic outreach and spiritual maturity. A detailed strategy for this time is underway.
The following is a sketch plan of a church start in the neighborhoods of Windermere, Winter Garden and Stoneybrook, the city limits of Orlando, Florida. It is not intended to be a rigid plan, but just an idea of direction. As God blesses and leads, plans will change to follow His desire for Hope Open Bible Of Orlando. We believe that as God’s Spirit is present in this process there will be many changes. Some things will go faster, others slower. The purpose of this outline is to provide a place to start and a direction in which to proceed. As He leads, we will follow His direction.
Neighborhoods
The city of Orlando has 115 neighborhoods in the city limits.
The target areas as of the census of 2000, there were 185,951 people, 80,883 households, and 42,382 families residing in the city. The population density was 767.9/km² (1,988.9/mi²). There were 88,486 housing units at an average density of 365.4/km² (946.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.10% White 26.70% African American, 2.90% Asian, 0.34% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.41% from other races, and 2.54% from two or more races. 17.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [Total is greater than 100% because Hispanics may be of any race.] The city has large Puerto Rican, Colombian, Haitian Vietnamese communities (among others), and a growing number of Russian and British (mostly English) residents.
There were 80,883 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.6% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,732, and the median income for a family was $40,648. Males had a median income of $30,866 versus $25,267 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,216. 15.9% of the population and 13.3% of families were below the poverty line. 27.0% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Like fellow Florida cities Miami and Tampa, Orlando has a large and increasing number of Hispanic residents living in the city. Orlando is home to one of the nation's largest Puerto Rican communities. This is reflected by the abundance of Hispanic-themed restaurants and radio stations. Spanish-language music, such as reggaeton, is common on Orlando radio stations. The Orlando Magic basketball team is the only team in the NBA to have a Latin Night, which is geared towards the Hispanic population in the area. Throughout the city, many Puerto Rican flags can be found on or near buildings, including car dealerships. The city's local newspaper, The Orlando Sentinel, publishes a weekly all-Spanish newspaper called El Sentinel.
Orlando has an equally large African-American population. The city is located within six miles of Eatonville, Florida, the first all-black town to be incorporated in the United States.
Orlando is also becoming popular with Russian immigrants seeking careers or relocating their families to warmer climates. That growth rate of Russians in Central Florida is second only to the rising Hispanic population. The Russian community, made up of several countries of the former Soviet Union, has the Russian language as their common bond. Community and cultural groups are growing in popularity as is the number of Russian-American marriages.
The diversifying economy has led to an incredibly low unemployment rate in Greater Orlando of 3.4% as of September 2005. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 2005) The result is explosive growth that has led to urban sprawl in the surrounding area and skyrocketing housing prices. Housing prices in Greater Orlando went up 34% in one year, from an average of $182,000 in August 2004 to $245,000 in August 2005. (Source: Orlando Regional Realtor Association)
Church Start
The church start will have no core group and one will need to be developed over the first few months. There are benefits to starting without a core group. Previous experience has shown that the core group often leaves quickly when the new pastor arrives (particularly if they were there a long time before the pastor). However, when the new pastor gathers around him people who share the vision, they tend to stay.
A core group can be developed using a community wide survey and mailing lists of residents as well as newcomers to the community. Mailing lists will be followed up by personal phone calls and additional mailings.
It is our intention to solicit financial resources, equipment, and manpower from friends and partners of Hope Open Bible of Orlando.
Below is a strategy based on the available information, projected resources, and strengths/weaknesses of the planting team. The strategy will need to be changed over time to accommodate the evolving situation, but it provides a blueprint and measurable goals over the first 18 months.
July 2006 - October 2006 (Preparation)
During the initial months of preparation, the central focus will be upon developing a core. Direct mail and door-to-door visits will build small groups aimed at the target.
Small group meetings will be an ongoing process throughout the preparation stage. As these grow, new leaders from among the harvest will be trained to lead new groups. The goal is to produce a strong core of leadership. As the core develops, training for childcare, set-up/take-down, and leadership will take place.
Checklist for Preparation Stage
Personal Preparation
_____ Assessment complete and conditions accomplished
Family Preparation
_____ Spouse on board with Planting Strategy
_____ Spouse Role Determined
Strategic Preparation
Pre-Launch strategies designed for………
_____ Personal Evangelism
_____ Understanding the target
_____ Neighborhood events
_____ Personal follow-up
_____ Pioneer family worship and teaching meetings
_____ Construction Crew recruiting
_____ Construction Crew training workshops
_____ Construction Crew planning meetings
_____ Construction Crew retreat
October 2006-December 2006
Small groups will continue to meet, and training will be held for ushers and greeters. Two months prior to launch there will be a preview worship service preceded by a 10,000-piece mailing. During the final month before launch, a high quality 15,000-piece mailing will be sent to the target group.
Checklist for Pre-Launch/Preview Stage
Evangelism
_____ System for meeting people
_____ Listening survey system
_____ Neighborhood events
_____ Methods for sharing the gospel
Fellowship
_____ Church social events
_____ Pioneer Family
_____ Crew membership processes designed
Discipleship
_____ New Christian follow-up system installed
Service
_____ Personalized training process
Worship
_____ Enlistment and training system for worship related teams
_____ Advertising strategy designed
_____ Place for preview secured
_____ Date for previews set
January 2007-April 2007 (Launch)
The Grand Opening (Launch) will be held in April 2007. It will be a seeker-oriented service led by a worship team. Contemporary music, professionalism, and an atmosphere that is friendly, while preserving the anonymity desired by the target group, will be key emphases. Every active small group member will be involved in the service, dividing between children's programs, usher/greeter, assimilation, financial, and worship. Every attendee will fill out a registration form so that the prospect list can be updated.
Checklist for Launch
Worship
_____ Seeker service previews
_____ Seeker service
Evangelism
_____ Seeker service previews
_____ Seeker service
_____ Holiday Services
Fellowship
_____ Membership processes
_____ Small Group Incubator
_____ Communication System
_____ Children's Classes
Service
_____ Pre-training
_____ Leadership community
May 2007 - July 2007 (Crowd to Core)
Follow-up will begin immediately after the first service. Letter, phone, or personal visit will contact all guests. During this time the assimilation processes will begin to operate and will be based upon the assimilation plan including classes aimed at moving people from the crowd to the core. This process will be ongoing as the church continues to reach out to the community. The initial members class, will be required for membership and is intended to help the crowd discover church membership, including beginning a relationship with Christ. Following members move on to deeper areas of commitment, including spiritual maturity, ministry, and mission.
Checklist for Crowd to Core
_____ Friend day
_____ Holiday services
_____ Bringers equipping
_____ Life plan process
_____ Church Planting Strategy
Fellowship
_____ Small Groups
_____ Group leader training
_____ Group leader coaching
_____ Group multiplication process
Discipleship
_____ Additional classes designed
_____ SHAPE interview process
Worship
_____ Second service plan
August 2007 - December 2007 (Evangelism and Growth)
This will be a recognized time of evangelistic outreach and spiritual maturity. A detailed strategy for this time is underway.
No comments:
Post a Comment