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Methodists used that approach to become one of the largest religious groups in the United States, moving from "less than 2.5 percent of church adherents in 1776 to more than 34.2 percent in 1850," Finke wrote in a 2004 article for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

Finke says multisite churches can draw on the methods used by Wesleyans and other denominations—a core set of teachings and a standard model of doing church—and still claim to be doing something new because of their innovative practices. "One of the problems with mainline churches now is that the brand or core teaching has changed, while at the same time church bureaucracy has strangled innovation," he says.

So, are multisite churches creating new denominations?

Tomberlin says this issue is something Willow Creek and others with satellite churches have to grapple with. "It has the potential of all the good things of a denomination, where you've got some centralized resources, some centralized beliefs, and core practices that you can leverage and maximize," he says. "Sometimes in our circle of churches, we are anti-denomination. But I am starting to think that becoming a denomination is not all bad."

Bob Smietana is features editor of The Covenant Companion.

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Recent news stories on satellite churches include:

Multisite churches take center stage | In recent years, a new strategy has emerged that is focused on one church that meets at multiple locations. These multisite churches have discovered a new way to expand demographically and geographically beyond traditional boundaries. (Church Executive, August 24, 2005)

Satellite link between churches could spread Gospel faster | A trend more common in urban megachurches could be the salvation of a tiny country church. (Shreveport Times, La., August 9, 2005)

Big Churches Use Technology to Branch Out | Now some mega-churches are trying to reverse the trend by creating smaller satellite "campuses." Among them is Willow Creek Community Church, outside Chicago, where Rev. Jim Tomberlin serves as regional pastor. (All Things Considered, August 7, 2005, NPR)

Earlier Christianity Today articles on Willow Creek's attempt at establishing satellite churches include:

Mega-Ministers | Bill Hybels and fourth-century preaching star John Chrysostom would have a lot to talk about. (June 15, 2001)

Forget Televangelists; How About Going to Church to Watch TV? | Megachurches getting so mega they're building moons (June 13, 2001)

Willow Creek Fishes In a Crowded Stream | Willow Creek aims for the unchurched … in Wheaton (July 24, 2001)

CT reported that Max Lucado is attempting to add satellite campuses to his church.

Our sister publication, Leadership Journal featured an article by a multi-site church pastor.

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September 2005, Vol. 49, No. 9