Multi-Site Musings: Informal Discussion with Mark Batterson

Today I had the privilege to sit with one of my heroes – yep, that’s right!  I spent some time with Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church (Washington, DC), and author of several books.  Mark is one of the most gifted and creative leaders in America.  He is an asset to the Body of Christ.

The topic of discussion was BECOMING A MULTI-SITE.  The Point is only months away from launching its 2nd location on Long Island.  Very exciting.  So I wanted to learn from someone who is doing it and is several years ahead of us.

Here’s my learnings from today:

1.  Ask the right question:  ”Why Not?“

2.  It’s all about the vision – Multi-Site is a calling.

3.  Always look at the practical – can you afford to buy or is mobile the right direction?

4. Your Launch Team needs to be more than attenders, they must serve.

5.  Teaching is critical – how will you communicate – Live or Video?  Honestly assess how well you actually communicate.

Day 32: How Humility Handles our Tendency to Compare

READING:  pages 271-276

Have you ever fallen into the trap of comparison?  I know that I have.  You can walk into a room and compare clothes, charisma and character by simply watching.  And we tend to compare with ourselves.  There’s only one problem – we are not the standard!

Who is the standard?  Jesus, of course.  All of our efforts and energies will simply fall short of that standard, so we compare

Day 28: Seeing The Truth About Yourself

READING:  pages 239-247

There are two major truths about ourselves that we can never forget: 1) I have sinned and 2) I am a sinner.  As we understand these two things it should cause us to become more compassionate and merciful to those around us.  The truth about us should give us empathy for others.

I have found the best way to live is to work on my own life first!  As a pastor this can be challenging!  

Day 25: Say Now to Mercy

READING:  pages 213-221

I have never seen myself as the most merciful person in the world, but I am learning.  Two months ago I heard Tommy Reid speak at a ministers event.  He is one of the most merciful pastors that I know.  he has taken some heat for his mercy, but he never stops.  He bleeds mercy.  After that meeting I asked God, “Lord, help me be 1/2 as merciful as Tommy.”  I want to bleed mercy!!!

How can we show mercy?  Each day we live we have the opportunity to be merciful to those around us.  We can be kind to our family …

Day 24: Love is Not Rude

READING:  pages 207-211

I have purposefully taken some some away from writing a post for the last few days.  I wanted to focus on “living it out” and not just writing about it.  Man, the last several days have been amazing reads and life-changing seeds.

The Bibles says, “Love is not rude.”  We should not return rudeness with rudeness … as good as it may feel …

Day 19: God is in The Conversation

Staff Blog ~ Micki Barreto (Worship & Creative Arts Pastor)

READING: pages 167-174

Did you know that prayer not only affects our relationship with God but also our relationships with those around us? In fact, much of what we see in our personal relationships (both good and bad) is directly affected by how we pray.

Unfortunately, many Christians are under the impression that prayer is something we do to get and stay on God’s “good side”, but Jesus showed us that prayer is SO much more than that! God has literally opened the lines of communication to us so we have access to Him 24/7!

Day 18: A New Kind of Honesty

READING:  pages 159-165

Most people either speak honesty behind someone’s back or they speak it wrongly to the person’s face.  Either way it is not the right way to speak the truth.  In our world today we need a new kind of honesty that truly speaks truth from the vantage point of love – deep genuine care for each other.  This is a lacking in our world today.

Honesty does not mean saying whatever you want whatever way you want!  That’s brutality!

Day 17: The Connection Between Mouth & Heart

READING:  pages 153-158

There used to be an expression:  “Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.”  How many of you have heard that before?  Probably most of us!  As cute as it may sound it is far from the truth … words can hurt and words can heal!  Words matter!  The lack of the right words can hurt us as much as hearing the wrong words spoken into our lives!

Proverbs 18:21:  “The tongue can bring death or life …”

I guess it really comes down to how you use your words!  

Day 16: The Foundation is Trust

READING:  pages 145-152

Trust is a hard thing to gain and often seems easy to lose.  Each day and every opportunity we have the potential to invest in the trust bank of people’s lives.  Other days we make withdrawals.  The goal is to make sure that you don’t make more withdrawals than deposits!  Once you achieve a zero balance you have no relationship and you must rebuild.

What causes our trust to erode?

Day 15: Communication Isn't Easy

READING:  pages 137-143

I have been a public speak now for nearly 15 years.  No matter how long I have been speaking in front of crowds I still have to prepare … I still have to work hard at making sure that what I am about to say is clear, accurate and concise.  Not an easy challenge for any speaker.

Today, I had the privilege to speak to you, my church, on “Loving with Our Words” (I love The Point).