New Research Highlights Growth and Leadership Challenges in Multisite Churches

A new report titled "The Multisite Revealed National Report" indicates that multisite churches are expanding rapidly across the United States, with nearly 10% of Protestant churchgoers now attending such congregations. Researchers Sean Morgan, Warren Bird, and Jim Tomberlin documented over 1,800 multisite churches operating across more than 6,000 locations. The study defines these entities as single churches functioning under one board and budget across multiple geographic sites.

While the report notes that the average multisite campus grows by 8% annually, it identifies a significant challenge: leadership pipelines are often unable to keep pace with this expansion. Experts suggest that success in this model requires intentional leadership development, clear organizational systems, and healthy communication between central and campus leadership. Despite these hurdles, the data shows that campus closures remain rare, with only 8% of surveyed churches reporting the closure of one or more sites.

The research also addresses common concerns regarding the multisite model, finding that 92% of pastors utilize a teaching team rather than relying solely on video preaching. Furthermore, the study clarifies that multisite expansion is not limited to megachurches, as over one-third of these churches began the process while having fewer than 1,000 attendees.