another round of multi-site church discussions

I spotted a couple more blog posts about multi-site churches recently. At the Innovation3 Gathering, Dave Ferguson blogged notes from Mark Driscoll's breakout where Mark listed an apologetics for the multi-site church:

... [sic] Marks apologetic for a multi-site church:

1. Theological:  It is a great means for accomplishing the Great Commission.  If we study the New Testament we see networks of churches within cities.
2. Missological:  We need to "do all things possible to reach some."  The multi-site church can be a great missional expression of the church.
3. Ecclesiological:  We have historical examples of one church meeting in multiple places.  One example are the circuit riders who would deliver the same message at a variety of locations and travel from one to the next by horseback.
4. Technological:  With each technological innovation (ex.:  chairs, printing press, electricity, etc.) it creates new opportunities for spreading the gospel.  The innovation of Internet and video creates unprecedented opportunities for sharing the good news.

Yet, not everyone agrees. Dennis Muse blogs at "Multi-site Church Planting, Is this really church or just for profit?" citing 7 reasons he doesn't like multi-site churches of any kind. He concludes that:

... attending one is nothing more than setting in a theater and watching someone I do not know and who has no personal connection to my life and Christian walk. So as for me I would rather stay home and watch it on TV or listen to it on my iPod at my convenience, because the experience would be no different, just as impersonal and non-community.

From all that I've heard and seen from multi-site churches, they are reaching more people, more locations helps to create and engage more more community, people have more access to pastoral care, people get high-quality teaching, and many benefits.

While multi-site churches may not be for everyone or for every church, it is still very much a growing phenomena.

What are your latest thoughts and insights about multi-site churches adding more locations or campuses?

// DJ Chuang is a Director at Leadership Network, connecting multi-site churches and Asian American pastors, and launching digital initiatives.

Comments

[Jon V.]

It seems that the difference between sitting at home and listening as opposed to attending a multi-site is that at a multi-site you are still in a community but if you are at home you are by yourself.

If we have technology that will allow it and it will increase the Kingdom then we should go for it.