Q: What is the overall vision for The MET’s Multisite Strategy?

A: The MET has a history of responding to God’s calling and expanding her ministry to make disciples. In the almost 50 year history of our church, buildings, staff, locations and, most importantly, those crossing the line of faith in Jesus Christ have expanded. Launching a second campus is the next step to connect as many people as possible to Jesus Christ. It is a strategy to be unapologetically evangelistic in our Jerusalem.

Q: Where and when will we launch a second site?

A: We began buy launching off campus Life Groups in the fall of 2008 then launched worship services in January 2009 at Hopper Middle School located at 7811 Fry Road.

Q: Why do we need to launch a second site now?

A: We are obeying God’s will for our church. The population growth in Cypress and residential development immediately surrounding our Fry Road property is substantial. In addition, today's economic climate is minimizing the distance unchurched people are willing to drive to church. The opportunity and vision to connect as many people as possible to the real Jesus compels us to respond to God’s calling for our church.

Q: How long will it take to build on The MET’s 100 acres on Fry Road?

A: There is significant prayer and planning needed prior to starting construction on the Fry Road property. At this time, the earliest we foresee having any worship facilities on our property is 2013

Q: How many people can fit inside Hopper Middle School?

A: CFISD has stated that the capacity of the cafetorium is 1000+.

Q: How will the preschool and children’s ministries function on a second site? 

A: There will be Kids Ministry programs at the Fry Road Campus. While the facilities will obviously be different, prioritizing ministry for our kids and those who will be reached at our new campus is a priority.

Q: With a large church, new members, and multiple locations, how do we get everyone going the same direction?

A: A key process The MET leadership undertook in 2008 was to clearly articulate our mission, vision, values, strategy, and mission measures; collectively known as our Vision Path. Our Vision Path should serve as a framework for all MET members and attenders to know where we are going and how we will get there.

Q: Why not partner with other churches instead of building a new campus?

A: We believe that each church is unique with her own values and vision. While there are a number of great churches in the greater Houston area, new congregations are the most effective way to reach the unchurched.

Q: Why are we moving to a new campus when we are not experiencing a full house on the current campus?

A: The MET's multisite initiative is based on a vision to reach unchurched people where they live.

Q: Will we consider a major change of ministries to consolidate resources toward a second campus?

A: Our God will always provide the resources we need to accomplish the ministry to which He has called us. Evaluating ministry effectiveness to achieve the mission God has given and prepared us for is an on-going process that is not dependent on a multisite strategy.

Q: How will we remain one church while meeting in multiple locations?

A: The MET will continue to be one church, one mission, one staff, one budget and one vision. While there will obviously be nuances between the campuses, primarily around differing facilities, each campus will embody the values of the people of The MET.

Q: Why don't we just plant churches?

A: Multisite church ministry is a form of church planting that better leverages and maximizes the strengths and resources of The MET.

Q:  How can I get involved?

A:  Pray for our church and community as well as for Christ to touch new individuals with the desire to know Him. Consider this your invitation to do just that - get involved in what God is doing at The MET, regardless of campus. Utilize response cards, worship folder, upcoming online opportunities or email serve@themetonline.org.

Q:  What are the responsibilities of a campus pastor?

A: The campus pastor is a key leader in the multisite strategy. This person becomes the key pastoral figure in the life of this campus. He is responsible for facilitating the ministries at our Fry Road site, shepherding the people and leading our outreach to the community. In addition, The MET’s Fry Road Campus Pastor, Bryan Rose, will also be responsible for the Serve component of our strategy - he is awesome.

Q: How will the music work?

A: We have developed a specific worship team for Cypress, but there will be overlap of players and leaders.

Q: Will the choir be singing alternately at both locations?

A: Due to the size of the stage in the cafetorium at Hopper Middle School there is not enough room for a choir. Therefore we will not have choir at the Fry Road site initially.

Q: Will there be a variety of music styles?

A: Services at the Fry Road site will be identical to the services at the Jones Road campus.

Q: When do we anticipate launching the new campus?

A: We publicly launched to our community on February 8, 2009, with pre-launch services starting on January 18, 2009.

Q: What is a “pre-launch” service?

A: Pre-launch services are full-?edged worship services for the launch team, their family and friends. From these services we will have the opportunity to make any last minute adjustments and corrections prior to officially launching to the public. This helps to ensure the best ?rst impression possible.

Q: What should I pray about?

A: Pray that God would grant His favor and blessing as we seek to reach out. In addition, could you pray for the following?

• Pray for God to assemble the staff team and volunteer team needed to be able to lead effectively. 
• Pray for God to open doors for favorable responses and relationships with the CFISD. 
• Pray for God to bless us with the resources to be able to effectively accomplish what He is calling us to do. 
• Pray and ask God what He might desire for your role to be in helping launch this new campus. 
• Pray for God to protect us all and to give us a deep sense of unity as we move forward together. 
• Pray for “immeasurably more” in all. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Q: How will childcare be handled for off campus Life Groups?

A: Childcare at home-based Life Groups during the week will be handled in different ways based on the makeup of each Life Group, i.e., babysitter, group members take turns leading children’s study while parents have a study or possible family-based Bible studies that include children.

Q: Will midweek and special events done at each campus or will they be combined?  

A: Initially, we will only have Sunday morning worship services and activites that support those services, along with off campus Life Groups. Because Hopper Middle School will only be available to us on Sunday mornings, churchwide and ministry speci?c events will take place at our Jones Road campus.

Q: Will ministries such as students, women's, and singles, etc. be duplicated?  

A: Each of these ministries will have a presence at the Fry Road campus.  Since we will not have daily use of facilities, they will function differently than the same ministries at the Jones Road campus. 

Q: How do we maintain vibrancy in off campus Life Groups?  

A: The home-based Life Groups will be led by volunteers who have undergone training and preparation.  While these home groups will have a different feel than our Sunday morning Life Groups on Jones Road, the will have the same goals: building relationships with God and others.

Q: Will we have Life Groups at each location?

A: Our Jones Road location will continue to have both Sunday morning Life Groups at The MET and weeknight home-based Life Groups. Our Fry Road location will have home-based Life Groups for adults.

Q: What is the best way to put together the core membership at the second site?  

A: We are currently recruiting and training a “launch team” to help kick off the second site. To be a part of this launch team, utilize connection points online, complete the worship folder response card or email serve@themetonline.org.

Q: How do we decide who will be part of the launch team for the second site?

A:  All MET members and regular attenders will be asked to pray and consider where God would have them worship and serve. Those going to the Fry Road site will need a “pioneer spirit” in addition to the expected lifestyle of connecting, serving and giving that is modeled everyday at The MET.

Q: How will we combat the feeling of "being out of touch with the pastor/staff" if they are on a video screen?  

A: The pastoral staff will have a ministry presence at both campuses and will continue to be accessible to all MET members. The effective use of video in our worship services is already integral to our Jones Road campus. While we will have the ability to use video teaching, most preaching will be through a live speaker, in addition to a dedicated campus pastor at the Fry Road location to build relationships with all the people. 

Q: How will we create/inspire/encourage the sense of family, unity and community at each site? 

A: Just as going from one worship service to two worship services causes a church to use creativity to build community, so does going from one site to two sites.

Q: How will a church growing to a second site commit to serving the local area to which they are moving? 

A: Community service and outreach will be a big part of launching the second site.

Q: What is the role of weekend services as we strive to be holistic in our ministry?

A: Many resources are focused on Sunday mornings, and specifically our worship services since that is our primary and most effective “front door” into the church. However, we teach that following Christ does not end just in that Worship environment and encourage everyone to Belong, Serve and Connect Each Day.

Q: Do all staff office in one location or will there be staff at both sites? 

A: Staff hired for the Fry Road campus will share offices at the Jones Road campus until facilities are built.

Q: How will we train and develop leaders to staff a new site? 

A: Our desire is that The MET’s leadership development process would identify and prepare some of our volunteers to eventually join the staff.  Also, many of the Fry Road campus ministries will be led by volunteer leaders.

Q: What size staff is required for a second site and will the staff grow with the growth of the church?  

A: The Fry Road campus will start with a campus pastor.  Other staff positions, whether full-time or part-time, will be hired as needed and resources are available. We are also utilizing contacts at other multisite churches as well as leveraging relationships with national church leaders as we make key staf?ng decisions.

Q: Will we have a permanent administrative staff at both locations? 

A: Once we have permanent facilities, yes. Until then, all staff will have offices at the Jones Road campus.

Q: What will the staff structure/organization look like?  

A: The MET will continue to operate under the existing unified staffing structure.

Q: Knowing that some leaders/volunteers will need to go out and establish the new campus, how will that effect our volunteer opportunities at the Jones Road campus? 

A: Serving in the church is a key component of being a Christ-follower and our church strategy. There are and will be multiple opportunities to serve at both locations. As a church, each of us should ask ourselves where God is calling us to serve.

Q: How will both sites be managed logistically?

A: We will manage both sites individually yet under similar policies and procedures as in place today. Because Hopper Middle School is in CFISD system, specific guidelines will be dictated and incorporated into our systems and policies.

Q: What is the building plan for our Fry Road property?

A: Although not planned yet, the first building on the property would most likely be a multi-purpose building that would accommodate worship and children space. Growth would dictate future buildings and a more permanent worship center. We are also evaluating the ability to use our property for community recreation and sports.

Q: Has the developer indicated a slow down or delay in the development of the land due to the real estate market?

A: The developer connected to our property is moving forward with their development plans as well as infrastructure needs associated with this development and our property.

Q: How will the second location be funded?

A: The second campus will be funded from a unified budget, like all ministry initiatives.

Q: How do we distribute general funds?

A: The MET will be one church, one budget, multiple campuses. Dispersal of funds, regardless of campus, will be distributed within the existing guidelines of our approved budget and church by-laws.