Book Review: The Multi-Site Church Revolution by Surratt, Ligon, and Bird

Over the past couple of years, I've been a part of something that is brand-spanking new, something a bit different from the norm, something that stretches what it means to be a "church" in today's cultural landscape. As a member and leader within Seacoast Church — in Irmo, South Carolina, instead of at the main campus that's still thriving in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina — I've seen some of the possibilities for bringing people together under a common theme, direction, and vision.

In The Multi-Site Church Revolution, Geoff Surratt (one of the pastors with Seacoast), Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird have put together a story of what's happened and a primer for what can happen given the same kind of circumstances and vision in other locations. What makes this "way to do church" stand out is that it's "the best of both worlds" in many regards. When planting a new church, there's so much the feeling of kicking the baby birds out of the nest, but with this option, there's the feeling that a new church is starting, but it's still a major part of the existing foundational congregation. There's more of a family feeling, like we're in this together still, able to stick with each other through hard times and support each other in the ups and downs of ministry in this century.

Reading it in the place we find ourselves today, it feels like the story of Seacoast, even though other church bodies are represented by Geoff's and Greg's different leadership paths. The first section deals with the history and "Birth of the Multi-Site Movement." The "one church many locations" model is more prevalent than most folks might think, and it's allowing congregations to grow beyond geographic boundaries to become a new collection of like-minded and like-hearted believers in their communities.

In the "How to Become" section, Part II, the options and possibilities are laid out as "this might work where you are if this is what you're going to do and what God is calling you toward" instead of having a cookie-cutter bland A-B-C directive. I like that. The book reads more as a collection of possibilities and examples that can be implemented and re-dreamed in individual demographic experiences. Part III deals with "What Makes It Work," and the stories again help to make this book accessible for others to re-imagine in their own locales, while giving prospective pastors and churches the challenge and encouragement to try "and now for something completely different" while still holding onto the dreams for growing the kingdom, reaching people, and meeting needs.

Article Author: Rick Stilwell

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