Every church needs to know their reach area (Here’s why)

Mark MacDonald May 8, 2025

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When establishing, understanding, or growing a local church, discovering your reach area (the geographic scope based on where your current members live) is crucial.

This reach area defines where your church can potentially impact and serve, guiding outreach efforts, ministry planning, and growth strategies. Your church brand needs to be needed in this area!

A reach area idea works because of the foundational marketing principle that "birds of a feather" do live together.

Here's a simple guide on determining your church's reach area using member addresses from your church management (ChMS) database, but first, why it's vital for your church's present and future.

Why you should discover a reach area

Strategic planning for your church brand: Enables focused ministries, sermon topics, and outreach ideas aligned with local community needs. Your church needs to be perceived as a solution to their needs or concerns. Or a path to their goals.

Growth opportunities: Identifies areas ripe for potential campuses based on current congregation distribution and growth areas near them.

Resource efficiency: Guides budget allocation for effective community impact and targeted advertising.

How to define and map your reach area

#1 Compile member addresses:Gather member addresses from your database or ChMS software. If you need to establish this database, start now. It will also be valuable for future communication projects.

#2 Plot member locations:Use mapping tools (such as Google Maps) to visually plot member addresses and identify clusters. Eliminate outliers who travel farther to your church than the average member would.

#3 Establish geographic boundaries:Analyze the mapped dots to determine a custom polygon shape that represents the main core of where members reside. This is your reach area—your true community.

#4 Seek demographics:Define who lives in your reach area. Since it is based on your congregation, you should see your members reflected in this data. Discover socio-economic status, cultural diversity, and community-perceived needs and goals to inform your outreach and ministry programs.

Ultimately, defining your church's reach area empowers and emboldens your ministries. It's a crucial step towards ensuring your church's mission aligns with and serves the local community effectively. Your reach area is your growth pipeline and potential. Perhaps why Jesus commanded to "go and tell."

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Mark MacDonald is a communication pastor, speaker, consultant, bestselling author, and church branding strategist for BeKnownforSomething.com empowering thousands of pastors and churches to become known for something relevant (a communication thread) throughout their ministries, on their church websites and social media. His church branding book, Be Known for Something, is available at BeKnownBook.com. Learn More »

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