How Do you Know You're Ready For Multisite?

"Are we ready to go multisite? Are we big enough to go multisite?"

This is a BIG question and probably a really intimidating one! I think that the intimidation factor it is probably the biggest reason why churches wait too long to venture into the multisite territory.

A recent survey by Leadership Network revealed that the median size of churches that went multisite for the first time was 1200 people with 41% saying that they could have gone multisite at a smaller size!

I think that this FANTASTIC news! Too often, smaller churches (especially in a rural context) give up on big vision and goals simply because they are smaller than 'big-city' churches who do big-city things.

So, if going multisite doesn't require you to be a church of 1200, what other factors come into play?

Here are of a few questions that you need to start asking yourself to help you discern and determine the next steps. These were some of the really fantastic information that Geoff Suratt helped our church work though on our recent coaching trip to Denver. I'm sure that they'll be helpful for you too!

1. Step One - Buy "125 Tips for MultiSite Churches" by Jim Tomberlin
   Alright, this isn't a question, but this short ebook makes you think and ask yourself a lot of different questions to help you discern wether to go multisite and is a MUST-BUY for each church entertaining this option. I won't try to duplicate what Jim has already put together!
2. What is your church good at?
   No false humility here! Sit down and identify what it is that makes your church unique or that your church is good at! This can be really difficult if you haven't established a system of allowing yourself to be open to really honest feedback. Sit down and be really honest with yourself and identify where you're strong at or a really unique ministry. 
3. What can you replicate?
   There will probably be things that your church is good at but may not be able to easily replicate. For instance, you may currently have a state-of-the-art kitchen that allows you to have an amazing hospitality team... If you can't replicate that kitchen, you might be out of luck of replicating that ministry! Stick with the things that you can replicate with the same level of quality
   
   If preaching isn't in the top 2 of what you're good at and what you can replicate, you might want to rethink the timing of going multisite.
   
   
4. What are you bringing to the community you feel called to?
   Again, no false humility here; answer the question, "why us?" Chances are, there are already churches in the town or community that are being called to - so why are you going there? What is it that your church can bring to the community that isn't already there? This is really a key factor because if you are able to bring health and strong leadership/preaching/discipleship/kidmin/etc., into a new community, you will bless the other churches there and revitalize the spiritual presence in the town. Know what it is that you can bring, and make sure you're not duplicating what other churches are currently doing, and then do what you're good at. 

There are SO many more questions to answer before going multisite, but these 4 questions will help you along the way really figure out some of the real foundational pillars of a successful multisite.