This week’s focus is on multi-site strategy. One of the trends that both Jim and Geoff mentioned was the rise of Internet campuses. With that, I thought I’d pursue an interview with someone at North Point Ministries. My good friend John Saddington has helped North Point experience a successful launch to their new site which offers a live service experience. Here’s my interview with John.
TONY: For those folks in blogdom who don’t know your story, tell us about your ministry role at North Point.
JOHN: I am the Creative Web Director and I do whatever I’m told to do. :) In other words, my role is to serve the ministries and organizations within the walls of North Point and help provide them with solutions that fit their needs.
TONY: North Point Online recently launched. What’s the vision for the site?
JOHN: At North Point we strive to create “Irresistible Environments” for all who attend our services in tandem with our “Invest and Invite” strategy. Our goal is to do the same in the online segment and provide a simple communication medium and site that looks good, functions well, and is a place where insiders feel comfortable inviting outsiders. In addition, our desire is to use it as a “connection” point into our great history of grouping and community development.
TONY: Does North Point consider “Online” to be a separate campus of the church or a tool to support the ministries of the existing physical locations?
JOHN: Functionally, North Point Online will be very much like a campus. One of the categorical differences is that it quite literally is an extension of our existing campus in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Georgia: We have a live broadcast of the 6:00pm service where those online can join those in the seats of our auditorium and “Share the Experience,” as we like to say. All that to say, it will function and perform a number of different roles, both as a supporting vehicle for current ministries and the campus as well as an “outpost” for new visitors who would have never grace our walls physically.
TONY: Can an Internet Campus really serve as someone’s church?
JOHN: This is a tricky question and would take much more time to answer and would require a number of clarifying and parallel remarks. So, I’m going to skate past this question by simply saying “Yes” and “No.” Let’s say that our internet campus or experience plays an important role in how we seek to engage with those that have never heard the Gospel or who have become de-churched and are hesitant to re-engage.
TONY: What do you think the next iteration of Internet campuses will look like?
JOHN: One of the transformations that I, personally, think will occur naturally as more time and resources are poured into online experience development is that the so-called Internet Campus will become much more of a focal-point and portal rather than a secondary or sub-level site within the greater ministry web presence. What this could look like in one example is that ultimately the iCampus is the website for the ministry and/or church. Period. Just think of how integrated that approach is! Just think of how effective that might be!
John Saddington is the man.
Great interview and it is awesome what God is doing at North Point! I think long term we will see web campuses supplimenting and supporting the purpose of local, tangible congregations. I would propose that they will be the new front door for most churches, a snapshot or step into relational involvement. I’ve heard TV ministries compared to cooking shows. They can make you hungry but can’t fully satisfy you.
Mark, I can understand the thought behind comparing web campuses to TV ministries, but they’re quite different.
A true web campus fulfills much more of the purpose and function of a traditional congregation; including fellowship, prayer, Bible teaching, accountability, worship, communion, and more. If it’s not doing those things, then it probably shouldn’t be called a “web campus”, but rather a website with a preaching video stream.
Scott – You are right and thanks for clarifying the differences. I do believe that web campuses need to be an addition and not take the place of a tangible campus. I’m for more growth & glory and believe web campuses make hell nervous.
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