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The topic of ‘multi-site, multi-service' vs ‘single-site' is one I have never even thought about. That being true, when I received this book as a part of the T4G Zero Dollar Books in the mail, it was one of the ones I was most intrigued to read first. I have grown up in faithful, Gospel-centered, multi-site church, and never thought about whether or not multiple campuses is healthy or unhealthy, biblical or unbiblical. Maybe this is why this book caught my attention.
In reading the arguments presented by Leeman, I found myself very convinced with what he had to say and what he presented from scripture. It does seem that not only is the single-site model a healthier church model, but more importantly it is what is described in scripture and the early church.
That being true, I still agree that a church can be both multi-site, and fully committed to the Gospel and to God's glory. This is my experience all my saved-life. The amount of faithful Christians I know and have grown up surrounded by are great. The pastors I have sat under the preaching of many, many Sundays are faithful to God and his Word. The multi-site church I have known is one that is profoundly faithful in its commitment to the Gospel and God's glory. However, I think this work by Leeman is one that is an edifying treatise written to both single-site and multi-site churches and paints a beautiful picture of what God's design for the local church is and what that can look in the future. As someone who feels on the ‘multi-site' side of the argument simply because that's where most of my saved-life has been spent, I did not feel attacked, but felt that Leeman laid out his arguments in an encouraging and edifying way. He does not cut off Gospel-centered multi-site churches, but calls them to a more biblical model. He also encourages ALL churches (single & multi-site) to be more catholic in their view of missions in their cities as they work with other local churches instead of competing for their own specific church growth.
Whether part of a single or multi-site church, I would highly recommend giving this a read. It has expanded my understanding of the local church for sure.
