The Multi-Site and Off-Site Church Rodney A. Harrison Nehemiah Professor Mid-Western Baptist Theological Seminary Kansas City, Missouri
Yesterday Yesterday: People would say "That's my bank on the corner of First and Main, and directly across from it is First Baptist Church, where we have been members since we moved here thirty years ago. The college is up on the hill, our hospital is about a half-mile to the west, and our doctor has his office in that building over there."
Today Today: A new generation says, "That's my bank, but I ve never been there. I do my banking at the supermarket branch were we buy groceries. We're members of First Baptist Church. We have one congregation but three meeting places. We go to the one near our house. The old college on the hill is now a university. This is their main campus, but our kids go to the East side campus. We're members of an HMO that has doctors in five locations, we go to a branch about a mile from where we live. I've never been in the main hospital except to visit a couple of friends."
The Paradox These examples illustrate the direction our world is going our institutions are growing larger and smaller simultaneously, blending the strength and influence that comes with size with the comfort and convenience of smaller, closer venues.
The Multi-Site Church The multi-site church is a response that seeks to reach Today s generation. The growth of the multi-site church suggests a phenomenon.
The Multi-Site Phenomenon 1990 = less than 10 multi-site churches 2000 = less than 100 multi-site churches 2004 = 1,500 multi-site churches
Two Major Approaches to Multi-Site Church Multiplication: The Franchisee approach: These are cloned as much as possible, i.e., branding. Same sermon, songs, elements. The Licensee Approach: These multi-site churches are similar (not identical). About half of the elements are similar but with more freedom and contextual freedom, i.e., same text, different presentation.
Nine Models of Multi-Site Churches Partnership Model: Partnering with other groups who share the vision. For example, some of the YMCAs in Dayton, Ohio partnered with vibrant churches to maintain their tax status. Another example is dying churches who seek partners to keep them alive. Many are exploring cross-denominational partnerships. New Venture Model: Starting multiple sites as a church planting model. Very intentional to start churches. Some are simple church models, others a blend of video, encore and satellite Satellite Model: Mission Arlington model Tillie Bergman. Onnuri Church the Korean Satellite church in Seoul, South Korea. One mother church and the others orbit around it.
Nine Models of Multi-Site Churches Video Venue Model: Use of video and digital means to cinematize the church (and experience) in a second location. The Encore Model: Doing, for example, church on Saturday then do it again on Sunday (etc etc ) at another location. Encounter Christian Church does a service at Cedar Rapids then Coraville. The Journey in Manhattan does a service at a theater and then a school an encore performance. The Third Place Model: From a book of the same name first place, home; second place, work; and third place, where you hang out. These third-places are a great place for churches. Going where people WANT to be, such as a sports bar, coffee shop, community hang-out, etc
Nine Models of Multi-site Churches Relocation Model: St. Paul's Lutheran Church in a transitional community. Doing a service at a second location instead of moving. Often a good choice for a church in a transitional community. Multi-Cultural Model: Having one big idea expressed in many languages. New Life Church comes together once per year. Agincourt Pentecostal in Toronto. Resurrection Model: Going into a dead church and starting a multi-site. This could be one response to all of the buildings for these dead and dying churches. Have a funeral for the old church, then start the new multi-site church.
Where do multi-sites tend to meet? Among all churches - 86% have their own facility, 14% of churches rent space in schools or rented facilities. Among multi-site churches, most do not have their own campuses. Some churches seek to be nomadic. 45% schools 13% movie theaters 10% YMCA or community center 10% industrial parks 10% former church buildings 7% restaurants or sports bars
The Multi-Site Advantage Grow larger AND grow smaller Brand new AND trusted brand Staff with generalist AND specialists Less cost AND greater impact New church vive AND big church punch Move there AND stay here More outreach AND more maturity Theologically, more like the early church in Acts
Multi-Site Challenges Tendency to reproduce the negative aspects of a church, such as as homogeneity, poor orthodoxy, and superstar status leadership Tendency to become seen as the way instead of a way of church reproduction Does not allow full autonomy for the off-site congregation
Community Christian Church Naperville, Illinois. Dave Ferguson, Pastor Began with a layperson in the church who asked, How can we take this (the message and experience of church) into other parts of our community? First off-site was a 163-year-old congregation that was severely declining. They gave the land and facility to CCC. Today, CCC has four sites, 11 services per week and over 3,000 in worship.
New Life Church, Chicago, Illinois Mark Jobe, Pastor Church started in 1940s. The community transitioned from Anglo to Hispanic. Now has nine services on eight campuses, including two Spanish-language-only campuses. From 200 to 2,000 in attendance (total) each Sunday.
North Point Church, Alpharetta, Georgia Andy Stanley, Pastor Launched second campus on Easter, 2003, in Buckhead. All of Buckhead s staff had been leaders at the main campus. Idea was to tithe off the members. 1,200 at Buckhead campus 12,000 on the main campus
First Baptist Church, Windermere, Florida
The Garden, Indianapolis, Indiana
Olathe Bible Church, Olathe, Kansas The main church, in Olathe, completed in 2000. Olathe Bible Church s Second Campus in Gardner. This model has its own worship team, but shares membership, budget and vision of OBC.
Westside Family Church Shawnee, Kansas
Westside Family Church Shawnee, Kansas
Westside Family Church Shawnee, Kansas History: Westside already had five services on Sundays and was out of space, particularly prime time space. After looking at several strategies, they choose the video venue (VV) approach. What do the venues look like currently? Westside now has seven services on Sundays. The two VVs are identical, sort of a softer side of the main services. They have another alternative service that is edgier but is not a video venue. Biggest Struggle: Finding a good location Best Surprise: The response of the congregation has been overwhelming. They average nearly 500 a week in their two venues. They now need to start a venue for the venue!
Multi-Site Web Sources http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/vision-strategy/articles/le-2003-002-21.81.html Christianity Today article www.bbcmpls.org Go to church planting link for multi-site vision http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/multisite/index.asp Willow Creek s Multi-Site Forum http://www.churchvideovenues.com/ http://www.leadnet.org/multisitechurchesresources.asp Cost resources for multi-site churches http://www.word-of-grace.com/rhema/multi-site/ General information. Some outdated information but a good overview