Book Review: Exponential

I have had the opportunity to read the book, Exponential: How you and your friends can start a Missional Church. Authors Dave and Jon Ferguson have put together a really good book.  This book will push you to start a church.  It should be a must read for ALL Church planters. The Fergusons give a practical guide to growing your church and starting new ones.  The Fergusons said, “The church must move from addition to multiplication: it cannot just be about us adding numbers to existing churches until they grow large. It also must also mean multiplying the actual number of churches, as well as empowering all of God’s people in every sphere of life to be the church.” This book will inspire and empower you to make a difference in the church.  I strongly encourage you to check this book out.

The Five Reproducing Principles:

1. Reproducing requires everyone to have an apprentice

• You cannot do it by yourself.  Stop trying to be superman.

2. Reproducing is proactive, not reactive

• Reproduction does not happen by itself.  You actually have to do something to make it happen.

3. Reproducing is not about size; it’s about leader readiness

• Don’t focus on the numbers…focus on the change in your community.

4. Reproducing isn’t about our kingdom; it’s about God’s Kingdom

• Support other churches.  Support other ministries, because we are all in this together.  Its God’s kingdom not ours.

5. Reproducing happens on the edge and at the center

Favorite Quotes:

• The change in the apostles wasn’t just in what they could do; it redefined who they were. pg. 33
• While the word Disciple os a brillant word (and a word used by Jesus Himself), it often does not mean to us what Jesus meant when he used it.  I believe that disciple is a ruined word.  When Jesus called people into discipleship, he was calling them for and preparing them for a mission. pg. 45
• When someone is lost or alone, God’s reaction is always to “go” and to “send”. pg. 105
• The math reveals that the early church grew exponentially  at a rate of about 3.5 percent every year.  pg. 200