Exponential Podcast: Recent Episodes
Exponential
Is your church plant built for disciple making?
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The North American model of church is not based upon disciple making, but that can be changed in a new church plant. Join Bobby and Paul as they describe how to plant new churches with disciple making DNA.
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Welcome to One Eighty, welcome to Disciple-Making. Over the next 8 weeks, we will be turning our focus to creating a discipleship culture as we look ahead to our 2024 Global Exponential Conference March 4-7th.
This podcast is one of several workshops from Exponential’s Global 2023 Conference in Orlando. You can grab the Evangelism Resource Kit for this workshop and more to train you and your team: https://multiplication.org/product/evangelism-2023-orlando-workshops-resource-kit/
To learn more about Exponential events, visit: https://exponential.org/events
For all other links: https://shor.by/Exponential
Discipleship MUST always be guided by good theology.
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On this episode join Bobby and Carl as they explore why it’s more important now than ever to have good theology. They will talk about practical tools the local church needs in this cultural moment.
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Welcome to One Eighty, welcome to Disciple-Making. Over the next 8 weeks, we will be turning our focus to creating a discipleship culture as we look ahead to our 2024 Global Exponential Conference March 4-7th.
This podcast is one of several workshops from Exponential’s Global 2023 Conference in Orlando. You can grab the Evangelism Resource Kit for this workshop and more to train you and your team: https://multiplication.org/product/evangelism-2023-orlando-workshops-resource-kit/
To learn more about Exponential events, visit: https://exponential.org/events
For all other links: https://shor.by/Exponential
Welcome to One Eighty, welcome to Discipleship. Over the next 8 weeks, we will be turning our focus to creating a discipleship culture as we look ahead to our 2024 Global Exponential Conference March 4-7th.
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On this episode we are talking about how Jesus’ style of evangelism always led folks to follow Him. So many times we try to separate evangelism and discipleship. That leaves us with weak Christians and an even weaker church. Walk with us through the exploration of the Master’s plan for evangelism that leads to discipleship.
Speaker: Dan Leitz
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This podcast is one of several workshops from Exponential’s Global 2023 Conference in Orlando. You can grab the Evangelism Resource Kit for this workshop and more to train you and your team: https://multiplication.org/product/evangelism-2023-orlando-workshops-resource-kit/
To learn more about Exponential events, visit: https://exponential.org/events
For all other links: https://shor.by/Exponential
Are your members equipped for the personal mission? Many of us tried turning our churches into evangelistic “fishing ponds.” That didn’t work. We taught our members to invite others to church instead of equipping them to go and make disciples. So, let’s turn our equip our members as “spiritual archaeologists” uncovering treasure in the people around them. The goal is to embolden ordinary Christ-followers to enter and explore friendships among the 70 percent of Americans no longer interested in Christianity. If you are looking for a simple, practical and profound way to grow your church on mission, this is the episode for you.
Evangelism Series // Week 5
Speakers: Ralph Moore
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This podcast is one of several workshops from Exponential’s Global 2023 Conference in Orlando. You can grab the Evangelism Resource Kit for this workshop and more to train you and your team: https://multiplication.org/product/evangelism-2023-orlando-workshops-resource-kit/
To learn more about Exponential events, visit: https://exponential.org/events
For all other links: https://shor.by/Exponential
Dive into a live Q&A session with Faith Eury Cho, Albert Tate and Aaron & Hannah Barnett as they unpack some keys to an evangelism culture and why evangelism is not a Lost Cause.
Evangelism Series // Week 4
Speakers: Faith Eury Cho, Albert Tate, Aaron & Hannah Barnett
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This podcast is one of several workshops from Exponential’s Global 2023 Conference in Orlando. You can grab the Evangelism Resource Kit for this workshop and more to train you and your team: https://multiplication.org/product/evangelism-2023-orlando-workshops-resource-kit/
To learn more about Exponential events, visit: https://exponential.org/events
For all other links: https://shor.by/Exponential
A few years ago, a ministry friend and partner of mine was attending the Exponential conference in Orlando when he overheard a conversation between two prospective church planters that went something like this:
Planter 1: “How big is the city where you’re planting?”
Planter 2: “About 15,000”
Planter 1: “Hmmm, I wouldn’t plant in a city any smaller than 22,000.”
My friend had to laugh to himself. At the time, he had been a senior pastor in a town with a whopping population of 25 for 15+ years. The church has since sent a significant percentage of its congregation to plant in other rural towns in Kansas.
Imagine the faith required to send hundreds of your members to go and start new works elsewhere when you minister in what some might consider a wilderness! That call sounds like a death sentence for ministry.
A death sentence is an apt description of how many Americans perceive rural ministry. Rural towns are where pastors who couldn’t cut it in the “big time” go to die. Rural ministry is “junior varsity” for those either training for the big leagues or those who will never measure up to move on to “bigger and better” places.
If you need more convincing, look at those we typically platform and clamor to learn from so we can implement the methods that made them “successful.” You won’t find a small-town pastor who has faithfully and effectively served their community for decades often because their ministry isn’t large enough to be of any notable consequence. Have you ever wondered what we are missing when we overlook the small ministries and places of the earth?
Jesus loved small ministries and places.
Jesus loved small ministries and places. He was born into tiny, insignificant circumstances: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2, NIV).
He grew up in Nazareth (population in the hundreds), a village whose reputation is expressed by the following question: “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46).
Both Jesus and John the Baptist began their ministries in the more sparsely populated regions of Israel. Jesus was unimpressed by crowds and consistently resisted the pull to build a large brand, network, or movement. He did the opposite of what we would advise him to do today, and I have a feeling we wouldn’t be calling him to be the headliner at our conferences. Again, what are we missing when we overlook the small people and places of the earth? Could we be missing the heart of Christ himself?
My husband and I have been ministering in rural Kansas for 20 years. Because I am a talented speaker, singer, and musician, some have asked me why I don’t seek a position at a megachurch or move where my gifts could be put to “better use,” somewhere I could be more visible and have better opportunities.
In response, I point to the day God called me to serve rural communities. I was the new worship pastor for the church in the town of 25 I mentioned previously, and I was reading Return to Worship by Ron Owens. In his chapter titled “To Get or to Give?”, he tells the story of a young lady with a gorgeous singing voice who had been serving her small-town church faithfully, but had recently left to join the choir of a megachurch having been persuaded that she would get more out of a “bigger and better” church that could amplify her talent. He likened her story to David’s theft of Bathsheba in 1 Samuel 12.1
As I read that story, the Holy Spirit said, “You will not be a ewe lamb.”
That day, I committed to serving alongside Jesus in the small, seemingly insignificant places he leads me. My life and ministry are deeply blessed and enriched as a result.
Christ is powerfully present in small places.
So, back to the question: What are we missing when we overlook the small ministries and places of the earth? First, Christ is powerfully present in small places. Of course, he is present everywhere and values all people, but there is a potency in his gaze toward the poor, the powerless, and the disregarded. Throughout Scripture, God intentionally gravitates toward the underprivileged. He chooses the younger sibling over the eldest – not because one is better, but to radically work against the human tendency to elevate some people at the expense of others. He chooses Israel – not because they are the most powerful or populous nation, but because of their insignificance to the world’s great empires that his glory might be made manifest amongst humanity’s weakest. God is with those unimportant to the world because they are profoundly important to him. If we want to be in all the places where Jesus is, there must be no flyover country, nowhere too small or insignificant to be worth our time, nowhere that is beneath our notice.
Not only is Christ present among the small and despised, but his heart and character are revealed through them. If you want to learn to be like Jesus and draw close to him, follow his ministry pattern. Jesus intentionally turned away from the powerful and prosperous and set his gaze and favor on the foolish, the weak, the overlooked, and the outcast, or, as the gospel authors put it, the tax collectors and sinners, those who recognized their need for a savior.
In doing so, those with power and prestige were drawn to him, their curiosity piqued by this strange new teacher who taught with authority and dared to overlook them. I don’t think they would have paid much attention to Jesus had he come to them first, and he loved them enough to dismantle the lie of their own self-importance. He knew that proximity to the least of these produces the best leaders: Servants who are humble, gentle, and lowly, disciples who never graduate from their need to learn, not just from Jesus but from those to whom they are sent.
While rural ministry is prone to pitfalls like any other ministry, there is a unique opportunity in these places to die to self and learn humility. What could be more against the grain of American culture than seeking the small and ordinary and resisting being swept into the current of capitalistic consumerism that often produces churches that look and act more like corporations than the kingdom of God? Most rural people do not care and are unimpressed by titles, education, wealth, and positions of authority. They love and are proud of their community and want to see it thrive. They value togetherness and developing deep, rooted relationships committed to the long haul, and they aren’t necessarily interested in seeking what is bigger and better.
If you want to learn how to pursue what Friedrich Nietzsche called “a long obedience in the same direction,” rural communities are great places to do so.
Rural people often love and care for one another well and know how to appreciate the simple stuff of life. If you want to learn how to pursue what Friedrich Nietzsche called “a long obedience in the same direction,” rural communities are great places to do so.
For the past couple of years, I’ve had opportunities to enter collaborative spaces with people whose ministries are far grander than mine. While I have appreciated and learned a lot from them, this competitive sense of jockeying for importance still exists. The cultural waters we swim in make it nearly impossible to avoid. Who will offer the most profound word? Who has the best visionary ideas to offer? Who has the best connections? Honestly, it’s exhausting to me, and I often feel like an imposter, a fish out of water. My tiny area of the world is dwarfed in comparison.
Amid these experiences, God has opened a way for me to participate in a ministry to the ladies at the local jail in our small town. I told my husband recently, “Out of all the numerous opportunities I’ve had recently, my time spent with the women at the jail is my favorite. I could meet with them for the rest of my life and be content.” There is something so beautifully refreshing about communing with people who have nothing to hide, people for whom masks and pretending are useless. I laugh when I think about how little I do, how unnecessary I am, and how God’s purpose for me is more about what he wants these women to teach me than what I have to teach them. All I do is share the story of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit moves.
I have the incredible privilege of coming along for the ride and witnessing Jesus at work in the hearts of these least of these daughters who are so dear to their Father’s heart. If you want to be where Jesus is, if you want to learn to be more like him, find the least, the last, and the lost in your city, be it big or small, and resist the tendency to overlook and “despise the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10).
There are a couple of quotes by Roland Walls from my Celtic Daily Prayer Book that keep me grounded when I am discouraged by my own smallness and tempted to seek the type of success and notoriety the world deems valuable. I hope they encourage you like they have me.
Preoccupation with numbers and busyness is always a symptom of disease. ‘Success’ in the Christian enterprise has to pass through this lonely man, Jesus, who failed completely. So, somehow or other, theologically, and therefore spiritually, the success addict’s disease is that he’s left the centre, because the centre isn’t very encouraging. And therefore it has something to do with what does he think about Christ, and whose son is He, and how far did He get? You can always keep the success story going with the resurrection – but the resurrection of Christ isn’t the flip-over of the coin, it’s showing the value of the coin. It’s the crucified who is risen and therefore got the approval of God. So we’ve got to beware lest we come back with an easy theology of resurrection to justify success.2
Be content to live an anonymous, unspectacular, misunderstood life among people. Choose where possible those places and jobs where people are oppressed or deprived. Let Christ transfigure the darkness in ourselves and in the world. Let there be great care to maintain the simplicity of presence . . . Love what is obscure and little for there you will find Christ.3
– Celtic Daily Prayer Book
These quotes give me pause and remind me to cling tightly to what it means to enter the kingdom of God. It is coming to the end of ourselves, realizing the joy and privilege we’ve been given to participate in God’s mission through small, ordinary acts of obedience, knowing that it’s not about us. May you discover the joy and wonder of Jesus, the God who became small for us, and may you embrace the small spaces he delights to dwell wherever you are in the world.
Notes1. Ron Owens, Return to Worship: A God-Centered Approach (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 79. 2. Celtic Daily Prayer Book Two: Farther Up and Farther In (London: William Collins, 2015), 1407. 3. Celtic Daily Prayer Book, 1408.
In a post-Covid world, almost every church finds itself in somewhat of a revitalization process. But even before Covid, a multi-faceted approach to planting new churches and revitalizing older churches was beginning to emerge as a unique strategy for addressing the staggering need of reaching a post-Christian world.
More and more younger leaders today are considering the possibility of church revitalization as an alternative or a means of church planting. In this month’s article, church revitalization expert Dr. Gary Moritz addresses a few advantages leaders and church planting churches should consider before planting a new church. It is possible the church you are wanting to plant already has seeds growing just below the surface. I encourage you to join this growing conversation.
– Dave Rhodes, Director of Church NEXT
In the ever-evolving landscape of American Christianity, a significant paradigm shift has been underway in recent years. Church revitalization has emerged as the new face of church planting. This transformation is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including shifting demographics, resource constraints, and a deeper appreciation for the untapped potential within existing congregations. In this article, we examine each of these factors.
Shifting demographics are driving the change.Changing population dynamics in America have a profound impact on society, politics, the economy, and various other aspects of life. Several key demographic trends have been shaping the United States in recent years, and understanding these shifts is essential for policymakers, businesses, society, and especially the church.
One of the most notable demographic changes in the United States is the aging of its population. This shift is primarily driven by the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, those born between 1946 and 1964, who are reaching retirement age in large numbers. Many established churches in the United States are grappling with aging memberships, aging pastors, dwindling attendance, and the challenge of connecting with younger generations.
Most have no succession plan in place. According to Lifeway Research, the age demographics of the church mirror those of our country’s aging population with churchgoers twice as likely to be 65 and older.1 The average age of the lead pastor in America is 51.2 According to the SBC, 18 percent of pastors are over the age of 65.3
This aging population in the church means that the number of churches that will need church revitalization in the future will only grow. As churches and pastors delay succession to a younger pastor and leader, the average age of the church increases and has the potential to die with its congregants.
How many church planters are we producing now? According to Lifeway research, more is needed.4
The number of churches that need to be planted to keep up with population trends of closure is too high for the number of churches we are planting.
Seminaries simply can’t keep up with the number of pastors needed for the number of churches to be planted. But what if we could close less churches? What if we replaced older leaders with younger leaders? What if we could mobilize lay leaders within existing churches? In other words, what if part of the way we increased churches was through revitalization? And what if we concentrated on revitalization as much as we have concentrated on church planting? We might just solve our church planting problem.
Resource constraints are driving the change.Church revitalization has gained prominence as an alternative to church planting because it addresses the issue of resource constraints that church planters often face. Starting a new church often requires significant financial resources for land, construction, and initial operations. Revitalization may be a more financially viable option for organizations with limited resources. In other words, church revitalization brings resources to the table that church planting doesn’t. Here are several kinds of resources available in revitalization:
Optimizing Existing Assets: Revitalization leverages existing church facilities and resources, efficiently using established infrastructure.
Stewardship of Existing Resources: Revitalizing an existing church can be a more cost-effective approach than starting a new one from scratch because many of these churches have giving congregations. Many of these congregations have many different forms of financial assets that simply need to be stewarded well and repurposed.
Cultural and Historical Significance: Established churches often have deep roots in their communities, with a rich history and cultural significance. Revitalizing these churches allows you to preserve and build upon that heritage, which can appeal to existing and potential members. In other words, the community often sees the church as part of its history and therefore has incentive to see the church thrive – and can often be part of resourcing that reemergence.
Environmental Stewardship: In an era of increasing awareness of environmental concerns, revitalizing existing church buildings can be seen as more sustainable than constructing new structures, which can have a significant ecological footprint.
Adaptive Reuse: Revitalization can involve creative and adaptive reuse of church facilities, making them multipurpose spaces that serve the needs of both the congregation and the broader community. This can enhance the church’s relevance and impact and provide potential divergent revenue streams.
Growing recognition of the untapped potential within existing congregations is driving the change.Church revitalization has gained attention and significance in recent years because there is a growing recognition of the untapped potential within existing congregations. As churches delve deeper into understanding the untapped potential within existing congregations, there is a growing appreciation for the unique strengths, assets, and opportunities that these congregations possess. This deeper appreciation has contributed to the shift toward prioritizing revitalization. This shift in focus reflects several key factors:
Community Engagement: Revitalizing an existing church enables immediate community engagement. Established churches already have connections and relationships within.
Sustainable Growth: Church planting can be resource-intensive and may face challenges in gaining a foothold in a community. Conversely, revitalization may offer a more sustainable path to growth by leveraging existing relationships and resources.
Discipleship and Leadership Development: Revitalizing a church often involves identifying and developing local leadership within the congregation. This can lead to the growth of new leaders who can play key roles in the church’s ongoing ministry.
Holistic Approach: Revitalization often involves addressing the congregation’s and community’s spiritual and physical needs. This holistic approach can result in a more well-rounded ministry that addresses a broader range of needs.
Think About Cultural ResistanceChurch revitalization does have its drawbacks – drawbacks that church planting and church planters get to avoid. So it’s not all roses. Here are a few of those drawbacks:
Resistance to Change: Not all church members are receptive to the shifts required for revitalization, leading to potential conflicts and divisions. Change is becoming harder after COVID-19 lockdowns. People seem to be digging their feet deeper in society. The sociological phenomenon is the resistance to not change and getting back to the way things seem to be the behavior, and the sociological temperature.
Navigating Resistance: Church leadership often faces the challenge of navigating resistance while maintaining unity and a shared vision. Navigating this kind of resistance isn’t easy and can take a toll on the leader. It requires the kind of leader who can lead with clarity. When the focus on clarity is central, then vitality will emerge. As a good friend, Jim Randall from Auxano, says, “The conversation has changed with the normalization of revitalization mainstream.”5 The awareness is more significant, so the conversation is more straightforward. Resistance happens when clarity is not apparent.
Communication and Education: Open communication and education about the reasons for revitalization are critical in addressing resistance. But this means the congregation must choose to be learners. Education plays a crucial role in overcoming resistance, but you can’t educate people who refuse to learn. However, many congregants may not be aware of the broader trends affecting churches today, such as declining church attendance among younger generations or changing worship preferences. Providing educational materials, workshops, or sermons on these topics can help congregants better understand the need for revitalization in the context of more significant societal changes.
While church revitalization offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to recognize that the choice between revitalization and church planting should be based on each church organization’s specific context, goals, and resources. Both approaches have their merits, and the decision should align with the church’s and its community’s unique needs and circumstances.
However, the ascent of church revitalization as the new face of American church planting marks a transformative era in American Christianity. Revitalized churches reinvigorate established congregations by harnessing existing resources, nurturing spiritual revival, and engaging with their communities. While challenges persist, this shift promises a hopeful future for American Christianity, where tradition merges with innovation to reach and inspire new generations of believers.
As we move forward, church revitalization is not just a trend, but a necessary and impactful strategy for the growth and relevance of the church in the United States.
Notes1. https://research.lifeway.com/2022/01/05/22-vital-stats-for-ministry-in-2022/
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https://www.zippia.com/pastor-jobs/demographics
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https://sbcvoices.com/more-full-time-senior-pastors-over-65-than-under-40
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https://research.lifeway.com/2021/05/25/protestant-church-closures-outpace-openings-in-u-s/
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https://www.thechurchvitalitynetwork.com/podcasts/vitalnomics-the-church-vitality-podcast/episodes/2147975819
“Gospel” literally means “good news” … but if you ask many people in our increasingly pluralist and secular world, Christians who claim it as our central truth are less and less associated with anything resembling “good news”! This workshop will equip you in ways to share the gospel, in ways that sound like it’s truly good news again, especially to those in the next generation on whom the future of the church realize. We consider realities of our cultural moment, and how our changing mission field needs new and different strategies than the past decades. And we’ll discover tangible ways to display and declare the gospel in the stories that shape the adults of tomorrow.
Evangelism Series // Week 3
Speaker: Ben Connelly
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This podcast is one of several workshops from Exponential’s Global 2023 Conference in Orlando. You can grab the Evangelism Resource Kit for this workshop and more to train you and your team: https://multiplication.org/product/evangelism-2023-orlando-workshops-resource-kit/
To learn more about Exponential events, visit: https://exponential.org/events
For all other links: https://shor.by/Exponential
The topic of soul care is often surrounded by confusion or suspicion by hard-driving leaders. Ben Cachairis helps us see this from a senior leader’s eyes, with the hope of integration and flourishing ministry.
GUEST: Ben Cachiaris, Lead Pastor of Mountain Christian ChurchHOST: Mindy Caliguire, Director of Healthy Leaders NEXT
Evangelism Series // Week 2
Deconstruction has long been the activity of young people inside and outside of the church. However, this new wave of deconstruction has unique challenges that are deeply sociological and theological. In this episode, Daniel Yang explains how church planting models from 1980-2020 are falling short in addressing this new wave of deconstruction but also why Gen-Zers represent hope, not just for new models, but also for how God is redeeming their deconstruction for the greater good of the Church in America.
Speaker: Daniel Yang
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This podcast is one of several workshops from Exponential’s Global 2023 Conference in Orlando. You can grab the Evangelism Resource Kit for this workshop and more to train you and your team: https://multiplication.org/product/evangelism-2023-orlando-workshops-resource-kit/
To learn more about Exponential events, visit: https://exponential.org/events
For all other links: https://shor.by/Exponential
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We listened. We learned. The first finding from our “Listening Tour,” the Inflection Point, is explored further with Stephan Tchividjian, who leads National Christian Foundation in South Florida and is […]
Every pastor is a storyteller. But just because we tell stories doesn’t mean that we are telling stories well–or at least as well as we could be telling them. Leading […]
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul writes, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a […]
Innovation is often born out of adversity. Problems, setbacks, and challenges require us to find new paths forward. New solutions are needed. But this is not always the case. There […]
A Leader’s Biggest Challenge? What is the biggest challenge you face as a leader? Building a cohesive team? Communicating a clear vision? Developing strategy towards that vision? Is it securing […]
Join Leadership Network’s Microchurch Next directors Rob Wegner and Brian Johnson, with guest Doug Paul from Catapult, for Part 2 of “State of the Microchurch in the West.” Over the […]
Are you a denominational leader longing for a disciple-making and church multiplying movement amongst the leaders you oversee? Have you ever wondered if a denomination could become a movement again? […]
In this podcast Dave Rhodes and Shane Stacey interview David Loveless. Together they talk through issues of vision and relational disciplemaking and how these can cause even pastors and leaders […]
In 2020, we (KC Underground) felt a particular passion to begin equipping leadership teams in the systems and structures that have shaped our team. We had learned so much from […]
Wherever community exists, there are churches. Some of the largest churches on the planet are in Korea. Some of the smallest are in India. Whether big or small, we see […]
Here at Church NEXT, we are always looking for stories of pastors and leaders who are innovatively imagining the church of tomorrow. In this month’s article, Ben Hardman (pastor of […]
Church, Meet the Metaverse Mission Field Sure, we can argue about the ecclesiology of a church in virtual reality. There are some points of conversation there. These will all get […]
The next generation is searching for a place to belong. Our culture is offering them communities, networks, clubs, and more, but the Church offers the best answer. What if we […]
There are moments in our life and leadership journey when the stakes are really high—the heat turns up, the inevitable waiting season starts, the personal crisis hits, or it’s time […]
The rabbis of old had a saying, “Without wine, there is no joy.”1 This was especially true at a wedding. In the first century, weddings were a big deal and […]
We have all been commissioned by God to make disciples. Many others have been called to plant new churches. But what would it look like to see an entire city […]
Artificial Intelligence: Greatest Invention of the Modern Era or the Downfall of Human Civilization? Let’s stop here for a second and recognize how far the technology has come, really, in […]
Rounding Down Last week I caught up with the new point leader of an organization I’ve been working with recently, and we began discussing their marketing reach. When I asked […]
Are you a jet-fuel-drinker or a candle-lighter? Either way, there’s inspiration and help for you as Soul Care’s first ever podcast launches at LN with a series on what we […]
As an apostolic leader, I have always been drawn to the “build,” the “starting from nowhere.” Watching something come forth out of the ground enthuses me. I feel the same […]
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve recently seen Artificial Intelligence take the world by storm. Bing’s ChatGPT, and Google’s Bard, are bringing artificial intelligence to the forefront publicly. […]
Have you ever fallen asleep at the wheel? I (Shane) have, and it’s not a fun experience. One Thanksgiving, back in college, I was driving along I-80 through snow-covered Pocono […]
Pastor, are you tired of thinking It’s not working! when trying to reach people online? Do you feel like no matter how hard you try, nothing works? You’re not alone; […]
Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post called Evangelism From a GenZ Perspective in preparation for our Exponential Global Conference. With evangelism as the central theme, it was on […]
Growing Numbers of Americans with No Religious Affiliation In 1972, only 1 in 20 Americans had no religious affiliation. They were primarily atheists and demographically young, white, and liberal. The […]
The Mental Health Crisis Affects the Church Mental health has never been more important than it is now. After enduring a global pandemic, millions of Americans were stuck at home […]
Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post called Evangelism From a GenZ Perspective in preparation for our Exponential Global Conference. With evangelism as the central theme, it was on […]
Join Leadership Network’s Microchurch Next directors Rob Wegner and Brian Johnson, with guest Doug Paul from Catapult, for Part 1 of “State of the Microchurch in the West.” Over the […]
I recently shared a story with a group of leaders that seemed to encourage them in their integration of spiritual formation and leadership, and I hope it encourages you today […]
There’s that scene in Blade Runner 2049 when the main character, played by Ryan Gosling, visits Dr. Ana Stelline. She’s the memory maker for the “replicants”—artificial human figures who play […]
Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post called Evangelism From a GenZ Perspective in preparation for our Exponential Global Conference. With evangelism as the central theme, it was on […]
It’s easy as a leader to be swayed by silver-bullet promises as you think through what’s next for your church. In this podcast Dave Rhodes and Shane Stacey talk through […]
Church Project started in 2010 as a Church of House Churches™. What began with 40 people and two House Churches has turned into a movement of thousands of people, in […]
The Promise of Shalom Are you flourishing in every area of your life? Should it matter that you do? I’d like to suggest that it does matter. A great deal. […]
What do the wheel, compass, printing press, lightbulb, automobile, computer, internet, and smartphone all have in common? They were all breakthrough innovations that radically reshaped our world. Innovation is fundamental […]
Pastor, respect your physical church service enough to not broadcast it live. But that doesn’t mean your church should abandon digital. Instead, there are many, many other strategies that your […]
The big day is coming quickly. It’s almost Easter Sunday and all over the world pastors are working hard to show up on this Super Bowl of Sunday preaching with […]
AltspaceVR is dead. Well, not quite yet, but as of March 10, 2023, Microsoft will be sunsetting their social VR platform AltspaceVR. Of all social VR platforms, AltVR had the […]
Following the pandemic and painful discord in the American Church in its wake, I had been thinking—and telling friends privately—“I hope the whole thing burns to the ground.” YEESH. Sounds […]
The digital age has revolutionized the way we communicate church, but in many ways it has yet to influence how we “be” the church. As a result of COVID, hundreds […]
I distinctly remember the conversations that permanently reshaped my faith and leadership in the fall of 2021. The first happened in one of my church’s pastoral staff meetings. My lead […]
When Your (Virtual) Church Home Is Taken Away… The virtual reality social space scene just got quieter: Microsoft, owner of the popular virtual world platform AltspaceVR, decided to shut it […]
Is evangelism a lost cause in the American church? Why aren’t more Christians sharing the gospel? What evangelism methods are most effective in 2022 (and beyond)? Join us for a […]
Where Does the Microchurch Movement in the West Find Itself? In 2022, Exponential NEXT convened a Learning Community of leading microchurch practitioners and network leaders. The goal of this community […]
The Church in America is in crisis. At least that is what we have been told. Every day it feels like there is another article or another statistic that corroborates […]
GenZ is complicated in more ways than one. We are often misunderstood. When it comes to evangelism, GenZers can’t seem to make up their minds: are we on fire for […]
Discover Your Church’s Digital “Why?”—and Don’t Be Surprised When It Has Nothing to Do with Broadcasting Church Services Leadership Network is announcing Digital Church NEXT! We had so much fun […]
The call to evangelism over the last century of Church history has left little doubt in the mind of believers about the need to share the Good News of Jesus. […]
One third of the churches in the U.S. are in the red this year.1 Some of these will close. According to Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird (2020), who wrote the […]
Over the last century, the face of Christianity has radically changed. The past five hundred years of church history has often focused on European churches and their descendants. Yet as […]
What is “good news” to your neighbors? Is it when you shovel their sidewalks, drop off a meal when they’re sick, or check in on them when you haven’t seen […]
One of my favorite sound bites from Jesus is John 4.23. He uses this trippy phrase: the time is coming and is now here. Whenever I read that I slip […]
What do you do when people don’t welcome you? When neighbors don’t want to be bothered? When you’re tired from caring? When nothing is working? When you meet resistance? Not […]
Very early in life we experience our limits. We learn what we can and what we cannot do. We make adjustments to live within our capacities and abilities. We learn […]
Our core values shape and define our language and our narratives—how we talk about what matters most to us. This is why “outsiders” or visitors can discern so much about […]
Is evangelism a lost cause? This is the question our friends at Exponential are asking this season and we (Dave and Gábor) are here to answer with a resounding “no!” […]
You are welcome for the earworm in the title of this post. The song from Jackie DeShannon was released in 1965, and the sentiment is as true now as it […]
We’d probably all agree that accountability is good and even necessary, yet sometimes when people reach a certain level of leadership, they can fall into the trap of believing they […]
At the center of any culture are values—convictions of the mind, and passions of the heart. When we lead well, we’re asking ourselves key questions: What do we believe? What […]
Exponential CEO Dave Ferguson invited three key leaders in the evangelical world to share their thoughts and expertise on sharing the gospel: Dr. David Docusen, Tomy Wilkerson, and John Wentz. […]
My wife and I have served in ministry since the late 1970s. During this time, we’ve seen the Holy Spirit transform lives, we’ve experienced joys and sufferings that have drawn […]
On Tuesday, December 6 Exponential CEO Dave Ferguson and Wheaton College evangelism expert Dr. Rick Richardson connected to talk about the state of evangelism in America. Dave and Rick covered […]
Imagine that Jesus was coming to speak at your local church. Throughout the New Testament, we see that Jesus taught in the synagogues on a regular basis, so it’s not […]
Every church operates differently, but we all share one similar charge—to share the love of Christ with people far from God. Since Jesus left the disciples, we have carried the […]
The church is reforming. Unlike the Protestant Reformation of the 1500s, which was primarily about the theology of salvation, the current reformation we find ourselves in is about the nature […]
I was driving in my neighborhood the other day when I noticed my neighbor’s Roomba-like device mowing his yard. I’ve heard of these automated mowers, but this was the first […]
“How is your faith working for everyone around you?” I had just finished a teaching on evangelism at Southeastern University when I posed this question to a group of students […]
“What are you doing with a software company?” My background in church planting and Christian ministry raises this question consistently around my work at Faithlife and it’s a good one. […]
Jesus’ mission is always to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and he calls upon his followers to remember that as God sent him, so he sends all of […]
Have you heard of William Wilberforce? I’ve asked that question enough times to realize that much of the time, the answer is no. I don’t know him personally, considering he […]
The year 2020 was a milestone for many people. We remember who we were before then and now after. I’ve been a pastor for 24 years. My specialty has been […]
Picture a world where God decided not to involve us in sharing the good news of Jesus with others. Instead, he rescues people without any believers’ involvement. What would that […]
Digital missions fields offer unique opportunities to engage in the work of evangelism in new and exciting ways. The metaverse is a series of modern technologies currently being utilized and, […]
Doing virtual reality ministry is, simply put, ironic. There are many things within virtual ministry that the average church leader perceives as a negative when in reality, it’s a strength. […]
Sharing our faith through the work of evangelism is one of the core identifying marks of a follower of Jesus. In Matthew 28:18-20 we see Jesus telling his earliest followers […]
For me, ministry is much more than just preaching in a packed church. For some, that may be an excellent metric to use. However, the moment we as church leaders […]
As discussed on Metaverse Church NEXT, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DOAs) can be an incredible opportunity for churches to utilize blockchain and cryptocurrencies. According to DigiDay, DAOs are “kind of like clubs for […]
My wife and I closed on our first home at the beginning of the summer in 2022, and we have what I now know to be a “side-load” garage. Evidently […]
In the book of Acts we see Jesus leave the church a vision of a movement when he challenged the earliest Christians to reproduce from their own local context (Jerusalem) […]
When God called me into the church-planting world, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I was parachuted into the city of Mount Vernon by the Alliance to […]
Evangelism Visual Guide from Cru Church Movements How do we share the gospel today? Exponential and Cru are proud to introduce a visual guide based on extensive Cru research that […]
Are you struggling with keeping young adults in your programs? Are you feeling tired from trying new methods to reach young leaders today? This show is packed with great insight […]
GenZ is the most ethnically diverse generation our country has ever seen. If we want to effectively reach this group, we must lean in, learn, and adjust to welcome them […]
Have you felt the weight of ministering to the next generation? It can feel overwhelming as we try to guide them through the many challenges they face. This week, Grant […]
“I feel triggered.” Many of us have heard young adults use the phrase, what does that really mean? Is it just a random term or Gen Z idea? Or is […]
We cannot heal the pain of the next generation if we don’t understand how to walk with them through the trauma of their story. Many of us don’t understand what […]
In this episode of our Mental Health series, professional therapist Lindsey Blodgett will discuss how every leader can help their church develop a plan to bring hope to the next […]
Inner cities have been left behind, neglected, and underserved. But there are still leaders incarnating and making a tangible difference. In order to keep the church doors open, many inner […]
Many church leaders in America are plagued by financial insecurity—not only in their ministries, but also on the homefront. In this episode, you will learn about everyday missional side hustles […]
What would it look like if “normal” Christians were to consider that it is God’s plan for them to carry out their missional calling within the marketplace and not in spite of it? Church […]
Everyday church leaders can find themselves consumed with searching for that magic bullet called resources. If God gives vision, we must follow him and pursue the opportunities that are before us, […]
Stories of impact are popping up all over the country. God is on the move in unique ways like never before. As the Church emerges in this next season we […]
Micro Church Australia is not one story. It’s not one movement. It’s a movement of movements. As a young woman in church leadership in 2012, God convicted me of the […]
Opportunities within Community Experiences There is no shortage of church programs right now. You can find something for different generations, seasons of life, and interests. Yet, people are thirsting for […]
Of Kansas City’s 2.2 million people, 1.8 million are unreached or have no meaningful engagement with the gospel, and we’re not okay with that. From what we’ve seen, the predominant […]
Guest: Brian Sanders If we do not know to whom we have been sent, we will never become effective disciple-makers. If we do not make disciples, we will not see […]
Guest: Hugh Halter Founder, Lantern Network A better framework for understanding microchurches has less to do with an event or a place; rather, seeing each as a family on mission. […]
Guest: Dr. Aila Tasse Founder and President, Lifeway Mission International Why would Jesus tell someone who desperately wants to leave his network to follow him, “No”? Because Jesus is smart. […]
Guest: Jon Ferguson Author, Speaker We remember these five rhythms through the acrostic of B.L.E.S.S.: BEGIN IN PRAYER LISTEN AND ENGAGE EAT SERVE STORY BLESS is five simple rhythms, it […]
Guest: Lee Price Pioneering Initiatives Lead Team | NOVO Prayer has been the fuel for seeing disciple-making movements emerge globally and historically. When disciple-making movements emerge, microchurches emerge. Everything we […]
Guest: Stacy Gaskins International Planting Team | Underground Network Church leadership has often been confined to a select few. In fact, the idea of “calling” has often been reserved for […]
Guest: Jeff Vanderstelt Executive Director | Saturate The microchurch conversation continues to gain traction as predominant model churches are asking new questions about form and as next generation leaders explore […]
Guest: Lucas Pulley Executive Director | Underground Network What makes a church…a church? Three people doing Bible study over coffee? Is that church? When and how does a small group […]
Leadership Network Podcast | Episode 6 Guest: VRTiger, Lead Pastor, Oasis Church VR Host: Jeff Reed – Metaverse Church NEXT Director Web3 technology is said to be ushering in the […]
Leadership Network Podcast | Episode 5 Guest: Michael Beck, Director, Fresh Expressions Host: Jeff Reed – Metaverse Church NEXT Director The more we examine successful digital and metaverse churches, the […]
Leadership Network Podcast | Episode 4 Guest: DJ Soto, Lead Pastor, VR/MMO Church Host: Jeff Reed – Metaverse Church NEXT Director Let’s get a sneak peek of the future. Actually, […]
Leadership Network Podcast | Episode 3 Guest: Pastor Brock, Founder, 4X Christian Fellowship Host: Jeff Reed – Metaverse Church NEXT Director What does evangelism look like in the metaverse? Those […]
Every Sunday, I go to church, hoping someone will notice me. As the sermon concludes, I wonder if it will be a catalyst for us to grow and do more […]
Last week, more than 70 mission-minded leaders and entrepreneurs gathered in Austin, Texas for NEXT Ventures, an innovative approach to finding, connecting, and learning from pioneering leaders as they present […]
“Hey Jeff, I’m thinking about opening a Bar in Virtual Reality, specifically VRChat.” My friend Joey is a Digital Pastor in Ohio and part of a Metaverse Learning Community I […]
Channel Church began with a vision to go from Berkeley to the ends of the earth. The quest for multiplication was always a passion; however, early on, we focused on […]
Many pastors and church planters across America will spend their time reading and listening to successful leaders advocating for breaking church growth barriers of 200, 500, 800, and even 1,000 […]
When you are in church planting circles long enough, one of the words you hear repeatedly is vision. Church planters and pastors will spend weeks and months crafting a vision […]
The innovators doing ministry in virtual reality have discovered that evangelistic conversations are easy in the metaverse. One reason is that people will talk about most things in the metaverse. […]
The mental health implications of the metaverse are untested and scary. Virtual reality (VR) thrives on lack of control, and vices are flaunted with little to no consequences. The virtual […]
The Conversion Have you ever been through a wilderness season in your life? A dry season where it felt like you may not make it to the other side? A […]
Considering the grand story of God’s redemption, it is almost impossible to overstate the importance of Jesus’ words, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Not only does […]
Ten years ago, the missional movement was in full swing. People talked about “being the church” instead of “going to church.” To reach this ideal, leaders began to talk about […]
Many churches and organizations feel either pressure or genuine desire to create diversity among their staff. However, if you move too quickly without asking the right questions, you could easily […]
The Problem with Sameness We cannot arrive at justice in our country by advocating for sameness. Sameness means that we lack variety, uniformity, or monotony. In the New Testament, sameness […]
Growing up in the church, I observed our pastor taking the good news of the gospel to every corner of our city. The pastor never focused on numeric growth but […]
The greatest resource your church has is not your staff or building. It’s your people. Remember the old hand gesture rhyme we all learned as kids? “Here is the church. […]
Will Churches Get Bigger or Smaller? Bigger churches will follow the megachurch model and find ways to succeed by big-church standards. Large churches with large budgets will continue to connect […]
Our society expects everything to be fast and timely. We want a clear return on the investment of our energy, and nothing should be idle. Most people value their time […]
Leadership Network Podcast | Episode 2 Guest: Jason Poling – Lead Pastor, Cornerstone Church Host: Jeff Reed – Metaverse Church NEXT Director Jason Poling was probably the first pastor in […]
Welcome to the Leadership Network Podcast. This podcast offers weekly, focused sessions on what is NEXT for the church and its leaders. As leaders, we can get “zoomed in” on […]
Welcome to the Leadership Network Podcast. This podcast offers weekly, focused sessions on what is NEXT for the church and its leaders. As leaders, we can get “zoomed in” on […]
Welcome to the Leadership Network Podcast. This podcast offers weekly, focused sessions on what is NEXT for the church and its leaders. As leaders, we can get “zoomed in” on […]
Peter and Paul were not only effective disciple-makers and movement catalysts, they also functioned mightily in the realm of Holy Spirit revelation and power. Jesus, post-resurrection, told Peter and the […]
As COVID restrictions continue to relax, most churches have returned to physical buildings. Did broadcasting church services work for your congregation? You had viewers watching your church services, but who […]
“Let’s water down the high school content so middle schoolers can keep up.” Have you said or heard that before? When communicating to middle schoolers, it’s not about watering down or dumbing […]
It’s all about the stories. When life is hard, stories remind us that we’re not alone. They tell us that life can be good. They inspire and empower us to […]
There’s a misconception that virtual churches compete with physical churches. The fear is that people will stop attending church if there is a virtual option. However, are we seeing this […]
Humans have been dreaming of artificial intelligence for over 100 years. One of the earliest references is a favorite film of mine, Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, in 1927. Does science fiction […]
In 2015, a UPS driver walked into our church’s office to deliver a package. The driver spotted me from the entrance and shouted, “Darren! I’ve been looking for you! I’m […]
The other day, someone asked me, “You don’t really believe it counts if someone accepts Jesus in virtual reality, do you?” My response, “You tell me; do you think it […]
When it comes to keeping score, churches in North America typically focus on three metrics: buildings, budgets, and the number of people in seats. There is nothing inherently wrong with […]
Reimagining Leadership Have you ever tried to roll a triangle? Cavemen figured out long ago that circles make better wheels than pyramids do. This analogy is a clue for movement […]
As near as I can tell, Helen Keller first said, “The heresy of one age becomes the orthodoxy of the next.” To be honest, it surprises me a bit to […]
Every church that stands is a miracle from God. This is good and challenging news for anyone that feels led to launch a church. Church planting in America today is […]
Discover There is a wrong you were born to make right, and I guess there is something deep within you that has always known this to be true. It’s the […]
Your first thoughts about the next generation might include violent games, loud music, and lots of energy. While some of those descriptions might be true, there are deeper and more […]
What if the next sustained culture-shifting move of God or nation-spreading revival wasn’t birthed in a conference or a stadium? What if it came through screens to millions in Generation Z? […]
The Overlooked Generation Z is often called “the next generation,” but that title is somewhat of a misnomer. Generation Alpha is at least seven years old, so Gen Z is […]
Pushing my 1969 GTO muscle car down main street was an embarrassing irony for my 12th grade soul. I had the fastest car in town, but it was out of […]
Finding a Dream to Follow At the age of 16, I dreamed of changing the world in a grand way. I hoped to use my life to unleash justice in […]
Pastor, want to discover why you should be excited about preaching in virtual reality? Let’s go back to 1946. Born in 1900, Edgar Dale was an American educator. After securing […]
Tell Them They Can Do It Growing up, I spent so much time attending and serving at my church. I would be there every Sunday morning and evening plus Wednesday […]
What did God intend the Church to be like? When I knew God was calling me to pastor in the local church, I prayed that he would let me be […]
Innovation is difficult within the church. As a non-profit, we never want to be seen as wasting money on experimentation. Time is also short since our next weekend service is […]
The Creative Generation What does it look like to unleash creativity in the next generation? In a generation made up of multitasking, multi-talented individuals who are full of passion and […]
The metaverse is different, it’s true. And historically, Christians fear what’s different. Humans fear what we don’t understand. So it’s easy to ignore potential Kingdom movements because they don’t align […]
In churches that are reaching unchurched people, there are always going to be issues of unity. Because the issues reach across political lines, we have to wade through messy political […]
Since the beginning of creation, humanity has been creating and cultivating—bringing into existence new ideas and new life, while simultaneously establishing a culture where ideas and life either flourish or […]
In this new season of (almost) post-COVID ecclesiology, we’re seeing pastors, church leaders, and planters struggle to find movement. Not only are congregants increasingly tired, mentally retreating, and instilling new […]
Earlier this year, two healthy multiethnic churches in and near Charlotte, NC, celebrated double-digit anniversaries. Together with the people of Mosaic Church (Charlotte), founding pastors Naeem and Ashley Fazal celebrated […]
As followers of Christ we have been called to make disciples and to bring life and hope to a world of decay, disease, and death. The New Testament is a […]
Paralysis by Analysis We live in a society of increasing technology and fast-moving information. This can cause information overload which can lead to analysis paralysis. Analysis paralysis can lead to […]
It’s very possible that I’ve learned more about the nature of spreading the Gospel from watching zombie movies than going to seminary. True story. At the very base level, the […]
I’ve long believed that successful leadership depends more on good communication than it does on making all the right decisions. Many leaders fail not because of bad decisions, but because […]
Recently, in our house, my youngest daughter started doing two things that had her worlds collide a little bit. She began watching the TV Series House. During this time, she […]
I was having a conversation the other day with a friend (at a Starbucks, not in the Metaverse) and we ended up talking about books that really impacted us throughout […]
Leadership Network holds a historic, unique, and critical purpose in the development of thought leaders for the Church and in catalyzing the megachurch movement of the past 35 years. Since […]
Cornerstone Yuba City is a pioneering example of what a church can look like if it multiplies into the Metaverse Mission Field. Pastor Jason Poling leads this relatively small and […]
Genesis 12:2-3, “I will bless you…and you will be a blessing…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This passage was a revolutionary moment in history. In a […]
Be Empowered – Accelerate Your Vision in 2022 Episode #3: Forge America Empowering the Church for Missional Movement In this new season of (almost) post-Covid ecclesiology,…
Be Empowered: Accelerate Your Vision in 2022 The Enneagram and Spiritual Practices: discern the best rhythms and disciplines to guide your personal formation and leadership.…
Be Empowered – Accelerate Your Vision in 2022 Planting Churches in the Public Square that Impact the World As followers of Christ we have been…
Missional Vibrancy and Financial Viability, Part 2 — Featured Guest: JAY MOON — Author and Professor of Evangelism & Church Planting and Director of the…
Book Tour: In the Presence of Jesus: A 40-Day Guide to the Intimacy with God You’ve Always Wanted Featured Guests: PAUL BANE — Founder of…
Book Tour — Unlikely Fighter — Featured Guest: GREG STIER — Greg is the founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries, a speaker, former pastor, church…
Book Tour: Missional Vibrancy and Financial Viability — Featured Guest: JAY MOON — Author and Professor of Evangelism & Church Planting and Director of the…
Is your church digital presence relevant? Making your presence known the right way… Helpful insight for how to have an effective digital presence can be…
Starting a church is a daunting task. But starting a “Church of House Churches” has elevated challenges, as there are few examples clearly available, and…
Mobilizing Missional Disciples Reimagine: Planting New Expressions of the Church Led by Everyday People Costing Zero Dollars New, fresh and dynamic expressions of church…
Podcast — Improv Leadership How to Lead Well in Every Moment It’s time to improvise. Featured Guests STAN ENDICOTT – Stan is co-founder and chief…
The Revolutionary Disciple Is It Time for Another Revolution? Featured Guests: JIM PUTMAN – Jim is the senior pastor of Real Life Ministries in Post…
Mobilizing Missional Disciples Remission — Moving a congregation of members to a community of missionaries There’s never been a more important time to mobilize…
Church leaders clearly understand that creating a context for discipleship is our primary calling. Yet it seems many churches struggle to accomplish this clear calling.…
Can a mega church be predominately lay led? Many mega church pastors love the idea of a simple church with empowered lay pastoral leadership. Yet,…
Cracking the Code of 21st Century Ministry Episode 12 — Reactivate Spiritual Dependency Are you listening to the Holy Spirit’s leading on all aspects of…
Cracking the Code of 21st Century Ministry Episode 11 — Recommit to Multiplication Multiplication was embedded into the lifestyle of the Early Church. For the…
Cracking the Code of 21st Century Ministry Episode 10 — Reconsider Core Values As leaders, we often use “multi” words to describe what we want…
Together Again Episode 4 — Together We Are the Answer to Jesus’ Prayer Featured Guest — GRANT SKELDON, Next Gen Director for Q Ideas Host…
Book Tour — When the Universe Cracks Living as God’s People in Times of Crisis When the Universe Cracks is a sweeping, multifaceted look at the role…
Together Webinar Series What Unites Us? Feature Guest: DANIEL YANG – Daniel is the Director of the Send Institute, leading and overseeing all of its…
Featured Guest — Ralph Moore is the Founding Pastor of the Hope Chapel movement. Host — James Grogan is the senior pastor of Community Church…
Together: Together with a Network Featured Guests: Brandon Grant — founding and lead pastor of Rise City Church in Lakeside, CA Nathan Hawkins — West…
Together Episode 3 —Together As Family GUESTS: DAVE & ANN WILSON, Co-Founders of Kensington Church HOST: DAVE FERGUSON The Great Collaboration starts with intimacy with God…
Believing is Seeing with author DR MICHAEL GUILLEN Best-selling author, Emmy award–winning journalist and former physics instructor at Harvard. Is your worldview enlightened enough to…
In this webinar, Steve Pike (Urban Islands Project), Jason Bowman (ArtSpeak Creative), and special guest Wes Davis (newlife Church) will discuss how to refocus church…
Minimalist Mega and Micro Episode 3 — Why Does a Micro Church Movement Need a Central Connectivity Beyond Individual Identity? The idea of Micro Church…
What constitutes a church? What is the difference between a small group of people who gather, and a small church that gathers? In this episode,…
In the last decades of the 20th century, many churches moved to the suburbs. That was great.That’s where the souls were. But more and more,…
We are the body of Christ — diverse in gifting, diverse in our contexts and diverse in service — but we are united by our…
In Grace Bomb, Pastor Pat Linnell equips us to join a movement of simple obedience with world-changing impact. Grace Bombs are intentional acts of love…
Mobilizing Missional Disciples Recalibrate: Forgotten paradigms at the heart of the future church — Featured Guest: BRIAN SANDERS — Founder of the Underground Network Hosts:…
The work you do today—the company you’ve built, the employees you work with, the customers you serve, the shareholders you report to, all of it—serves…
Living in togetherness is always a part of following Jesus. It wasn't optional for Jesus. It wasn't optional for the first apostles. It wasn't optional…
In the last decades of the 20th century, many churches moved to the suburbs. That was great.That’s where the souls were. But more and more,…
The first component of the Great Collaboration is doing life together with God. Before God will create community through you, He must first be in…
What does it take to be a church planter or other ministry entrepreneur? Most leaders start out with passion, a sense of calling, and a…
Our bodies are designed to heal. We fall off our bikes and skin our knees—and without effort on our part, the skin looks like new…
You show up at church every Sunday. You see people you know. You listen to a sermon together. And then you go home feeling just…
Right before Jesus left planet Earth, He reminded His closest followers of His vision for how the mission would be accomplished and gave us this…
Mobilizing Missional Disciples Repentance: The catalyst for individual formation (discipleship) and community transformation (mission) — Featured Guests: CANDACE LEWIS — President-Dean of Gammon Theological Seminary…
What is the difference between a small group and a house church? And what is the difference between a small group leader and a house…
The vision of the church as the body of Christ does not pertain only to one local church. The body of Christ is made up…
It’s time to get creative with space! A building can be more than a place for weekly services. Your location can generate revenue and create…
If you want to reach your community, then one of the first steps is making sure that your neighbors know you exist. Raising awareness through…
With so many responsibilities and distractions vying for our attention, too many of us have built unhealthy cycles of rest. As a result, we burn…
America has become a beautiful mosaic filled with many colors and ethnicities—but does your church reflect this change? Are you longing to be a cross-cultural…
What are the “New Frontiers in Nonprofit Fundraising” that Christ-centered ministries and churches are pressing into as they navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the changing…
What made Jesus' teachings different from those of the Pharisees? Authority. Passion. Conviction. “To be the Leader, you do not have to be the most…
Digital ministry has opened up a wide range of possibilities for church leaders to reach new people and engage those already involved in their church.…
America has become a beautiful mosaic filled with many colors and ethnicities—but does your church reflect this change? Are you longing to be a cross-cultural…
Every church faces isolation. Whether you’re a startup, or you’ve been around for decades, it’s easy to silo yourself and miss out on what’s around…
Join Krisha Buehler, Vice President of Human Resources at Belay, and Obe Arellano, Director of Exponential Español, for a conversation on keeping remote team members…
Most of us know that we need to plant more churches to reach new people. However, when it comes to actually sending out church planters…
Generational differences range from small and insignificant to suprisingly drastic, especially when it comes to the workplace. Older generations value different environments and cultures in…
Here’s the one question you need to consider when choosing a potential team member: Is this person on mission with Jesus? Fill your team with…
Hope is not a strategy. We’ll talk about Christ Fellowship’s comprehensive strategy to elevate generosity and stewardship.
We all worship someone or something, and for many of us, technology and/or the habits enabled by technology shape our worship. If we are to…
Urban environments present unique challenges to church planters, both from a financial and a cultural perspective, which causes some to be hesitant to plant in…
Mental health is an important but sensitive topic for churches and church staff teams. If you’re leading a staff, you’ll need to think through what…
We’re currently seeing massive changes in the ways churches fund themselves. Traditional fundraising methods such as opening up your doors then asking new disciples to…
Church planters have a lot to think about. One of those critically important issues is generosity and stewardship.
The early church did not approach church the way most Western churches do today. If they had, the church would not still be around today.…
Microchurch has quickly become a hot topic in church planting, but approaches to this innovative method vary greatly. In this webinar, Ralph Moore and Norman…
Winston Churchill once said, “We shape our buildings, and then our buildings shape us.” How do you find a meeting space that will accommodate your…
More than ever, it is time for you to communicate a clear and compelling vision to inspire broad church participation into an unknown future. What…
It’s said that a diverse church starts with a diverse staff. Yet while it’s great to aspire to diversity, how do you actually make that…
Pop Quiz: Discipleship is a __(fill in the blank)_, NOT a program. Disciple-making is a lifestyle. You need a practical approach, not just theory. Join…
The senior pastor plays a critically important role in elevating generosity and stewardship. In this free webinar, Chris Willard and Greg Morris of Elevate Group…
More than a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church is beginning to reopen in the United States. This process has been…
The amount of time and energy leaders, especially female leaders, spend wondering, second- guessing, and evaluating themselves is shocking. If we could harness even half…
Kurt and Eric will talk about the opportunity to empower laypeople, to become mature Christ-followers, to equip God’s people for works of service, and to…
In this episode, Shawn Lovejoy and Todd Wilson will discuss how to measure success by the standards God has. “Success is being loved & respected by those who know…
Rarely do church planters sign up to start a church because of the fundraising opportunities. Nobody likes asking people for money to support a church…
Cultural identities and cross-cultural engagement are not things that anyone can choose to ignore anymore, least of all Christians. Many of us want to have…
The Western church finds itself in the midst of a seismic cultural shift, as secular paradigms threaten to remove any spiritual explanation for life, and…
The Apostle Paul was a veteran church planter who “laid a foundation like a wise and master builder” and there is much we can learn…
Whether by your choice or theirs, staff transitions are in your future. William & Kadi will discuss the key principles to healthy transitions and how…
In the last decades of the 20th century, many churches moved to the suburbs. That was great. That’s where the souls were. But more and…
We need to speak to different kinds of givers differently. One of those key groups are those in the church who have been blessed with…
In this episode, Ralph & Myron will interview Ed Kang, senior pastor of Gracepoint Church and veteran church planting leader. Together, they’ll talk about the…
You are good at developing leadership competencies in people. You have helped them step up to carry out various aspects of your church’s ministry, and…
The church in North America is on the precipice of another monumental shift. If churches don’t adapt their ministry efforts in both paradigm and practice,…
Headlines in every part of the country have been filled with instances of injustice with no end in sight. As church leaders, our job is…
The Apostle Paul was a veteran church planter who “laid a foundation like a wise and master builder” and there is much we can learn…
Surveys show that only one in four new churches reproduce. Imagine the impact to the human race if three of four adults never had children.…
The already rapid rate of changing dynamics in church structure and operations is accelerating after 2020, in part due to the dramatic shifts brought on…
As leaders, it is our responsibility to call people to a higher level of engagement and commitment. Part of that calling should result in a…
We are living in challenging and uncertain times in which leaders need support and encouragement to help them learn to navigate the world we are…
In this episode, hear from Ralph Moore and Aaron Suzuki, who planted Hope Chapel Kaneohe Bay in 1983. Since then, 2400 Hope Chapel churches have…
Can you imagine having so many volunteers that you no longer fear the inevitable volunteer cancellation calls that come every weekend? Want to stop begging…
The church needs leaders who are formed in its multiplicative origins, as well as adaptability and innovation for the 21st-century. The equipping of disciple-makers and…
What is your church known for in the community? If you haven’t planted yet, what do you want it to be known for? Having that…
The Apostle Paul was a veteran church planter who “laid a foundation like a wise and master builder” and there is much we can learn…
Church growth models have often been long on promises and short on disciple-making. We continue to watch consistent church attendance shrink, and our desire to…
Churches are stuck in a culture of shallow discipleship that severely undermines the impact of their ministry. Many churches invest endless time and resources into…
The Starfish and the Spirit is about creating a culture where church leaders view themselves as curators of a community on mission, not the source of…
One of the most challenging tasks every church planters face is building a launch team, especially if they aren’t being sent out with people from…
Can we see church as an integration of systems and processes just as the physical body is? What is a “System” What is a “Process?”…
Join David Rosa, Jr., for a conversation about multiplying the next generation of Latino-American church leaders. Rosa will discuss questions such as: What about the…
In a post-Christian, post-modern, post-truth society where Jesus followers aren’t often well regarded, modern evangelism approaches are eroding and increasingly ineffective. Christians often talk more…
Join authors Alan Hirsch, Rob Wegner, and Lance Ford, along with expert practitioners Linda Bergquist and Keri Ladouceur as they discuss the new book The Starfish and the Spirit. Together, they’ll discuss three…
This season has been demotivating and exhausting. Depression, anxiety and discontentment are said to be at all-time highs for church leaders. So, we “get” where…
From Dorothy Day’s Catholic mission in the Great Depression to the emergent church movement in the early 2000’s, the mission of the church in a…
The inner and outer lives of Gen Z are complex. The world today is complicated. The way young people form bonds and make meaning is…
In this episode, Ralph and Myron will interview church planting leaders Drew Hyun and Janet McMahon on 5 Paradigm Shifts for Multiplication. Together, they’ll discuss…
The people of God have already been sent and strategically placed by Jesus. And for many, those places are outside the walls of your church…
When you begin to surrender our strategies and our belief that you’re building the church while others help by filling the spots you’ve predetermined, you…
Leveraging the metaphor Ori Brafman popularized in his NYT best-selling book, The Starfish and the Spider, Rob Wegner, Lance Ford, and Alan Hirsch show why the…
Sooner or later, it seems like all ministry leaders hit a point where they can’t go any further. Maybe you’re at that point. Maybe you’re…
Church planters often lack funds, people, time, but one thing they are rarely short on is vision. In the words of Andy Stanley they have…
“Future church planters that persuasively bring the gospel into secularity will move beyond the arrogance of theological posturing toward the humility of simple belief,” writes Jeff…
What is missing from many of our efforts and strategies? Doing it Together! We are all very familiar with the Great Commission and the challenge…
If the last year has taught us anything, it’s the truth of that statement, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” All of us have had…
Join Daniel Yang & Jessie Cruickshank as they interview Aubrey Sampson on how to find hope in the midst of suffering. Summary from The Louder Song: Listening for Hope…
Join us for Episode 5 featuring special guests Alan Hirsch and Rich Robinson with co-hosts Rob Wegner and Brian Phipps! Jesus has provided the organization to unleash more—found in the five-fold gifting…
Discipleship isn’t a database. But digital support is essential to accomplishing your discipleship objectives. In this webinar, will look at why and how to use…
Shift is a treasure trove of contrarian yet biblical approaches to ministry that will help you rewire your approach on doing church. These pages are…
As an architecture firm that works almost exclusively with churches and Christian schools, we (Building God's Way) would be less than honest if we did…
In this webinar, Exponential CEO Todd Wilson and Courage to Lead CEO Shawn Lovejoy will interview Andy Stanley about training your team to think decision making. The episode will…
At some level, we know we need to be emotionally healthy to lead and plant a church. We know that’s something we can’t compromise on.…
Join us for Episode 4 featuring special guest Shalom Liddick with co-hosts Rob Wegner and Brian Phipps! God’s love for us and in us is the only sufficient motivation for…
Pastors today are as busy as ever. There are ministry initiatives to oversee, staff to lead, a pandemic to navigate, and Sunday still comes every week.…
What does it mean to be “called” to plant a church? How do you know if God’s calling you to plant? How do you know…
It’s hard to imagine a future in North America where the gospel is accessible to every man, woman, boy and girl through the missional means…
Every church — regardless of your context or phase (pre-launch, launch or post-launch) — is creating a culture. In this webinar, Ralph Moore and Myron Pierce work through a…
Have you ever been guilty of just filling an empty slot on a team with whoever was available? Or maybe even convincing someone that they…
Join us for Episode 22 with co-host Peyton Jones and special guests Brianna & Tomy Wilkerson. In order to reach every crack and cranny of society, our missional…
Join us for Episode 3 featuring special guest Brian Sanders with co-hosts Rob Wegner and Brian Phipps! Every disciple is a unique, handcrafted-by-God vessel for expressing the fullness of Jesus.…
This webinar series is hosted by Winfield Bevins and Keri Ladouceur. In the second episode, they will interview Jud Wilhite, Senior Pastor of Central Church. Leaders run out of perspective…
This webinar series, hosted by Jeff Christopherson and Jessie Cruickshank, is designed to lean into the future and shed light on what church planting looks like in 2021…
Mobilizing God’s people for God’s mission is the call of every leader. Join us as Myron Pierce, Ralph Moore, and Tommy Kyllonen talk about key shifts to mobilizing God’s people.
In this inaugural episode of On Leadership, Founder & CEO of CourageToLead.com Shawn Lovejoy and Exponential Co-Founder and CEO Todd Wilson introduce the new series On…
Church planting is not for the faint of heart. The process is more challenging and trying than many leaders are prepared for, and it’s easy…
Join us for Episode 2 featuring special guest Jeff Vanderstelt with co-hosts Rob Wegner and Brian Phipps! Jesus has appointed His Church to express His fullness into every sphere of…
This webinar series is hosted by Winfield Bevins and Keri Ladouceur. In the first episode, they will interview Mindy Caliguire, co-founder of Soul Care. Together, they’ll unpack what caring for…
The last 10 months have revealed much. It seems that when the local church becomes our goal, it becomes an idolatrous and powerless thing. But…
Join Ralph Moore and Myron Pierce as they visit the framework for becoming a level 5 church. In addition, they will identify what keeps people from…
It goes without saying that 2021 will be different for church leaders than 2020 was — but what exactly those differences are may be hard…
Join us for Episode 1 with co-hosts Rob Wegner and Brian Phipps! To see Kingdom multiplication occur in North America, we must see cultures in our church where…
Join us for Episode 19 with host Peyton Jones as he interviews Nathan Camp, CEO of StartCHURCH. Nathan will discuss topics such as: If I am a…
In this episode, Miles McPherson begins in a talk from Exponential’s Divided No More Resource Kit. Then, co-hosts Peyton Jones and Santes Beatty engage in discussion on…
Join us for Episode 3 of a new limited series, Networks Conversations, hosted by Bill Couchenour. Three national network leaders will look at lessons learned…
Join us for Episode 18 with host Peyton Jones as he interviews Casii Stephan & Dan Willard of EasyWorship. They will walk through strategies to help build…
Join us for Episode 2 of a new limited series, Networks Conversations, hosted by Bill Couchenour. Three national network leaders will look at lessons learned…
Join us for Episode 17 with host Peyton Jones as he interviews the InstantNonprofit team about Launching your 501c3 Church or Ministry. Is your ministry or church…
This episode features a presentation from Naeem Fazal from Exponential’s Divided No More Resource Kit. Following Naeem's talk, he takes part in a live discussion and Q&A…
Join us for Episode 1 of a new limited series, Networks Conversations, hosted by Bill Couchenour. Three national network leaders will look at lessons learned…
It’s a simple word, really. Yet, it’s also the thing missing most often in leaders, teams and churches. What is it? Accountability. Most pastors don’t need…
Join us for Episode 15 with host Peyton Jones for Part 2 of the feature presentation and live discussion with Carey Nieuwhof and Todd Wilson. Todd and Carey will address questions about:…
This episode features a talk by Dimetra Barrios from Exponential’s Divided No More Resource Kit. Then, co-hosts Jason Dukes and Santes Beatty host a conversation and take Q&A. In the…
Join us for Episode 14 with co-hosts Peyton Jones and Daniel Yang as they show and then discuss a feature presentation from Carey Nieuwhof and Todd Wilson. Todd and Carey will address…
This episode begins with a talk featuring Kenji Adachi from Exponential’s Divided No More Resource Kit. Then, co-hosts Jason Dukes and Santes Beatty host conversation…
Leadership Development through church planting faces tough decisions every day. Church planters often find, financial insecurity, market volatility, and the simple question of “how can…
In this episode, Jason Dukes and Darryl Scarbrough cover questions such as: How is it that some churches are multiethnic but not multicultural? How can…
Join us for Episode 12 with host Daniel Yang as he interviews Warren Bird, leading researcher of megachurch trends and author or co-author of 33 books for ministry leaders…
This webinar will feature the three show’s co-hosts discussing the principles of diversity covered in the past 12 episode of the Candid Conversations show. You…
In Episode 12, Ralph and Myron will interview Jimi Calhoun, lead pastor of Bridging Austin and former world class bassist who performed with several popular acts…
Join us for Episode 11 with co-hosts Peyton Jones and Daniel Yang as they interview Warren Bird, leading researcher of megachurch trends and author or co-author of 33 books for ministry…
This podcast features special guest Mark DeYmaz on the topic of Culture Quotient. Mark and the host, Peyton Jones, discuss what a CQ is and…
What if every church took seriously the biblical call to multiply? How would that change our churches, communities, cities and world? In Episode 11, Ralph…
The Frontlines program seeks to encourage and equip pastors and planters to better understand and navigate the current and future trends in church ministry. Hosted by…
This podcast features special guest Dr. Drew Hart. Drew has three focuses that he believes are essential hallmarks of “winning” in the struggle against white…
In Episode 10, Ralph and Myron interview Keri Ladouceur, founder of New Ground Network and multiplication pastor at Vineyard Christian Church. This show highlights Exponential’s…
This free webinar originally aired on Monday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m. ET, with co-hosts Peyton Jones and Daniel Yang as they interviewed Brian Sanders, founder and Executive Director of…
This webinar features special guest Dr. MelindaJoy Mingo and originally aired on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET. “When we are willing to learn…
In Episode 9, Ralph and Myron will interview Todd Wilson, Co-Founder and CEO of Exponential. This show highlights Exponential’s core church multiplication frameworks with a…
Join us for Episode 8 with co-hosts Peyton Jones and Daniel Yang as they interview Dai Hankey, preacher, church-planting pastor, and passionate abolitionist. The Frontlines program seeks to encourage…
This webinar will feature special guest Dhati Lewis, excerpted from an interview with the Biblical Recorder, followed by a conversation with Efrem Smith and Todd…
In Episode 8, Ralph and Myron interview Jason Shepperd, founding and Lead Pastor of Church Project in The Woodlands, Texas. “Church Project began with a…
“The message of Jesus is the Kingdom of God is here, now, and within you,” writes Bob Roberts. “My question is not what will God…
This webinar featured special guest Léonce Crump and originally aired on Thursday, Sept. 24. “Fight [the atrocities] for your soul,” writes Crump, “But more so, to…
In Episode 6, Ralph and Myron will interview Rob Wegner, pastor, author, & speaker about how to mobilize God’s people, God’s way. Wegner will discuss…
The Frontlines program seeks to encourage and equip pastors and planters to better understand and navigate the current and future trends in church ministry. Hosted by…
This podcast features Derwin Gray discussing racism. “The problem with language is that it changes over time. Today’s generation may not understand the title…
The Frontlines program seeks to encourage and equip pastors and planters to better understand and navigate the current and future trends in church ministry. Hosted by…
In Episode 6, Ralph and Myron will interview Norman Nakanishi, Senior Pastor of Grace Bible Church Pearlside in Pearl City, Hawaii. “If you are a…
This podcast features special guest Matt Chandler, lead pastor of teaching at The Village Church in Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas. “Almost all my understanding…
The Frontlines program seeks to encourage and equip pastors and planters to better understand and navigate the current and future trends in church ministry. Hosted by…
In Episode 4, Ralph and Myron will interview Chuck Barber and Andrew Slack about being a Hero Maker. “Cooperation with the Creator in supporting his masterpieces is…
This podcast features a special message from George Yancey, Professor of Sociology at the Baylor University, followed by a discussion between Efrem Smith and Peyton…
“We need to equip our people to have something that others want and then teach them the power of walking alongside,” writes Ralph Moore in…
“We serve a God who doesn’t give up on you,” says Albert Tate. “If you still have breath in your body, you still have purpose…
This show highlights Exponential’s core church multiplication frameworks with a focus on the everyday, practical nature of how the concepts can help pastors and church…
This show highlights Exponential’s core church multiplication frameworks with a focus on the everyday, practical nature of how the concepts can help pastors and church…
This webinar will aim to dig deeper into the varying perspectives that we have as people of different ethnicities to see what we can learn…
This show highlights Exponential’s core church multiplication frameworks with a focus on the everyday, practical nature of how the concepts can help pastors and church…
The Frontlines program seeks to encourage and equip pastors and planters to better understand and navigate the current and future trends in church ministry. Hosted by…
Spring of 2020 was a racially violent period in America, with African Americans being the primary victims of this violence. While there were a number…
Interpersonal communications experts tell us that the majority of what we communicate is not verbal. Nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, hand gestures, stance, and…
We live in one of the most divisive and divided times in our nation’s history. We are increasingly polarized over a growing number of topics…