Viral Churches: Chapter 10

Rapid Growth, but Still No Reproduction

Leadership Network found three common factors of fast-growing church plants: 1) they start larger; 2) they are contemporary in worship style; and 3) they invest outwardly in outreach and evangelism.  So what is the relationship between fast-growing churches (including mega churches) and multiplication?  In other words, is it wrong to focus on growing bigger rather than replicating?  According to Ed and Warren, “simple, small replicable units are how the kingdom is best advanced.”  But, this does not mean that mega churches are a hindrance to multiplication.  Rather, churches often grow by doing small better.  So, to avoid missional lethargy, mega churches must be intentional in celebrating and making heroes out of the small units (often small groups) that are advancing the kingdom.  Mega churches are resource-rich and have the capacity to fuel and resource church multiplication.  But, if big becomes anti-small, then that church will not be advancing the kingdom in its community and will become a barrier to multiplication. So long as large churches remain focused on mission, rather than maintenance, they will be key to producing a church multiplication movement.  In fact, multiplication can serve as a vital means of revitalizing mission in churches that have moved into maintenance mode. 

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