Community Christian Church embraced the Big Idea and everything changed. They decided to avoid the common mistake of bombarding people with so many 'little ideas' that they suffered overload. They also recognized that leaders often don't insist that the truth be lived out to accomplish Jesus' mission. Why? Because people's heads are swimming with too many little ideas, far more than they can ever apply. The Big Idea can help you creatively present one laser-focused theme each week to be discussed in families and small groups. The Big Idea shows how to engage in a process of creative collaboration that brings people together and maximizes missional impact. The Big Idea can energize a church staff and bring alignment and focus to many diverse church ministries. This book shows how the Big Idea has helped Community Christian Church better accomplish the Jesus mission and reach thousands of people in nine locations and launch a church planting network with partner churches across the country. This book is part of the Leadership Network Innovation Series.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
'One of the Best Preaching Books of 2007! The Big Idea offers an abundance of ideas on planning and developing a 'big idea' model in the local church. This book is packed with solid and helpful ideas, and the 'big idea' of the book is one that churches should carefully consider trying in their own setting.' -- Preaching magazine <br><br> (Preaching magazine)
From the Publisher
The Leadership Network Innovation Series presents real-life case studies and insights from leading practitioners and pioneering churches that are successfully navigating the ever-changing streams of spiritual renewal in today's culture. Each book in this series will feature ministry stories about churches who are doing authentic ministry in innovative and healthy ways and will equip you to do the same.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Chris Marlow
Format:Paperback
I had a hunch that this book would be good. Especially from a "practical" standpoint. But I was taken back how the authors were able to weave theology & missionality within the context of The Big Idea. Therefore the book, in my opinion, had an even a deeper impact than I was expecting. I also enjoy the fact that the book was written by men who are actively engaged in the process. It's not a history book about how they built a multi-site mega church and planted multiple churches in some of the least-church cities in America (Boston & NYC) 10 years ago. These boys are living within the mess and complexities of the Jesus mission via the local church. Which I think adds so much power and purpose to the book.
I also really like the "adaptability" of the book. It's more fluid than stoic, and every church can take the ideas and principles and tweak them for their local community and environments.
This book can also "cross-pollinate" to various "streams" of church and even the business world. Whether your a mega-church, emerging church, church plant, or traditional/contemporary church, at the end of the day if you do a weekly gathering, then this book can quickly help you process that gathering and be more effective. And if the principles are followed, I think a lot of churches will see an overall improvement that will create a healthy local church culture. Good planning will help cause less stress and conflict, and increase the value of the church in their local community as we (church) strive to truly do our very best to communicate the Jesus story.
I think this book should be apart of every pastors library. Matter-of-fact, I think all church planting organizations should add this text to their "must reads" for future planters, it's that helpful. I also like the fact the The Big Idea calls churches to be more effective, to become good stewards of our time and resources and to put our best foot forward as we try to serve the world and move the mission of Jesus forward.
You can also check out The BIG IDEA Resources & The BIG IDEA Blog
I also really like the "adaptability" of the book. It's more fluid than stoic, and every church can take the ideas and principles and tweak them for their local community and environments.
This book can also "cross-pollinate" to various "streams" of church and even the business world. Whether your a mega-church, emerging church, church plant, or traditional/contemporary church, at the end of the day if you do a weekly gathering, then this book can quickly help you process that gathering and be more effective. And if the principles are followed, I think a lot of churches will see an overall improvement that will create a healthy local church culture. Good planning will help cause less stress and conflict, and increase the value of the church in their local community as we (church) strive to truly do our very best to communicate the Jesus story.
I think this book should be apart of every pastors library. Matter-of-fact, I think all church planting organizations should add this text to their "must reads" for future planters, it's that helpful. I also like the fact the The Big Idea calls churches to be more effective, to become good stewards of our time and resources and to put our best foot forward as we try to serve the world and move the mission of Jesus forward.
You can also check out The BIG IDEA Resources & The BIG IDEA Blog
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am an information junkie. I read newspapers, magazines, books, and blogs. I watch TV and listen to talk radio. I consider myself a well-informed guy. But being well-informed is not the same thing as being wise or effective. Indeed, too much information can paralyze our ability to make decisions.
Our churches often contribute to this glut of information. The pastor preaches on one topic, Sunday school teachers teach on another, the worship leader sings new songs with multiple verses, and the announcement guy rambles on with the church's upcoming events. No wonder parishioners get stuck in their spiritual lives. They have too much information to act on. They know more than they can do.
In their new book, The Big Idea, Dave Ferguson, Jon Ferguson, and Eric Bramlett tackle the topic of information-glutted, decision-paralyzed churches. They argue that churches should teach one big idea per week, and that this big idea should be reinforced in all the church's venues (worship services, Sunday school classes, and small groups). They demonstrate the multiple benefits of the big-idea approach. And they offer practical guidelines for how to implement this model of ministry in your church based on their own experience.
Do you want to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ? Do you want to see a greater connection between people's faith and works? Then, as The Big Idea's subtitle puts it, "focus the message" so that you can "multiply the impact." Teach your parishioners one thing a week. They can do more with less.
Our churches often contribute to this glut of information. The pastor preaches on one topic, Sunday school teachers teach on another, the worship leader sings new songs with multiple verses, and the announcement guy rambles on with the church's upcoming events. No wonder parishioners get stuck in their spiritual lives. They have too much information to act on. They know more than they can do.
In their new book, The Big Idea, Dave Ferguson, Jon Ferguson, and Eric Bramlett tackle the topic of information-glutted, decision-paralyzed churches. They argue that churches should teach one big idea per week, and that this big idea should be reinforced in all the church's venues (worship services, Sunday school classes, and small groups). They demonstrate the multiple benefits of the big-idea approach. And they offer practical guidelines for how to implement this model of ministry in your church based on their own experience.
Do you want to make more and better followers of Jesus Christ? Do you want to see a greater connection between people's faith and works? Then, as The Big Idea's subtitle puts it, "focus the message" so that you can "multiply the impact." Teach your parishioners one thing a week. They can do more with less.
9 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Henry Judy
Format:Paperback
Review: "The Big Idea: Focus The Message, Multiply The Impact"
A Leadership Network Innovation Series by
Dave Ferguson, Jon Ferguson, and Eric Bramlett
A Review by Dr. Henry Judy
It has been a long time since there was a book published that has the God ordained ability to impact the church in such a huge way as The Big Idea. For a long time, I have been saying that the people in churches today for the most part are just NOT getting it. We think it is a program problem but it is not. It is a process problem and Dave Ferguson, with Jon Ferguson, and Eric Bramlett have not only brought the problem to the forefront, but provided a process for correction. Hence the concept of "The Big Idea."
Now what is paramount is that this process is not hypothetical in nature. It is a proven concept being used with great success by Community Christian Church in Naperville, Ill. So it works and it will work in every single church out there that is serious about the Jesus Mission. How do we know it works? It is measurable. Not only in terms of individual transformations but in terms of fruitful reproduction of other churches.
The Big idea is the gasoline that will be the foundation for life change in a new movement of reproducing churches. It is Spirit written, Spirit, conceived, and Spirit applicable and if you are serious about wanting to reach people for Jesus and have their lives transformed, then you will devour this book like Momma's Sweet Potato Pie.
Buy This Book and put its principles to work if you want to be a part of people's lives being transformed.
A Leadership Network Innovation Series by
Dave Ferguson, Jon Ferguson, and Eric Bramlett
A Review by Dr. Henry Judy
It has been a long time since there was a book published that has the God ordained ability to impact the church in such a huge way as The Big Idea. For a long time, I have been saying that the people in churches today for the most part are just NOT getting it. We think it is a program problem but it is not. It is a process problem and Dave Ferguson, with Jon Ferguson, and Eric Bramlett have not only brought the problem to the forefront, but provided a process for correction. Hence the concept of "The Big Idea."
Now what is paramount is that this process is not hypothetical in nature. It is a proven concept being used with great success by Community Christian Church in Naperville, Ill. So it works and it will work in every single church out there that is serious about the Jesus Mission. How do we know it works? It is measurable. Not only in terms of individual transformations but in terms of fruitful reproduction of other churches.
The Big idea is the gasoline that will be the foundation for life change in a new movement of reproducing churches. It is Spirit written, Spirit, conceived, and Spirit applicable and if you are serious about wanting to reach people for Jesus and have their lives transformed, then you will devour this book like Momma's Sweet Potato Pie.
Buy This Book and put its principles to work if you want to be a part of people's lives being transformed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Big Deceptive Idea
This is one of the most dangerous books I've read in relation to church leadership. People who like this book are not analytical thinkers. Read more
Published on February 28, 2011 by William C. Meenk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book to stream-line activity and laser-sharp focus
The thought of have having every one on the "same page" has been a value in church for years. But not until I read this book have I seen a church actually get everyone and... Read more
Published on January 12, 2011 by Chris Jordan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Innovative Big Idea to Further God's Kingdom!
`The Big Idea: Focus the Message - Multiply the Impact' is a result of the observation of the team members of the Community Christian Church in the Chicago area that people are... Read more
Published on February 10, 2010 by Andrea Schultz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Get in the middle
Unlike most books, the best aspects of the Big Idea are in the middle of the book. Most books share the best material at the beginning, but the Big Idea is strongest in the... Read more
Published on March 8, 2008 by Malcolm Tyree
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read!
This is a must read for any pastor who wants the synergy of team leadership. It is full of practical suggestions that will focus your team and help you lead in a relevant way to... Read more
Published on January 16, 2008 by Steve Gallimore
4.0 out of 5 stars
High Impact
The Big Idea is helping our pastoral staff focus. The longer you're in ministry the more you need to focus. Read more
Published on September 25, 2007 by Daniel Boyd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, truly, I just want the moon
This highly practical book on not just preaching, but church-wide discipleship, is written by one of the leading, Biblically conservative churches today in the areas of creative... Read more
Published on May 7, 2007 by Ross Adelmann
4.0 out of 5 stars
Two Thumbs Up for The Big Idea
Dave Ferguson shares some great ideas and strategies in this book. I like it because it wasn't just a "here's how we did it" church growth text... Read more
Published on April 11, 2007 by Chris K. Bean
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spectacular Book
If you are searching for a way to simplify what your families are learning in church and get everyone on the same page this book is for you.
Published on April 10, 2007 by C. Harkey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Learn from the Best!
These guys are a s good as it gets. What they write isn't theory - it's practice. I always benefit when I sit under them. Read more
Published on February 3, 2007 by Bob Roberts, Jr.
