Navigating Common Challenges in Multi-Site Church Leadership

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 is flat or declining while others thrive.
  • Reaching New People: Ensure campuses focus on unchurched individuals rather than transfers from other churches. Consistently monitor spiritual background surveys.
  • Leadership Fit: Campus pastor alignment is crucial—27% of closures relate to campus pastor issues. Consider leadership adjustments if necessary.
  • Location and Facility: Facility issues can significantly hinder growth. Relocating campuses can sometimes lead to substantial attendance boosts.
• Practical Steps for Turning Around an Underperforming Campus:
  • Relaunch: Reintroduce your campus to the community with renewed marketing and outreach efforts.
  • Resource Surge: Temporarily boost central resources and visibility at the struggling campus to demonstrate support and stimulate growth.
  • Contextualized Ministry: Allow campuses some flexibility to experiment with targeted outreach and ministry adaptations suitable for their context.
• When It’s Time to Close or Reset:
  • Move swiftly once you’ve identified that closure is necessary. Close gracefully, caring for your congregation by facilitating transitions.
  • Consider rebranding, merging with another church, or repurposing the location strategically.
  • Learn from closures. Conduct thorough debriefings, possibly engaging outside consultants, to ensure future launches are better informed and more successful.

Remember, encountering challenges in multisite growth doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re growing. Let’s tackle these myths head-on and keep your church moving forward.

Additional Opportunities:

• Join our upcoming webinar, “Why Most Multisite Churches Stall Launching and How to Keep Growing,” on April 29th.
• Explore more practical multisite insights in this month’s EXECUTIVE PASTOR digital magazine.