I caught Greg Surratt, Sr. Pastor of Seacoast Community Church, in the hallway in between sessions at last month's Multi-Site Exposed conference. I had to confirm something that I heard in a break-out session. "Greg, did I hear Chris correctly? I thought he said you have planted 68 churches and started 13 multi-sites in the last 6 years?" To which Greg replied, "Yep. That's correct!" He went on to say that they started ARC (Association of Related Churches) to oversee the church planting portion of what they are doing. Greg's vision, together with a number of churches and leaders who have joined the network is to start 2,000 new churches as their life's work.
68 church plants. 13 new multi-sites. 6 years. This has become way more than a dream. It is a vision. A picture of a preferable future that is attracting people to participate, sacrifice, and make a reality. There are many contributing factors to this success, but to me there is none greater than their ability to intentionally inspire and prepare leaders to move out courageously to make this vision a reality.
At Seacoast they have developed "The Leadership Pipeline". They ended up moving all of their leadership training to on-line modules that leaders could go through at their own pace. The program is designed so that the "trainee" meets with his or her coach after completing a module. They discuss the topic and explore ways to apply what they have learned to their specific situation. The strength of this approach is obvious. The church enjoys a standard curriculum, that is easily accessible, that can be completed at the "trainee's" own pace, that is application oriented, and is done in conjunction with coaching!
In this case a "high tech" solution actually moves us closer to a Biblical model. As John Maxwell said Jesus had an "IDEA" for preparing leaders. "Instruction" in a life-related context. "Demonstration" in a life related context. "Experience" in a life related context. And "Accountability" in a life related context. Mark puts it this way, "And Jesus chose who he wanted to be with him, that he might send them out to preach." (Mark 3:14). Ministry was learned by being WITH him. With the Seacoast model, the instruction is something they can apply as leaders. And by being "with" a coach, leaders in training get the benefit of demonstration, experience, and accountability. Cool. A 21st Century approach, with 1st Century results!
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