Ignite: How to Spark Immediate Growth in Your Church

by Nelson Searcy, Jennifer Dykes Henson (Contributor)

Ignite is the ultimate how-to book for church leaders who want to reach more people for Jesus Christ. Pastor and founder of Church Leader Insights, Nelson Searcy, will provide practical, inventive guidelines for bringing first-time guests through the doors.
This book sets forth a step-by-step, biblically grounded, proven plan for creating immediate church growth by utilizing a "Big Day" to mobilize the church for evangelism. This user-friendly guide will show church leaders what they need to do to reach the unchurched in their communities and break through the debilitating growth barriers that are holding them back.

Through the inspiration of testimonies and stories, combined with the down-to-earth, applicable teaching that Searcy readers have come to expect and appreciate, Ignite will give church leaders the tools they desperately need to reach and keep modern-minded, unchurched people to create and sustain growth momentum.

Genres: Church, Evangelism, Leadership, Religion

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Adam Godbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book, quite insightful with regard to planning and preparing for a "big day" in the worship life of a congregation... However, his overtly-Baptist arguments in favor of exclusively believer baptism by emersion over simplifies the both biblical and historical issues surrounding baptism in the 1st century Jewish context and that of the subsequent early Church (i.e., household baptism, washing, etc.). He's either surprisingly naive on the subject or suspiciously shy of candor. Overall, a very helpful guide to the significance and potential of "special" gatherings and promotions, a very persuasive defense for marketing [I --for one-- having actually been naturally suspicious, if not altogether opposed], and an encouragingly winsome perspective on dreaming big, preparing accordingly, and expecting great things...

[Jeff Jamba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple quick read. Focuses on a lot of practical systems and steps to take as a church to reach new people.

What I appreciated is the heart that Searcey obviously has for others and the passion. Some may find the suggestions too simplistic or rigid, but in all the noise in the world of ministry of what churches/pastors “need” to do to reach people, I found it refreshing to think about the simple steps and actions needed for both the pastoral staff and people in the church to take to reach out and invite new people to join in.

Would be interesting to have an update that includes how The Journey is leveraging digital and social media invites.

[Michael Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much a throw back to many of the "church growth" books from the 80s. This reminds me much of Barna's book on Marketing. Searcy has many helpful ideas in growing a church, but as so many church growth books, there is too much emphasis on all we have to do, and not enough discussion of the work of the Spirit and prayer. However, this is a worthwhile read.

[Ryan Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book as far as a systems overview or comparison, but nothing epic.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to impliment

[Nicholas Seders · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out 5 for Helpful Pointers
All in all, this has been a great resource, as I get my mind around a church-wide evangelism strategy. I love the emphasis on personal responsibility and pastoral direction/support! Having become discouraged by a lack of retention from evangelistic events, it was reassuring to read 1) that events, or "big days," are not pointless and 2) individual and corporate evangelism go hand in hand. The Church does not seek and save the lost solely through hosting exciting events, nor by assuming that every member will go out and make disciples on their own. Evangelism is a cooperative work that involves living righteously among the lost and reaching out to them (individual), as well as inviting the lost to see what we are all about (corporate); and according to the author, there is much a pastor can do to facilitate this cooperative work.
What keeps me from awarding this book four or five stars is a handful of concerns I have regarding the nature of evangelism as outlined in its pages. For example, I wonder if an emphasis on sensation or spectacle might lead to shallowness, forcing the church to do big and fresh things in order to maintain attendance (see end of ch.1). Also, could attendance goals become arbitrary (and not-necessarily-Spirit-led) if attention focuses on the event itself, rather than the mobilization of the church (see ch.2)? And might the the richness of diverse, multigenerational ministry be lost if we focus on those that are "like me" (see ch.9)?
Despite my concern with some of the finer points, I'm walking away from Ignite with very helpful principles! And I'll definitely be helping my own church host "big days," with an emphasis on equipping believers for the work of ministry & creating space for as many lost to be found as possible! Thanks, Pastor Searcy, for the great tips.

[Wm Poole IV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent step by step book on evangelism. This book should be required reading for pastors and their staff! Are you interested in practical steps to apply to cause your church to experience growth? This Pastor knows what it takes.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much longer than it needs to be, but overall a good primer on building a church growth strategy.

[Rachel Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great practical tools for building evangelism

[Shintell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Good resource to help grow a church.

[Mathew Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder for those who are working in outreach

we should be looking out for others outside our communities. We need to ensure that we leave room for another seat for those that have yet to engage. Be ready.

[Eric Peltz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Searcy's plan for church growth includes mass marketing and big days: events that encourage your congregation to invite their friends. For Searcy, evangelism means inviting outsiders in. While this certainly is a great model for church growth, it might not be the key for a missional church. All in all, great advice; he clearly comes to the book with a great deal of tangible and statistical data to support his claims.

[Mark]

Seeing Nelson speak a couple of weeks ago has lit a fire under me to actually read this book... even though I've owned it since it was released.

[Justin Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/2012...

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of this book is great - but the second part seems to mostly be repeating from Searcy's other books