Vista began as a church plant in January 2007 out of the rock-solid, community-influencing ministry hub that is Heritage Christian Church in Westerville, OH. After almost five years, in early October 2011, we ventured into our own plant (a new site) in Worthington, OH: Vista Worthington!
And now we have plunged ourselves into the faith-building, God-trusting, Jesus-dependent commitment to planting three more sites by the end of 2015. When and if that should occur, we will be a multisite movement of five total churches by 2015. #5by15!
Sometimes we forget what we’re about. Sometimes we get sedentary. Sometimes we get distracted internally. Sometimes it takes a vision to keep us alive (Prov 29:18).
What’s first? Who’s going? When? Where? — Good questions!
It’s arrogant of us to presume we know God’s timing, and so we hold loosely to #5by15, and instead look for God’s blessing in the many, many things that need to fall in place to go forward in a healthy way.
Pray, Vista, pray. Ask questions. Express your reservations. Encourage one another. Lean in with faith. Analyze with courage. We’ll do this thing together and by God’s grace…or…we won’t do it. This is a missional movement, which is who we are. At Vista Dublin, this likely means many of you could be stepping up and stepping out for God’s new endeavor. For Vista Worthington, our first “site plant,” you’ve been there, done that. You have so much to add to this conversation because you’ve gone through it. Show us how it’s done.
[…] of Vista Churches to a total of five by 2015 — #5by15 — check out the previous posts “Vista Churches Multisite: 5 by ’15″ & “Vista Churches Multisite: Missional or Bust”. Here we continue the series, as we […]
thx for your feedback, concern and encouragement , Bob! We’ve got some very talented people working on video solutions to keep our options open, and I’m particularly excited about the continued progress the Teaching Team is making in their ability to divide the Word and to present God’s Word…
I agree completely to go where God leads. I do get concerned that Pastor Mike will be spread too thin unless a modification similar to Andy Stanley’s is adopted. I am sure you know about his multi-site approach where one preacher is streamed live to various sites and anyone with a web browser tuned in. Each site has its own worship team and customized experience, but all see the same messenger and message at the same time. I think Northpoint has 5 services on Sunday.
I hope this is helpful,
Bob
Mike, this is exciting news and an ambitious plan. Your team is amazing and even more so with the addition of Chris and Lani. One thing does come to mind though. In the Army we have a saying: Train to standard, not to time. I ask that you not try to rush things, but knowing you, I’m sure you won’t.
Hilliard Vista would be wonderful, but Tracy and I have become very fond of Dublin Vista. That would be a difficult transition, but I’m sure the difficulty wouldn’t last long. We are looking forward to all the exciting changes happening at Vista and being a part of it.
Mike
As usual, Mike, you’re spot on. We’ll go if/when God has us ready! Thank you for securing our freedom to pursue it. Can’t wait to have you back here to help us…we miss you!
This is exciting stuff. No one is more a fan of the Vista Church model than I am. Not just the model, the organic growth and the real Biblical community has helped our family more than I could say.
I love the attitude of humility, not trying to push God into something that WE design, we wait for Him to tell us when the right time has come.
Great stuff!
Hey Boss, Lani and I are very pleased and deeply humbled to join the team. We’re inspired by the vision that has been cast and see this as a wonderful opportunity to faithfully lean on our God together. BHAG indeed… let’s do it! “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” – William Carey