Authors Dave and Jon Ferguson communicate a simple strategy that will engage millions of Christ followers and challenge every church leader to become a reproducing follower and leader. Exponential lays out a brief but solid theology for a reproducing strategy, giving practical 'how-to's' for reproducing Christ followers, leaders, artists, groups/teams, venues, sites, churches, and networks of churches. Weaved throughout this book is the amazing story of Community Christian Church, which was started by five friends who used the reproducing strategies found in Exponential to grow one of the most influential churches in the U.S. and develop a network of reproducing churches. 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 that's 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 ... Exponential will show them how. Exponential is the anchor book in the Exponential Series.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Dave and Jon Ferguson are two of the most gifted and innovative church planters I know. Their new book, Exponential, will give you practical steps and essential spiritual insights to plant a life giving and reproducing church. --Craig Groeschel, Pastor of Lifechurch.tv; and Author of It
Dave and Jon Ferguson work on reproducing leaders and catalyzing movements has the great potential to awaken the sleeping giant of the American Chruch. It is a timely word for our generation of church leaders. --Matt Carter, The Austin Stone Community Church
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 New Thing 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, Pastor and Author, North Coast Church
Jon & Dave Ferguson have been pictures and pillars to every young church planter of the kind of courage, faith, and sacrifice that is 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 to anyone that has ever wondered if they should start a church. If you are sitting with a dream - read at your own risk - but know that this book will definitely push you to take the necessary step of faith which will unlock the greatest adventure of your life. --Jeanne Stevens. Lead Pastor, Soul City Church
To the pastor, priest, or peasant, we all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. If you're tired of God just for yourself, and desire to see your life and your church find it's place on God's magnificent global renaissance, this book is for you. --Hugh Halter, Author of AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church
Dave and Jon Ferguson work on reproducing leaders and catalyzing movements has the great potential to awaken the sleeping giant of the American Chruch. It is a timely word for our generation of church leaders. --Matt Carter, The Austin Stone Community Church
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 New Thing 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, Pastor and Author, North Coast Church
Jon & Dave Ferguson have been pictures and pillars to every young church planter of the kind of courage, faith, and sacrifice that is 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 to anyone that has ever wondered if they should start a church. If you are sitting with a dream - read at your own risk - but know that this book will definitely push you to take the necessary step of faith which will unlock the greatest adventure of your life. --Jeanne Stevens. Lead Pastor, Soul City Church
To the pastor, priest, or peasant, we all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. If you're tired of God just for yourself, and desire to see your life and your church find it's place on God's magnificent global renaissance, this book is for you. --Hugh Halter, Author of AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church
Review
Dave and Jon Ferguson are two of the most gifted and innovative church-planters I know. Their new book, Exponential, will give you practical steps and essential spiritual insights to plant a life-giving and reproducing church. -- Craig Groeschel, pastor of Lifechurch.tv and author of It <br><br>
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25 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The brothers Ferguson have given the church a book with the singular aim of demonstrating as the sub-title states: How you and your friends can start a missional church movement. Much of the book is their own experience in the Chicago area of developing a missional movement of local churches.
The book is divided into four parts as the authors broaden the intended sphere of influence as a movement grows and to explain the "Reproducing Principles" for building a successful movement according to Acts 1:8.
Movements Start with 1 - The authors claim a new paradigm is needed to reach the ends of the earth and requires a three-fold vision: impact others for Christ; plan on reproducing, not growing large; be a catalyst to reproduce churches.
With that in mind, understand the leadership path in order to increase momentum:
Individual - Apprentice - Leader - Coach - Director - Campus Pastor/Church Planter - Network Leader
The plan is to reproduce leaders and is based on Christ's calling and sending disciples in Mark 3:13-15.
The authors move on to explain the necessity of apprentices. They acknowledge that the word disciple is biblical but has poor or suspect connotations in modern culture (i.e., use relevant terms). A part of apprenticeship is the big dream. Big dreams (like going to the ends of the earth with the gospel) are stimulating and contagious. Use that to motivate the three aspects of being spirit-led, missional, and reproducing.
The last two chapters of the section deal with reproducing leaders and artists (read musicians). The chapters are similar in direction and intent and vary only in how to balance excellence in reproducing with excellence in execution.
Reproducing Tribes of 10-100 - The focus of this section is reproducing small groups and implementing coaches to help the group leaders effectively lead. The biblical basis given is Acts 2:42-47 where the early church was made up of 3C Christ-followers: Celebrate, Connect, and Contribute.
The authors are correct to point out the strengths of this group size. The 3 C's can be easily practiced and the body edified. For certain, new groups are somewhat stilted and not have the free flowing of spiritual gifts and expression. Connections are easy enough, but celebration and contribution need to be built up. As a group matures, these areas level out.
After reading the three chapters for the section, I wondered why the authors bothered to continue writing about larger groups. Obviously, they had tapped into and described the most effective unit of measure for a local church. Sadly, it appears the need for size and influence of a central body wielding power and/or influence under the guise of furthering the gospel.
Also, it is apparent that the authors understand worship to be singing led by a polished band singing pop-church material so the congregation can sing and raise their hands and not think about what the lyrics are. This is apparent because what happens in Acts 2:42 is no more than a celebration. While it is indeed that, much more was going on between heaven and earth in those meetings than sharing "high five" types of things. Messieurs Ferguson both need to get their Bibles out and study what worship is.
Reproducing communities of 100-1,000 - Here is where these men really stumble. This section is dedicated to reproducing church communities based largely on Paul's example in Acts 19:21-23. Notice this is not reproducing churches. That may come later. This is setting up multi-site churches. And since multi-site is the current wave in evangelical circles, it must be worthwhile.
Where exactly can we actually find this model in Scripture? We fail in the search. Here the book fails miserably, as there is no place for this. What should be the natural division into separate entities is instead artificially held together. There is no natural fellowship or worship operating at this level. Essentially, there are separate churches with separate under-shepherds hearing the same message and singing the same songs via video feed.
The last chapter does get around to reproducing whole churches with some tips for the church planter and leader.
Reproducing movements of 10,000s - This section is further growth and setting up whole new networks. There is really nothing new. The prior applications are reworked for larger numbers.
Conclusions
The authors make good points in developing people. The apostle Paul did the same. Discipleship is key (Matt 28:19-20). Also the general warnings of waiting on the Lord are worthwhile. Many of these concepts are applicable to the local church and have merit in that setting.
Negatively, much of what is proposed is identical to business marketing material I have read. It is good when scriptural principles are used effectively in business, but what we have here is more the opposite--modern business practice defining how the church should operate.
Take the good out of the questionable or bad, and there is usable material. Proceed with caution and discernment.
The book is divided into four parts as the authors broaden the intended sphere of influence as a movement grows and to explain the "Reproducing Principles" for building a successful movement according to Acts 1:8.
Movements Start with 1 - The authors claim a new paradigm is needed to reach the ends of the earth and requires a three-fold vision: impact others for Christ; plan on reproducing, not growing large; be a catalyst to reproduce churches.
With that in mind, understand the leadership path in order to increase momentum:
Individual - Apprentice - Leader - Coach - Director - Campus Pastor/Church Planter - Network Leader
The plan is to reproduce leaders and is based on Christ's calling and sending disciples in Mark 3:13-15.
The authors move on to explain the necessity of apprentices. They acknowledge that the word disciple is biblical but has poor or suspect connotations in modern culture (i.e., use relevant terms). A part of apprenticeship is the big dream. Big dreams (like going to the ends of the earth with the gospel) are stimulating and contagious. Use that to motivate the three aspects of being spirit-led, missional, and reproducing.
The last two chapters of the section deal with reproducing leaders and artists (read musicians). The chapters are similar in direction and intent and vary only in how to balance excellence in reproducing with excellence in execution.
Reproducing Tribes of 10-100 - The focus of this section is reproducing small groups and implementing coaches to help the group leaders effectively lead. The biblical basis given is Acts 2:42-47 where the early church was made up of 3C Christ-followers: Celebrate, Connect, and Contribute.
The authors are correct to point out the strengths of this group size. The 3 C's can be easily practiced and the body edified. For certain, new groups are somewhat stilted and not have the free flowing of spiritual gifts and expression. Connections are easy enough, but celebration and contribution need to be built up. As a group matures, these areas level out.
After reading the three chapters for the section, I wondered why the authors bothered to continue writing about larger groups. Obviously, they had tapped into and described the most effective unit of measure for a local church. Sadly, it appears the need for size and influence of a central body wielding power and/or influence under the guise of furthering the gospel.
Also, it is apparent that the authors understand worship to be singing led by a polished band singing pop-church material so the congregation can sing and raise their hands and not think about what the lyrics are. This is apparent because what happens in Acts 2:42 is no more than a celebration. While it is indeed that, much more was going on between heaven and earth in those meetings than sharing "high five" types of things. Messieurs Ferguson both need to get their Bibles out and study what worship is.
Reproducing communities of 100-1,000 - Here is where these men really stumble. This section is dedicated to reproducing church communities based largely on Paul's example in Acts 19:21-23. Notice this is not reproducing churches. That may come later. This is setting up multi-site churches. And since multi-site is the current wave in evangelical circles, it must be worthwhile.
Where exactly can we actually find this model in Scripture? We fail in the search. Here the book fails miserably, as there is no place for this. What should be the natural division into separate entities is instead artificially held together. There is no natural fellowship or worship operating at this level. Essentially, there are separate churches with separate under-shepherds hearing the same message and singing the same songs via video feed.
The last chapter does get around to reproducing whole churches with some tips for the church planter and leader.
Reproducing movements of 10,000s - This section is further growth and setting up whole new networks. There is really nothing new. The prior applications are reworked for larger numbers.
Conclusions
The authors make good points in developing people. The apostle Paul did the same. Discipleship is key (Matt 28:19-20). Also the general warnings of waiting on the Lord are worthwhile. Many of these concepts are applicable to the local church and have merit in that setting.
Negatively, much of what is proposed is identical to business marketing material I have read. It is good when scriptural principles are used effectively in business, but what we have here is more the opposite--modern business practice defining how the church should operate.
Take the good out of the questionable or bad, and there is usable material. Proceed with caution and discernment.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The authors capture the need for community in our atomized culture. While so many pastor's and elders are playing church on Sunday, the Ferguson's have reached out to a hurting world. Although my preferred style of worship may be different than what is described in the book, I commend the authors for thinking about how to reach a lost world, rather than just sitting back and watching the world rot.
Small groups are a key community building piece that magnifies the messages of the church into the daily lives of the people in local communities. Starting with just a couple of hundred people, the Ferguson's have grown a community to over 30,000! It's hard to argue with these type of numbers, and when small groups are combined with a solid gospel message, lives are changed. Isn't this the goal of the church? If the gates of hell cannot stand against it, then we must enter into our local communities and this is what the book describes.
So many people throw the baby out with the bath water. This isn't a good leadership principle, especially when it relates to this book, since there are so many solid principles of duplication and reproduction of leaders in the book. By combining leadership and community with the enduring Gospel, the authors have provided a road map for twenty-first century church. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward
Small groups are a key community building piece that magnifies the messages of the church into the daily lives of the people in local communities. Starting with just a couple of hundred people, the Ferguson's have grown a community to over 30,000! It's hard to argue with these type of numbers, and when small groups are combined with a solid gospel message, lives are changed. Isn't this the goal of the church? If the gates of hell cannot stand against it, then we must enter into our local communities and this is what the book describes.
So many people throw the baby out with the bath water. This isn't a good leadership principle, especially when it relates to this book, since there are so many solid principles of duplication and reproduction of leaders in the book. By combining leadership and community with the enduring Gospel, the authors have provided a road map for twenty-first century church. Sincerely, Orrin Woodward
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Exponential is a practical read on how you can supercharge your leadership both inside and out of the local church context. Dave and Jon tell their story and speak directly to "You" about ways you can actually reproduce your leadership. You'll walk away with a renewed vision to purse you big dreams and a conviction that you have the potential realize them. A must read for anyone who takes their leadership development seriously.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great blueprint
We are preparing to start another campus at our chruch. This is a great how to guide and reference book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Jordan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for Christ followers
I haven't finished reading it all yet, but Exponential by Dave and Jon Ferguson offers a model for church planting that comes straight fr om the heart of God! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kathleen A. Shannon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
This is a great book, i'd recommend all church leaders to read it and implement what they can to improve their impact!
Published 5 months ago by Trent A. Shivley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible!!
I am currently serving in India and desperately needed to read what is in this book! It gives some incredible insights on how to truly start a multiplication movement. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Josh Howard
2.0 out of 5 stars
If you read the description of this book, you pretty much read the...
First of all, I really love the concept of this book. It is right on point in the need to reproduce oneself in other men and women, and to encourage churches to focus on this task... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Matt Milligan
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Book // One Week - Exponential
Exponential, by brothers Jon and Dave Ferguson, is a manual on how you and I can start a missional church movement. Read more
Published 16 months ago by J. Mederich
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good concept. But many things not defined.
I had to read other books and blogs on the subject to be able to understand many things this book talks about. Read more
Published 17 months ago by jprieto
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Advice and Wisdom
Claiming to harness the key to starting a missional church movement in 229 pages is a grand proposal. I believe Dave and Jon Ferguson have given it an admirable shot. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Brian Bain
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good But Be Cautious of the Pragmatism
Dave and Jon Ferguson set out in Exponential: How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement to show the reader how to move from a church that just grows by... Read more
Published on March 22, 2011 by Aaron Sellars
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Experience in Your Hands
This is a great book. It has valuable experience that will enable the church planter and pastor to overcome a lot of mistakes and grow the church. Read more
Published on February 14, 2011 by C. Lewton
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