With its growing popularity, most church leaders believe the multisite church is not going anywhere. Regardless of one’s belief about whether a multisite church meets the definition of “one church” or “multiple churches,” all multisite churches must deal with the fact that their senior leaders will eventually depart. While numerous examples of single-site pastoral succession exist, there are few examples of multisite pastoral succession from which to learn. The ultimate purpose of this research was to help multisite churches (or churches that are considering multisite) better understand and implement pastoral succession from the first generation of pastoral leadership to the second. To accomplish this goal, a two-phase sequential mixed-methods study was developed. Phase 1 of the research built a survey to better understand multisite succession, which was administered to 21 of 35 churches that were discovered through snowball sampling. Phase 2 built upon the survey information and utilized a Delphi Panel in order to project best practices for multisite churches undergoing pastoral succession. This phase had 76 practices gain consensus after three rounds of expert feedback. The results included practices for first generation pastors, practices for second generation pastors, and practices for the organization as a whole.

Thesis (D.Min.)--Liberty University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

In spite of the multisite phenomenon’s apparent “success” and effectiveness in fulfilling the Great Commission, there are looming variables related to leadership structures and organizational complexities that have not been adequately addressed. Perhaps the most significant question in need of further research in the multisite field is simply determining where final decision-making authority is found. Does such authority lie at the campus level, or at the larger church level? For example, what decisions can and cannot a campus pastor make apart from the approval of the senior leadership team? The longevity of the multisite movement will ultimately be determined by the presence of healthy leadership structures that learn the tedious balance between control and freedom. The senior leadership team has the arduous task of being closely enough involved in the operations of each campus to ensure that campuses rightly embody the DNA of the overall church. Yet at the same time, this senior leadership team must empower and legitimize campus leadership in such a way that they do not feel unnecessarily restricted and compromised of their unique calling and giftedness. Such perceptions on behalf of campus leadership can lead to mistrust, conflict, and the ultimate deterrence of the mission of the church. This quantitative study addresses the leadership dynamics and organizational complexities in multisite churches, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between campus pastors and the church’s senior leadership team. Chapter 1 introduces the research problem and its practical significance. It also defines the research questions while indicating the study’s limitations. The examination of the precedent literature in chapter 2 underscores the biblical and theological foundations of this topic, such as the clear examples of shared leadership structures seen in the New Testament. Additionally, this chapter details the contemporary research regarding multisite structures in general, and leadership structures in particular. Chapter 3 presents the research design, defines the population, establishes the selection criteria, and outlines the instrumentation. Chapter 4 analyzes the findings, while chapter 5 presents the researcher’s conclusions. The study’s ultimate aim is to stimulate meaningful dialogue among multisite churches, and to strengthen multisite churches’ leadership structures so as to better ensure biblical fidelity, health, unity, and longevity.

No description available.

This dissertation examines the development of the multi-site church phenomenon in North America from 1950 to 2010. Chapter 1 introduces the multi-site church concept, briefly detailing the development of the multi-site movement and the need for investigation of the subject. Chapters 2 through 4 explore the historical development of the multi-site church movement, highlighting individuals, ministries, trends, and forces contributing to the current multi-site church phenomenon. Chapter 5 examines the various forms of current multi-site churches presenting a concise and comprehensive taxonomy of multi-site churches in North America. Chapter 6 analyzes key New Testament biblical and theological issues concerning the multi-site church structure, providing a general set of parameters for healthy multi-site application and expression. Chapter 7 summarizes the content and arguments of the dissertation, assessing the strengths, weaknesses, and success of the dissertation, and presenting topics for future multi-site inquiry and investigation. This dissertation contends that the multi-site church concept is a robust and biblically acceptable church model, and one that is beneficial to the church in North America.

Text in German with English and German summaries / The New Testament teaching on the church structure associated with the Systematic Theology is being investigated and discussed under the term ecclesiology. Therefore, this is about the contextualization of the main terms: Ecclesia, the body of Christ, Positions (Acts, teachers,bishop, elders, etc.). In this climactic situation I will write my work and critically analyze the postmodern model of the multi-site and compare it to other post-modern models including their main exponents who are also trying to respond to today's situation. It is through the critical examination of the contextualization of the multi-site - relating to the New Testament understandingof the church – that full attention is given to the context of this world and the Christian identity is preserved by referring back to the Scriptures. The identity of the multisiteneeds to be examined through the pluralization of religious providers and compared toother ecclesiological models in order to gain new insight and understanding. / Die neutestamentliche Lehre über die Gemeindestruktur ist der systematischen Theologie zugeordnet und wird unter dem Terminus Ekklesiologie erforscht und diskutiert. Deswegen geht es um die Kontextualisierung der wesentlichen Begriffe Ekklesia, Leib Christi, Ämter (Apostel, Lehrer, Bischof, Älteste usw.). In dieser Zuspitzung werde ich meine Arbeit schreiben und kritisch das Modell der Multisite im Vergleich zu anderen postmodernen Modellen mitsamt deren Hauptexponenten, die ebenfalls versuchen auf die heutige Situation reagieren, zu analysieren. Denn durch die kritische Betrachtung der Kontextualisierung des Multisite-Modells anhand des neutestamentlichen Kirchenverständnisses wird dem Kontext dieser Welt volle Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt und durch den Rückbezug auf die Heilige Schrift die christliche Identität gewahrt. Diese Identität der Multisite soll in der Pluralisierung religiöser Anbieter im Kern mit anderen ekklesiologischen Modellen kritisch betrachtet werden, um so neue Erkenntnisse zu gewinnen. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)