Don't Go Multi-Site...

I went to a Northwest Church Planters forum today to hear about Multi-Site Church. The Pastor at New Heights Church, Matt Hannan, has led his church to 6 services, 2 video venues, with 2 more in the works. Here is what he said...

Don't Go Multi-Site...

...If you think it is cool
...If you haven't expanded at your current site (e.g. added more services around the prime church time, 9-11am on Sundays. Saturday evening are cool too.)
...If you don't have a three legged stool. (meaning: solid teaching, exceptional worship and good kids ministry.)
...If you aren't a strong teacher.
...If you think you know how.
...If you want to save money. (Matt said starting a service where the teaching is "exported to another site" runs a minimum of 100K.)
...If you think it's a fix for a building. (meaning: you need a building due to the "psychology of permanence" that exists in people.)
...If you only have adequate leadership.
...If you haven't assessed the technological cost. (Ask yourself, "how much staff could we get for the money we are spending on technology?")
...If you want simplify.
...If your culture isn't fixed.
...If your values aren't clear.
...If you want to grow. (Still the best way to grow is to planet a church. Then it is the church plant that grows.)
...If your leaders aren't deeply committed.
...If you can avoid it.
...If you think it is easy.

After spending an hour trying dissuade a room full of church planters, Matt said if we were still looking to do a video venue multi-site church setup he wanted to be a resource to help start them.

Naaaa, I thought. I am already convinced video venue churches are not a good idea.