The Multi-Site and Off-Site Church

The Multi-Site and Off-Site Church
Rodney A. Harrison
Nehemiah Professor
Mid-Western Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, Missouri
Yesterday
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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
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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
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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
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The multi-site church is a response that seeks to
reach Today’s generation.
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The growth of the multi-site church suggests a
phenomenon.
The Multi-Site Phenomenon
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1990 = less than 10 multi-site churches
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2000 = less than 100 multi-site churches
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2004 = 1,500 multi-site churches
Two Major Approaches to Multi-Site
Church Multiplication:
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The Franchisee approach: These are “cloned” as
much as possible, i.e., branding. Same sermon,
songs, elements.
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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
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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.
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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”
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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
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Video Venue Model: Use of video and digital means to
“cinematize” the church (and experience) in a second
location.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Multi-Cultural Model: Having “one big idea” expressed in
many languages. New Life Church comes together once per
year. Agincourt Pentecostal in Toronto.
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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?
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/vision-strategy/articles/le-2003002-21.81.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