Recently I was asked the question: “Is Granger a multi-site church?”
I answered, “No, we are a church with a multi-site…on our way to becoming a multi-site church.”
I think there is a very distinct difference between a church that has more than one site–and a church whose very DNA is embedded with multiplication through additional campuses.
We launched our second campus in Elkhart, Indiana, in October 2008. We had planned to launch three campuses that year–but the economy tanked right as we were making plans. As it was, our Elkhart site opened just months before the county was labeled the hardest-hit area in the country.
It’s been incredibly difficult–and incredibly rewarding. It has great leadership, a tremendous location, and the attendance is exceeding our expectations.
But wow—it is hard!
Every two weeks, I’m meeting with a very smart bunch of leaders from Granger…and we are together trying to figure out how to become a multi-site church.
I think we will truly be a multi-site church when…
- …we begin to think multi-site as naturally as we breath. Right now, some times we remember a bit too late that we have more than one site.
- …we begin to budget as though we have multiple sites.
- …we begin to staff as though we have multiple sites.
- …we determine which values are crucial to carry to every location.
- …we figure out how to transfer leadership DNA to every location.
- …we set up our systems for every area so they are sustainable with multiple locations.
Here’s the thing–we are committed to figuring this out.
Multiplication is in our future…and it will soon be in our DNA.
4 Comments
Agreed and well said. Thanks
I think the one concern about a multi-site is that how will it impact the main campus. Or will it detract from a very effect system that is already in place. Many people looked ahead in both positive and the negative. The negative simply being the uncertainty. Most can see the positives now. And how. The people from the Elkhart campus are awesome. Their vigor is intoxicating. I had a chance to meet and talk with Jeff Bell. He is just the right person. He too shares this divine vision for multiplication. You feel his love for God just looking at him. And being in conversation with him is just that confirmation. I believe in what God is doing at GCC. Thank you all for being obedient to Him. Its because you are that you got me running in the right direction.
Tim – great insight. At Leadership Network we hear churches that are leading the movement talking about moving from being a church WITH multiple campuses to being a church OF multiple campuses. A seemingly simple difference in words but one that changes all the conversations. When you move to being a church OF multiple campuses you can no longer have a conversation about making changes to any ministry area (worship, kids, etc.) without considering the implications for all the campuses. Love all that you guys do to lead innovation in the church at Granger.
Perhaps this would be a fair litmus test: If you were to cancel and close the "other" campuses and find that the original/lead campus is essentially the same ministry as it was before you went multi-site, then you are probably a church that happens to have multi-sites. But if closing the "other" campuses would reveal that the original/lead campus has seen some significant changes since going multi-site, then you might be a multi-site church. Of course, hopefully we're not talking about changes in DNA, but changes in systems, allocation of resources, programs… how we do ministry. As a litmus test, it's not conclusive. But, it's an interesting line of thought.