Multi-site Churches: Skeptic to believer (Pt 2)

Having a spiritual communities where people can come and explore the mystical things of God while sorting through life’s complexities is necessary for everyone (whether we realize it or not).  We want to start as many of these communities as possible.  In a word, these spiritual communities are called a “Church.”  I didn’t come up with the name, Jesus did.  Not all churches are safe haven’s for exploration, but we want all those affiliated with GPC to be.  We use the Bible as our source of infallible and inerrant guide for all our spiritual communities.

We are in the process of launching  another GPC worship gathering in mid-town/lake area of Rogers.  We will share the one name, leadership, budget, vision and message as a unified body bringing our hearts together with those of Bentonville and Rogers.  I started with a list of reasons for a multi-site launch last week; but had too many reasons and needed to break it into two entries.

10 reasons why we are launching a missional 2nd GPC site (continued)
6. Multi-stie churches remove the limits of a 4-walled-church to see the church as community. The church’s walls aren’t limited to one building or address.  The church is a community, so the church should be a part of the community and not be defined by what goes on within 4 walls.  For the first five years of GPC existence, we were a portable church.  Many of our children knew the church was the community of people and not the building.  This is a more biblical idea of a church.  We are going back as we move forward.
7. Multi-site churches are  catalyst for 3-self church planting, not a hindrance.  One of my biggest push backs to multi-site was how I thought it would hinder 3 -self church planting.  Studies have confirmed that the multi site churches are more likely to plant churches than single campus churches.  84% of churches with multiple campuses have also planted  churches; only 74% of single campus churches have helped to sponsor another church plant (Viral Church, Stetzer).
8. Multi-site churches take a jack hammer to a mega church. Multi-site churches function as a smaller community so they can be nimble and be responsive to culture and people around them rather than be a huge massive institution that can’t adjust to change.  However, with the close affiliation between campuses it keeps the breadth of resources, talents, and depth of a larger church accessible to both.  In my doctoral research, I did a case study of Mosaic and their 9 campuses in the Los Angeles region.  Their pastor, Erwin McManus, said to me: “Mega churches don’t require empowering lay people.  They require a system that standardizes so that fewer people have to do everything in the decision-making process.” Multi-site churches, however, help the whole body of Christ to function and exercise their gifts.
9. Multi-sites enable people to go and plant churches while staying connected to the church they love. This will afford more members who feel a call to go and help plant a church to take a baby step, by leaving GPC Bentonville and going to GPC Rogers; yet, never having to leave their GPC family.  It is an in-between step to starting 3-self churches.  We need 15-20 families with a church planter’s heart that are ready to go and serve and worship on Saturday nights and labor to start a new campus with GPC’s heart and soul.
10. Mult-site churches enable different groups of worshipers in multiple communities to network and experience fellowship together. It is sad to say, but many times there is a disconnect between churches. Multi-site churches build a system of unity and working together, serving together as we serve one another, and serve our Lord.  It expands God’s community under one common heart and voice of the people, even if they are separated by miles.

Choosing the right campus pastor to serve in this strategic position is paramount to the over all success of the campus.  Pete Finfrock is an amazing young man who we have been “grooming” for this position. He is graduate of Ecclesia Bible College and he and his wife Emily live in Rogers.  Emily is a teacher. They have been a part of GPC since our years in Bentonville High School.  They share a common vision for the city of Rogers and know they will lead and care for the people well.  Hear Pete preach Sunday May 16th at GPC, as we move forward as a church to be on mission in Rogers.

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