Multi-campus Expansion — Q & A

1. What is a multi-site church?

A multi-site church is one church that meets in multiple locations. In our case, that means our Pinelake Reservoir campus, our Pinelake Madison/Ridgeland campus and our future Pinelake Clinton campus. We will still be one church including:

• One teaching/preaching team linked to all campuses
• One elder team overseeing all campuses
• One budget financing the ministries on all campuses
• One unified staff team working together and providing direction and guidance to their specified ministry at all locations

2. Why launch a new congregation? Why start another church in an area that already has other churches?

The reason we have not been able to turn our backs on this is because it is our responsibility to heed the Great Commission. We are simply joining God where we perceive Him to be working. We now realize there is a significant group of people from areas other than the Reservoir and Madison/Ridgeland area who call Pinelake their church home. We think we can make an impact in eternity by providing a church in their area that they can invite their friends to so they can hear the message of God and His grace.

3. How will our presence impact the other existing churches in the area?

There are many great churches throughout the metro area. Our goal is to join these churches and share their passion and to see the un-churched become followers of Jesus Christ. There are so many in the Greater Jackson areas who do not attend church on a given Sunday, and many who do not know the love and grace of God. There are plenty of people for all of us to reach for Christ.

4. How will starting another location impact our current campuses?

First, we realize that some members of the households who currently attend the Reservoir or Madison/Ridgeland campus could eventually call the new campus their home. How many will do that? We can’t know for sure. But we anticipate these numbers to grow as members begin to take advantage of the same Pinelake resources closer to home.

Then again, unlike the typical church plant, we will not actually be “losing” anyone. Those who call the new campus home are still part of Pinelake. We’ll still see each other at church-wide events, in seminars and growth classes, at ministry meetings and practices and in Small Groups. We’ll still all be Pinelake!

5. How does the “multi-site strategy” work?

Pinelake will join an estimated 1,200 churches nationwide that are working with this concept: one church (meaning one elder board, one staff, one leadership team, one budget) meeting in multiple locations, with the various sites developing unique personalities yet sharing the same identity and DNA.

6. What are the responsibilities of a Campus Pastor?

The Campus Pastor is a key leader in the multi-site strategy. This person becomes the key pastoral figure in the life of this campus. They are responsible for leading the staff team, facilitating the ministries, shepherding the people and leading our outreach to their community.

7. What will the Sunday services at the new campus be like?

Sunday mornings will be almost identical to what we already do at the Reservoir and Madison/Ridgeland campuses. Every weekend service Pinelake leads in any location is designed to be a safe place to bring un-churched friends to hear Biblical, life-application preaching and heart-felt worship. The entire service will be “live” up until the message. The message will be viewed via video from the Reservoir campus. Our plan is for Starting Point, Preschool, Children’s and Student Ministries to follow the same format on the new campus as at the current campuses.

8. How will small groups function at the new campus?

Small Groups will continue to be our primary vehicle for assimilation, community, pastoral care and fellowship. Our desire is to connect people in Small Groups where they actually “do life” and minister within their geographic area. We believe that the multi-site strategy will enhance our Small Group ministry in many ways.

9. How much will this cost and where will the resources for the new launch come from?

We put some “seed” money in our 2006 budget to help us begin. That amount is around $200,000. In addition, there was a special Harvest Offering.  This was used to give Pinelake Madison/Ridgeland a start for equipment, resources, etc. Our goal was for the Madison/Ridgeland campus to be financially self-sustaining one year from the start date, and to repay the “seed” money for the next new campus to use. God blessed the Madison/Ridgeland campus with “immeasurably more” and that money is now available for the next multi-site campus.

10. Are there plans to launch more regional congregations or campuses?

Our vision is to impact Central Mississippi and beyond. If God grants favor, we will continue to reproduce the concept.

11. What should I pray about?

As always, we seek the favor and blessing of God. Pray that He would grant it as we seek to reach out. In addition, could you pray for the following?

• Pray for God to assemble the staff team and volunteer team needed to be able to lead effectively.
• Pray for God to open doors in regard to a permanent home for the new congregation.
• Pray for God to bless us with the resources to be able to effectively accomplish what He is calling us to do.
• Pray and ask God what he might desire for your role to be in helping us launch this new campus.
• Pray for God to protect us all and to give us a deep sense of unity as we move forward together.
• Pray for “Immeasurably More” in all. (Eph. 3:20-21)