Episode Details

The multisite journey isn’t always smooth—even thriving churches experience growing pains. Today, I’m busting some of the biggest myths and offering practical insights to overcome common struggles within multisite churches.

Every week during All About Multisite month, I’m diving deep into practical solutions on Wednesdays and hosting behind-the-scenes conversations with multisite leaders on Thursdays. Today’s episode specifically tackles the tricky realities that don’t always get airtime at conferences: the tensions, structures, and struggles that come with scaling beyond a single location.

Episode Highlights:

• Myth: Campus vs. Central is Always a Battle
  • It’s a common belief that campus pastors and central leadership will constantly clash. While tensions can exist, proactive management can make this partnership thrive.
  • Clearly define responsibilities: campus teams focus on people, execution, and alignment; central teams provide curriculum and resources.
  • Invest in regular communication (monthly meetings, shared Slack channels) and cultivate trust through strategic relationship-building across teams.
• Myth: Launching Small is Just Fine
  • Reality check: Launch big or don’t launch at all. The most critical factor for multisite success is the size and health of your volunteer core at launch.
  • Small launches typically struggle to gain momentum. Start with a robust, enthusiastic volunteer team to create lasting impact and excellence from day one.
• Myth: Launch and Leave
  • Avoid the “launch and leave” syndrome. Successful campuses need ongoing support, training, troubleshooting, and resource investment.
  • Keep central teams engaged until campuses become model locations capable of planting additional campuses.
• Diagnosing and Addressing a Struggling Campus:
  • Financial Sustainability: 54% of campus closures stem from financial issues. Aim for financial independence by year three, and sound alarms if you don’t see a clear path by year two.
  • Attendance and Growth: Track first-time guest percentages (aim for at least 2% weekly). Investigate quickly if a campus