Quick set-up for this one:
As we considered going multi-site as a church, one of the things that we as a leadership team had to ask ourselves was this question: "What's our 'DNA'? We had to ask ourselves this question so that we'd know exactly what we had to duplicate at our next site(s). In other words: what are those characteristics that make Prairie Lakes Church what it is? Who are we, and who do we absolutely have to be at each site that is launched?
We came up with 4 things that we think make up the DNA of Prairie Lakes Church:
- Simple - we have to be clear, straightforward, and uncomplicated in what we preach and how we invite people to take steps towards God. For example: although putting on a weekend service is a complicated process, the end result is not - we help people to take clear, straightforward steps to encounter and respond to God. Simple.
- Bible - we want people to be in God's word at church and at home. It's the book for our lives, and we want people to know how to read it and use it. The references and page numbers appear on the screen, John walks people through how to find them, Bibles are in the seats, etc.
- Authentic - Prairie Lakes Church is a place where people come as they are, and where there's a premium on being transparent - allowing people to see who you really are, rather than wearing masks or putting on fronts. We don't play church here. We're a group of imperfect people who are simply loved by a gracious God - nothing more, and nothing less.
- Invitational - wherever we go, whatever we do, we are always on the lookout for what God is doing in our neighbors', coworkers', friends', and families' lives. AND, we're looking for how we can invite them into a next step with God - whether it's an invite into our homes, into our lives, into a deeper relationship, into our church on a weekend, into a group, or into a serving opportunity. We are invitational people.
Ok, that's the first part of the set-up. Here's the second:
I'm currently reading this book entitled Multi-site Church Roadtrip: Exploring the New Normal. It's written by the folks at Leadership Network, presenting 10 or so "case studies" from their staff's numerous trips to various multi-site churches. It's really very good - click the link above and buy the book for like twelve bucks.
Chapter 3 explores this question of DNA. This particular chapter profiles Fellowship Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. They had to ask themselves the DNA question the hard way - when they tried to duplicate their children's ministry at their other locations, they found it impossible to do so... because the way they did their children's ministry at their original location was staff-heavy and venue-specific (meaning they had a bunch of tech tools at their original location that they didn't have at all of their other campuses).
Which (finally) gets me to our question:
What do you think is the DNA of our ministry? What is Programming and Production's DNA?
Take a moment to think about this, and post a comment using the link below. Here are some questions to guide your thinking:
- What if our current campus had more than one live worship venue - say, a venue up in the chapel, or down in the cafe? The message is going to be piped in live from the worship center, but we need to provide an artistic experience in those two venues. What does it absolutely need to be? What does it absolutely need to do? Keep in mind: we don't have the same tools in those venues as we do in the worship center.
- What if our next campuses don't have all of the same tech tools and resources that our current campus has? What if they have a group of musicians and vocalists that have a different set of skills or strengths? What if the demographic of their geographical location is markedly different than ours? What does Programming and Production look like there? What does it absolutely have to have in common with our current campus?
- What if one of our campuses ends up ministering to several different cultures all at once? What if the majority culture at one of our campuses isn't a bunch of white people? What does Programming and Production look like at a campus like that? What does it have to share with the way we currently do Programming and Production?
Your thoughts are very much appreciated!
I commented on the other post and I'm the first here too. I guess that just means I just check my email too often.
ReplyDeleteThe main things that come to mind for me are:
1. Authentic, Christ-centered worship. I think that regardless of the genre of music it needs to point to Jesus in the end.
2. What we do, we do it well. Even if a service is much more simple technically or musically at another location it should still be of the highest quality.
3. Worship time has to either prepare people's hearts to hear from God in the message or give them an opportunity to respond to what they heard in the message.
4. If there were a location that for some strategic reason decided they wanted to have more traditional (hymns with piano) worship it should still meet the above requirements of being authentic, done well, and have a purpose. The same is true if a campus decided to go with something more like the worship night with loud new worship songs or something I didn't even think of.
5. The last thing that is not negotiable is the incredible cohesiveness of the worship team and tech team. I think this is one of the major things that makes this such a great ministry. Even if it were a much smaller tech and or worship team at another location this would still apply.
So... a comment would look something like this... right down here... really simple folks... come on... you know you want to...
ReplyDeleteYay for Andy! The guy beat me to even my simple note of encouragement! Thanks man! Let's keep them coming...
ReplyDeleteIn addition to Andy's fantastic comment, I would like to include that the worship music is such that at all campuses it contributes to the message/theme of the weekend. Under no circumstances should songs be picked only on the merit that they are particularly liked/well performed by that campus.
ReplyDeleteI think regardless of whether or not we have the same set up or resources, worship is still possible and even a stronger level than our current worship center.
ReplyDeleteI've personally experienced stronger worship at PLC than most places, but just a guy who plays guitar with a mic who is authentically worship is sometimes stronger than all the production that goes into it.
I love how we worship at PLC, but I don't think how good the music sounds should be the focus, but rather I'd like to see experiences to worship that are authentically led. It's not about the music, it's about worshiping God. I love that we give people a chance to worship through tech/behind-the-scenes opportunities. If we have to find new ways for letting them continue these things, I'm up for brainstorming.
I think classes for the worship team(s) being available would be great. I know that I would LOVE to learn more about worship and how to produce that God-centered atmosphere.
I'm SOOO excited to bring Christ to WATERLOO!
Having come from what I’d consider to be a successful multi-site church, I’ll offer my perspective on what I’ve experienced.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that while the ‘what’ changed between the two campuses, the ‘how’ remained the same.
The what – one campus was much larger, the other smaller. One felt more an arena, the other more like a living room. Both had stage lights but one had special graphic screens while the other had lamps and rugs. One had extensive live video with cameramen all over the place, the other had more limited video with only one mechanically controlled camera. One had a worship leader that emitted more of a ‘rock star’ vibe while the other a worship leader that seemed to have more of a ‘coffee shop’ personality.
The how – Both ‘teams’ shared the same team members (we switched back and forth between the campuses). We shared and spent time at rehearsals studying and praying together. While we performed and practiced separately, the songs were usually the same but how the songs were performed would change based on the unique talents of the people performing them. The desire to serve God, to connect with Him through worship, and the ability to create a worship experience for others did not change.
While that might not answer the questions, it is a perspective that shows that focusing on the job of worshipping while utilizing what God uniquely gives you can certainly be successful.
for Him,
Brian
Maybe its because my wife is re-reading "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan...but it seems noticable to me that we allude to the Holy Spirit and the work of the Holy Spirit in us/through us...but we haven't always internalized and verbalized the process by which the Spirit transforms us. Guides us. (I say "we" intentionally...I need this as much as anyone!)
ReplyDeleteIf we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our "moves", then we will witness an orchestrated precision like no other! The "DNA" of the multi-sites will be the same (the same Holy Spirit), even if the multi-sites are very different.
We are not about replicating Prairie Lakes Church (as great of a place as it is), we are about replicating Spirit-filled, Spirit-obedient lives.
So, I've been rambling...
When we become Christians, God the Spirit comes and resides in us. We daily try to shed more of oursleves so that Got the Spirit can direct our actions...making every task an act of worship/obedience to our Savior. Making coffee for the Lord, taping cables for the Lord, tuning a guitar for the Lord, singing for the Lord, calling a service for the Lord, lighting for the Lord,........
Jesse has said on several occasions...we don't want to do godly things without His Power (the Holy Spirit). Amen!
Sorry so long-winded:
My P&P DNA non-negotionalbles:
1. Holy Spirit driven
2. Create space for community
3. Committment to excellence as an act of Worship
4. Not a show...focus on authentic Worship
5. Submission to others and leadership
I'm sure there is more...but its after 11 p.m. and I'm going to bed!! :)
Later,
Ron Morlan
It normally takes me a long time to think through questions like this. But as I read the question, the answer comes to me fairly easy. And, it comes in two parts . . .
ReplyDeleteThe first, is that the DNA of our Programming ministry is the same as our church; Simple, Bible, Authentic and Invitational. If we don't take those same pieces of the PLC puzzle, so to speak, and transplant them all at the Waterloo Campus, AND any other campuses that will follow, we will be forgetting what we've learned since this whole journey began. And not succeeding at what our leadership is tasking us to do.
The second part, in my opinion, will develop just like it has, (and like it continues to do)at the Cedar Falls campus.
Just this morning I had a conversation with one of our CF volunteers, who made some very complimentary comments about our recent worship services. She said that so many of the worship services had been so good - - - so powerful - - - lately. And that our teams were doing such a good job, in making them happen that way.
My comment to her, was simply that it wasn't our teams, doing the good job, but our God.
My heart tells me that our services have been as powerful and effective as they've been because, from the top down, we are attempting to listen to the Holy Spirit and move where and when He directs us. And not trying to do it on our own, or manufacture something by ourselves.
Kind of like the witness to a crime might describe to a police sketch artist, what the perpetrator looked like. The witness tells the artist what they saw - - - describes it. The artists responsbility is to correctly capture the images in the way they're described. To the best of their ability.
Not unlike painting a picture for someone else.
As Pastor John and the rest of our leadership have heard from God, and cast that vision to us, we are like artists who are being asked to paint a picture, of God, FOR God, through the lense of our senior pastor.
This 'painting' will look differently at a different campus with a different campus pastor, different equipment, artists, different people serving and different people attending, as well.
'Perhaps a little brown on this corner. Add some shading in the background. Blur those lines a bit, but clarifiy the outline on that other side.' The painting will be shaped by the cultures, the equipment, the volunteers, etc.
Does that make sense?
The basic DNA remains the same. But, just like my kids were born, their differences and different characteristics and tendencies are revealed over time.
Sign me,
Waiting for it all to unfold
I think there are three major components to our DNA that if we can replicate, the demagraphics or cultural differences won't matter, it still be Prairie Lakes Church.
ReplyDeleteThe first is our ability to come into our weekends as just humble servants of God. I feel that all of us are able to put ourselves and our egos aside and humble ourselves to let God do through us what he wishes. We do this very well. Paul talks in 1 Cor 15:10 about how whatever he is, it is because God poured out his "special favor" on him. Sure he worked harder than all of the rest of the apostles, but admits that it is not him but "God working through him" as the reason he was able to accomplish so much. I feel that our ministry exemplifies this and it must be replicated.
The second major part of our DNA is our stewardship to our gifts and talents. What I mean by this is that there are so many gifts that God has given us. From the great musicianship of our instrumentalists and vocalists, to the creative vision of our producers and tech team members. The gifts are very very real. I feel that one thing we do great is that we are good stewards and employers of these gifts and talents. This must be replicated where ever we go.
The third part to our DNA that must be reproduced at our other campuses is our continuity. Like Andy said, we have incredible cohesiveness between the worship teams and the tech teams. This is absolutely in our DNA. I feel that if we can maintain these parts of our DNA then the level of complexity and technicality won't matter, we will still be Prairie Lakes Church wherever we go.
Well I was going to reply to this in the same amount of time it takes Jesse to reply to my emails but... I decided that would be just to long :-) Sorry Jesse had to put that jab in there lol.
ReplyDeleteOk in the year I have been at PLC I have noticed some things in P&P that you guys do very well and they are exactly what makes up your DNA. I have to agree with Shari that the church DNA is very similar to what P&P's DNA is, if it wasn't there would be no cohesiveness and the ministry would bear no fruit. As long as these things stay in place the venue, the people, and everything else that goes a long with it will fall in place.
Hear are my views of what I see.
1: You guys are passionate and authentic to who you are. You do not try to be all things to all people and that is something that a lot of churches get wrong. So staying true to the call that God has placed on PLC is vital no ifs and or buts about that one.
2: Community. Yet another thing you guys do well. Just like doing life together is vital to small groups it is vital to all the ministries within the church. Team meetings, prayer before weekend services , retreats these are all things that are FABULOUS and should not be changed.
3: Discipleship: You guys are willing to bring in new volunteers and train them in your ways and exspose them to the vision and allow them to take part in that and let there voices be heard. Yet another thing you guys do well. Without this your group becomes exclusive and appears hard to get involved in.
4: One thing I was concerned about when I first came was that I didn't see any eveidence of allowing the Spirit to work. After spending time and getting to know some of the leadership, I am proud to say that it is eveident in everything you guys are doing, I dont know if things have changed within P&P since I started coming last year or if God has just allowed me to see. Either way you guys have what I call the Radical Middle nailed. Great Job!
These are the things that I think make P&P what it is. As long as these things stay they same and Christ is kept center all other things will fall into place.
Blessings, Tim
Let me first state that the one thing that drew me and kept me at PLC is the overall message. We all tell it like it is, no sugercoating. That cannot change! The Bible is the Bible. No arguing about it. It is just as true today as the time it was written. It is God's Word, and God's Word doesn't change just so people can always feel good about themselves. Sometimes conviction is necessary. I know it was for me when I started attending PLC. Even though at the time I didn't like hearing it, I knew that I needed to. This simple fact is the heart and soul of PLC, and we all need to be a part of it.
ReplyDeleteAll of the comments have been great! I would like to add one thing.
One of the things that makes all of our teams work is sarting simple, doing it well, and then advancing. That may sound like a very simple understatement, but without that, it would be nearly impossible to get new people involved, or let people explore new areas because we would all expect everyone to be the "best" at their position. That is not always the case, and that is a good thing. That is not the same as saying everyone does not do their best, because I firmly believe that we all do, but some have more experience than others.
However, we are not afraid to share what we know with others, not afraid to let them learn their style, not afraid to allow some mistakes to be made in the learning process. That allows people to grow, positions to be filled, and ultimately a better overall team. Not only that, but it builds trust, and trust is what a team is all about.
For example, I was not a "good" video director the first time I did it. I was OK, but there were others that were a lot better than I. Why not just have them do it and keep me on camera? I knew I had to do my best, I knew I had to learn and put effort into it, but I also knew that I was "safe" to make mistakes along the way. I started simple, just trying to get the basics right, and have advanced ever since, and still am today. Through practice, ownership, and dedication, I am now better at video directing than I was on day one.
Stop and think for a minute. How many other places can you think of that are like that? How many other places would purposefully allow a "newbie" to fill an important role (and every single role is important), knowing that there will be mistakes made or knowing that it could be better with more experienced people?
Not many, I bet. It is invitational and intentional. It is a huge and important strand of the DNA at PLC.
In addition to the DNA of Simple, Bible, Authentic, and Invitational, I think that we need to add Teachable & Equipping.
ReplyDeleteAt a new site, there will be a different group of people, talent, style, culture, etc. As the sites get going, everyone needs to be willing to do things differently, if necessary. People need to be willing to set aside their personal comfort/preferences. I think that it is important to ask the questions: Who are we trying to reach? What culture(s) are we ministering to? What does that look like… sound like? What resources do we have/need to accomplish that? Music style needs to be driven by culture, NOT personal preference.
Members of the new P&P teams need to keep their eyes open for individuals that they can start mentoring. The cycle of equipping needs to continue, even at a new campus.
I also think that ongoing education on Biblical worship would be helpful for new and seasoned members. Simple reminders of what it means to be authentic, genuine worshipers can help members lead the church in real encounters with God. Obviously, the Spirit is going to move in whatever way He sees fit, but I believe that ongoing education helps remove distractions during the worship time.
Above all of these things, we really need to be in prayer daily about what God is asking of us and how He wants our new sites to be. We need to be sensitive to what is on His heart.
I am excited to see how God is going to shape the new teams.
creativeness. I don't know about all of the inner workings, but it seems to me that there is a lot of thinking/preparation done at PLC for any given Sunday. Regardless of musical style, size, etc, if there is a whole other set of staff for a particular campus (to reach out to a different demographic, for instance), I would expect the same amount of thought/time/effort to be put into planning the services.
ReplyDelete