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From Megachurch to Multiplication: A Church's Journey Toward Movement
What would cause Experience Life Church, frequently named one of the fastest-growing churches in the country, to completely change directions? Why would they risk an attendance drop and a decrease in giving to pursue a vision that has seldom been attempted in the American church? The leaders of Experience Life knew this journey would be risky and calculated the costs before ever beginning. They believed that following Jesus and aiming to reach millions was worth any cost. Be careful with this book! It might inspire you to risk everything you have to follow Jesus. You've been warned.
336 pages, Paperback
Published December 17, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 24, 2020
Incredible insight into disciple-making movement (DMM) strategies through the story of a church's journey from being a Megachurch to multiplying disciples.
Positives | Unlike most books about DMM, this book is a hybrid of narrative and instruction, telling the story of how eLife implemented DMM strategies into their church, how that radically changed the way they saw and did church. From the modern/traditional American model of doing church, they go to a more biblical approach that centers less around a building and more around Christ's commands - His Commission to "make disciples of all the nations." DMM is an attempt to answer the question of "How do we do that?" It is a strategy built from God's Word, from the examples of international movements, and on obedience to the Word.
Negatives | While I could write so much about the positives of the book, there is an important critical note to make, especially if you're going to go deeper than reading the book and do the DMM Coaching as I am.
Chris Galanos (the author and pastor of eLife) and his gang often talk about the DMM model as being not simply A biblical model, but THE biblical model. They don't come out and say that, but they might as well. While I do think there is much about the model that is biblical, I would venture to say it's not THE biblical model it strives to be, in as much as it is more restrictive than the New Testament ministry model.
For example, a major part of the DMM strategy is starting groups - Discovery Bible Studies. These are great. They believe that in these groups (and in any biblical gathering) the Spirit and the Word are the teachers. This is of course true and biblical. However, they go so far as to say that it is not biblical for there to be a human teacher (that is, someone who explains to people what they're reading). If the Spirit and the Word are the teachers, you don't need a person to teach you anything. I.e. the people can understand the Scripture for themselves without a human teafher.
Taking it that far is unbiblical, as 1 Corinthians 12 makes it clear that the Spirit equips people for the very purpose of teaching. I.e. the Spirit empowers human agents to teach and explain things. To illustrate, I was in a DMM coaching session (which I suggest doing). I brought this point up to one of the pastors. He asked me how Jesus taught. I answered that Jesus shared parables and stories, but when I added that Jesus also took His disciples aside to explain to them the meaning of the parables and stories, you could tell it didn't quite fit their model and they shrugged off the question as though I were a naysayer (they probably have lots of those, so I do understand).
This is important because the Scripture teaches that yes, the Spirit does use people to teach others. You shouldn't discourage someone who is thus gifted from teaching and explaining the Word for another on the grounds that it "isn't reproducible" (the answer I was given). Reproducibility does not equal biblical. If someone is gifted in teaching or preaching, there won't be much room for them in the eLife method of doing DMM.
This isn't to say that I don't like/respect DMM or that DMM is unbiblical. Let me be clear - when used liberally, it can be biblical and I would suggest for every minister to implement some kind of DMM strategy. But if you take it as it is without introducing other complementary biblical principles (like Spirit-empowered teachers), then it become unbiblical and restrictive.
My Application | As a teacher-gifted pastor, I want to take DMM, run with it as a movement strategy, empower leaders to take it and multiply groups and powerful Christianity, but I'm also not going to let it restrict me in the way the Spirit has gifted me or in the way God has gifted others in my church.
Positives | Unlike most books about DMM, this book is a hybrid of narrative and instruction, telling the story of how eLife implemented DMM strategies into their church, how that radically changed the way they saw and did church. From the modern/traditional American model of doing church, they go to a more biblical approach that centers less around a building and more around Christ's commands - His Commission to "make disciples of all the nations." DMM is an attempt to answer the question of "How do we do that?" It is a strategy built from God's Word, from the examples of international movements, and on obedience to the Word.
Negatives | While I could write so much about the positives of the book, there is an important critical note to make, especially if you're going to go deeper than reading the book and do the DMM Coaching as I am.
Chris Galanos (the author and pastor of eLife) and his gang often talk about the DMM model as being not simply A biblical model, but THE biblical model. They don't come out and say that, but they might as well. While I do think there is much about the model that is biblical, I would venture to say it's not THE biblical model it strives to be, in as much as it is more restrictive than the New Testament ministry model.
For example, a major part of the DMM strategy is starting groups - Discovery Bible Studies. These are great. They believe that in these groups (and in any biblical gathering) the Spirit and the Word are the teachers. This is of course true and biblical. However, they go so far as to say that it is not biblical for there to be a human teacher (that is, someone who explains to people what they're reading). If the Spirit and the Word are the teachers, you don't need a person to teach you anything. I.e. the people can understand the Scripture for themselves without a human teafher.
Taking it that far is unbiblical, as 1 Corinthians 12 makes it clear that the Spirit equips people for the very purpose of teaching. I.e. the Spirit empowers human agents to teach and explain things. To illustrate, I was in a DMM coaching session (which I suggest doing). I brought this point up to one of the pastors. He asked me how Jesus taught. I answered that Jesus shared parables and stories, but when I added that Jesus also took His disciples aside to explain to them the meaning of the parables and stories, you could tell it didn't quite fit their model and they shrugged off the question as though I were a naysayer (they probably have lots of those, so I do understand).
This is important because the Scripture teaches that yes, the Spirit does use people to teach others. You shouldn't discourage someone who is thus gifted from teaching and explaining the Word for another on the grounds that it "isn't reproducible" (the answer I was given). Reproducibility does not equal biblical. If someone is gifted in teaching or preaching, there won't be much room for them in the eLife method of doing DMM.
This isn't to say that I don't like/respect DMM or that DMM is unbiblical. Let me be clear - when used liberally, it can be biblical and I would suggest for every minister to implement some kind of DMM strategy. But if you take it as it is without introducing other complementary biblical principles (like Spirit-empowered teachers), then it become unbiblical and restrictive.
My Application | As a teacher-gifted pastor, I want to take DMM, run with it as a movement strategy, empower leaders to take it and multiply groups and powerful Christianity, but I'm also not going to let it restrict me in the way the Spirit has gifted me or in the way God has gifted others in my church.
July 3, 2025
A well-written story about how a few brave church leaders reprioritized and were willing to lose fame and fortune after they “made it” in the church world. This story was eye opening to me and genuinely ought to be read by any leader in a church who doesn’t want to place focus on things that don’t eternally matter.
February 3, 2021
The narrative portions of this book deserve 5 stars, even 6. The instructional portions deserve 3. This book is definitely worth reading. Galanos is a DMM disciple, which is the theological equivalent of a HIT-jedi. DMM is a fine system for disciple making, though it tends to be a little too narrow in its understanding of mission and too focused on orthopraxy for me. The amount of jargon and terrible acronyms associated with DMM are legendary. So take the "how to" from this book with a grain of salt.
But the "what" and the "why" are both good, and the results that Galanos shares are so encouraging. Galanos lays out, in no uncertain terms, that the traditional American church model cannot reach the modern city. It is too costly to replicate, too resource hungry, too clergy driven. It is an attractional model, which stands in opposition to Jesus' command to Go and tell. It is clergy-centric, which stands in opposition to a theology of Holy Spirit-filled believers building each other up. The stories of personal transformation are worth wading through all the DMM jargon. The story of eLife's transformation, and what that looked like for staff and for members, is very helpful for those who might be considering a similar transition.
However, for the American Christian, I would offer this warning. Galanos, like most Americans, confuses what works with what is right. The Christian faith is most definitely NOT a pragmatic faith. It is based on the hope of things unseen, the belief that God blesses the just and the unjust. What works is often not right, and what is right often doesn't work. Jesus and all his disciples got murdered which is not exactly our definition of success, while St. Augustine rid the world of the Donatist heresy (great results) by convincing the Emperor to use the power of the state against them, leading to more than a few murders (less that stellar method). I would argue that the reason that we need to switch to small-scale, participatory, church planting movements is not because they are successful, but because they are more in line with the theology and practice of the New Testament. Something to keep in mind.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
The average cost per baptism in the typical American church is ... you may want to sit down for this ... $1.5 million. Yes, it costs, on average, an estimated $1.5 million per baptism in the American church. In other words, if you take all of the income American churches bring in each year and divide it by the number of baptisms, you get this number. Feel free to gasp in disbelief. - Ch. 3
One of the great tragedies of the American church model, and it's happened at our church too, is an attitude that results in suppressing the gifts, ambitions, and callings of ordinary believers. This attitude seems to suggest that ordinary people are supposed to just sit in church and watch while the real professionals do the work of the ministry. The average churchgoer's main job is to make sure he or she comes back to services nowt weekend and funds the buildings, salaries, and programs.
Pursuing DMM will cost you financially. It's almost a guarantee. As we began shifting to the DMM strategy, I was so thankful for how financially conservative eLife has been over the years, giving us the margin to follow the Lord however he would lead. For years, we've operated with a significant amount of money in reserve. ... Choosing to be financially conservative positioned our church to be able to make this change.
But the "what" and the "why" are both good, and the results that Galanos shares are so encouraging. Galanos lays out, in no uncertain terms, that the traditional American church model cannot reach the modern city. It is too costly to replicate, too resource hungry, too clergy driven. It is an attractional model, which stands in opposition to Jesus' command to Go and tell. It is clergy-centric, which stands in opposition to a theology of Holy Spirit-filled believers building each other up. The stories of personal transformation are worth wading through all the DMM jargon. The story of eLife's transformation, and what that looked like for staff and for members, is very helpful for those who might be considering a similar transition.
However, for the American Christian, I would offer this warning. Galanos, like most Americans, confuses what works with what is right. The Christian faith is most definitely NOT a pragmatic faith. It is based on the hope of things unseen, the belief that God blesses the just and the unjust. What works is often not right, and what is right often doesn't work. Jesus and all his disciples got murdered which is not exactly our definition of success, while St. Augustine rid the world of the Donatist heresy (great results) by convincing the Emperor to use the power of the state against them, leading to more than a few murders (less that stellar method). I would argue that the reason that we need to switch to small-scale, participatory, church planting movements is not because they are successful, but because they are more in line with the theology and practice of the New Testament. Something to keep in mind.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
The average cost per baptism in the typical American church is ... you may want to sit down for this ... $1.5 million. Yes, it costs, on average, an estimated $1.5 million per baptism in the American church. In other words, if you take all of the income American churches bring in each year and divide it by the number of baptisms, you get this number. Feel free to gasp in disbelief. - Ch. 3
One of the great tragedies of the American church model, and it's happened at our church too, is an attitude that results in suppressing the gifts, ambitions, and callings of ordinary believers. This attitude seems to suggest that ordinary people are supposed to just sit in church and watch while the real professionals do the work of the ministry. The average churchgoer's main job is to make sure he or she comes back to services nowt weekend and funds the buildings, salaries, and programs.
Pursuing DMM will cost you financially. It's almost a guarantee. As we began shifting to the DMM strategy, I was so thankful for how financially conservative eLife has been over the years, giving us the margin to follow the Lord however he would lead. For years, we've operated with a significant amount of money in reserve. ... Choosing to be financially conservative positioned our church to be able to make this change.
November 24, 2018
This is a story of courage for a rapidly growing church’s leaders to pause to look at the current state of the church in our nation and decide to do something to reverse the decline of church in America. This is about launching disciple making movements, that are highly successful in other countries, here at home. The challenge is bold yet is simple as fulfilling the great commission has always been our task. You will think about this strategy, be convicted by it, be encouraged by it, and find the greatest joy you’ve ever known. Read the book, take a training, find a coach, and let’s see together what God will do.
May 2, 2021
This was was an incredibly thought provoking book. I encourage anyone in ministry who’s not content with the status of the American church to read or listen to this book!
March 8, 2020
This is a great book! It's extremely helpful for rethinking how we disciple people and work to further the Kingdom of God, especially today, here in the United States. The most helpful, attention grabbing statistic in this book, is the comparison of effectiveness of disciple-making practices in the United States versus those in India. It costs, on average, $1.5 million per baptism here in the United States, whereas it only costs $0.66 per baptism in India. The disciple-making process is way more effective and efficient than it is here in the United States. Essentially the book is a autobiography of a growing American church that changed up everything they were doing, adopted DMM (Disciple Making Movement) practices, and set out to reach and make 1 million new disciples in the next 10 years. Overall, this is a great book to read, be inspired, and be challenged to evaluate your current 'models of ministry' and see if there is a better way forward. I don't think I'd 'carbon copy' this guy and his congregational model, but it is informative and inspirational nonetheless. I highly recommend reading this!
March 13, 2019
This book challenges you to consider if you’re really “content with people going to hell” or not—and if you’re not, it will challenge you to consider risking everything to follow Jesus in the exciting work of creating movements to Christ, even here in America. Be ready for paradigm shifts and for your heart to be moved in this telling of the Holy Spirit’s work in one church to spur them into reaching their entire people group: 1,000,000 in 10 years, and 200,000,000 in 20. What will that take? This book will tell you.
November 16, 2021
The author denounces true problems in churches today (consumerism, wrong definition of success, etc.), but his answer is as bad as the problems he denounces. The problems we have today come from a departure from biblical and traditional ecclesiology. Contrary to what he argues, it is not that the “megachurch model” is bad in itself (see p.15-16, p.32, p.47, p.51) - or even that the "institutionalized-church" model is. It is rather that consumeristic and pragmatic ecclesiology is bad – and it is exactly upon such an ecclesiology that his answer is based, sadly.
February 5, 2022
This book is written mainly, but not exclusively, to church leaders. If you are thinking about leading your church from a traditional church model to a disciple making movement (DMM), this title would be a good read if you’re asking the question, “But how…?” It is also informative for those who are looking at church and saying, there must be something more that Jesus wanted us to do other than just show up when the doors of the building are open. DMM churches remind me of what I read in the book of Acts.
November 11, 2025
In a really good (and terrifying) way, this book has drastically affected the way I see ministry in America and the work of the American church! I have to admit, this book has left me with SO MANY questions, and I’m not sure I agree with ALL of it (which could be due to my own misunderstandings of how DMM works), but I would highly recommend it to any pastor in an American church willing to be challenged and ask difficult questions about whether the modern American church model is the best way to reach people for Jesus in our country.
June 18, 2020
Man, this was a good book. Really challenging. I have always thought that the American church structure is odd and not represented really in the Bible. So I was always confused why we went that route. This book really presses in to the idea of how this model is ineffective for disciple making and shows examples around the world where there are major explosions of the spread of Jesus followers. In numbers that our church structure couldn't even handle. It challenged me greatly as far as what we could be doing to move towards the great commission. What I really liked though is that it is practical. Rather than just chastising and imploring you to "do more" as so many Christian books do, it actually gives good practical plans and next steps. If you grew up in the American church, it will challenge you, but in a good way.
April 3, 2019
An adventure for every disciple & local church to consider
This highly practical book, full of resources and links, is also an excellently told story. Though some readers may wonder “if it can happen here,” Chris Galanos truly charts the course for a transformational journey into making disciples who multiply and returning to the biblical values of Jesus and His early church.
This highly practical book, full of resources and links, is also an excellently told story. Though some readers may wonder “if it can happen here,” Chris Galanos truly charts the course for a transformational journey into making disciples who multiply and returning to the biblical values of Jesus and His early church.
May 14, 2020
A fitting challenge to churches
I loved learning about this approach. It’s biblical. Applying it to our culture is the challenge. I appreciated the author’s honesty about his experience implementing it at his church.
My main takeaway was he reproducibility of the Dgroup questions and the focus on application. It’s practical and applicable to everyone!
I loved learning about this approach. It’s biblical. Applying it to our culture is the challenge. I appreciated the author’s honesty about his experience implementing it at his church.
My main takeaway was he reproducibility of the Dgroup questions and the focus on application. It’s practical and applicable to everyone!
November 12, 2021
Moving Beyond Sunday Morning
This book challenges us to focus on touching the loves of people who will not “come to church on Sunday morning.” Practical helps are given. You don’t have to be part of a megachurch to gain insight and help since most of us are “trapped” in a Sunday morning come to us mindset.
This book challenges us to focus on touching the loves of people who will not “come to church on Sunday morning.” Practical helps are given. You don’t have to be part of a megachurch to gain insight and help since most of us are “trapped” in a Sunday morning come to us mindset.
April 15, 2025
This book is very similar to Johnny Wong’s “Business Unusual.” I want to see this ministry model brought back into Adventism, and I believe that a prayer-saturated and diligent adaptation of many of the principles outlined in Wong’s and Galanos’s books will bring great revival.
Will you be a part of this movement?
Will you be a part of this movement?
May 25, 2021
Every Christian leader should read this book and so shit every Christian because the great commission is for everyone not just pastors and church leaders. This book gives practical guidance how to make disciples. I plan on gifting this to many people I’ve already given away two copies.
November 5, 2021
Wow! Talk about a challenge to the modern church in America... I don't always love his style of communicating information, but the information has changed my life in how I view church and our role in it. Definitely recommend.
December 26, 2019
This book is🔥
I'm convicted and inspired. I'm in. Chan gave the me the first shove and then Galanos pushed me all the way in the pool. Time to swim!! Soli deo gloria!
I'm convicted and inspired. I'm in. Chan gave the me the first shove and then Galanos pushed me all the way in the pool. Time to swim!! Soli deo gloria!
January 1, 2020
A great example of an attempt to apply DBS/DMM principles in America. I was very encouraged by Galanos account of their attempt to tackle the approach from a Megachurch culture to a micro culture.
June 14, 2021
Really love the focus on obedience rather than just knowledge accumulation.
May 13, 2022
This book was so good! Very easy to understand guide to DMM with great stories of how this has all worked in the setting of an American church. A challenging, encouraging, and motivating book!
July 28, 2023
I have a lot to think about.
August 15, 2024
Paradigm Shifting
A word in season for the church. In the last days we are in, I am convinced this is the pattern that the Lord has set for His people in spreading the gospel!
A word in season for the church. In the last days we are in, I am convinced this is the pattern that the Lord has set for His people in spreading the gospel!
July 21, 2021
An excellent example of how church can (and should) be done differently
I totally enjoyed this book.
It was a missing link for me to see how legacy churches can be used for creating disciple making movements.
I love what I have been taught about church planting movements but it always seemed to be set apart from the local church.
Chris explains how the local church can be a training and equipping station for the main strategy to make disciples who make disciples.
I totally enjoyed this book.
It was a missing link for me to see how legacy churches can be used for creating disciple making movements.
I love what I have been taught about church planting movements but it always seemed to be set apart from the local church.
Chris explains how the local church can be a training and equipping station for the main strategy to make disciples who make disciples.
February 28, 2021
Galanos shares his story of going from traditional megachurch pastor in the USA to adopting the multiplication based church planting strategy, often referred to as DMM. What I appreciate most about this book is his tone- too often times books written for similar purposes can come across more critically. Highly recommend for anyone interested in church planting strategies, and especially curious to hear from those who disagree with the DMM paradigm.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews