Multisite Next Decade - What’s at the Core? (part 3)

I am continually surprised by the strategies of mega churches to grow the “kingdom” through multi-sites that seem more about franchising a brand or controlling the message in hopes that it reaches the intended audience.  Both highlighted churches in the video article seem to have very different approaches to the issue of multi-site and yet it is unclear whether each strategy is really reaching the unchurched population in their respected area which is a growing percentage of people in the US.  Christianity is on the decline in this country and I think it is time to get back to the biblical concept of multiplying the church by growing pastoral leaders and sharing the good news of the Gospel through our actions rather than with words and buildings and experiences. The “brand management” idea is basically franchising which offers people the same experience no matter the location. I also worry that the multi-site churches are raising up managers but not true leaders and pastors. Franchises are not interested in the local culture or meeting the needs of the local people; franchise businesses are interested in getting their product out to the masses.  Franchises are not interested in raising up leaders to grow and change the business for the better.  They are interested in creating responsible managers who will promote one way of leading and managing people and the franchise so the identity of the business does not get distorted.  The apostle Paul had a different approach… go to a particular area, settle in, train, disciple, model the values of Jesus and raise up a group of leaders to advance the message of the “kingdom”.  Paul wanted to use the language, the images and the people of a local area to reach the “locals” who did not know Jesus, the Savior.  When will we start to highlight smaller, insignificant churches who are trying to multiply the kingdom of God by planting leaders and churches in communities where the Good News of Jesus needs to be shared with less words and more actions of service and love.  I am not convinced that the multi-site movement is reaching the unchurched and the poor with the Good News of Jesus.  More time is needed to see the outcome of this movement.

Tim - all fair questions and ones that I have asked along the way.  However, my experience is that in the vast majority of cases, these churches are effectively raising up new generations of leaders, bringing people to faith in Jesus and advancing the kingdom by engaging in unique ways consistent with the needs within the communities where they are located.