The 7 Trendiest New Kinds Of Parking Spaces For Your Church's Parking Lot

The parking lot at your church is a really important part your guest's experience on Sunday morning. It's where people first get a sense of what's really important to the people at your church.

Photo courtesy of Lucien Looser at Flickr.com

In recent years, lots of churches have been more intentional about creating parking that caters to the church's most valued persons. Most churches have included a number of guest parking spots near the entrance to their buildings, which is a great way to say Hey, we value our guests! And even more recently, churches are including special parking for expectant mothers. A friend of mine told me about a church here in Phoenix that even has spots designated for family parking.

The other day I was sitting in a staff meeting, talking about this very issue, and it got me thinking - If our parking spaces help us communicate our values with our guests, why don't we have special parking for the other important people groups within the church? Here are 7 types of parking spaces that you should consider adding to your church parking lot.


Early Bird Parking. This one may seem counter-intuitive since the early birds typically get their pick of the parking spaces. But including these spaces is less about providing good parking for early birds, and more about sending a subtle message of shame to people who habitually arrive late.

Generous & Wealthy Parking. I know what you're thinking, this will reinforce people's misguided notion that the church just wants their money. You may be right. But if you don't have parking spaces for these people, how will they know that we value their generosity?

Worship Team Members Who Attend Church Even When They're Not Scheduled To Play Parking. If you're thinking that all of that is too much to put on a sign, you can feel free to abbreviate, and get a sign that just says W.T.M.W.A.C.E.W.T.N.S.T.P Parking. They'll know what you mean.

New Driver Parking. For obvious reasons, these parking spaces would be located in another parking lot, somewhere down the road from your church.

Millennial Parking. Now, we don't want to appear desperate to attract people between the ages of 18 and 35, but let's be honest - we are. Parking spots for these people are a subtle way to say please, we need you.

Lay Leader Parking. What better way is there to thank the people who do the jobs that you'd otherwise have to pay people to do?


Late Comer Parking. This one seems contradictory, since the first space I mentioned was for early birds. But they serve the same purpose. Put these parking spaces near the entrance to your Sanctuary, and everyone will know who is stopping at Starbucks on their way to church.


These are the best ones I could think of. But I bet you could come up with more that are even better. What kind of parking lot innovations do you think churches should consider? 

Leave your answer in the comment section below.