Ok, last time I shared a lot of information regarding Business Intelligence and how, in my opinion, churches are run like a business more now than ever due to the "Megachurch" phenomenon. This concept led me to thinking about "Church Intellegence" and how it is a paradigm shift that I think should be seriously looked at by churches. Before we dive back in, go check out Part 1 if you missed it. 

Ok, like I said in the last article, many churches already track various aspects of their ministry such as attendance. Although I single out mega churches, which is defined by having a membership over 1000 people (I have heard 2k now), this is a very valid thought process to adopt for any size church. 

Every church has something they do well, it may be multiple things but typically it is not everything. For some churches evangelism is where they shine, for others it may be children or youth ministry and others may be completely focused on mission work and support. So a question that can easily come up is how do we as a church get better at things we may not do as well and continue to grow in the things we are doing well. An even better but sometimes harder question to ask ourselves is do we need to stop doing something that is not working? (Even if a few vocal members want us to continue.)

The church is changing, people are different, the culture is different. The church needs to be more on top of trends that are happening inside and outside of the church building because there is too much vying for the attention of people that need to hear an unchanging message. Here is where I may push a few people's buttons.... It does not matter what you have been doing, sooner or later if you don't change your church will die. For example, see many typewriter companies lately? No? But everyone still needs to put together documents right? Ok back on topic, people still need to hear the Word, I realize that, but the way you do it will eventually change. 

Where to start, well you are probably on track with attendance for your service and whatever bible studies or other classes/events you may have from week to week but do you go deeper? Do you track attendance trends based on time of year? How about the subject you are teaching on. Now it probably does not need to be mentioned that talking about money is unpopular at church and I am not saying to toss that out, if it is in God's Word then you have every right to preach and talk about it, in fact I think you would be going against God to not talk about it. But, are you spinning your wheels and wasting resources on events or classes you feel are worth the time but not attended?

Don't be afraid to survey people on some of theses areas. Typically the most vocal people are the ones with complaints, every church has them, make sure you find out what is working from people that are not the most vocal and a survey that does not even require their name may be the best way to get feedback without them feeling like they are put on the spot.

How about a focus group of maybe 10 people to throw ideas at? There is a reason large corporations hire marketing companies to do that, very often it could be the difference of seeing a product, service or tv show hit the public. If they find value I am sure you can to.

 Now I may not be hitting any groundbreaking revelations here but I want to help people think through ideas to grow the church the way it deserves to. I am still putting some thoughts around my Church Intelligence theme and I am actually talking with some pastors and will probably add a part three to this series and include some insight from those conversations. I think the biggest encouragement I can give is... All of this may help but, if you as a leader are not spending the time with God required to see the vision he has for you and your church then none of this matters.