There are several variations of multi-site models - I didn't catch all of these, so I'll have to hunt down a handout on this (or maybe get a recording of the presentation). But some are:
- Regional Campus - Most popular at present (examples First UU Albuquerque - 3 branches, First UU Church of San Diego - 2 branches).
- Video Venue - second most popular - capture sermons on DVD and provide to other sites for use same day or following week
- Diversity of Ministry - Uses different rooms on the same campus. This allows a congregation to provide a specialized ministry to distinct groups within your current congregation - examples include Spanish language, young adult, family ministries.
To work, multi site minsitry must be supported by the whole team - not just the minister or lay leadership or staff. Congregations of 200 to 1000+ are using multi-site models successfully. However, sufficient professional staff really is necessary to sustain the logistics and relational network. It's also important to be clear that there is not a heirarchy among the campuses - not a "mother church" or "primary campus." Your language must scrupulously reflect your authentic commitment to this. Motive for successful multi-site is to spread UU, not to address the needs of a single church (like "we're getting too big - let's spin off multi-sites so we can all stay small").
Style of worship at various sites may be quite different - contemporary (up-tempo feel, high-energy music, more interactive congregation) vs "high church" (lots of words, more one-way talk elements, more passive-receptive congregation). Often, the sermon is shared at all sites but the music and other elements are created and conducted at each site. Be in the "both/and" mindset, don't get stuck in "either/ or" thinking about the worship style that you consider "traditional." If we make the multi-site congregations more compelling to younger people, UU will naturally become more multi-cultural because that's "normal" for younger people. Mostly, this means less talking, more music, high energy, physically involved (not just "head").
These multi-site models are intended to be sustained over time, not temporary "launch" alternatives to start-up a new congregation that will be a stand-alone church "when it's ready." The multi-site campuses are seen as already whole and complete and worthy, not "second rate" to a larger church or "not ready" to be a "real" church. Commitment is to UU, not to a physical site. From the very first, identity is larger than just the local congregation or community.
Multi-site congregations pledge together and share a budget that covers the ministry of all sites. San Diego spent about $90K on the first year of operation, including $20K on equipment and lots of marketing. "You can do it cheaper," says Senior Minister Arvid Straube. Recommends "guerrilla marketing" over direct mail (example - handing out tea bags at community fairs, with tags, "are we your cup of tea?" or chalk on the sidewalks with your web address - get permission from the parks, etc., to do this). Direct marketing was not ineffective for them, but other methods were just as effective for a lower cost and lower hassle-factor. UUA Funding panel, Chalice Lighters might provide some funding help, but the vision funding for start-up comes most significantly from your own congregation interested in becoming multi-site.
Researching your multi-site options includes a good demographic study of your service areas and potential sites.
Large evangelical churches now tend to use the term "teaching" instead of "preaching" for the main segment of their Sunday service, and this element often holds the stage for 45 minutes or more. (Works with an exceptionally talented speaker who can engage the congregation intensely.) Another interesting concept is the requirement to be very intentional about "artist development" - that is the very high quality of every person/group who has a role in worship. Every piece must be excellent and meaningfully contribute to the whole experience to create a lasting impression.
I'll ask the Rev. Dr. Ken Brown, district exec in UUA Pacific SW, if he'll share his PowerPoint presentation summarizing the "multi-site" concept and various implementation options. Maybe we can provide a workshop on this at our own district meeting - several PNWD congregations could make use of these models.
No comments:
Post a Comment