We experimented this weekend with what we're calling a hybrid multi-site model. Instead of one preacher and one message across all locations, all of our campus pastors preached live at their locations. I still believe that one primary communicator across locations is key to maintaining the same DNA. But I also believe it's important for our campus pastors to have a preaching presence. We'll continue having some hybrid weekends with all of our campus pastors teaching live.
We continued the Last Words series. The focus this week was "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Our family attended our Ballston location. Great message. And I really enjoyed communion. We usually serve communion in communion bags or by passing the communion elements, but we actually came forward to receive communion at Ballston today. Made it a communal experience.
Really enjoyed just going to church today! I needed a little preaching break!
We continued the Last Words series. The focus this week was "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Our family attended our Ballston location. Great message. And I really enjoyed communion. We usually serve communion in communion bags or by passing the communion elements, but we actually came forward to receive communion at Ballston today. Made it a communal experience.
Really enjoyed just going to church today! I needed a little preaching break!
8 Comments:
It was a night of firsts for us: Chris was preaching, we brought guests who had never been to NCC, and the boys shared in their first communion. We decided to plug in at Ebz and were so blessed to have Chris share a great message and open his heart...he and Lora are wonderful. Colin & Connor took their first communion. WOW! It was one of those moments …I was standing behind the boys explaining the importance of Jesus and what communion represents; God stopped me and gently reminded me of what an awesome and overwhelming responsibility he has given me. Our family is so blessed to be a part of the NCC body of Christ. Thank you for your vision and leadership.
I'm not a big fan of receiving communion like the Catholics by stepping forth. The Lord's Supper is meant to be a single share moment amongst the congregation. Everyone partake in unison; no one is more privilege than anyone else, so why should anyone 'have their meal' first?
We ALL need those breaks. Neat idea, Mark. Glad you were refreshed.
Mark,
I'm a big fan of what God is doing through you and the team at the church. Your "hybrid" idea surfaces for me a real question: "Why not do it like this all the time?" Preserving the DNA is one thing, but can't that be done by a team of preachers who share the same cultural convictions? I'm a little worried that one teacher broadcast at many locations could possibly promote a personality-driven church, egos run amuk, and diminish the role of the Holy Spirit speaking and working through a variety of life experiences. From a logistical standpoint, it makes sense. I'm just a little worried about where this leads us. Are we depersonalizing the church...at least a little? I'd love to hear from you on this. I'm kind of torn on the whole thing. I see its value, but I also see the downside.
Jerry,
One thing that has helped us move away from a personality-drive model is a teaching team. I think it's the key! I only speak 36 times a year. And I think the team approach allows the congregation to hear other voices.
We actually surveyed our congregation to ask them whether they'd like to hear me live or campus pastors video. It was a tough question to ask. We all had to put on egos on the table :) And the majority voted for the video message. But that isn't the primary reason we're doing it. As lead pastor of NCC, I feel like I need to speak to every person at every location on a consistent basis. It's the only way to cast corporate vision, teach the congregation at-large, and maintain unity.
If you have different preachers at every location every week I think you've got a bunch of church plants. And we certainly plant churches too. But multi-site is about DNA, economy of scale, best practices, etc.
It's really amazing how well the video works. May sound impersonal or personality-driven, but I don't think it is.
This probably warrants a more extended discussion because it's a philosophy of ministry issue.
But that's my two cents,
Mark
Hey Mark,
I like your sermon series idea on "Last Wrods." I am doing a series called, "The Last Temptations of Christ." In his most victimized and stressfull moments on earth Jesus was still obediant to forgive, love, be quiet, handle power gently, and so many other things.
I think that the balance you have created in your preaching schedule is perfect. I would be careful to make sure that every person hears from the Lead Pastor at least 36 times every year. I mean, think about how many people may be missing from one of those times that you speak. It could be possible that a church member hear from you even less if they don't keep up with the web based messages.
Remember the old days when Pastors preached three times every week. That routine was rough. I think that the Pastor has one message in his heart per week. The other messages are more like Bible study or devotional.
I am looking forward to the day that I and my family will attend the church I pastor like you did this week. It is a great personal goal for the health of my family that you have placed in my heart.
Paul
We do the hybrid-model and it is working very well. As you say Mark, the team teaching model alleviates the ego issues that might arise.
It is a key in the multi-site model to allow the Campus Pastor to speak into the life of the campus and also to keep the live feeling rolling so it is not video all the time. (At least in our model that is what we do).
Keep up the great work!
Mark,
Thanks so much for your reply to my questions regarding video messaging. I see the value and do not deny the upside. Technology is a wonderful thing! I suppose the responsibility of leadership is to keep a very close watch over the relational dynamics created by the ever-expansive use of technology. Sounds like you are all over that. You're doing a great job. I listen to your podcast every week. Keep innovating!
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