Q. What is a multi-campus church?A. Basically, it is one church in multiple locations. Even though a multi-campus church gathers in more than one location and can take a variety of forms, as one church, it shares a common vision, administration and senior leadership. Multi-campus churches resemble any of a wide variety of models (e.g. video venue, regional-campus, teaching team, partnership with local business or non-profit organizations, etc.).
For some churches, having multiple campuses involves only a worship gathering at each location; for others, each location has a full range of support ministries. Some churches use video-cast sermons (recorded or live); others have in-person teaching on-campus. Some churches maintain a similar worship atmosphere and style at all their campuses, and others allow or invite variation.
Q. Why are we doing this?
A. Our master Jesus gave us this mission: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20, The Message
Lakeside Church itself is the result of a missional venture. Over 20 years ago Pastor Brad and his wife Donna, believing that Folsom needed a church like Lakeside to help transform more people into passionate and productive followers of Jesus, launched the first worship service of Lakeside Church at the Folsom Eagles Hall, on the corner of Scott and Sutter Streets. On that first Sunday in September 1987, 55 people came, including 15 out-of-town guests. Since then, Lakeside has been committed to the establishment of local churches in the region and around the world. A few years ago, we began purposely setting aside Lakeside on Mission funds in order to spearhead a new church in the area.
Q. Why use a multi-campus strategy?
A. As we looked into starting a new church, we got very excited when we came across the multi-campus approach. Why? Oh, there are so many reasons why using a multi-campus strategy is… how should I say… strategic. Here are a few of them.
GOING LOCAL
Our region continues to grow. Many Lakesiders drive 20, 30 or more minutes to participate in Lakeside-Folsom each week. For them to be truly involved in their local church, as well as being an effective portrayal of Jesus in their communities, their local church needs to be local. We are seeking to bring the church closer to where people are living. Being local makes it logistically easier and more natural to invite neighbors and friends into the Lakeside family.
PLACEMENT
As Erwin McManus of Mosaic Church has said, multi-campus is not about space; it’s about place. It about being a finely tuned instrument positioned exactly where we can have the greatest impact.
BOTH BIG AND SMALL BENEFITS
It helps us move beyond a traditional outreach model of more and more Sunday gatherings and the need for larger and larger buildings. Multi-campus strategy is an organic and decentralized approach to church health and growth. We envision a regional, multi-campus church of interdependence and community. In the multi-campus model, we can actually pursue seemingly conflicting aims at the same time:
• Grow larger and smaller
• Brand new and trusted name
• Less cost and greater impact
• New church vibe and big-church punch
• Move there and stay here
• More opportunity and more support
• More reach and more maturity
MOMENTUM
Starting a new campus from an existing church allows us to leverage the momentum we already have. We can launch with people who already attend Lakeside, use current ministry leadership to develop new leaders, use financial resources that are already available, and draw from and continue the growth that is already being experienced at Lakeside-Folsom.
Q. What will the new campus be like?
A. The new campus will be an extension of the ministry of Lakeside, and a fully functioning congregation with a campus pastor and leadership team. It will have Student Ministries for high school and middle school students, as well as Kidsfest, our children’s program for infants to fifth grade. We envision that several times a year, students from all Lakeside campuses will get together for retreats, camps and other events. Among other opportunities for spiritual formation, adult small groups are going to be a huge part of our multi-campus experience. They are a great way to experience real community with neighbors, joining together for meaningful interaction and to impact people and places in our very own communities.
Most weekly Sunday Gatherings at the campus will feature a video message from Lakeside-Folsom, as well as live worship and a time of community conversation in response to the message. The campus pastor, a local team of worship arts musicians and the local leadership team will host the gatherings.
Though spread throughout the region, Lakeside Church campuses will share a common teaching focus, benefit from experienced visionary leadership and pursue a common mission – to transform as many people as possible into passionate and productive followers of Jesus.
As Erwin McManus of Mosaic Church has said, multi-campus is not about space; it’s about place. It about being a finely tuned instrument positioned exactly where we can have the greatest impact.
BOTH BIG AND SMALL BENEFITS
It helps us move beyond a traditional outreach model of more and more Sunday gatherings and the need for larger and larger buildings. Multi-campus strategy is an organic and decentralized approach to church health and growth. We envision a regional, multi-campus church of interdependence and community. In the multi-campus model, we can actually pursue seemingly conflicting aims at the same time:
• Grow larger and smaller
• Brand new and trusted name
• Less cost and greater impact
• New church vibe and big-church punch
• Move there and stay here
• More opportunity and more support
• More reach and more maturity
MOMENTUM
Starting a new campus from an existing church allows us to leverage the momentum we already have. We can launch with people who already attend Lakeside, use current ministry leadership to develop new leaders, use financial resources that are already available, and draw from and continue the growth that is already being experienced at Lakeside-Folsom.
Q. What will the new campus be like?
A. The new campus will be an extension of the ministry of Lakeside, and a fully functioning congregation with a campus pastor and leadership team. It will have Student Ministries for high school and middle school students, as well as Kidsfest, our children’s program for infants to fifth grade. We envision that several times a year, students from all Lakeside campuses will get together for retreats, camps and other events. Among other opportunities for spiritual formation, adult small groups are going to be a huge part of our multi-campus experience. They are a great way to experience real community with neighbors, joining together for meaningful interaction and to impact people and places in our very own communities.
Most weekly Sunday Gatherings at the campus will feature a video message from Lakeside-Folsom, as well as live worship and a time of community conversation in response to the message. The campus pastor, a local team of worship arts musicians and the local leadership team will host the gatherings.
Though spread throughout the region, Lakeside Church campuses will share a common teaching focus, benefit from experienced visionary leadership and pursue a common mission – to transform as many people as possible into passionate and productive followers of Jesus.
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