Multi-Site Church Roadtrip, My Review
By Daniel Edwards | March 12, 2010
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.
Topics: All, Evangelism, General | No Comments »
Favorite Tweets of February
By Daniel Edwards | March 8, 2010
Enjoy the latest roundup!
Follow me on Twitter.
Follow our Church on Twitter.
Check out previous favorite Tweets.
- loswhit Why do I ignore thousands of loving comments and stew over the one negative one?
- chris_clay proud of Todd. From his facebook page “Made the most important decision last night. I gave my life to Jesus and I believe he forgave me.”
- oodja Tonight on NBC: Mary Carillo joins the RCMP. There may also be some #Olympics coverage in between that and the commercials…
- loswhit Waffle House date w/ @whittakerwoman.Was gr8 until I said,”Can we not have a deep conversation 2nite?” #thingsUdontsaytoURwife
- cforbesoklahoma People used to talk about the weather to avoid controversial subjects of politics & religion-until the topic of climate became both to some.
- loswhit Move over MacGyver http://twitpic.com/13v1oi
- iPopEditor I’m still amazed that a show about a plane crash on an island can add new characters every season #lost
- jeffpost @webby778 it took you and entire email to say something worthwhile? The rest of us can easily get our point across using only 140 ch… oops
- webby778 …for those of you who brag about making @Pastor_Daniel ’s favorite tweets, have you ever had your email quoted in a blog post!?
- BranchPastor “Love everyone the most” - My favorite quote from my Caroline @ age 5
- Nicole_Edwards The inventor of the Frisbee died yesterday; Java wants to attend his funeral and show his respects.
- JacobRiggs When I’m in full-time ministry, remind me not to preach after the guest preacher just preached.
- jasondwright Facebook is full of Baptists…”Why are things always changing? We like the old way better!”
- coreymminter I am really tempted to take Denali out and see if if can pull a sled
- BranchPastor Give up your right to be negative
- NicoleNeff I hope we get a lot of snow, or no snow at all. Go big or go home. Or really, go big so I can STAY home.
- Nicole_Edwards Well now that the Saints won, maybe we can move past Hurricane Katrina.
- stevenfurtick Hey pastors-I think what u do every Sunday is way more important than what Drew Brees & Peyton Manning are about to do.
- jeffpost As I was taking the 3 carts that were behind my car back into Wal-Mart, an employee asked “You think you’re better than me?” “Yes. Yes I do”
- loganwolf85 A rare thing just happened. A pastor called me back to schedule a service.
- JasonBurton I think everything is a trap, that’s why I’m still alive.
- cforbesoklahoma We have nothing to fear but fear itself. That, and that someone we know might actually be the Smoke Monster.
- mattdantodd Discovered today that a copier repair man is much more effective at fixing the copier than me using a shovel.
- jkriggs Be wary of people who always want to know the latest controversy.
- Nicole_Edwards I think some people are dreaming when they post their celebrity look alikes.
- jeffpost going to bed hoping I don’t awaken to “I Got You, Babe” again tomorrow.
- thomaslennon Seems like if you’re good at gambling, you’re a professional. If you’re bad at it, it’s an addiction.
Topics: All, General | No Comments »
Responsible Email
By Daniel Edwards | February 11, 2010
We have all gotten them. The emails that tell us that the President is actually an alien, that congress is about to pass a law banning Christianity, or that by forwarding an email you donate money to cancer research.
There have been numerous occasions of a friend, family member, or fellow church attender sending me information that is baseless and misleading.
These emails are junk. I hate receiving them.
I think passing them along without researching their validity is more than just annoying, it is unwise.
All that being said, this past week I got an email that I feel is worth sharing.
Subject: Lie not one to another - Col 3:9a
Dear Friends in Ministry,
I recently received an email that asked me to sign a petition to help stop the Removal of Pastors from Television. I didn’t sign the petition mainly because I assumed email petitions do not mean much in a court of law and because I researched the story and found it to be untrue. Below you will find a few links to Focus on the Family’s website. There is an article about bearing false witness through internet hoaxes and also a link to the Q&A portion of Focus on the Family’s website that dispels a few myths (the Pastor removal hoax is included).
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/focusmagazine/christianliving/A000000143.cfm
It is my personal standard that FW: emails are guilty until proven innocent. If I receive an email and the original author is not a personal friend, my conscience will not allow me to forward it until I have gone to the original source and found it to be true… with this being said. I rarely forward emails, because I seldom find them to be accurate.
May we not be guilty of promoting agendas (personal, political or religious) with falsehood! Our responsibilty to search for and desire truth does not end at church but extends into cyberspace. With so much dishonesty in our world, it is important that we search out the truth before we send emails to the ones we minister to and with. Colossians 3:9 states, Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.
I hope this has been received well. May God bless your service for Him.
This latest email hoax has resulted in thousands of calls to Focus on the Family. I am sure these calls have wasted hours of time and lots of ministry money.
More damaging is the loss of credibility that we all suffer when the causes and movements we support are tied to malarkey.
Don’t spread rumors! In conversation or email!
Topics: All, Apologetics, General | 1 Comment »
Favorite Tweets of January
By Daniel Edwards | February 10, 2010
I have been doing favorite tweets for a year now! I am unsure if people get any enjoyment out of this besides seeing their name on the list…. but I like going back and seeing the lines that made me click the “favorite star.”
I hope that if you read these, you will find some good/funny/weird people to follow on Twitter. We have learned that Twitter isn’t about having a lot connections or followers, it’s about having good connections. Quality trumps quantity is most areas of life.
Hopefully you have found this funny and thought provoking, found some good people, or maybe I helped you with your Physics test score.
Here is to another year of Favorite Tweets!
Follow me.
Check out other favorite tweets from the past year.
Gander at my twitter list for people who have been “faved.”
- MarkBatterson is your vision your agenda 4 God? Or is your vision His agenda 4 you?
- edstetzer
My favorite part of the 3rd service was the child projectile vomitting in the middle of the sermon. Good preaching.
- jimmycshaw Church is cancelled for tomorrow. But everyone’s encouraged to make it out for the University basketball games tonight.
- JacobRiggs “Calvinists are Arminian except when they’re making Calvinist statements.” Forlines
- JacobRiggs I bet Kroger paid the weather people to call for snow.
- bullash
I think if @jeffpost’s last tweet makes @pastor_daniel’s top tweets for the month then he should not mark that question wrong.
I agree! Quality of sketch should determine if the student get half credit or full credit.
- jeffpost Answer on a physics exam I’m grading- “Since I am unsure of the answer, please accept this magical unicorn instead” *sketch of unicorn*
- chris_clay “Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. PART 1
- jeffpost My children are terrorists. Along with causing economic turmoil, they are highly skilled using sleep deprivation and chemical warfare.
- rachmint Today is Africa Day for the 5th grades. I look pretty funny in my African garb, but I’m one of the lucky Africans who has received TOMS.
Apparently Africans have fads too!
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- cforbesoklahoma Bill Gates Surpasses 100,000 Twitter Followers in 8 Hours http://ow.ly/YISW In other news, Twitter suddenly starts crashing more often.
- jeffpost For a complete transcript of Troy Aikman’s comments, randomly drop small objects onto your keyboard for three hours.
- stevenfurtick When you miss someone who left your life-realize: you probably don’t really miss them. You miss the person you thought they were.
- bulaski3 @webby778 “tweets from heaven” are bound to make @Pastor-Daniel favorite tweets of the month?
- Nicole_Edwards Java’s racquetball is now a racquet semi-circle.
- mlomb All those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand. ~ Anonymous
- jeffpost Hyperbole is the greatest thing ever!
- bentaylor Don’t be a leadership drainer…question somethings not everything…trust
- edstetzer My last tweet about social media and how there is no such thing as an “internet church” had a bad link. #irony
- WScottBenton RT @funnyoneliners Sunday School Teacher: “Why is it important to be quiet in church?” Pupil: “Because people are sleeping.
- chadmm At chuck e cheeses about to eat some cardboard and then play games
- PastorScott Anyone who’s been a Christian for more than couple of years should be a “self-feeder.” Even babies learn to feed themselves.
- bullash Mrs. Bulaski just told @dbulaski to not eat his brownie. She didnt want to be on Biggest Loser with him crying because he was fat.
- CJHoyt14 So, do you Tri-Staters prefer we call this Snowpocalypse or Snowmageddon?
Thought of this yesterday when I heard a reporter in DC use “Snowmageddon.”
- NicoleNeff I think it’s funny that there are grown men worried about traveling in 4 inches of snow. Dude, it’s snow…not ice.
- bentaylor You weren’t made to be somebody…you were made to know somebody…john piper
- RyanAkers Casting for the Bachelor: If you want to dress like a hoochie and can’t spell your name, this show’s for you. #fb
- chadmm Courtney quote of the day “it tastes like a Christmas tree in my mouth.”
- jeffpost Achievement and action are not synonymous. My greatest fear for 2010 is that I move but not progress.
- Nicole_Edwards I chose the wrong shoes to wear to the mall. I look good though:-)
Topics: All | No Comments »
Our Response to Earth Quake in Haiti
By Daniel Edwards | January 13, 2010
Faith Church Family-
The earthquake in Haiti has brought horrible amounts of death and destruction. It has also come close to some personal ties for our church.
My grandfather arrived in Port Au Prince, Haiti with a mission team yesterday just before the quake began. The team, which includes Kevin Bass’ parents (Howard and Phyliss Bass), were on their way to the local mission compound when buildings and walls around them began to crumble. They saw bodies in the streets and demolished homes. When they arrived at the mission clinic they found it in mostly good condition. The missionaries (Joel & April Hess who visited our church with their daughter Emma a few years ago) were already helping people with injuries.
Also with the team is Dean Bullard who came to our church around Thanksgiving of 2006 to hang and finish drywall in the classrooms for free.
The team has been able to send text messages, pictures taken with cell phones, and even send updates to FaceBook.
An orphanage nearby suffered severe damage, so there are about 20 orphans at the compound where the team is working.
The original destination was elsewhere in the country to provide training to some of the local pastors that are associated with the mission work my grandfather has been a part of for several years. Their plan was to stop in at the mission clinic for a day to drop off supplies and meet with other local pastors. Because of the earthquake, they will be staying in Port Au Prince to continue to minister, help, and demonstrate Christ’s love.
I am asking you to respond to this catastrophe in the following ways:
- Pray: Pray for continued safety for these missionaries and others. Pray that they will be able to get supplies like clean water. Pray that in the wake of this devastation, the love and grace shown by our missionaries will spark revival in this broken country. Pray that Voodoo will no longer be the national religion.
- Give: We will collect offerings at our church that will go to help the mission clinic, orphans, the local pastors and their churches.
You can follow updates about the missions team here.
-Pastor Daniel
This video is from a Virginia Beach news channel. It includes the story about the team in Haiti and an interview with Pastor Karl Sexton (it starts at about the 2:25 point).
Topics: All, General | No Comments »
By Daniel Edwards | January 11, 2010
We are reading through the Bible (or at least the New Testament) at our church. I am even blogging/journaling through the New Testament portion here.
I thought it might be helpful to share some of the tips that have helped me read and study the Bible, so here are some Bible study tips. Please share your own in the comments.
- Pray
When we study the Bible, we should start and end with prayer. Ask God to help you understand what you are reading. Pray for God’s help in applying what you have read.
- Read with a plan
Do not approach Bible study randomly. Read with a plan like the one provided on this site or the many others that are available (see a list of different plans here). When you have a systematic approach you will not only cover more of the Bible, you will also follow themes which will aid in your understanding.
- Get a new Bible
There is probably nothing wrong with the Bible that you have, but my guess is that your Bible is perfect for study at church and less than ideal for personal study and reading. Here is what I mean:
1. Get a Bible with paragraph style organization.
Most likely, the Bible you read is listed verse by verse like the one pictured on the left.
This is great for group study or church because when someone calls your attention to a specific verse, you can easily find it. However, this is not as helpful when you are reading privately. While I use a Bible that is separated into verses for preaching and teaching at church, I have a Bible (pictured above) that I read in personal study that is broken into paragraphs.
When you read a book, magazine, or blog, the thoughts are broken into paragraphs. This aids your understanding of what you are reading. A paragraph Bible will do the same.
2. Get a Bible you can read easily.
At our church we currently use the KJV version in our worships services. I keep this consistent so we are all on the same page. In my personal study, I have enjoyed reading other versions of the Bible. I can recommend the NASB, ESV, and NKJV without hesitation. There are versions that I do not recommend and there are even “versions of the Bible” that are published by cults and you definitely need to stay away from them.
3. If you get a Bible with study notes, learn how to use them.
Do not got get a Bible with lots of notes and reference markers without learning how to use them. Take the time to read the introductory pages in the front of the Bible to learn how to use the cross references, notes, concordance, etc. You will get the most out of your Bible when you understand the notes.
- Read with a pen in hand but do not write in your Bible.
There is nothing wrong with writing in your Bible, so do not feel guilty for underlining your favorite verses etc. While I think it is very helpful to journal or take notes while you read, I encourage putting these notes on in a notebook (or on a blog) and not in your Bible. I had a Bible teacher point out that when you write notes in your Bible, you trap yourself into a specific vein of thinking every time you read that passage. If you write a quote that I say next to Psalm 23 in your Bible, whenever you read over Psalm 23 you are going to think of me and that quote. If you write that quote in a notebook, you can look back over it in the future and your mind will be free to focus completely on Psalm 23 the next time you read it. Plus, in a notebook or on a legal pad you will have much more room for your notes (and doodles).
What are some Bible reading tips that you could share?
Topics: All | No Comments »
Favorite Tweets of December
By Daniel Edwards | January 9, 2010
This is a pretty long list for Favorite Tweets. I am not sure if that means we tweet better when we are excited for the holidays or I am more generous with the “honor” around Christmas.
- iPopEditor I’m very thankful my God doesn’t ask me to put a bomb in my underwear and try to detonate it on a plane.
- jwbottoms “If you know Christ then act like it!” -Pastor Daniel Edwards
- markschlereth LoLRT @djmassengale: @markschlereth Why would anyone hold Roy Williams? Wouldn’t the best defense be to let the ball hit him in the hands?
- bullash “Know Christ and act like you do”- Pastor_daniel… How many people will make the top tweet list from this quote?
- gholestin Know Christ & act like you know Him.
- jeffpost “Know Christ and act like you do.” @pastor_daniel is telling people what to tweet about his sermons now. And I obeyed. hmmm
- bullash
Im excited to hear @pastor_daniel preach tonight. I havent heard him in a few years. I hope he is as good as I remember.
- bmf Remember kids: if you use laxitives, it’s an eating disorder. If you use Taco Bell, it’s a diet.
- jimgaffigan Hey pointsettas, Christmas is over. Beat it!
- webby778 @hardison711: what a way to spend Christmas Eve… reaching level 120 in Race or Die Online for the iPhone.
- Nicole_Edwards Making peanut butter balls to take to virginia.
They were delicious! -Daniel
- rachmint Passing through Knoxville (or TYS if you are like my dad who assumes everyone knows the airline abbreviations.)
- jasontayloryuma Just got done helping supervise with@dannywellsyuma the gift wrapping party for Angel Tree. I only rap with two turn tables and a mic!
- iPopEditor Still not sure why some of the people who go to work at the Men’s Rescue Mission try to look more homeless than the homeless
- edstetzer Watching the Weather Channel. They’re like 10-year-old girls at a Jonas Brothers concert when there’s a big weather.
- cforbesoklahoma It’s almost Christmas and I haven’t done any shopping–wait, scratch that–my wife just informed me I am finished! #delegatesshopping
- JohnPiper If we are not hated by someone, we don’t know enough people, or we don’t speak enough truth. John 15:19
- rachmint Passing the daycare I heard, “we have Santa’s number, and we can call him and tell him to put you on the naughty list if you don’t listen.”
- JohnPiper Which has hurt the church more for the last 60 years, bad TV or bad preaching. No contest. Bad preaching. Hosea 4:6
- bentaylor Filling in for the freshman small group tonight…within the first 5 minutes someone farted and we had to move it smelled so bad
- loswhit The greatest Christmas decoration EVER // http://bit.ly/4FAIbz
Take the time to click the link and read the post, very funny! -Daniel
- jimmycshaw Teams that always “get up” for games vs. the Cowboys: 1) NY Giants; 2) Line forms here.
- joedwilson “To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, & be nothing.” Aristotle
- rachmint You know you go to a certain restaurant in a small town too much when they give you Christmas cookies in appreciation with your name on it.
- KateSherrill Foster parent PSA on radio, “There are thousands of kids in foster care who would love to push your food around a plate.”
- coreymminter Survey card: how did you hear about the gaithers? Man behind me, ‘i am old thats how!’
- stevenfurtick Stop defending yourself to critical & cynical people. Even if you win their approval, what have you really gained?
- curtjonestweets Some church people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited - until you try to sit in their pews.
- JacobRiggs Some people act as if the Bible says “God reconciled us to himself and gave the government the ministry of reconciliation.” Hmm. Sorry, no.
- edstetzer
Late dinner with my mother-in-law who just got on Facebook, greatly limiting the humorous comment I was going to make.
- bullash http://twitpic.com/rqnun - Someone had a good nap.
- iPopEditor I think the FWBBC edition of One Magazine has more people in suits than a Men’s Warehouse catalog
- edstetzer Regrettably, we’ve made it acceptable to sit in church week after week & do nothing & still call yourself a “Christian.”
Topics: All, General | No Comments »
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