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Multi-Site Churches: Multi-Site Churches:

Guidance for Guidance for the Movement’s the Movement’s NextNext Generation Generation

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About the author About the author

Scott McConnellScott McConnellAssociate Director of LifeWay Research

Has studied the needs and preferences of churches for 13 years.

Earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

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About the book About the book

Multi-Site Churches: Guidance for Multi-Site Churches: Guidance for the Movement’s the Movement’s NextNext Generation Generation

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OverviewOverview

Multi-Site ChurchesMulti-Site Churches provides practical provides practical help to churches who are considering multi-help to churches who are considering multi-site or are in the early stages of multi-sitesite or are in the early stages of multi-site

The principles and “in the trenches” The principles and “in the trenches” examples help leaders think about multi-site examples help leaders think about multi-site and begin planning for the many decisions and begin planning for the many decisions they will need to makethey will need to make

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How this book came aboutHow this book came about

LifeWay Research found that 16 percent of LifeWay Research found that 16 percent of Protestant pastors are Protestant pastors are “seriously considering “seriously considering adding a worship service at one or more adding a worship service at one or more new locations or campuses in the next two new locations or campuses in the next two years.”years.”

Survey of 1,005 Protestant pastors in April-May 2007Survey of 1,005 Protestant pastors in April-May 2007

In December 2008, it was unchanged with 15% In December 2008, it was unchanged with 15% saying the same thingsaying the same thing

The need for guidance was clearThe need for guidance was clear

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Where does the ‘guidance’ Where does the ‘guidance’ come from?come from?

LifeWay Research conducted in-depth LifeWay Research conducted in-depth interviews with lead pastors, campus pastors interviews with lead pastors, campus pastors and ministers responsible for multi-site and ministers responsible for multi-site ministry at their churchministry at their church

These included over 40 multi-site churches These included over 40 multi-site churches that represented a variety of sizes, that represented a variety of sizes, denominations and locations across the denominations and locations across the countrycountry

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Where does the ‘guidance’ Where does the ‘guidance’ come from?come from?

Understanding the tough things and the Understanding the tough things and the things these churches were unprepared things these churches were unprepared for– McConnell discovered a treasure of for– McConnell discovered a treasure of guidance for churches going multi-siteguidance for churches going multi-site

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Where does the ‘guidance’ Where does the ‘guidance’ come from?come from?

Multi-Site ChurchesMulti-Site Churches also taps 9 multi-site also taps 9 multi-site experts as contributors:experts as contributors:

Warren BirdWarren Bird Scott ChapmanScott Chapman Jimmie DavidsonJimmie Davidson Dave FergusonDave Ferguson Jon FergusonJon Ferguson

James MacDonaldJames MacDonald Dino RizzoDino Rizzo Rick RusawRick Rusaw Geoff Surratt Geoff Surratt

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When does multi-site When does multi-site make sense? make sense?

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Why multi-site?Why multi-site?

Based on the multi-site churches we studied:Based on the multi-site churches we studied: When the focus is on the Great CommissionWhen the focus is on the Great Commission When you have a culture of multiplicationWhen you have a culture of multiplication When you are willing to remove barriers to When you are willing to remove barriers to

reach more peoplereach more people When you are willing to seize the When you are willing to seize the

opportunityopportunity When your church is healthyWhen your church is healthy

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You must see God’s activity in You must see God’s activity in 6 areas6 areas

1.1. Unanimity among leadersUnanimity among leaders

2.2. A A leaderleader for the new site for the new site

3.3. A A core groupcore group of leaders to lead the core of leaders to lead the core ministries at the new siteministries at the new site

4.4. A A localelocale of people that God is calling of people that God is calling your church to reachyour church to reach

5.5. Systems and structuresSystems and structures in place in place

6.6. Sufficient Sufficient financesfinances

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Confusion occurs Confusion occurs when churches are when churches are missing one thing… missing one thing…

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……An understanding of who An understanding of who they are and what mattersthey are and what matters

Leaders must be honest about who their Leaders must be honest about who their church is, so they know what to replicatechurch is, so they know what to replicate

Leaders must get beyond analogies Leaders must get beyond analogies (e.g., DNA)(e.g., DNA)

New sites must prioritize and invest in the New sites must prioritize and invest in the programs/activities that matter most and not programs/activities that matter most and not try to offer everythingtry to offer everything

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What does leadership What does leadership look like in a multi-site look like in a multi-site church? church?

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Leadership must flowLeadership must flow

A matrixed organizational model is A matrixed organizational model is required required

The campus pastor is the extension of The campus pastor is the extension of the church’s senior leadership to the sitethe church’s senior leadership to the site

Core leaders for each core ministry Core leaders for each core ministry extend the leadership of the campus extend the leadership of the campus pastor and age group ministerspastor and age group ministers

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Role of the campus pastorRole of the campus pastor

Any pastor has three primary roles: Any pastor has three primary roles: teacher, shepherd and leaderteacher, shepherd and leader

The campus pastor’s roles are shepherd The campus pastor’s roles are shepherd and leaderand leader Shepherding – drawing people in with careShepherding – drawing people in with care Leadership – sending people out as an Leadership – sending people out as an

extension of the church’s senior leadershipextension of the church’s senior leadership

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Other challenges Other challenges multi-site churches multi-site churches faceface

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Communicating effectivelyCommunicating effectively

The vision must be effectively shared The vision must be effectively shared with the whole churchwith the whole church

Those going to the new site must ‘get it’Those going to the new site must ‘get it’“We are not going there for you.”“We are not going there for you.”

Those in the community must see that Those in the community must see that you are part of the community and are you are part of the community and are availableavailable

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Staff roles changeStaff roles change

Pastors: Pastors: “I ended up working less in ministry and working more on the ministry.” Dave Browning Dave Browning

Staff members: “Staff members: “My honest take is multi-site exposes staff people who are not team builders.” Dan ScatesDan Scates

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Leadership DevelopmentLeadership Development

“Multi-site puts us back to those early days over and over where people are needed.” Larry OsborneLarry Osborne

“We have found small groups to be the best incubator for growing reproducing leaders because only a person capable of developing followers will be a successful small group leader.” Jon FergusonJon Ferguson

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Other chapters address:Other chapters address:

Specific types of new sites Specific types of new sites Starting an ethnic or multi-cultural siteStarting an ethnic or multi-cultural site Merging with or absorbing an existing churchMerging with or absorbing an existing church

Developing a team of leadersDeveloping a team of leaders Decisions that define your multi-site Decisions that define your multi-site

churchchurch Keeping sites connectedKeeping sites connected

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Multi-Site Churches: Multi-Site Churches:

Guidance for Guidance for the Movement’s the Movement’s NextNext Generation Generation