Hop On for a Guided Tour of the Multi-Site Church Movement From multiple locations to internet campuses, the multi-site church movement is changing the shape of the church. What is this rapidly expanding phenomenon all about? Experience the revolution for yourself and see why it has become the 'new normal' for growing churches. A Multi-Site Church Roadtrip takes you on a tour of multi-site churches across America to see how they're handling the opportunities and challenges raised by this dynamic organizational model. Travel with tour guides Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird, authors of The Multi-Site Church Revolution, on their engaging and humorous journey that shows creative ways churches of all kinds are expanding their impact through multiple locations. Hear the inside stories and learn about the latest developments. Find out firsthand how the churches in this book are broadening their options for evangelism, service, and outreach---while making better use of their ministry funds.
A Multi-Site Church Roadtrip
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From the Back Cover
Hop On for a Guided Tour of the Multi-Site Church Movement From multiple locations to internet campuses, the multi-site church movement is changing the shape of the church. What is this rapidly expanding phenomenon all about? Experience the revolution for yourself and see why it has become the 'new normal' for growing churches. A Multi-Site Church Roadtrip takes you on a tour of multi-site churches across America to see how they're handling the opportunities and challenges raised by this dynamic organizational model. Travel with tour guides Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird, authors of The Multi-Site Church Revolution, on their engaging and humorous journey that shows creative ways churches of all kinds are expanding their impact through multiple locations. Hear the inside stories and learn about the latest developments. Find out firsthand how the churches in this book are broadening their options for evangelism, service, and outreach---while making better use of their ministry funds.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Geoff Surratt is on staff of Seacoast Church, a successful and high-visibility multi-site church. Geoff has twenty-four years of ministry experience in churches. Along with his wife and two children, he lives in Charleston, South Carolina. He is coauthor of The Multi-Site Church Revolution and author of Ten Stupid Things That Keep Churches from Growing.
Greg Ligon serves as Vice President and Director of Multi-Site Church Leadership Communities for Leadership Network, which involves location visits to over fifty multi-site churches. A capable writer, he also coauthored The Multi-site Church Revolution and is Leadership Network's Publisher. He and his wife have two children and live in Dallas, Texas.
Warren Bird (PhD, Fordham University) serves as a primary researcher and writer for Leadership Network and has more than ten years of church staff and of seminary teaching experience. He has collaboratively written twenty books, all on subjects of church health or church innovation. Warren and his wife live just outside of New York City. SPANISH BIO: Warren Bird, pastor ordenado por mas de veinte anos, obtuvo un doctorado en sociologia de religion en la Universidad Fordham y ademas maestrias de la Facultad Wheaton y el Seminario Teologico Alliance. Sirve como director del departamento de capital de investigacion e intelecto en la Red de Liderazgo y tiene mas de diez anos de experiencia ensenando en seminarios. Ha colaborado como autor en varios libros acerca de la salud e innovacion de la iglesia entre ellos, La iglesia emocionalmente sana. Warren y su esposa, Michelle, residen en las afueras de Nueva York.
Greg Ligon serves as Vice President and Director of Multi-Site Church Leadership Communities for Leadership Network, which involves location visits to over fifty multi-site churches. A capable writer, he also coauthored The Multi-site Church Revolution and is Leadership Network's Publisher. He and his wife have two children and live in Dallas, Texas.
Warren Bird (PhD, Fordham University) serves as a primary researcher and writer for Leadership Network and has more than ten years of church staff and of seminary teaching experience. He has collaboratively written twenty books, all on subjects of church health or church innovation. Warren and his wife live just outside of New York City. SPANISH BIO: Warren Bird, pastor ordenado por mas de veinte anos, obtuvo un doctorado en sociologia de religion en la Universidad Fordham y ademas maestrias de la Facultad Wheaton y el Seminario Teologico Alliance. Sirve como director del departamento de capital de investigacion e intelecto en la Red de Liderazgo y tiene mas de diez anos de experiencia ensenando en seminarios. Ha colaborado como autor en varios libros acerca de la salud e innovacion de la iglesia entre ellos, La iglesia emocionalmente sana. Warren y su esposa, Michelle, residen en las afueras de Nueva York.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been very curious about the proliferation of multi-site/multi-campus churches, so when I saw a chance to get this book* and review it, I jumped at it. I just finished the book and I am anxious to share some of my observations.
* Multi-Site Church Roadtrip is definitely an "Ah!" book.
The purpose of the Multi-Site Road Trip is to provide snapshots of several leading churches that have gone to (or started as) a multi-site model. By visiting these different churches and interviewing their people, Geoff, Warren, and Greg are able to give a "nuts and bolts" look at each of the churches.
I would guess that many people in ministry are like me, they are students of ministries. I always want to know what other churches are doing, how their doing it, and what the impact looks like. This is due to a desire to find strategies that would have an impact in my local community and a dose of nosiness. This books definitely satisfied my curiosity. Though the book speaks to the "why?" of multi-site ministry, it focuses mainly on the "how?"As you read, you often find yourself saying, "Ah! That is how they make it work..."
I found answers to questions like:
How do they provide live video of the main campus?
What is the organizational and financial structure of these churches?
How and when do they decide to expand to another campus?
* Multi-Site Church Roadtrip is a well organized book.
The authors do not simply roam from church to church, but they focus on the strength or unique feature of the different churches. They are also sure to include examples and contrasts from the other churches that fit the theme of the current chapter. As you read, you don't feel like you are reading a bio on a dozen churches, you feel like you are learning the building blocks of Multi-Site from the leaders or originators of the concept.
In addition to this, there are practical resources like starting each chapter with a basic bio sheet on the featured church, websites for all the featured churches, campus pastor job descriptions, and discussion questions.
* Multi-Site Church Roadtrip is not just a book for multi-site leaders.
Our church is not multi-site and we currently have no plans to be one. However, as I read the book I found a lot of practical ideas that can easily be incorporated to a single campus church. Most of these churches started off as single site churches, but because of their growth and vision they shifted to multi-site. The elements that brought them to that point are ones that I want in my church.
I was especially challenged by chapter 13 which focused on the necessity of a constant reproduction of leaders. Leadership reproduction is needed in a church that grows spiritually and numerically. I got some great insights on how Lake Pointe Church does this to facilitate growth to new locations that I can use to facilitate growth in one location.
Plus, reading about the big visions these churches have and the risks they take to accomplish their mission, challenges me to think dream bigger.
* Multi-Site Church Roadtrip does not settle the argument on whether the model is sustainable.
If (like me) you question whether multi-site is the right direction for the church to go in, you will still have some questions after reading the book. The book includes some arguments against the model from some of the foremost critics (kudos to the authors for including them).
They even admit that we can't know where all of this is heading. They say "Some of the hardest objections to address are those based on the reality that we simply don't know what the long-term effects of the multi-site movement will be." Of course, we wont/can't find out until we get there.
The book doesn't settle the argument, but I don't think it was intended to. This book provides info on how it is being done, which gives all of us more information to help us decide or form an opinion. For example, I personally lean toward the idea of letting secondary locations become their own church. That is the strategy that New Hope Christian Fellowship Hawaii is pursuing. The book covers their approach in chapter 2 "The Church Planting versus Campus Launch Dilemma."
In summary: I recommend the book and I will put what I learned into good use in my own church as well as in future conversations about multi-site ministry.
*I received the book for free by committing to review it on my blog.
* Multi-Site Church Roadtrip is definitely an "Ah!" book.
The purpose of the Multi-Site Road Trip is to provide snapshots of several leading churches that have gone to (or started as) a multi-site model. By visiting these different churches and interviewing their people, Geoff, Warren, and Greg are able to give a "nuts and bolts" look at each of the churches.
I would guess that many people in ministry are like me, they are students of ministries. I always want to know what other churches are doing, how their doing it, and what the impact looks like. This is due to a desire to find strategies that would have an impact in my local community and a dose of nosiness. This books definitely satisfied my curiosity. Though the book speaks to the "why?" of multi-site ministry, it focuses mainly on the "how?"As you read, you often find yourself saying, "Ah! That is how they make it work..."
I found answers to questions like:
How do they provide live video of the main campus?
What is the organizational and financial structure of these churches?
How and when do they decide to expand to another campus?
* Multi-Site Church Roadtrip is a well organized book.
The authors do not simply roam from church to church, but they focus on the strength or unique feature of the different churches. They are also sure to include examples and contrasts from the other churches that fit the theme of the current chapter. As you read, you don't feel like you are reading a bio on a dozen churches, you feel like you are learning the building blocks of Multi-Site from the leaders or originators of the concept.
In addition to this, there are practical resources like starting each chapter with a basic bio sheet on the featured church, websites for all the featured churches, campus pastor job descriptions, and discussion questions.
* Multi-Site Church Roadtrip is not just a book for multi-site leaders.
Our church is not multi-site and we currently have no plans to be one. However, as I read the book I found a lot of practical ideas that can easily be incorporated to a single campus church. Most of these churches started off as single site churches, but because of their growth and vision they shifted to multi-site. The elements that brought them to that point are ones that I want in my church.
I was especially challenged by chapter 13 which focused on the necessity of a constant reproduction of leaders. Leadership reproduction is needed in a church that grows spiritually and numerically. I got some great insights on how Lake Pointe Church does this to facilitate growth to new locations that I can use to facilitate growth in one location.
Plus, reading about the big visions these churches have and the risks they take to accomplish their mission, challenges me to think dream bigger.
* Multi-Site Church Roadtrip does not settle the argument on whether the model is sustainable.
If (like me) you question whether multi-site is the right direction for the church to go in, you will still have some questions after reading the book. The book includes some arguments against the model from some of the foremost critics (kudos to the authors for including them).
They even admit that we can't know where all of this is heading. They say "Some of the hardest objections to address are those based on the reality that we simply don't know what the long-term effects of the multi-site movement will be." Of course, we wont/can't find out until we get there.
The book doesn't settle the argument, but I don't think it was intended to. This book provides info on how it is being done, which gives all of us more information to help us decide or form an opinion. For example, I personally lean toward the idea of letting secondary locations become their own church. That is the strategy that New Hope Christian Fellowship Hawaii is pursuing. The book covers their approach in chapter 2 "The Church Planting versus Campus Launch Dilemma."
In summary: I recommend the book and I will put what I learned into good use in my own church as well as in future conversations about multi-site ministry.
*I received the book for free by committing to review it on my blog.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Jeff Meyer
Format:Paperback
Sometimes it's affirming to hear that other missional leaders are asking the same questions...and coming to the same conclusions. It's encouraging to see that God is moving ministries of all backgrounds, shapes and sizes to embrace Jesus' mission to reach the world.
I was certainly encouraged as I worked my way through "The Multi-Site Church Road Trip". As the authors shared their insights gleaned from the personal experiences in 14 multi-site churches, I found myself resonating with much of what they said. The broad look at all of these unique ministries reasserted to me the depth and breadth of the Christian Church. I look forward to the day when my church denomination will be able to contribute to a work like this!
The book was very practical, and yet never prescribed one model over the other. I appreciated the general introductions to these dynamic ministries, and yet, never felt pressured to adopt any one particular practice. In a day when individual uniqueness and clarity in the church are gaining momentum, I am grateful for authors/ speakers/ practitioners who share examples without prescription. As I read through the observations from the authors, there was one theme that consistently rose to the top: missional churches who are embracing the multi-site vision are forever in a grand experiment. This is our story too.
Here are my top 10 thoughts that I gained from reading this book:
1) Multi-site is motivated by Christ's Mission! Multi-site is a 2,000 year approach to address the challenge of reaching people and making disciples. pg. 18
2) Most multi-site churches are trading the Starbucks model (franchising) for a tour through "Legoland". Multi-site churches are "able to showcase a tremendous variety of sizes and designs, but it is still evident that everything is built from the same building blocks." pg. 29
3) If you decide to embrace multi-site you will need to decide whether you will be a church with additional sites, or one church of multiple sites. Chapter 3
4) Healthy multi-sites have developed their DNA over time. That DNA can become the engine for expansion. But the DNA must be reproducible. pg. 48
5) "Location is a means to an end." pg. 72 Multi-site flies in the face of the "irrational belief that people are in community because they show up at the same physical space each week." pg. 48
6) Make sure your model is motivated by mission, and not by growth! "Your heart cannot be, 'We want to put up another campus.' Instead your heart has to be, 'We want to reach that community.' You need to be okay with the idea that the community is worth serving even if you never open the doors to a campus there.'" pg. 79
7) Some are embracing multi-site to enter into communities where existing churches are leaving. "What would it say to the community if you moved into a neighborhood that other churches were leaving and decided to make a difference?" pg. 83
8) Embrace technology! "'What new technologies on the horizon could we harness for kingdom use within current fund limitations?'" pg. 113
9) Be willing to adapt and embrace change! "Adding sites/ locations will mean changing the way you are organized." pg. 116
10) Leadership! Leadership! Leadership! Multi-site can actually allow for more people to use their gifts. The 5-fold gifts (APEPT/ Ephesians 4:11) are seen more clearly. Intentional development and articulation of your "Leadership Greenhouse" is mandatory for replication. "Good leadership is always the key to healthy, growing churches. That need multiplies and increases in multi-site churches. Effective multi-site churches have an established culture and well-developed strategies for reproducing and growing biblical leaders." pg. 188
We have embraced the multi-site vision for one reason: it is the best way we can reach out to our neighbors, and friends and love them in the name of Jesus. We pray as this happens more and more frequently throughout our mission field that God's name would be glorified and that disciples will be made! "We must not forget that it's essential for churches to embrace a vision for replication and multiplication, fueled by the confidence that more people will come to know Christ as we bring the church to them in a way that they understand." pg. 218
If you are considering multi-site or are already multi-site, take the road trip!
I was certainly encouraged as I worked my way through "The Multi-Site Church Road Trip". As the authors shared their insights gleaned from the personal experiences in 14 multi-site churches, I found myself resonating with much of what they said. The broad look at all of these unique ministries reasserted to me the depth and breadth of the Christian Church. I look forward to the day when my church denomination will be able to contribute to a work like this!
The book was very practical, and yet never prescribed one model over the other. I appreciated the general introductions to these dynamic ministries, and yet, never felt pressured to adopt any one particular practice. In a day when individual uniqueness and clarity in the church are gaining momentum, I am grateful for authors/ speakers/ practitioners who share examples without prescription. As I read through the observations from the authors, there was one theme that consistently rose to the top: missional churches who are embracing the multi-site vision are forever in a grand experiment. This is our story too.
Here are my top 10 thoughts that I gained from reading this book:
1) Multi-site is motivated by Christ's Mission! Multi-site is a 2,000 year approach to address the challenge of reaching people and making disciples. pg. 18
2) Most multi-site churches are trading the Starbucks model (franchising) for a tour through "Legoland". Multi-site churches are "able to showcase a tremendous variety of sizes and designs, but it is still evident that everything is built from the same building blocks." pg. 29
3) If you decide to embrace multi-site you will need to decide whether you will be a church with additional sites, or one church of multiple sites. Chapter 3
4) Healthy multi-sites have developed their DNA over time. That DNA can become the engine for expansion. But the DNA must be reproducible. pg. 48
5) "Location is a means to an end." pg. 72 Multi-site flies in the face of the "irrational belief that people are in community because they show up at the same physical space each week." pg. 48
6) Make sure your model is motivated by mission, and not by growth! "Your heart cannot be, 'We want to put up another campus.' Instead your heart has to be, 'We want to reach that community.' You need to be okay with the idea that the community is worth serving even if you never open the doors to a campus there.'" pg. 79
7) Some are embracing multi-site to enter into communities where existing churches are leaving. "What would it say to the community if you moved into a neighborhood that other churches were leaving and decided to make a difference?" pg. 83
8) Embrace technology! "'What new technologies on the horizon could we harness for kingdom use within current fund limitations?'" pg. 113
9) Be willing to adapt and embrace change! "Adding sites/ locations will mean changing the way you are organized." pg. 116
10) Leadership! Leadership! Leadership! Multi-site can actually allow for more people to use their gifts. The 5-fold gifts (APEPT/ Ephesians 4:11) are seen more clearly. Intentional development and articulation of your "Leadership Greenhouse" is mandatory for replication. "Good leadership is always the key to healthy, growing churches. That need multiplies and increases in multi-site churches. Effective multi-site churches have an established culture and well-developed strategies for reproducing and growing biblical leaders." pg. 188
We have embraced the multi-site vision for one reason: it is the best way we can reach out to our neighbors, and friends and love them in the name of Jesus. We pray as this happens more and more frequently throughout our mission field that God's name would be glorified and that disciples will be made! "We must not forget that it's essential for churches to embrace a vision for replication and multiplication, fueled by the confidence that more people will come to know Christ as we bring the church to them in a way that they understand." pg. 218
If you are considering multi-site or are already multi-site, take the road trip!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Multi-site churches are becoming the new "normal", according to Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon and Warren Bird in this book, and they estimate that there are now more than 3,000 multi-site churches in the United States, whereas there were only about 300 ten years ago. To illustrate the benefits and variety of multi-site churches, the authors took a "road trip" and came up with a number of really interesting insights.
Seacoast Church has 13 different campuses, and some of these are quite big (5,000 attenders) whereas others are quite small (80 attenders). Teaching is mostly done by video. The smaller campuses get the benefits of being part of a larger church (access to high quality resources, specialist ministries, etc), while the larger campuses get the benefits of smaller churches (more opportunities for people to serve in meaningful ways, etc).
Christ the King Community Church International has 17 US and more than 100 international sites. Teaching is done in person at each site. Christ the King is a church of small groups, and it uses deliberately simple, low-tech, low-cost approaches to multiplying its ministry. Lifechurch.tv, on the other hand, is a leader in the use of technology in its 14 campuses, and it includes a fully online campus which can be attended by anyone in any country of the world.
The book includes examples from many other churches. Multi-site models have been used to kick-start the planting of new churches, and they have been effective in revitalising dying churches. Almost any church will find something of interest in the book; it certainly gave me a number of ideas about reaching unchurched people more rapidly and more cost-effectively. I recommend this book to all church leaders, including those who have never heard of or considered multi-site church strategies.
Seacoast Church has 13 different campuses, and some of these are quite big (5,000 attenders) whereas others are quite small (80 attenders). Teaching is mostly done by video. The smaller campuses get the benefits of being part of a larger church (access to high quality resources, specialist ministries, etc), while the larger campuses get the benefits of smaller churches (more opportunities for people to serve in meaningful ways, etc).
Christ the King Community Church International has 17 US and more than 100 international sites. Teaching is done in person at each site. Christ the King is a church of small groups, and it uses deliberately simple, low-tech, low-cost approaches to multiplying its ministry. Lifechurch.tv, on the other hand, is a leader in the use of technology in its 14 campuses, and it includes a fully online campus which can be attended by anyone in any country of the world.
The book includes examples from many other churches. Multi-site models have been used to kick-start the planting of new churches, and they have been effective in revitalising dying churches. Almost any church will find something of interest in the book; it certainly gave me a number of ideas about reaching unchurched people more rapidly and more cost-effectively. I recommend this book to all church leaders, including those who have never heard of or considered multi-site church strategies.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A helpful tour of healthy multi-site churches
Road-trip was a fun ride across the country, exploring ways that churches are expanding their ministries by adding more centers of ministry. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Tim Lubinus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Going Multi-Site? A must-Have Resource!
When Harvest Church made the decision two years ago to become a multi-site church, one of the first books I purchased was The Multi-Site Revolution. Read more
Published on March 15, 2010 by Willy Maxwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Review: A Multi-Site Church Roadtrip
When I first received the book, I'm not exactly sure that I had any beginning expectations of the book. Read more
Published on March 13, 2010 by KM Johnson Davis
2.0 out of 5 stars
interesting, but not very useful
There has been a movement within the last few years to make one church have multiple sites. There may be a video feed from the main campus to other campuses, or a pre-recorded... Read more
Published on March 12, 2010 by pastor chad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Saves Travelling and Counseling Budget!
by John D. Scott, Rachel's husband....
In 2002, I was drowning. On the edge of a breakdown, I walked into a psychiatrist's office, fell down on his couch and bore my... Read more
In 2002, I was drowning. On the edge of a breakdown, I walked into a psychiatrist's office, fell down on his couch and bore my... Read more
Published on March 12, 2010 by R. Scott
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mutli-Site Church Roadtrip
First, let me say that this book has very good information contained in it. It truly gives the reader a picture of the various types of multi-site churches and also gives a... Read more
Published on March 11, 2010 by Justin Halbersma
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent for the Practitioner
I recently read the new book Multi-Site Church Road Trip by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird. Read more
Published on March 11, 2010 by Thomas J. Elenbaas
4.0 out of 5 stars
A trip worth taking!
A Review Of A Multi-Site Church Road Trip
Before I started this book, my view of multi-site churches was negative for personal reasons. Read more
Before I started this book, my view of multi-site churches was negative for personal reasons. Read more
Published on March 11, 2010 by Chad H. Milec
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Multi-Site Church Road Trip
Zondervan very kindly sent me a copy of A Multi-Site Church Road Trip by Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon and Warren Bird to review. Read more
Published on March 11, 2010 by C. Kidd
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential for churches interested in branching out
Most of us in pastoral and church leadership circles have heard the term multi-site. My current church talked about the idea ourselves a couple of years ago. Read more
Published on March 11, 2010 by Chris Mackinnon
