Introduction

The following material has been compiled in an attempt to help Pastors and Congregations discover the tremendous potential for reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through Multi Congregational Ministry.

Mission Strategy Director, Dr Tom Nees points out that there are different models of "Multi-Congregational Ministries"........

* Permanent: Some are permanent arrangements with congregations agreeing to occupy space together indefinitely. Buildings have been constructed and remodeled to accommodate more than one congregation.

* Temporary: Other arrangements are intentionally temporary with the expectation that a new congregation will share space only until it can find its own location.

* Transitional: In some instances it is the clear missional objective that a new minority congregation will share space in building and grow to the size and strength that it can become the primary occupant of a building presently used by a declining congregation.

Dr Nees continues......Multi-Congregational sites present challenges. Shared - space ministries have sometimes deteriorated into landlord / tenant arrangements with little missional motivation on the part of the host congregation. In some instances, serious disagreements have resulted in guest congregations being evicted, with regrettable loss of members and congregations to the Church of the Nazarene.

In light of these comments, let us understand that God has blessed us with an abundance of facilities, and an abundance of people to use them to His Glory.
The question needs to be asked?

"Are we good stewards of the facilities God has blessed us with?"

Let us examine some fundamental, missional issues related to
Multi- Congregational Ministry.

THE KEY ISSUES:

We need a Theological foundation for one people.

Priority of "people" over "property". (Purpose, People, Program, Property).

The Inclusive and Exclusive Nature Of The Church.

Protection is not good stewardship. (Foolish steward buried his talent).