I’ve been doing a bit of thinking since my last posting about the multi-site strategy. You can read that HERE.
There has been so much confusion about these ideas, and to be honest, I’ve taken a little bit of heat.
I’ve decided that all of this confusion comes down to vocabulary. We need to get more clarity on what we’re talking about here.
A few months ago I posted some goals for myself to achieve before I was 40. You can read those HERE.
Here’s my news. I got two done!
I finished Seminary in January…which was huge!
Also, I ran a Triathlon last weekend. No kidding…the Big Boy got off the couch!
The truth is I’ve been in sort of a slump for a few years. And though I give myself a hard time (calling myself big boy and implying that I was lazy and sat on the couch all the time), the truth is that I had a full time job, was a student in seminary, and was raising three small kids with my wife. I wasn’t lazy…I was understandably tired. The results though were pretty much the same. This one time collegiate swimmer had gotten so out of shape that it was hard to get things rollin again.
I’m guessing there are a few of you out there who can relate. I figured I would share what worked for me to get back in some sort of shape and to the point that I am in some sort of fitness routine I hope it’s helpful.
I get a bit frustrated with Creatives sometimes when they push back on the idea of systems.The truth is I am one…I’m just a bit less artistic than some. I love to create. I love to break the rules and try something new.
When I talk about the importance of a systems in your work I often hear push back from Creatives. They say things like…
“I work better under pressure.”
“I need to have flexibility.”
“We’re more of a creative team and don’t need something like that.”
Here are my thoughts for those responses.
1. “I work better under pressure.”
I get it. I like to feel the pressure too. Ideas are born during that time. I just don’t think most of the pressure you are talking about is worth the non-stop stress it puts on you as undone stuff spins in the back of your mind 24-7. That is called anxiety and it is never healthy. Also, do you know the anxiety your causing those who have to work with you? They’re out there knowing that your going to create work at the last minute and they can do nothing about it. They have stuff spinning in the back of their mind and they don’t even know what it is.
Let me ask you this…Can you create the pressure earlier? I bet you can…I know you’re boss can create pressure for you. Why can’t you do that yourself? Can you create a strategic deadline that is really the “drop-dead” date for the sake of the people that work with you? For the sake of the people that deal with your self propagated anxiety?
And…knowing that some of your best ideas are born at the true last minute. Wouldn’t it be cool to have time on your hands to execute them while the rest of what needs to be done…is done?
Pressure is good…anxiety is bad. Are you being honest with yourself? Are you being a professional to the people around you? Are you being fare to the ones who are closest to you?
2. “I need to have flexibility.”
My question is simple. Flexibility from what? You can’t have flexibility if you don’t have a standard to vary from. I’m all for changing your mind or moving in another direction. You can’t start with flexibility though. Flexibility without a initial direction is simply lack of direction. If you routinely create, you should have a system to get started. I’m all for varying from the original plan and being flexible…just do it on purpose.
3. “We’re more of a creative team and don’t need something like that.”
Awesome…than give yourself time to be creative. Creativity rarely happens in the context of a creative meeting. The best and natural creativity happens as you walk through life…mowing the lawn, on a walk, during your drive, in the shower….etc. If you have a system that gives you direction followed by some time to live your life you will be amazed at the quality and quantity of ideas that pop into your mind.
So my creative friends….give it a shot. I really think if you feel boxed in by a system…you’ve never experienced a good system.
When I was preparing to speak at #Orange11 I asked myself a really important question.
I mean really…what differentiates me from the folks sitting in the chairs looking at me? Why do I have any authority or experience that they should care about?
Strangely enough…it was hard work. And, I’ve been thinking, that question applies to my blog as well.
So, much like I said at the Orange Conference, here is what I have to say about that.
I have heard many arguments for and against multi-site church. I really enjoyed the video below and it got me thinking about this stuff.
No matter where you land on this, the truth is that we are all about to witness one of its first real tests when it comes to the longevity of the model. Here’s the big question:
How will the multi-site church look after the first major transition of leadership?
In the next 10-15 years, we will see these churches hand over their leadership to the next generation. Some will do so because of “natural causes.” Others will do so because of massive failure in leadership. (Unfortunately, this is way too common.) Either way, the transition of leadership will be a major test for the model.
There are really three options for how a church will survive this big test:
1. Point leadership is handed over to the next generation and the church continues on its mission. Win.
2. Campuses (or sites) develop their own leadership and multiple, separate churches continue on. This is a win, too! The multi-site church strategy actually becomes a new type of church-planting strategy, in this case.
3. The churches fold as the complexity of multiple sites, staffs and congregations is too great to survive a change in leadership. Not a win.
That being said, I stepped back and thought about what a healthy church might look like – one that is poised to take on this first major challenge they face. Here are my questions for these churches as they prepare. (These would also be great questions to ask yourself, if you’re considering jumping into this model.)
