Session 2 (notes) - Multi-Site Planting Workshop

Notes from February 17, 2008
Jake Magee

Why Are We Doing Multi-Site Planting?

1.The Where of Church is Critical: The placement of the people of God is crucial to the fulfillment of the great commission.

o Military Example: It’s not enough that you have a great military; it is equally vital where you position your military. To unleash the full might of the U.S. military on Canada is a misplacement of the military.

o Surgeon Example: For a surgeon, it’s not enough that he cuts, but where he cuts.

o Application: For the church, it’s not about occupying space, but what space are we occupying.

ESV Matthew 13:33 He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."

NAU Matthew 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind;

2.The How of Church is Critical: How the people of God relate to each environment is critical to the fulfillment of the great commission.

o Military Example: It’s not enough that the U.S. military has big guns and can travel any where at a moments notice. It’s also how they utilize their power given each conflict. To nuke hostiles riding mules and brandishing shotguns is a bit too much. To send the coastguard to check an aggressive Russia isn’t doing enough.

o Surgeon Example: It’s not enough that he cuts and where he cuts, but also how he cuts. Previously scheduled minor surgery – precision; emergency room….

o Application: For the church, it’s about positioning and contextualization – Where we land, and how we land. Unleashing the people of God to wield the word of God in the right way.

o The Fears and Extremes of Contextualization

What is Multi-Site Ministry? - One Church, Many Locations.

Technically, the church has always been multi-site; one church. There’s always been one church of God, in many locations.

Ephesians 4:4-6 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

NAU 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

The Issue has always been how each site/congregation relates to one another. Between sites, there can be a Relationship of...

o Hatred – Rival Churches

o Indifference – Unacquainted Churches

o Affinity – Networking/Non-Denominational Churches

o Affection - Denominational Churches

o Adoration (Intimacy) - Multi-Site at Oasis

o Divorced – Church Splits

Oasis Model(Cell): Slide