Multi-Site Churches: Guidance for the Movement's Next Generation [Paperback]

Scott McConnell (Author), Ed Stetzer (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

Based on research of forty congregations that have grown by opening one or more additional worship locations, Multi-Site Churches provides the next generation of believers interested in this same type of growth with practical insights about how and when to proceed. Common practices and mistakes to avoid are clearly explained, and first-person advice and anecdotes from leading multi-site church pastors offer an invaluable advantage for when your church considers whether or not to follow this path of ministry.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scott McConnell is associate director of LifeWay Research and has researched the needs and preferences of churches for ten years. He received a bachelor of science degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and lives with his wife and children in Nashville, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805448772
• ISBN-13: 978-0805448771
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Best Qualified Researchers in Religion - Watch What He Says, May 10, 2009

By 

NUMB3RS NUT (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multi-Site Churches: Guidance for the Movement's Next Generation (Paperback)

Along with Robert Wuthnow and Michael Lindsay, and George Gallup, Jr., Scott McConnell is unique among those writing on the topic of sociology and marketing research in religion today. Unlike so many other popular writers within evangelical Christianity (like Rainer, Barna, and even Stetzer), Scott is eminently qualified for this work.

First, he has strong training. As a graduate of The Wharton School, he has has been trained in a real-world, non-religious environment (compare that to the other popular writers in his field who are mostly preachers or seminary professors). He also furthered his study in research methodology at The Burke Institute. Unlike so many others who research religion, Scott's understanding of research is far beyond doing simple frequency analysis. He knows and has used the most complicated tools for data analysis. This is one reason why you won't hear him make claims that sound outrageous or too good to be true. His knowledge of and commitment to sound methodology is stronger than that of anyone except Wuthnow, Lindsay, and George Gallup, Jr. (with whom he has actually worked).

Second, McConnell was world-class experience. Before moving into the study of religion, he was a rising star at the world-renown research firm, National Analysts. This is the firm known for developing the depth interview and for literally writing the textbook on Market Segmentation. At National Analysts, he directed research projects for Fortune 100 firms and began his entry into marketing research on churches and denominations.

Third, McConnell has had to apply his research in real-world settings where tens of millions of dollars were riding on what he was reporting. His research has not simply simply been a series of academic exercises. He has had to produce immediate, tangible results that could be easily measured. In each instance of which i know, his methodology, analysis, and presentation were impeccable.

Finally, he knows churches and religion. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he's not writing about something from a long distance. McConnell is a practitioner of faith and church. He's not just a preacher or professor in an ivory tower. He knows the details of his subjects better than others since he is in the middle of church experiences as an active layman.

All of this combines to give Scott the chops to study and write on topics related to religion, sociology, and marketing research.

Why does this matter for this book? Since this book relies on less sophisticated methodology were there is temptation to stretch the findings to make grandiose or biased claims, it's important to know that McConnell is a world-class researcher who will shoot straight. It's also important to know that he's not simply an outside observer on this subject - he is actually a practitioner on this subject.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book to Help Those Considering Multi-Site Church Strategy, April 18, 2009

By 

Leslie L. White - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Multi-Site Churches: Guidance for the Movement's Next Generation (Paperback)

This is a well written and researched book for anyone involved in or planning a Multi-site strategy for church growth. I would consider it a must read for anyone in this situation so you can be prepared and do well your multi site church plants.