5 Common Core Issues for Multistuck Churches

Going multisite is exciting.

It’s a sign of growth, momentum, and Kingdom impact.

But let’s be honest: it’s also very complex. And if you’re not careful, the very thing that was supposed to multiply your mission can become the thing that gets you stuck.

Here are five common core issues we see in multisite churches.

1. Lack of Clarity in Your Multisite Model

Not all multisite models are created equal. And too often, churches quickly launch into multisite without clearly defining the rules within their model.

Are you replicating the same experience at every campus? Are you contextualizing for different communities?

The fix: Do your homework. Multisite is not a new strategy anymore. Different models have different predictable outcomes over time. Make sure the model you choose today points you towards the future vision you have for your multisite church.

2. Not Having a Playbook

One of the biggest challenges multisite churches face is a lack of clarity around decision-making. Who decides what? How much autonomy do campuses have? What decisions stay central?

Without a clear playbook, you lose the “we.” Teams start operating in silos. Campus staff feel like they’re guessing. What was supposed to be unity across all campuses turns to “us versus them,” and campuses start to have “little brother syndrome.”

The fix: Create a decision-making framework that clearly defines what’s centralized and what’s localized. Your playbook doesn’t have to be a 100-page manual, but it does need to answer the critical questions so everyone knows how decisions get made.

3. Different Mission Fields at Different Campuses

Are you multiplying in the same mission field, or are you trying to be all things to all people?

Remember: multisite is about focusing what we (all locations) have in common, not distinctives and differences. If that is the case, church planting would be a better option.

The fix: Know your core mission and stay true to it across campuses, while still allowing for contextual flexibility. Healthy multisite churches are clear about who they’re called to reach in the context of their community.

4. Live Teaching vs. Video Teaching

Each teaching model has trade-offs, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. However, there are things that we have seen in our work with churches that tend to work better than others.

If you want to be one church with multiple locations, your teaching model should be easily replicable.

In episode 438, Pastor Nick Cleveland from Grace Church said it like this:

“If you choose live teaching, you’ll have all the problems that come with live teaching. If you choose a video teaching model, you’ll have all the problems that come with video teaching. If you choose a hybrid model, you’ll have all the problems that come with both live and video teaching.”

The fix: Decide on your teaching model and own it. If you’re using video teaching, invest in making it engaging through strong communication, excellent production, and a campus environment that creates connection. We recommend a video teaching model across all campuses if you truly want to be one church in multiple locations.

5. Leadership Pipeline Not Keeping Pace with Growth

You can’t multiply locations faster than you can multiply leaders.

One of the most common breakdowns we see in multisite churches is a leadership pipeline that hasn’t kept up with expansion. You’re opening new campuses, but you don’t have enough leaders to lead them well.

This is especially true when it comes to defining the campus pastor role. What does a campus pastor actually do? What authority do they have? How are they supported and developed?

The fix: Build a leadership development system that grows leaders at the pace of your expansion. Clearly define the campus pastor role and invest in developing and supporting these key leaders. A great place to start with this is our new Campus Pastor Cohort.

Feeling Multistuck?

We help multisite churches identify what’s keeping them stuck and build a clear, customized plan to move forward with confidence.

Your multisite church can get unstuck and get back to multiplying your mission. We can help. Let’s talk.