Church Planting or Going Multi-site -- Vocabulary I

We have used both descriptions of what we are doing. We are church planting AND we are going multi-site. While some churches that meet in many locations avoid the church planting terminology, we have chosen not to.

Multi-site is the means by which we are starting another church. Yes -- structurally, philosophically, and doctrinally we will remain one church meeting in many locations. But, practically we hope to impact the community as though we were several churches.

We believe the impact can be best multiplied by being multi-site. The tool is multi-site, the effect of the tool looks like church planting.

Thoughts on Multi-site vocabulary.

The way we talk about multi-site ministry is important. It is an unknown idea to most people and so communication is harder. We don't know what it will be like either. We will end up shaping what it will be like by our vocabulary.

If this is not self-evident compare it to marriage. The way you talk to and about your spouse makes a colossal difference in the feel of a marriage. A "Sweetheart" or "Dumpling" is very different from "The Old Woman" or The Ball and Chain." The very words you use shape the institution you are creating. The same will be true of our church in multiple locations.

So, what will will be key words and ways to talk about our multi-site church? That will be the topic of the next few entries.

Preaching, or Not Preaching, in a Multi-Site Church

I am looking out over my garden waiting to go to church. Normally I would have been at church for an hour and a half already. Yet, Nathan, our first site pastor will be preaching for me.

Part of me feels like I'm taking it easy, enjoying the sunshine dance with the shadows in the ealry morning sun. Part of me feels guilty, after all I am a preacher. My job is preaching. Yet, part of me realizes that a majority of what I need to be doing in the next few years is giving ministry away to younger men who can grow into it and lead other congregations.

My job is changing. I must become an equipper and a releaser of other people. That includes some of the central functions of my calling -- like preaching. I suppose, the future of my job will seem more apostolic than pastoral. I will be responsible to make many younger men faithful and effective in ministry.

So, for today, I will enjoy the view into my garden, pray for and think about the future of the plantings of God's kingdom.

Make way for the micro-church

This article suggests there will be, and is, a backlash against the mega-church. It could be a great opportunity for a network of small communities to make a big difference.
Cool Churches

Q & A with Multi-site leaders

Pay attention to the last question. Leadership Network - ADVANCE

Another early article on Multi-site

Leadership Network - Explorer

What is Multi-site?

This is what Bob Logan thinks:

http://www.coachnet.org/public/newsletters/CNmultisite.pdf

One of the Early Multi-site articles

Leadership Journal carried this article by Dave Ferguson in the Spring of 2003.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/vision-strategy/articles/le-2003-002-21.81.html