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Exponential: How to Accomplish the Jesus Mission
Jesus gives us a mission to change the world, and it can seem overwhelming at times. But the potential to complete the Jesus mission lies within each of us, as we learn to reproduce our faith as individuals and as reproducing churches.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2010
83 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 28, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. I loved how it focuses on apprenticing others, and empowering leaders to launch out. I identify with the dream of not just growing one church in one city, but seeing a movement take place that impacts exponentially more than one person or one church could do by themselves. Fantastic book!
June 10, 2010
This book threw me for a loop. I was expecting it to be very "God-y" and how God will lead you in ways to expand your church. It wasn't like that at all (thankfully?). This book focused on how its congregation can expand the church. What each individual and leader can do to grow its community. This was refreshing to me.
While when we hear the word church, our first thought is God, we tend to forget the business side of it. Just like everything else, marketing and effort is needed in order to make it grow and evolve. The authors did a good job on what communities can do and how to do it in small steps as to not lose their mission statement along the way.
I think what struck me most about this book is that while it focuses on how to grow a church based movement, with the case studies it presents us with, the book can be used for all aspects of our lives. There is nothing I like more than a book that is multi-dimensional.
As with most books dealing with how to grow a community, the one topic I found lacking was how to overcome the bumps in the road. Setbacks are bound to happen, and I would have liked to read on how to overcome them while keeping moral among the existing members high. One other thing ended up bothering me once I finished the book. While in the beginning I was happy to read about church as a business venture, it seems the whole point of having a church (the religious side) was completely overlooked. It's nice to be able to grow and get the word out, but once you have grown to a desirable size, hope you don't realize you forgot the reason along the way.
While when we hear the word church, our first thought is God, we tend to forget the business side of it. Just like everything else, marketing and effort is needed in order to make it grow and evolve. The authors did a good job on what communities can do and how to do it in small steps as to not lose their mission statement along the way.
I think what struck me most about this book is that while it focuses on how to grow a church based movement, with the case studies it presents us with, the book can be used for all aspects of our lives. There is nothing I like more than a book that is multi-dimensional.
As with most books dealing with how to grow a community, the one topic I found lacking was how to overcome the bumps in the road. Setbacks are bound to happen, and I would have liked to read on how to overcome them while keeping moral among the existing members high. One other thing ended up bothering me once I finished the book. While in the beginning I was happy to read about church as a business venture, it seems the whole point of having a church (the religious side) was completely overlooked. It's nice to be able to grow and get the word out, but once you have grown to a desirable size, hope you don't realize you forgot the reason along the way.
January 21, 2018
This is a great multiplication strategy that intentionally links discipleship with the expectation that a disciple will make other disciples. This is extrapolated throughout the church at every level where believers raise up other believers, leaders raise up leaders, churches make other churches, and so on.
January 2, 2016
I wasn't expecting to like this, but it was compelling, convincing, and inspiring.
April 19, 2021
There are a few nuggets of wisdom in this book, but overall I have a difficult time recommending it to anyone. The conviction behind the book seems to be that successful (read, growing into multisite or birthing new networks) churches rise and fall on vision and leadership. On its face, that’s a fine thing to say I suppose, but there’s little mention about the moral character of leaders. Most problematic to me is the lack of acknowledgement of the received Sacraments of the church and the transformative role they play in the life of the Christian. Now, I know that depending on polity, the Sacraments vary from the defining act of the church gathered to something that is done semi-regularly without much fanfare, but I don’t remember hardly any mention of their role in this process. I think that’s problematic.
September 3, 2018
For anyone trying to understand the movement of multi-site churches, this book is a necessity. Having been written in 2010, Dave and Jon lay one of the first foundations for a campus making model for megachurches. Though I do not fully agree with the encouragement of members to utilize there Sunday morning times leading their own missional group at the expense of their own attendance, I cannot deny the inspirational product that is this book. Written for any high school reading level, I would recommend this book (or at least sections) for anyone ministry that wants to multiply their leadership.
January 24, 2025
This book caught my attention while researching and reading materials on Bible based mentorship. Paul mentored Silas, Titus and Timothy. Jesus mentored the 12 in example, teaching...preparing them for the Great Commission. This book outlines ways to spiritually mentor others. Many great ideas.
I don't endorse everything. Compare what you read with the Bible. Be discerning.... but I'd still recommend this book to those interested in church planting, team group dynamics, mentorship, and evangelism. The book showed new thoughts on how I can better work with others in mentorship.
I don't endorse everything. Compare what you read with the Bible. Be discerning.... but I'd still recommend this book to those interested in church planting, team group dynamics, mentorship, and evangelism. The book showed new thoughts on how I can better work with others in mentorship.
April 10, 2021
Dave Ferguson is always so practical and him and Jon have the runs on the board. The principles in this book aren’t just good ideas, they are principles of multiplication that have and continue to bear much fruit across the globe. This is a go too for Church planters or anyone who wants to multiply ministry!
November 17, 2017
Inspiring. I read this while working on a church plant. I haven't had any official church planting training and while I would like to eventually this training, this was a great book to help me understand the basics of creating a church that is tuned for growth.
October 18, 2018
A really good book on church multiplication. Appreciate the humor given by the authors as well. Highly recommend this to pastors that are planting churches or adding campuses to their current church.
February 3, 2021
There are some good leader nuggets that are applicable. Overall, I felt like I wanted more from the book. Its hype to get me to buy in to their idea of church growth was underwhelming. Plus, it felt a bit like an MLM. Also, there a lot of sports metaphors, so hopefully you like sports. 😂
May 26, 2023
La traduction est vraiment très mauvaise.
C'est très ancré dans un contexte américain, où on gère les églises comme des entreprises à coup de centaines de milliers de $.
Quelques principes très intéressants sur la multiplication. On voit quand même que le livre a vieilli... !
C'est très ancré dans un contexte américain, où on gère les églises comme des entreprises à coup de centaines de milliers de $.
Quelques principes très intéressants sur la multiplication. On voit quand même que le livre a vieilli... !
March 10, 2011
How many times have you read the New Testament book of Acts and wondered, “Why doesn't that look like my church?” Struggles with creating a “missional heart” in our flock seem to bring constant frustration to many a pastor and church leader.
Dave and Jon Ferguson have answered those concerns with a clear plan, a method if you will, of reproducing leaders who will reproduce others. In Exponential: How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement, http://amzn.to/dQg94f you will not hear a lot of theory by those who haven’t done it. Dave and Jon show how, through trial and error, they have found “the leadership path” to reproduction of their vision: “To actually reach all eight million people in the greater metro area of Chicago.”
Scrawled out on the back of a napkin, (there were four of them when they devised their initial strategy to win Chicago for Christ), that “napkin strategy” has permeated everything Community Christian Church has done in the ensuing years. In order to keep the process sharp, Dave and Jon are able to explain their processes “on the back of a napkin.” Whether it is their “5 reproducing principles,” “the leadership path,” “the five steps of leadership development,” “developing 3C Christ followers,” or “the seven moves to multisite,” keeping the diagram to one side of a napkin is essential to their visionary success. Since vision is visual, this ability to map out their vision AND strategy means they know where they are going AND how they are going to get there – something that resonates in the hearts and souls of those they are recruiting!
The principles and tactics of reproducing explained in this book can be used in any situation, in any culture, in any ethnic group and in any locale. The point of this book is not to grow your church. It is to create a missional movement of churches where you and your church are just one of the many new hubs of passionately missional ministries in your community, county and region.
Building upon the principles of reproduction you see in the book of Acts, Exponential walks the reader through the natural growth process of Biblical multiplication in four disctinct, but intricately connected sections:
• Movements Start With 1. This section of five chapters walks the reader through the basics of reproducing a team of missional leaders, even if you are the only one in your community who is interested right now. It shows you how to begin a movement, how you move people through the leadership path, the importance of an apprentice and how to reproduce leaders and artists.
• Reproducing Tribes of 10-100. In three practical chapters, Dave and Jon show you how to reproduce groups to create an eternal community, how to reproduce missional teams, thus creating communities with a cause, and how to reproduce coaches through life changing conversations.
• Reproducing Communities of 100-1,000. Building upon the reproduction of tribes, Exponential takes you to the next logical step in the fulfillment of the Great Commission – reaching out to more people with the love of Jesus Christ. Three chapters show you how to reproduce venues and sites, how to reproduce multiple sites, and, ultimately, reproduce churches to impact the world.
• Reproducing Movements of 10,000s. This final part of the book shows the reader how to reproduce networks and accomplish Jesus’ mission by sustaining a reproducing movement.
Exponential is the book for the person in whom God has planted a deep desire to significantly impact their community and world for Christ in their generation. It contains the “how to’s” born out of years of real world experience and the Biblical context that keeps the focus on the mission of Jesus: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ” (John 10:10, ESV)
Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
As the executive director of Eagles In Leadership, our vision is to Encourage Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood (EAGLES). We desire to be a mentor and coach to people who desire to soar like the “Eagle” God desires them to be!
Coming from the business world, having worked for over 20 years in the graphic arts world, it has also been my privilege to work for over three decades as a youth, mission, solo and senior pastor.
With a passion to give back to others, I have been able to teach in universities across the country, including University of Phoenix, Trinity International University – Florida campus, California Baptist University and currently at Colorado Christian University – online.
Dave Ferguson wrote the forward to my newest book, Growing Missional Leaders, Biblical Strategies to Reach Your World for Christ. http://amzn.to/i4WWuk In it he said, “In the pages of this book you will feel Matthew Smith’s passion for mission. He understands that every person’s eternity is at stake and the dream of God for all mankind is in jeopardy unless we accomplish the mission of Jesus.”
Melodee Joy and I have been on our honeymoon for the past 31 years – she is the joy of my eyes and my ‘Ivory Beauty.’ We have two children and two beautiful granddaughters.
Dave and Jon Ferguson have answered those concerns with a clear plan, a method if you will, of reproducing leaders who will reproduce others. In Exponential: How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement, http://amzn.to/dQg94f you will not hear a lot of theory by those who haven’t done it. Dave and Jon show how, through trial and error, they have found “the leadership path” to reproduction of their vision: “To actually reach all eight million people in the greater metro area of Chicago.”
Scrawled out on the back of a napkin, (there were four of them when they devised their initial strategy to win Chicago for Christ), that “napkin strategy” has permeated everything Community Christian Church has done in the ensuing years. In order to keep the process sharp, Dave and Jon are able to explain their processes “on the back of a napkin.” Whether it is their “5 reproducing principles,” “the leadership path,” “the five steps of leadership development,” “developing 3C Christ followers,” or “the seven moves to multisite,” keeping the diagram to one side of a napkin is essential to their visionary success. Since vision is visual, this ability to map out their vision AND strategy means they know where they are going AND how they are going to get there – something that resonates in the hearts and souls of those they are recruiting!
The principles and tactics of reproducing explained in this book can be used in any situation, in any culture, in any ethnic group and in any locale. The point of this book is not to grow your church. It is to create a missional movement of churches where you and your church are just one of the many new hubs of passionately missional ministries in your community, county and region.
Building upon the principles of reproduction you see in the book of Acts, Exponential walks the reader through the natural growth process of Biblical multiplication in four disctinct, but intricately connected sections:
• Movements Start With 1. This section of five chapters walks the reader through the basics of reproducing a team of missional leaders, even if you are the only one in your community who is interested right now. It shows you how to begin a movement, how you move people through the leadership path, the importance of an apprentice and how to reproduce leaders and artists.
• Reproducing Tribes of 10-100. In three practical chapters, Dave and Jon show you how to reproduce groups to create an eternal community, how to reproduce missional teams, thus creating communities with a cause, and how to reproduce coaches through life changing conversations.
• Reproducing Communities of 100-1,000. Building upon the reproduction of tribes, Exponential takes you to the next logical step in the fulfillment of the Great Commission – reaching out to more people with the love of Jesus Christ. Three chapters show you how to reproduce venues and sites, how to reproduce multiple sites, and, ultimately, reproduce churches to impact the world.
• Reproducing Movements of 10,000s. This final part of the book shows the reader how to reproduce networks and accomplish Jesus’ mission by sustaining a reproducing movement.
Exponential is the book for the person in whom God has planted a deep desire to significantly impact their community and world for Christ in their generation. It contains the “how to’s” born out of years of real world experience and the Biblical context that keeps the focus on the mission of Jesus: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ” (John 10:10, ESV)
Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
As the executive director of Eagles In Leadership, our vision is to Encourage Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood (EAGLES). We desire to be a mentor and coach to people who desire to soar like the “Eagle” God desires them to be!
Coming from the business world, having worked for over 20 years in the graphic arts world, it has also been my privilege to work for over three decades as a youth, mission, solo and senior pastor.
With a passion to give back to others, I have been able to teach in universities across the country, including University of Phoenix, Trinity International University – Florida campus, California Baptist University and currently at Colorado Christian University – online.
Dave Ferguson wrote the forward to my newest book, Growing Missional Leaders, Biblical Strategies to Reach Your World for Christ. http://amzn.to/i4WWuk In it he said, “In the pages of this book you will feel Matthew Smith’s passion for mission. He understands that every person’s eternity is at stake and the dream of God for all mankind is in jeopardy unless we accomplish the mission of Jesus.”
Melodee Joy and I have been on our honeymoon for the past 31 years – she is the joy of my eyes and my ‘Ivory Beauty.’ We have two children and two beautiful granddaughters.
October 26, 2018
Inspiring and practical!
I love the way that the Ferguson Brothers create simple achievable systems. This is a Visionary book that dreams big and gets down to business.
I love the way that the Ferguson Brothers create simple achievable systems. This is a Visionary book that dreams big and gets down to business.
January 17, 2020
Inspirational and very simple to read
Anyone interested in fulfilling the Great Commission needs to read this book. Anyone tired of doing easy church must read this book!
Anyone interested in fulfilling the Great Commission needs to read this book. Anyone tired of doing easy church must read this book!
July 7, 2010
I loved most of this book, but gagged at other parts. Let's start with the positives. I love the passion of the Ferguson brothers. They dared to dream big (to plant 200 churches in the Chicago area), and they are well on their way. I love their focus on leadership development, and their stress that anyone can be (and should be) a leader in some capacity. They realize that it's not the job of the pastor and elders to do it all. God gave "apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ ..." (Eph. 4:11-12). The ordained church leaders are to be striving to equip all the members of the Church to do some sort of ministry. The Ferguson have lots of practical wisdom in how to identify leaders, train leaders, and then train those leaders to train other leaders.
"Reproduce" is a word used about a million times in this book. Church leaders need to "reproduce" themselves (a scary thought!). Churches need to reproduce themselves. If this sounds too much like the "church-growth" movement, we should remember that this is how God designed families to grow. Families reproduce. Bodies grow by reproducing cell after cell, after cell. I appreciate and admire the Ferguson brothers as they pursue their dream of reproducing churches all over the world.
The chief weakness of their model is their pursuit of the trendy. They let non-Christians play in their "celebration" services, in the hopes of luring them into the church. Now, I have no problem with Christians jamming with non-Christians. But, gathering together as the people of God to renew our covenant with Him is a family event. This book was about reproducing churches and leaders--the principles would work in any denomination (or cult, for that matter). It can't stand by itself. That's why we need books like Jeff Meyer's The Lord's Service to supplement it.
"Reproduce" is a word used about a million times in this book. Church leaders need to "reproduce" themselves (a scary thought!). Churches need to reproduce themselves. If this sounds too much like the "church-growth" movement, we should remember that this is how God designed families to grow. Families reproduce. Bodies grow by reproducing cell after cell, after cell. I appreciate and admire the Ferguson brothers as they pursue their dream of reproducing churches all over the world.
The chief weakness of their model is their pursuit of the trendy. They let non-Christians play in their "celebration" services, in the hopes of luring them into the church. Now, I have no problem with Christians jamming with non-Christians. But, gathering together as the people of God to renew our covenant with Him is a family event. This book was about reproducing churches and leaders--the principles would work in any denomination (or cult, for that matter). It can't stand by itself. That's why we need books like Jeff Meyer's The Lord's Service to supplement it.
October 3, 2016
"And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” Luke 5:39. How easy it is for us to get stuck in old traditions and old ways of doing church. We often believe that the way we're doing it now is good enough, besides change is hard! But what does it look like to follow the creative Spirit of God into the uncertainties of the 21st century? Will we be known (and forgotten) for upholding the status quo or will we ask the hard questions about what it really means to raise up leaders in our midst? Overall this book is a great read, very inspiring. However, the most important chapters for Christian leaders are 1-5. Christians are awakening to the reality that we are apprentices of Jesus, called to make apprentices ourselves. The command "Go and make disciples..." is not something that a few experts do. The call is for all followers of Jesus. Are we reproducing leaders or just attracting a crowd? Are we creating spectators or participants? Are we measuring people coming through the doors or lives being changed? Are people growing in active faith or just acquiring knowledge? Do we recruit from within or hire from outside our community?> This book is full of practical ideas and steps for Christians communities to grow in making disciples and raising up leaders. "Reproduce more and better leaders. Reproduce more and better artists." p. 71. "Attracting and reproducing artists is essential to starting a missional movement." p. 71
September 14, 2010
A how-to manual for starting a missional church movement, Exponential offers a practical guide for reproducing leaders, churches, and networks of churches. Reproduction must be an intentional and systematic effort built into the DNA of a church. Relying on their experiences at Community Christian Church and NewThing, the Ferguson brothers provide an inspiring and useful examination of what makes movements move. A+
December 24, 2015
A church growth book for a new era of Christian faith - developing a Jesus movement via the duplication of leaders and artists and the networking of multi-site churches. Solid foundation of scripture helps keep the principles in this book from simply mimicking a consumer business strategy for expanding market share. Worthwhile for those who truly want to make a difference for Christ.
May 15, 2016
Church leaders need to know how to find & deploy leaders. Exponential gives excellent insights on creating a leadership pipeline through both small groups and creative ministries in your church. The only weakness of the book is that it doesn't address leadership development through other ministries -- children, youth, connections.
August 23, 2016
Good look at multiplication of churches from a mega-church perspective. I really like some of their practical points on apprenticing and coaching. My strongest critique is that the American style of large group passive worship services are not questioned or analyzed through a multiplication lenses but just accepted as a given. Overall worth the read.
November 9, 2012
This book sparks big time vision. You will dream big. However, they cast their dream so large that for 90%of church leaders it will be too much. Still, I mined a lot of gold out of this book for the here and now: discipleship, leadership development, and more. Don't regret the time at all.
February 12, 2015
Just finished after dwelling on early chapters for a long time. This has been one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. Dreaming big! Highly recommended for discussion/dialogue. Many useful examples, lists, ideas and proven results.
July 23, 2016
Tools for multiplication instead of addition in church growth. Inspirational and based on success stories. Slightly repetetive, felt like they stretched into a book what could have fit in much fewer pages, but overall very quality stuff.
July 15, 2011
Helpful, practical and biblically-centered. Excellent for church leaders who are looking for direction and guidance in developing and discipling a growing church.
September 27, 2011
WOW!!! Not interested in church planting? Still a great read for every Christ-follower because it hits the core of our purpose this side of eternity.
You need this in your library.
You need this in your library.
November 2, 2011
Great book. Lots of practical advice and information on having a reproducing ministry. There are a lot of ideas and concepts that I want to steal, because they are that good.
April 5, 2012
THE best book on church leadership and growth there is out there. There also is a little snippet in here of my story.
January 5, 2013
Love this book. It's essentially how I am thinking about ministry. How can I reproduce everything that we are doing in ministry?
June 19, 2013
Great book on planting and building churches. The concept of mentoring leaders is one the church needs to recapture.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews