Continuing my earlier post, the 3rd critical question that The Chapel needed to ask itself was, “How can we build an unstoppable church?” As we processed this question, we had two significant realizations that led us to one clear conclusion.
The first realization was that the size of a church impacts its strategy. While our objective as a church never changed, our strategy has continued to change over time. The systems, processes and programs that worked for us as a smaller church became less and less effective as we grew in number.
The second realization had to do with the type of church our people wanted. What kind of church would help our people the most? As we talked with our people, it became clear that many of them liked the ministry excellence and kingdom impact associated with larger churches. However, they preferred the warmth and relational temperature they found in smaller church environments. In short, our people wanted what a large church provided but loved how a small church felt.
These two realizations led us into an extended season of much thought, discussion and prayer. Ultimately, we concluded that we needed to seriously consider the idea of becoming a multi-site church. We realized that this could be the best way to move us towards becoming an unstoppable church.
The multi-site approach was an attractive option for several reasons. It enabled us to offer all the best aspects of a large church. We could pursue a huge kingdom vision that everyone could be energized by and connect with. We could offer a high-quality ministry experience with the resources and staff needed to implement programs well. And we could provide our people with the opportunity to make a significant difference in the world around us.
A multi-site approach also allowed our people to experience the best aspects of a smaller church at the very same time. Smaller churches make people feel like an integral part of a church family. People want to be part of a church where they know others and others know them. Smaller churches help each person understand that they have a vital role to play in the life of the church. People want to know that they matter and can make a real difference. Smaller churches have the opportunity to connect deeply into the community in which they live. The reality is that many people like being part of a church in their own neighborhood – it just feels good to them.
A multi-site approach offered us the chance to combine all of the best aspects of a large church with all of the best aspects of a smaller church, and enabled us to give our people the church they really wanted.
In the conclusion of the message, I left the other pastors with these thoughts…
- I believe the local church is the hope of the world.
- I believe that no church, no matter how large and influential, can ever fulfill the Great Commission alone, but the united Church can.
- I believe that every church’s prayers can touch heaven and change earth.
- I believe every church’s love can reach beyond its doors to embrace people who are in impossible circumstances and lead them into a transformational encounter with God.
- I believe that every church can become unstoppable because we serve an unstoppable God; God knows no barriers.
- Most importantly, God believes your church can become unstoppable too.
In your mind, what makes a church unstoppable?
Gregg Willliams posted on October 18, 2009
The sum of the whole, the INTENTIONALIZATION of serving others along with the power of united prayer to achieve bigger goals for the better of all.