Blending a Multi-Site and Church Planting Strategy in the Local Church
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LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A MULTI-PLANTATION MINISTRY: BLENDING A MULTI-SITE AND CHURCH PLANTING STRATEGY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH A Thesis Project Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Nick Floyd Lynchburg, Virginia June, 2009 Copyright 2009 by Nick Floyd All rights reserved LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET GRADE MENTOR READER ABSTRACT A MULTI-PLANTATION MINISTRY: BLENDING A MULTI-SITE AND CHURCH PLANTING STRATEGY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH Nick Floyd Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2009 Mentor: Ergun Mehmet Caner, Ph.D. A review of current literature shows a growing interest in the multi-site movement. However, very little is written about churches who are showing a commitment to both multi-site and to church planting. This kind of both/and commitment is called multi- plantation. The goal of this project is to provide a resource to pastors who are actively seeking to find new ways to fulfill the Great Commission. Through a study of the theological, ecclesiological, practical, and personal matters of multi-plantation ministry, the goal will be accomplished. Abstract length: 84 words DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis to my wife Meredith. You are my best friend and the greatest partner in ministry I could have ever asked for. I am forever grateful to God and you for joining me on this journey. I love you. Floyd vi CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 3 THE VISION FOR MULTI-PLANTATION ..................................................................... 3 The Multi-Plantation Garden – The Both/And Strategy................................................. 6 The Five Marks of Multi-Plantation ............................................................................... 8 Mark #1 – Passion for the Great Commission............................................................ 8 Mark #2 – Increased Vision...................................................................................... 11 Mark #3 – Mentored Ministers ................................................................................. 12 Mark #4 – Developed Lay Leaders........................................................................... 14 Mark #5 – The Renown of Jesus Will Be Extended................................................. 16 Multi-Plantation At Its Best – An Overarching Vision ................................................ 17 You Cannot Break the Rules......................................................................................... 20 You Will Not Have it Figured Out…And it is Ok........................................................ 21 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 24 THEOLOGY AND ECCLESIOLOGY OF MULTI-PLANTATION ............................. 24 Theological Motivations for Multi-Plantation…………………………………………...25 Lostness of Man........................................................................................................ 25 The Commission of Christ........................................................................................ 26 Unity of and Cooperation with Believers…………………………………………..27 Theological Questions to be Anwered.......................................................................... 30 What is a Church?..................................................................................................... 30 Theological Grid to Examine a Church ........................................................................ 35 Theological and Practical Questions............................................................................. 39 What is the Essence of the Church – Assembly or Covenant?................................. 39 Does This Take Away Church Autonomy?.............................................................. 43 What about Congregationalism?................................................................................44 Does This Allow for Proper Care of the Flock? ....................................................... 46 What About Pastoral Transitions? ............................................................................ 47 Is It Prohibited by Scripture? .................................................................................... 49 Towards a Biblically Faithful Multi-Site Ecclesiology ................................................ 50 CHAPTER 3 ..................................................................................................................... 55 PARTNERSHIPS THAT PUT LEGS TO MP ................................................................. 55 Southern Baptist Denominational Partnerships ............................................................ 57 Southern Baptist Church Partnerships .......................................................................... 62 Hope Fellowship Church – Cambridge, MA ............................................................ 62 Cross Church – San Diego, CA ................................................................................ 63 Floyd vii Partnerships with Churches or Networks of Like Faith and Practice ........................... 65 CHAPTER 4 ..................................................................................................................... 69 1. Why Did You Lead Your Church to Go Multi-Site?............................................ 69 2. Why Show a Commitment to Both Multi-Site and to Church Planting?.............. 71 3. How Has This Commitment to Both Been a Benefit in Your Church?................ 72 4. How Would You Advise a Pastor Considering Taking His Church Towards this Kind of Both/And Ministry?..................................................................................... 72 5. Are There Any Long-Term Plans to Continue Being Committed to Both More Campuses and Plants?............................................................................................... 74 6. Were There Certain Churches that You Looked at in Your Journey Towards Multi-Site and Church Planting? .............................................................................. 75 7. What Are the Three Main Challenges With Being a Church Committed to Both Multi-Site and Church Planting? .............................................................................. 75 CHAPTER FIVE .............................................................................................................. 78 THE CHURCHES OF MULTI-PLANTATION.............................................................. 78 First Baptist Church of Springdale, Arkansas and The Church at Pinnacle Hills ........ 78 Church Plants Since Going Multi-Site in August of 2001........................................ 79 Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas............................................................... 81 Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina......................................... 82 Keystone Community Church in North Wales, Pennsylvania...................................... 85 Thomas Road Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia .................................................... 86 The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina............................................................. 88 First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Virginia..................................................................... 89 The Gallery Church, Manhattan, New York City, New York...................................... 90 Highview Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky.......................................................... 91 The Village Church, Highland Village, Texas.............................................................. 93 Hope Fellowship Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts ................................................. 95 Strong Pastoral Leadership ........................................................................................... 97 Passion and Action for the Great Commission............................................................. 99 Courage to Innovate.................................................................................................... 100 CHAPTER SIX............................................................................................................... 102 HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR CHURCH SHOULD GO MP.......................................... 102 Prayer – What is God leading the church to do? ........................................................ 102 Literature – Have You Done Your Homework?......................................................... 103 Alignment – Are we ready to shift our entire ministry? ............................................. 104 Nike Principle – Are we ready to just do it and do it all out?..................................... 105 Theology – Have we worked through the issues theologically?................................. 105 Questionnaire for Churches Considering Multi-Plantation ........................................ 106 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................... 110 APPENDIX ONE............................................................................................................ 111 HOW ANY CHURCH CAN SPONSOR A CHURCH PLANT……………………….111 APPENDIX TWO..........................................................................................................