Multi-Site Practicum - Day 2

Another solid day for the Multi-Site Revolution!! As was the case yesterday, we had lots of "good" information, but by far the most important parts of the day were the team building times. By the end of the day we had accomplished a major feat: our multi-site plan ON PAPER!! There is something inherently exciting about actually writing your goals down. It brings unity with all involved, it brings "concreteness" to visions and dreams, and finally it provides direction for the future (or the infamous "monkey on the back").

The staff at CCC were phenomenal and extremely helpful. Afterwards we took a quick tour of their facility fondly known as the "yellow box." This building is basically a huge box with a gymatorium in the middle where they hold worship gatherings. It also boasts a very fine coffee shop and accompanying atmosphere as well as room for children's ministry and their School of Arts (very cool by the way!).

Finally, we had opportunity to peek into their offices, which I must say, was quite a shock to me. All their main support staff are all in one long rectangular room with half on one side of the room and half on the other divided by a receptionist's area. The lead pastor, Dave Ferguson, is right there with everyone else, crammed into a tiny area. Very strange, but also a cool environment. Down the hall was the graphics and media department as well as a conference area. These guys are definitely focused on their mission and not worried about the "internal" factors that often trip others.

At the end, we were asked to talk about one thing we will take with us and one thing we will leave. For most of us, the concensus was that we will take away an unwavering faith that we are on the right path. We may not know all the answers (the practicum plan will help), but we are unified in a vision to reach our community, the parkland, and dare I say even beyond that? I think we'll all leave behind any fears and doubts about the multi-site strategy in general. Most of all we'll take away some incredible team time, a LOT of laughs, and the boldness to move forward. As the movie Braveheart states so well:

Aye, fight and you may die, run, and you'll live... at least for a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!

May we be boldly used by God to spread this Freedom and the liberating message of Jesus to all that will hear. Let us fight with courage and overcome our Enemy as we proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand!!