8. The Multi-Site Approach Can Represent a Biblically Faithful Ecclesiology
I’ve written about this at greater length elsewhere, but let me recap some of that reasoning here. Not every multi-site model is a biblically faithful one. (Nor is every single-site or single-service model.) But evidence throughout the New Testament indicates a pattern of church assembly that strengthens—rather than weakens—the multi-site approach.
Throughout the New Testament, we see evidence of single local churches that apparently met in multiple locations. Roger Gehring’s landmark study on the early church, House Church and Mission, has amply demonstrated that this kind of house church network was prevalent in the first century. New Testament and archeological evidence show us that Corinth, Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Thessalonica, Ephesus, Philippi and Laodicea were referred to as one “church” even though the Christians there gathered in various houses.
The new congregation in Jerusalem, for instance, is frequently referred to in the singular, one “church” (Acts 8:1).
This isn’t to say that multi-site is the only viable method of church practice. But it is certainly a biblically attested possibility, and arguments against its use require evidence that is equally biblical and robust.
Are We Leaving Kingdom Possibility on the Table?
Many of our friends at other churches will parse this differently than us. Some will continue to pursue multi-site models. Some will transition away from multi-site. Some will continue to employ the single-site, single service model that they are currently using. For all of these groups, we wish them well, and pray that God would bless them richly to reach their community. I continue to expect God to move in great ways through the thousands upon thousands of churches that are not multi-site. As we continue to seek the guidance of the Spirit, however, we will continue to plant campuses here in the Triangle.
Are we leaving a lot of kingdom possibility on the table by not focusing on church planting alone? I don’t think so. Over the next five years, we hope—by God’s grace—to plant dozens of churches while still utilizing a multi-site strategy. There is room for multi-siters and single-siters both in God’s mission, and we want to see a spectacular harvest from every church in our nation, regardless of the number of campuses or number of members.
If you want to know more about our multi-site strategy, this collection of articles provides a more comprehensive reflection on our approach:
- Multi-Site or “One-Service-Only”? A Question of Evangelistic Faithfulness
- Is Multi-Site a Biblically Sound Model?
- Does Multi-Site Contribute to the Consumeristic Culture of the Church?
- Does Multi-Site Discourage Leadership Development?
This article originally appeared here.
