Why is Discovery Transitioning to a Micro-church Network?

If you're reading this blog as a member of Discovery who wants to know a little more of the "why" to our transition, or if you've heard about it and are just interested in what we're doing and why, here are the reasons why Discovery is transitioning from a "traditionally structured" church to a micro-church network:

1. It is biblical. The church in the New Testament met in homes (see Acts 2:42ff., et. al.). The church met in homes for the first 300 years that it existed.
2. Our current structure isn't helping us introduce people to Jesus. Currently, our Sunday AM Connection service isn't seeing many new people. And it isn't for lack of effort! We've tried the attractional marketing thing, and we've determined that, for us, it's very poor stewardship of our finances. Our folks are inviting like crazy, and rarely does someone accept the invitation. Therefore, it isn't helping us to introduce people to Jesus Christ. We've seen some instances where new people come to our Community Groups first, and then are integrated into the "big Sunday service."
3. Our current structure isn't helping people become sold-out followers of Jesus. We've accepted the fact that it is so easy for people to slip in and slip out of a big Sunday AM service and never be transformed by Jesus. God, however, has blessed our Community Groups in this way--people are becoming followers of Jesus and taking steps to become sold-out followers of Jesus in these groups (which will become our churches).
4. The truth of the Bible "sticks" better in a small group. People forget around 93% of what they hear after 72 hours. That means I've been pouring 20-30 hours a week into a sermon that everyone will forget all but 1 or 2 sentences from by the Wednesday after I've preached it. But in our Community Groups, the teaching time sticks because of the conversation, interaction, and encouragement among group members.
5. It's a wiser use of funds. Why would anyone continue to pour money into something that just isn't working as well as it should? A micro-church network is cheaper, and any additional funds collected from our offerings that go above and beyond our needed expenses goes right back into the churches to use as God leads them.
6. It can be easily reproduced. It requires hundreds of thousands of dollars to launch a "traditionally structured" church (public service on Sunday, staff, equipment, marketing, etc.). A micro-church can be reproduced much more quickly and for "pennies on the dollar".
7. It is where God is leading us. The evidence of the past 2+ months is the answer to a lot of prayers, reflection, and examination of our church. God has shown us that it is so much more important to be the church than to simply do church.

This certainly isn't for everyone. The above reasons are things we've found true for our church's situation and where God has led us. We're joining what He is blessing. It's our hope and prayer that He's also blessing your church, and that your church--whatever "model"--is striving to be the church. If you want more info, check out the resources and links to the left.