Comments on: Are We a Multi-Site Church?

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:23:04 +0000

As a leader in a church who has been down this road a little further, I think you are seeing things wisely. At 4 sites (5 total venues) we have pushed through many of the operational and philosophical barriers, but more remain. In particular, 2 changes last year helped us to dramatically accelerate the shift: Shifting our organizational "matrix" so that local ministry leaders are accountable first to the Campus Pastor, and changing our budget so that it is administered by the Campus Pastor. Also, empowering leaders in an entrepreneurial (rather than franchise) model is starting to unlock the potential. Perceived next steps: starting to staff a central services organization with people who don't have responsibility to a specific campus. Multi-site is a journey, not a destination, in our experience.

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:20:59 +0000

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.

By: Greg Ligon

Greg Ligon — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:34:47 +0000

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.

By: David

David — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:31:46 +0000

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.

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:27:23 +0000

Agreed and well said. Thanks