MULTI-SITE CHURCH DISCUSSION

Multi Multi-Site Discussions through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, moderated by Dr. Al Mohler, discusses the concept a church that meets at multiple sites. The discussions claim a biblical basis for multiple sites, and discuss how the concept is consistent with Baptist principles. I don't see how a church can meet at multiple sites and still maintain its identity as a local church. "Does congregationalism describe a biblical church?" I wonder if there is a confusion between the local church and the "universal" church theologically and in practice on the city/regional level. Also, important in the discussion is the role of incredible technology that makes it possible to fragment the same preaching message into multiple spaces at one time. But important also is the observance of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's table, and the practice of discipline. Does the desire of to reach more people trump the theological teaching of local ecclesiology? I don't think so. At the point where there are multiple sites, you have multiple churches.