McChurch
I told you. I told you. I TOLD YOU.
When Ed Young (from Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX who launched a video venue... in Miami), Andy Stanley and others started opening "campuses" THOUSANDS of miles away from their churches and simply piping in the sermon via video, I said:
"This is
1. Everything wrong with video venues collected in one neat package.
2. The logical conclusion to where video venues take us- large churches
franchising in every big "market" in the states. It's coming- mark my words. And it is a net-negative for the Church as a whole for many, many reasons."
Check this out:
"Church plants," "sister churches," and "satellite congregations" may be a thing of the past. In 2008, the language of missiology is changing, so look for "church franchises" in your town.
Eddie Johnson, the lead pastor of Cumberland Church, espouses the franchising concept when it comes to the relationship between his church in Nashville, Tennessee, and North Point Community Church in metro Atlanta. On his blog, he states, "Just like a Chick-fil-A, my church is a 'franchise,' and I proudly serve as the local owner/operator."
According to Johnson, his job is to "establish a local, autonomous church that has the same beliefs, values, mission, and strategy as North Point." He completed a three-month internship at North Point and continues to receive training and support. He claims to rarely deviate from the "training manual."
"Just like that Chick-fil-A owner/operator," he says, "I'm here in Nashville to open up our franchise and run it right. I believe in my company and what they are trying to 'sell.'"
The pastor says people who are already familiar with the North Point "brand" will find a local congregation with the same fit. For those who have relocated from Atlanta, they'll get a taste of home and know what to expect in their new church."
Read the rest here (link fixed)
And for the reasons, both philosophical and methodological as to why I think this is bad, bad, bad, check my series on Video Venues...
Didn't we used to call this "denominationalism?"
Can anyone help me see the difference?
Posted by: ShaneBertou | February 01, 2008 at 11:11 AM
This is wrong on just about every level you can think of.
One question though: Can you get fries?
Posted by: Fred | February 01, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Sell? He's "selling" the Gospel?? He "believes in his company"
Heaven forbid people should relocate to Nashville and learn something new ...
Posted by: sonja | February 01, 2008 at 12:32 PM
but... isn't chick-fil-a closed on sundays?
Posted by: david | February 01, 2008 at 01:20 PM
seriously, though. i don't really see anything wrong with this. it will help bring clarity for a lot of people as to what churches are about. don't you think it would be a lot more helpful all over if churches would just put on their signs things like:
"we are of Osteen"
"we are of Young"
"we are of Stanley"
etc...?
Posted by: david | February 01, 2008 at 01:21 PM
That's cra-HAZY! Not that I put it past the sanity of some church leaders, but who is actually going to this kind of church? I'd be interested in seeing their "market analysis" on this one- its just bizarre.
Posted by: Viv | February 01, 2008 at 02:16 PM
I met Eddie last year at a leadership retreat. He's an amazing guy. He was leading a church plant [an independent plant, not a franchise] where someone stabbed him in the back, took control of the finances and shut down the church. This took place about the same time his son was diagnosed with autism. He was in a bad place and North Point welcomed in as an intern so he could heal.
Eddie knew he still wanted to minister but had lost confidence in his ability to communicate. He went to North Point suggesting this idea, he chose the location, and they gave their blessing and continue to support his ministry.
Eddie doesn't usually explain the church in "franchising" language. It sounds like a reporter had an angle and Eddie went along with it. He has a great heart and isn't trying to pioneer the video venue fan. It's just how he's decided to do ministry now.
All of this is interesting because I'm no fan of satellite model; in fact, I'm incredibly skeptical of it. But like the "emerging church within a church" model [think Willow Creek's Axis] that became popular in the mid-1990's I think it's a fad that will eventually lose it's effectiveness. But even though I'm not down with it, I'm excited at the ministry it's allowed Cumberland to do there. I think, in his context, it's done much more good than harm.
So I'm usually ready to pile on satellites and video venues, but I know the guy doing it. I guess I just wrote this to voice my disagreeance with the methodology but the support of the guy doing it. It's not perfect, but "the important thing is that the gospel is being preached . . . and because of that I will rejoice."
Posted by: steve carr | February 01, 2008 at 02:36 PM
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
Posted by: Joel | February 01, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Steve- I hear you. I don't doubt the utter sincerity of those doing this. I think the model is misguide- that's all.
I also feel sorry for Eddie- not just for what he's been through, but also because now, this is going to be all over the web-o-sphere, and I think- he'll eventually wish he had chosen different language to describe this...
Posted by: Bob Hyatt | February 01, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Hey maybe one will eventually go public, and we can by stock!! I would be willing to put some Andy Stanley in my IRA.
Posted by: ryan | February 01, 2008 at 03:38 PM
thanks for posting this.
Posted by: chris g | February 01, 2008 at 05:19 PM
I can't substantiate this, but I heard of a church that was offering "drive-through communion". Just pull up to a window in your car, hear a few words of institution, get your juice and wafers conveniently packaged on a cardboard tray and off you go.
Lord, help us.
Posted by: Pistol Pete | February 02, 2008 at 05:28 AM
Sticking with the Chick Fil A example, what if they would never have built more than that original building? Not as many people would've known about it and not as many people would be able to enjoy the wonderful food there!
Same with these satellite campuses... these pastors are trying to get the best food (the body of Christ) out to the people who need it. They are essentially trying to make it easier for people all over the country to get fed.
Here's my point... if satellite campuses are bringing more people to Christ, what is wrong with that?
Posted by: John Bartlett | February 02, 2008 at 06:53 AM
John- it's a matter of competing parts of our mission. Yeah- we're about people coming to know Jesus.
We're also about some other things and if we can't do the first in a way that preserves the others, we should change our methodology and do it differently.
Check the Video Venue series to see more in depth why I think this direction is an overall negative for the church.
Posted by: Bob Hyatt | February 02, 2008 at 07:04 AM
I think I'm even more offended as the son of a franchisee. Chick-fil-A!? Give me a break! If you like oily, wilted bread and bland dry-ass, maybe-it's-chicken-maybe-it's-not. Colonel Sanders put me through college, people.
Seriously though, Bob, thanks for posting this. I'm with you. This idea will prove to be damaging to the Church.
Posted by: Scott | February 02, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Hi Bob,
I read some of your Video Venue series and had couple of comments...
You mentioned that (paraphrasing here) you think the ones teaching should know the people they are leading. In a large church (regular weekend attendance of 3000 or more) - even one that meets within a single building, that is going to be difficult to do.
You mentioned Paul and his teachings... consider all the Churches he led. Do you think Paul personally knew each person in all of the New Testament Churches he wrote letters to? These satellite venues are actually doing the same thing that Paul did: write or record a message/sermon and then distribute it to the various Churches he was responsible for and then someone would read the message to the congregation.
I'm not sure how other Churches do it, but I have attended Fellowship Church for years (thanks to Ed and his creativity I accepted Christ after attending for a few months) and each satellite campus (even the one in Miami) has a full time staff of pastors who connect personally with attendees, live worship, small group Bible studies, and all kinds of stuff. In other words, it is a fully functioning Church... it's just the once a week 30 min sermon delivered via video.
I'm telling you... it really works! FC is taking the Church to the people and simply making it easier for them to get in the door, get connected, and develop a relationship with Christ. To me, that is a sign of healthy Church: one that is getting folks in the door (i.e. growing), teaching them straight from the Bible, turning non-believers into believers, and then helping believers continue and grow their relationship with Christ.
Just seems to me that the "mega-church" gets a bad rap and I'm not sure why. I wonder if the people who are so against it have even ever entered the doors of a large Church to see what it is truly all about.
Anyways, thanks for listening and wish you and your readers all the best!
John.
Posted by: John Bartlett | February 03, 2008 at 06:54 AM
That is terrible, thanks for the post, Bob.
Posted by: Matt Wilcoxen | February 03, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I'm guessing just like fast food franchises these places will leave you feeling queasy, unsatisfied and still looking for real food.
Posted by: Aaron Stewart | February 04, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Hey Gang,
Thanks for the insights. Don't agree with it all but I certainly am enjoying the conversation. It's an important one.
Check out my thoughts and feedback on this topic over at my blog - www.VideoChurchBlog.com
Let's talk about it. Thanks!
Eddie Johnson
Posted by: Eddie Johnson | February 04, 2008 at 09:48 AM
this is why i am amazed that wal-mart hasn't started having services on sunday...
Posted by: James | February 04, 2008 at 12:00 PM
If the video venue is so great, have you ever wondered why multi-site church conferences are only held in one site? Couldn't they just produce a dvd set and mail it to everyone?
No, something happens when you are in the same room with people.
Posted by: carl | February 05, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I couldn't agree with you more. I was at a church that started doing the satellite thing. To me it actually limits leadership development, creativity and the work of the holy spirit.
Posted by: Brian Foust | February 07, 2008 at 05:51 AM
Interesting.
>>>>I'm telling you... it really works! FC is taking the Church to the people and simply making it easier for them to get in the door, get connected, and develop a relationship with Christ. To me, that is a sign of healthy Church: one that is getting folks in the door (i.e. growing), teaching them straight from the Bible, turning non-believers into believers, and then helping believers continue and grow their relationship with Christ.
Posted by: Nathan Ketsdever | February 13, 2008 at 04:27 AM
But how is this franchising allowing young preachers an opportunity to minister themselves?
Posted by: David Copeland | February 19, 2008 at 05:10 PM