chazzdaddy

5 things to consider before going multi-site in a small town…part 2.

In multi-sites on November 18, 2008 at 4:34 am


Yesterday we talked about the importance of a top-level team at all levels.

Question #2: Do you have MATURE systems in place to handle growth and sustain momentum with that team?

I just finished 2 calls in 2 days with great leaders of whom I asked about question 1, which I believe is one of the most important. This question is a next-level question.

Once you have a great team who will bleed for the mission…do you have the systems in place to facilitate the growth? Don’t forget you should experience GROWTH as you launch. We grew by 300-400 by launching our 2 campuses. Are your systems ready to handle that?

Do you have enough staff to handle this growth? If your systems are still trying to be worked out at your first campus, then you will send the same dysfunction to site #2.

Are small groups and assimilation mature (I didn’t say GREAT…but MATURE and headed in the right direction with leadership and finances in place)?

Are your technology people able to handle multiple campuses?

How about children’s, worship, support ministries, outreach, youth, finances, etc.?

Of course you can hire people at the campuses to do this, but what is the learning curve for a new staff person unless they are capable and come from within? And even then, how long does it take for them to learn and fit in and start to make a gain in momentum for you? For us, it seems to be 6 months to a year, and in some cases, multiple years!

If you have dysfunction in your systems (and you know if you do, and we have plenty if you are keeping score) don’t think they will go away as you grow and “hire” them away with the “new growth”. It takes time for a new campus to mature just to give enough to support the new minimal staff you have. Remember your journey to get there at your campus?

You will be spinning plates and trying to overcome bad systems in 2 places if you don’t have mature systems ready to be implemented across 2 or more campuses.

Join us back tomorrow as I write about one of the most important questions to ask that will make or break a multi-site.