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Choices Within the Journey
Congregational Multiplication Movement
What is the essence of this choice?
The essence of this choice is to develop and sustain a strategy of starting new congregations where the fulfillment of this strategy leads to a self-perpetuating congregational multiplication movement that fuels itself with minimal external pushing from denominational or parachurch organizations.
This best happens when the concept of reproducing new congregations is built into the DNA of newly launched congregations.
- Within seven to nine years from the time a group of new congregations are launched, with reproducing new congregations as part of their DNA, these new congregations can be genuinely involved in multiplication movement actions.
It can also occur when existing congregations are captivated by a new or renewed vision for launching new congregations.
- Often these congregations see the multiplication of new congregations as the most effective means of evangelism, new member recruitment, and community transformation.
Within a congregational multiplication movement are some congregations who may launch one or more new congregations each year.
There may even be a few congregations who keep a minimum of five new congregations at some point of launch and development into self-sustaining Christ-centric faith communities.
Who ought to consider this choice?
Congregations who find themselves in a fast growing context, or a significantly changing context, must respond to this opportunity with the launching of new congregational expressions focused on reaching new residents migrating or immigrating to their area of ministry influence.
A few congregations will see this from a global and local perspective, and include in their multiplication efforts partnerships with congregations in various parts of the world.
What are strategic change and transition issues to address?
It is only through new congregations that a Christ-centric faith community can touch the full spectrum of God’s creation.
- Congregational multiplication movements affirm geographic and demographic diversity, generation distinctions, racial and ethnic pluralism, and lifestyle uniqueness.
- No one congregation is pluralistic enough, or sufficiently diverse in its doctrine and methods, to reach all people within its context.
- Full diversity is best expressed through the fellowship of congregations within a given context, rather than one congregation falsely claiming that it has a ministry for and to everyone.
Many denominational families have an ethos that makes a significant contribution to the overall Christian movement.
- Through the launching of new congregations within that religious cultural context the harmony represented by that denominational ethos is maintained.
Many faithful, effective, and innovative congregations, who are the ones most likely to be part of a congregational multiplication movement, have a healthy spiritual community that when replication through launching new congregations, provides a creative harmony that benefits kingdom work.
- The DNA of such congregations begs to be cloned in the vibrant spiritual life of new congregations.
What are essential resources to have available to embrace this choice?
Readiness, including a sense of urgency.
Case studies to observe and from which to learn. Discover and dialogue with congregation who have made this choice at least five years ago is essential.
Knowledge of the strategic actions called for by this choice.
A vision incorporated into a future story of the congregation’s potential.
A minimum critical mass of leadership.
Faithful, effective, and innovative actions.
Coaching from a coach for congregational leadership.
Four more essential resources are leadership, partnership, finances, and prayer.
- Leadership: It takes a large supply of pastoral and lay leadership to create and sustain a congregational multiplication movement.
The typical new congregation will need 10 to 20 households, of which at least two must be clergy households, who will commit to launching a new congregation for that congregation to have both short-term and long-term success.
Few seminaries have ministry preparation tracks that equip clergy and laity to lead the launching of new congregations.
Often skill development and ongoing learning must take place in a lead partnership congregation committed to a congregational multiplication movement.
Denominational organizations can mentor and provide resources to these mentoring congregations so they can function as new congregational ministry incubators.
- Partnership: It takes a number of congregations equal to 20 percent of the total number of congregations affiliated with a denominational organization, who are willing to be primary or secondary partners for launching new congregations, for a congregational multiplication movement to be created and sustained.
One-third of partner congregations must be faithful, effective, and innovative congregations who will serve as primary partners for launching new congregations.
The other two-thirds must be willing to be supporting partners.
These numbers may seem impossible to achieve.
That is why the creation of a congregational multiplication movement must be seen as a seven to nine year journey.
It will take that long to built the capacity for enough partner congregations.
Also, remember that many of these partner congregations will be ones launched during the first few years of the journey toward reaching a full multiplication movement, who within seven to nine years can themselves become partner congregations.
- Finances: Financial resources must be developed.
No denominational organization can budget for or accumulate sufficient financial resources to pay the launch costs for all the new congregations that are needed.
They can make funding new congregations a priority.
They can use strategically placed seed money as a magnet to draw other funds from the budget of partner congregations, individuals from within partner congregations, members of the new congregations, and other external resources that may not be immediately obvious.
- Prayer: Prayer for the congregational multiplication movement is essential.
It is unlikely that a congregational multiplication movement will be created and sustained unless a large number of people from at least 20 percent of the affiliated congregations are involved in regularly prayer for the movement.
A congregational multiplication movement is in part a spiritual movement. It is a God thing.
It is something that calls for the full heart, soul, mind, and strength of the greater Church. Anything less will be inadequate.
Does this choice fit your congregation? If you think the answer is "yes," click the Next button underneath It fits. If you're not sure, or you think the answer is probably "no," click the Next button underneath Look further to select another option from the full list of choices.
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