Multi-Site Churches, Wins in 7 Nights of Worship...........Part 4

In this final Post of Multi-Site discussion I want to share some Wins we've had the last two years in doing Church "365" days a year.  While there have been many lessons learned and still being learned, there have also been some great wins. At this point this is the only Multi-Site model in the United States doing "7 Nights of Worship"  I believe using the Millions of Dollars of buildings and resources will finally be done by thousands of churches like ours in the next couple decades. Most churches fear the unknown and are more focused on large numbers and large services at this point. I see a new generation of leaders coming on the scene that will reach the large numbers but also realize the young generations are looking to do Church in small intimate venues. Its already happening in houses and urban areas. Why leave millions of dollars just sitting 6 nights a week? it doesn't make sense. Even using buildings for many other programs is just rearranging the deck chairs among those who are already on board. Why not use those same resources sitting idle to reach out to the community who does not care when they worship. Below are some things that we believe have been "Wins" in our first two years.

Wins of doing Worship 7 Nights a Week, 365 Days a Year!!!

 

1. You immediately bring new leaders and volunteers into your ministry from day one. We added about 100+ new volunteers who had not been serving anywhere. New leaders EMERGE!  
2. You build more Worship Teams -- leaders, bands and musicians who can be used throughout your other services and other campuses. (Farm teams)
3.  You’re making good use of multi-million dollar buildings and investments…most churches sit empty all week. Or they have meetings anyway for other things that don’t really open the door for the community and those who have special needs. This is much more cost effective than starting a new campus or building new buildings and buying new land. WHATEVER IT TAKES!
4. As with Multi-Campus staff, you need people who can be utility players and move from one ministry to another.
5. Great TEAM building and relations are built among the workers, and those who are committed to the night. High ownership by the volunteers.  Much more intimate, and not as rushed to get out.
6. KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID (KISS)!  The smaller venue and congregation allows you to keep it simple and intimate. You don’t need to have all the same elements as Sunday. You have the most important -- some things are just hard to reproduce each service, drama live, live specials, full children’s ministry.
7. You give people options in a very busy life. Lots of medical, and law enforcement work on weekends.  There is no excuse for not being able to worship. Our urban society is not 9-5 pm anymore. “Can’t make it Sunday morning? Come any night of the week!”
8. Different themes, personalities and needs can be addressed on different nights. (Book Studies, Discipleship, Christian Growth Track, Teen focus, and worship led, children’s discipleship night) Teaching can be Video from the weekend or live with one of the Teaching Team.
9. A true Oasis every day of the year for those needing to pray, worship, fellowship, have a listening ear and just have a Third place always there. (Some might actually come several nights a week when they are going through a difficult time).  Meeting people where they are.
10.  The main reason we began to discuss 7NOW was providing space to grow and a path to move folks out of the crowded Sunday services.  But now this is just one of the reasons it is working, and not necessarily the most important.