Multi-Campus Is not For Everyone
OK – that’s a whole week on the current phenomenon of multi-site churches. For those of you who really like to cut to the chase, here is a video summary of what I was trying to say in the last two posts. Feel free to leave a comment or even a difference of opinion. Let me know what you are thinking and let others be edified by your perspective. 
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Categorized as: Church, From James, Ministry, Video
October 9th, 2009 at 11:04 am
These are such balanced and wise words!
October 9th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
[...] James MacDonald, in less than 2 minutes, makes the case. For more exhaustive thoughts by MacDonald check out his two recent blog posts on multi-campus [...]
October 9th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Did anyone ever tell you that you look like Noel Paul Stookey?
October 9th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Multi-site is ok with me as long as I am at the site with a live preacher. I used to attend Harvest and when it was a simulcast message at Rolling Meadows, I felt like the energy in the room was so much less vs. when James preached live. The whole energy in the room seemed depleted – like a balloon bursting. I certainly got much more out of the live message. If I wanted to see something taped then I could just stay at home and watch any of the numerous preachers on TV.
Wish ya’ll the best!
October 9th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I would agree! It seems like the multi-campus “movement” (if you could call it that) can promote a competition to “keep up” with the other churches who are doing it. It can also give the impression that ministry is always going to be big, and great, and growing like mad. Not every church is like that, and there are a lot of small churches where God is doing a lot of work in that aren’t going to go to the multi campus size.
I’m not against multi-campus, but I believe, as you said pastor James, let’s focus on quality where we are at first. If we grow, great, but if we are growing, let’s make sure it is in quality and not just in quantity!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:47 am
James,
Good word. Multi-site is not for everyone. Fully agree. I also agree with your statement that you should only go multi-site – if God wants more of what you are doing somewhere else (paraphrase). The place I would differ a little I think is that there are times that God is calling churches to use the strength of what is happening at their original campus in some new ways and venues.
Also – for the folks that said that multi-site is only for large churches, our research indicates it just isn’t so. There are a number of small to mid-size churches that have multiple campuses. Their focus is often in a suburban or rural setting where growing a large campus is just not possible due to limitations of land or zoning.
Geoff Surratt, Warren Bird and I welcome your thoughts and conversation on http://www.multisitechurchroadtrip.com.
Blessings,
Greg Ligon
October 12th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I have to disagree with Dave’s comment on the energy leaves the room from taped or live feed services. The thought at first of watching Pastor James via video did not sit well with me either but the more I focused on what the message was instead of where it was coming from I found myself not even noticing. Heck I actually watch the screen more even when Pastor James is live since it stays focused clearly on him no matter where in the room he his.
Second disagreement about the comment is “I can just stay home and watch any numerous preachers on my own tv” That’s not what the bible says. We are to come together weekly as a body or yes you will lose the impact of worshiping with fellow Christians praying with you. Matthew 18:20 says “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
It is hard to sometimes get over the idea of your Pastor not physically present at times. When I was new to the church I felt the same way, but I feel that if you gave it a few tries, and prayed that God would reveal himself during the services, the Lord would indeed answer.
October 13th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Amen, Amen, Amen and Amen from someone who has moved to many different cities and states in the last 10 years because of husband’s consulting.
Every little, medium or 200+ church we have ever visited or attended wants to be a Willow or Harvest.
If the pews aren’t full start with the B-I-B-L-E. They need to READ IT, PREACH IT, LIVE IT. I wish I could broadcast this from the church’s roof with a blow horn.
If you are preaching the BIBLE then look at the power issues or lack of godly leadership in your church.
Hard words for hard days in America.