Can we talk about the “Multiplication Gap”?
I’ve been sitting with a question lately that I can’t quite shake: Why should we seriously consider the micro-church as a genuine multiplication strategy?
Last week, I shared a list of metrics that, honestly, felt a bit jarring. When I look at the “11 cylinders” of a multiplying church, it’s tough to imagine a movement in the US right now that is firing on all of them. It’s a high bar, and it has me wondering if we need a different kind of vehicle to get there.
The Questions on My Heart
I’ve been leaning into the world of micro-churches (MCs), but I’m still wrestling with what’s “aspirational” versus what’s actually happening on the ground. I’d love to know which of these questions resonates with you:
- The Reach: Are MCs actually connecting with the “unchurched,” or even the “never-been-churched”? Or are we just reshuffling the same deck?
- The Depth: Are we seeing real spiritual DNA being passed down? I’m looking for that third, fourth, or even fifth generation of disciples.
- The Reality: Is the “fruit” in these networks significantly different from what we see in our prevailing church models?
A Different Kind of Compass
To help frame this, I’ve been looking at the Kingdom Compass (synthesized from the Level 5IVE Multiplying Church Field Guide by Todd Wilson, Dave Ferguson, and Alan Hirsch).
If we want to be churches that truly multiply, the “North Star” looks a bit different. It’s less about hitting an internal attendance milestone and more about:
- Prioritizing the “Send”: Celebrating when people leave their seats to start something new.
- Investing First Fruits: Putting 10% of the budget toward planting, before the mortgage.
- Planting over Property: Choosing to birth an autonomous church before buying land or launching a multi-site campus.
Self-Evaluation: I’ve put together a simple evaluation tool based on these metrics. [CLICK HERE to receive a copy] and see where your current rhythm lands.
Let’s Dream Together
If these questions are stirring something in you, I’d love to grab a coffee or, better yet, see you at Multiply So Cal on February 21st. It’s going to be a space to stop “managing” and start dreaming about what God wants to do in our region. Check out the details here!
What about you? When you look at these 11 metrics, which one feels the most challenging—or the most exciting—for your context?
