It would be easy to dismiss Exponential: How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement as another church growth book for church leaders only. But a couple of pages into the first chapter it becomes clear that Exponential is instead a compelling story. It is the story of how two brothers, Dave and Jon Ferguson (the authors) and a few of their college friends, fueled by a dream to reach the entire city of Chicago for Christ, launched a church and eventually birthed a church planting movement that has helped people all over the world “find their way back to God.” And it is also an invitation for you and I to join the story and be on mission with Jesus in the world.
The brothers Ferguson want us to understand that the command of Christ in Acts 1:8 is a call to multiplication, not addition. The problem, Dave and Jon note, is that the American church is in decline. Half of all churches in America did not add one person through conversion last year, while 43,000 Americans leave the church for good every week. (Exponential, 14) Their solution is exponential reproduction – personal reproduction through apprenticeship, small group and missional team reproduction through reproducing coaches, reproducing churches and campuses, and reproducing networks.
Of course, this book is an important guide for pastors, church planters, and church leaders. I also think that Exponential would be a helpful read for anyone in church leadership. But the practical principles of reproduction in Exponential are just as important for every Christ-follower to know, because the call to reproduce ourselves is given to every believer. Dave and Jon challenge all of us to step up and take seriously the Acts 1:8 mission where we are. It is a very accessible read that is as encouraging, helpful, and insightful as it is visionary.
[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of their book review blog tour program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”]
