Vision to Multiply
Bruce shares the vision to multiply at the Equipping for Impact conference in August.
FAQs
Q: What's the difference between "Church Planting" and "Multiplication," and why not church planting for us?
A: Multiplication includes both church planting and starting new campuses (multi-site). We should do both. We do not see this as an either/or choice, but both/and. Our best view based on research and talking with other churches is that campuses have a higher rate of growth and sustainability than do church plants. Campuses also are better stewardship because they are less expensive. It’s possible that some of our campuses will become independent churches one day. Our campuses may be a way to plant churches in the long run.
Q: What is the difference between a church plant and campus?
A: This difference is key to understanding our vision to multiply. For most of us we are used to either a church plant model or a video venue such as Prestonwood is doing in Prosper. The church plant model is truly an autonomous church that usually stands alone. It has its own unique mission/vision, 501c3 legal status, etc. The video venue is usually a location where the mother church has a worship gathering physically at another location where the senior pastor is streamed in via video. The video venue is part of the same 501c3, same pastoral staff, etc.
For the Preston Campus, we will not be doing either model, but will incorporate the best practices of each. The new campus will function with these best practices: same 501c3 (one church, two campuses), same sermon series, shared resources, common elder board, valuing the God-given personality of each leader, and doing youth camps and mission trips together, for example. We will default to doing life together as one church on two campuses and where it makes sense to name something different (such as a different sermon series) then we will do what is best for each campus, the network of campuses and the Kingdom of God.
Q: Will the Campuses use video or live preaching?
A: We are not committed to a specific methodology, but to the mission of discipling the nations. We are neither pro nor con on video preaching. If it works in a given campus then we will try it. However, we believe personal face-to-face relationships are critical to helping people find and follow Christ. Intentional spiritual friendships are essential to evangelism, discipleship, care and developing leaders. The Preston Campus will be live preaching with David Hancock as our Campus Pastor. Bruce and David will plan and coordinate sermon series together for continuity of mission/vision. For example, if we were doing a sermon series on “Heroes of the Faith” from Hebrews 11, then Bruce and David would have the same text and main content, but they will have the freedom to use illustrations and shape details of the message that fit the needs of each campus. This is much like Bruce and Jaime Gonzalez are doing today in the Spanish and Live services. Though we will do the sermons together, there may be periodic occasions were a differing series or message is chosen to fit each campus.
Q: We have been talking about multiplication so much in the last few months. It seems like we don't emphasize discipling and caring for the hurting, and healthy marriages and parents. Why not?
A: Actually multiplication is the heart to care for hurting people, heal dysfunctional marriages and equip parents. We believe we will help people better on smaller, more local campuses than on one huge regional campus. When we are in more places we will be able to care for more people more deeply. When you have a campus right where people live, it’s easier to bring a meal, watch their kids and share life together. Love is at the core of what Jesus is all about. Love is the summary of the law and the greatest of all. Multiplying happens as we each put our arms around one more person showing them the amazing love of Jesus. The mission is to multiply disciples who then gather in campuses.
Q: It will take financial resources to fund the vision to multiply, so how do we fund the new campuses?
A: We are looking at a few financial sources, but today we are not planning on using general fund resources. Some funds will come from Global Missions for which a primary mandate is to multiply churches around the world; some from a special financial project we will do in the Spring; some from people outside the church who want to invest in this opportunity and some from people who attend a campus (applies to Preston and Internet, but not Pate or Jail). When they are up and running, a campus will contribute a percentage of their general fund offerings to the central operations. We are in the process of identifying the best percentage. We have seen two churches with a 70-20-10 model; 70% to that campus; 20% to central services, and 10% for future campuses. The same financial model will not fit all campuses, especially very targeted campuses (i.e. a nursing home).
Q: How (and who) decides whether a particular campus should continue? How do we measure success and in what timeframe?
A: Campuses will have significant variation (Jail vs. Preston) so we will need to determine success criteria campus by campus in advance. Most likely for Preston it will be a combination of attendance and giving. The decision will be made jointly by the executive pastors and the leadership team for each campus and reviewed by the Elders.
Q: How (and who) decides when additional campuses are opened?
A: The Executive Pastors will propose additional campuses and the Elders will decide on whether to approve the proposed additions. The main readiness factor for new campuses is a qualified leader ready to lead the campus.
Q: I'd be curious to know how other churches who have tried campus expansion have fared (what were some difficult obstacles, how did they measure success, are the campuses still active/vibrant, etc)
A: Check out the latest research that came out recently: Multisite is Multiplying. Multi-Site Road Trip is the latest book that tells the story of about 12 churches: View it on Amazon. Also see other books on multi-site; websites and blogs.
Q: Do we have the excess capacity (staff-wise) to support many campuses? (It seems everyone at church is already putting in extra long hours.)
A: Compared to a church plant from scratch we think campuses will better leverage all resources. Amazingly right now we have more worship leaders (about 9-10) than we can get on the rotation. The staff has been preparing for most of this year. In each area the staff has identified what’s essential and optional at additional campuses. Of course people’s needs are endless and the harvest is huge. We all put in long hours, but our heart is for our team to live in a healthy rhythm that honors God.
Q: How do I get involved in a worship team for other campuses?
A: Contact Jan Touchberry () for vocalists and Randy Turner () for instrumentalists.
For a more extensive list of FAQs download our FAQ (pdf)