I have been wanting to write for some time on the subject of multi-site churches.  I do not necessarily want to get into the debate if they are right or wrong…God is certainly using them.  I want to take a look at them from a systematic linear approach.  As an engineer (formally) I was trained to construct and deconstruct thoughts many times to assure efficiency.

First of all, if you are considering launching a multi-site please note that I am not an expert.  What I share are personal observations and first hand information.  One size does not fit all!  So what worked for one church may or may not work for you.  Glad to get that off my chest.

Let us begin with the Call.  I believe before any viable multi-site can be established, you have to be called.  Who does?…the senior Pastor…the shepherd…the person God called to start the church.  Ministry is a calling (totally different subject altogether).  It is assumed that before you plant a church, that God would have called you to do so.  So the same should hold true for multi-sites.  You have to be called.

So does being called make all the steps to launch easy? No.  In fact it makes them more difficult…how so?…read on.

You see, when God calls you to do something it usually requires a great step of faith.  Pastor Mike Wiggins (of Calvary Chapel Port St. Lucie) once told me that you can be certain of your calling when God call’s you to go somewhere, and there is a huge wall in front of you.  This wall (which can only be climbed by faith in God) is the obstacle that you must climb to be where God wants you.

A calling is code for trusting God 100% with every aspect of the plan.  To have a multi-site you must know that you know that God has called you to launch it.

So does being called make everything just fall into place?  Well from my experience no.  You still have faith steps all along the way.  You see, launching a multi-site can impact several people.  For one, God can use it to reach additional people.  He can also use it to grow the faith of a church…how so?  Well you see if everything were easy (cookie cutter) with launching a multi-site then everyone would be doing it.  Those that are successful in reaching the lost are not only called to exist, but are lead by individuals who are humbled before the throne of grace.  What does that mean?  Well that means they are submitted to the Holy Spirit and His will for the multi-site.  So my question is…have you been called to do a multi-site?  Has God confirmed this with seemingly impossible tasks?  Not enough resources?  Perhaps than, this is your wall…will you have the faith in God to climb it?  Will you follow Him down a seemingly impossible path.  If so, perhaps you are ready to launch a multi-site.

My next installment will consider the pro’s and con’s of your multi-site location.