Exponential

Description

A tried-and-true classic in dynamic ministry growth, church building, and discipleship momentum.

From professional church-planters Dave and Jon Ferguson comes the anchor book in the Exponential Series—envisioning new and practical methods of building churches, communities, and organizations on the cornerstone of Christ.

Many of today's Christians consider the missional challenge of Jesus—feed the hungry, comfort the lonely, bring people to God's Word—as inspirational but not something achievable. Or they've heard the challenge of Jesus and are frustrated with how little they've done. Jesus gave his followers this mission because he wants them to hear it, be inspired, and then actually do it. And it is possible.

Exponential lays out a concise and effective reproducing strategy, giving practical steps and case studies as you follow the growth of a church movement through four mains stages:

1. The initial navigation of ministry image, set-up, and gradual growth.
2. The gathering of a community around a cause and the conversations that take place at this point.
3. The reproduction of communities into multisite growth and wider impact.
4. The infrastructure and networking of large missional movements and how to stay focused on the bedrock of the Gospel.

Weaved throughout this book is the amazing story of Community Christian Church, which was started by five friends who used these reproducing strategies to grow one of the most influential churches in the U.S. and develop a network of reproducing churches.

Exponential is designed to help Christian leaders, groups, teams, churches, and networks experience rapid and spiritually healthy growth.

About the Authors

Dave Ferguson is a spiritual entrepreneur and the lead pastor of Community Christian Church, an innovative multi-site missional church with eleven locations in Chicago. Dave is the movement leader for NewThing, an international network of reproducing churches. He is also the coauthor of The Big Idea. Check out the latest from Dave on his blog (www.daveferguson.org) or follow his everyday adventures on twitter @daveferguson.

Endorsements

Dave and Jon Ferguson are the poster children for ministry reproduction. It’s what they live and breathe. Their story of the lessons learned launching Community Christian Church and the NewThing Network will inspire and instruct anyone who longs for a genuinely reproducing ministry. But be forewarned, reading this book might do more. Who knows, it just might unleash the unique ministry dream God has birthed in your own heart as well. -- Larry Osborne

Exponential is filled with practical examples, compelling vision, and inspiring stories. It will provoke you to reproduce everything at a time when so many churches are not even adding. Jon and Dave are not just theorists. I’ve seen their ministry up close, and they deeply care that people find their way back to God. -- Ed Stetzer

Jon and Dave Ferguson have been pictures to every young church-planter of the courage, faith, and sacrifice needed to start a missional reproducing movement in the church. They are passionate about helping people find their way back to God, and this book should be required reading for anyone who has ever wondered if they should start a church. If you are sitting with a dream, read this book at your own risk, but know that it will definitely push you to take the necessary step of faith which will unlock the greatest adventure of your life. -- Jeanne Stevens

The church is a major part of God’s heart for bringing his people back to his love. This book helps us to return to the reproducing-church movement, which is a fulfillment of his great commission. We need to see a greater movement toward reproducing churches around the world, and the only institution that can reproduce church is the local church. -- Marc Choi

This book will be a great tool for young leaders and church planters in Europe. It’s simple, to the point, challenging, and encouraging. I love it. -- N. D. Strupler

Whether pastor, priest, or peasant, we all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. If you’re tired of having God just for yourself, and desire to see your life and your church find their place in God’s magnificent global renaissance, this book is for you. -- Hugh Halter