The Center for Missional Research conducted a study led by Ed Stetzer and Phillip Connor to research what characteristics were shared by growing churches plants. They discovered 10 factors associated high attendance.

1. Location
   >> Church plants that begin in school facilities have some obvious benefits, such as visibility, access, parking, classroom/worship space, and usually low costs.
   >> Longer-term (after the first year) church plants meeting in both schools and movie theaters exhibit higher attendance. They find these locations conducive to reaching people and accommodating continued growth.
2. Ministry
   >> High attendance church plants know that reaching children is one effective way to reach families. Special children’s events such as a fall festival or Easter egg hunt help church plants gain and sustain attendance.
   >> High attendance church plants also conduct block parties as an evangelistic outreach.
   >> High attendance church plants use holidays or other opportunities to attract people and to be attractive to those who are already attending.
3. Promotion
   >> High attendance church plants mail invitations to services, programs, and events. They keep community awareness high, which keeps their visitors, attendees, and members involved and informed.
4. Training
   >> High attendance church plants provide training for new members and communicate clearly the expectation that they participate.
5. Expectations
   >> High attendance church plants require new members to sign a church covenant. They know that it’s imperative for new members to take their commitment to the church seriously as soon as they’ve committed their lives to Christ.
6. Financial
   >> High attendance church plants are very intentional about financial stewardship.
   >> High attendance church planters receive financial compensation and health insurance, allowing them to focus on the church’s growth, not their own basic needs.
7. Staff
   >> High attendance church planters are assessed for their suitability and are full-time, not part- or half-time.
   >> High attendance church plants have multiple staff from the beginning, facilitating steady and more sustainable growth.
8. Missions
   >> High attendance church plants look for missional opportunities and start at least one church within three years of their own plant.
9. Leadership
   >> High attendance church plants conduct leadership training, build their leadership base, and delegate leadership roles to church members.
10. Achievement
    >> High attendance church planters have a vision of what God wants to do, and they don’t get distracted from the accomplishment of that vision.

[via The Christian Post]