A Key To Multi-Site DNA Replication: Defining and Standardizing Ministry Theology, Philosophy, Methodology, and Processes
One of the biggest challenges in implementing a multi-site strategy is ensuring the transference of the core attributes of the birthing church to its various sites. In most cases, this forces a church for the first time to think through what it really believes about how they “do” church.
In an effective multi-site strategy, successful transference of the DNA of the birthing church to the various campuses must be characterized by an integrated, intentional and documented structure of ministry Theology, Philosophy, Methodology, and Processes as defined as follows.
- Theology – How we understand and apply God’s word to each system.
- Philosophy – Our unique guiding values, principles and rationale for each system characterized by the statements, “we believe, therefore our priority is……”
- Methodology – Our unique underlying procedures, practices, disciplines and techniques for implementing each system.
- Process – A series of action steps in order to accomplish the objectives of each system.
These four structures should be discerned sequentially as our Theology informs our Philosophy, our Philosophy informs our Methodology, and our Methodology informs our Process. Below are two examples that illustrate what this might look like.
Example 1:
A Theology of Service: 1 Corinthians 12
A Philosophy of Service: We believe God has uniquely gifted, impassioned and called each believer for a specific Kingdom assignment and, therefore, our priority as a church is to help identify, connect, equip and support them in that Service.
A Methodology of Service: We use the “Finding Your PLACE in Life and Ministry” assessment to help people identify their personalities, gifts, abilities, experiences and passions and to connect them to a place of Service.
A Process of Service: We require every church leader and new member to attend a PLACE Class, complete a PLACE Assessment, consult with a Connection Coach to interpret their assessment, select one to three potential areas of Service, and meet with the appropriate Ministry Representatives.
Example 2:
A Theology of Missions: Acts 1:8
A Philosophy of Missions: We believe the church should be on Mission in Jerusalem (our community and where we live, learn, work and play), Judea (our state), Samaria (to local people groups not like us), to the Ends of the Earth (our nation and world), and, therefore, our priority as a church is to equip and deploy our people to be on Mission locally and globally.
A Methodology of Missions: We deploy our people in Mission Projects and on Mission Journeys locally, nationally and internationally through partnerships with missionaries, churches and like-minded non-profit organizations and agencies.
A Process of Missions: Partners, Projects and Journeys are determined by the passions and callings of our people as identified through the PLACE data base. Local, National and International Partners are determined through a defined vetting process and report quarterly on how they are deploying our members and allocating our financial gifts.
Posted on June 5, 2018
