EDITORIAL
Hero Maker | Dave Ferguson
Pastors of 43% of churches planted in the last five years say, “Creating a network of multiplying churches is very much a part of our vision now.”
This bit of research from Warren Bird (ECFA) is by far the most encouraging news that I’ve received about the American church since I started dreaming of a church planting movement on the back of a napkin 30 years ago.
Why? This research tells me that almost half of the 3,000 to 4,000 new churches started every year have a vision for starting a multiplying network. When that many churches collaborate with other churches around multiplication, a movement is trying to happen.
Following are three reasons why this desire to create multiplying networks is so encouraging.
1. Networks Create Healthy Leaders.
Several years ago, in Viral Churches, Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird wrote, “Church planters see a 125% increase in survival if they meet in a peer-to-peer group.” Small networks that include 4–6 church planters from local churches are like small groups for pastors. I have watched the emergence of these small regional networks, and when church planters commit to them they become friends and those friendships produce accountability and health.
2. Networks Reproduce More Churches.
More than 10 years ago, NewThing began organizing around small local church planting networks (4–6 churches). In the first four years of that shift to small networks we hit an inflection point and grew from 52 to 106 to 148 to 258 churches. Some of that growth included existing churches joining a small local network because they wanted to plant churches, but most of it was new church starts.
3. Networks Catalyze Movement.
After a few years of organizing around small church planting networks I had a conversation with Sam Stephens at an Exponential event. Stephens is the president of the India Gospel League, and they have planted more than 100,000 new churches. As I explained these multiplying networks of 4–6 churches and asked his opinion, he responded with a knowing smile, “Dave, networks are the backbone to movement.” Stephens went on to explain that the reason for their success was church leaders meeting monthly in small networks for a meal, training and goal setting.
I have done the math, and in the next five years at the current rate there will be over 13,000 churches who have a vision to do something that has movement-making potential—start a multiplying network. For several years at Exponential, we have been dreaming of a day when we would see 16% or more of churches become reproducing churches in the United States. If each of those 13,000 churches start a small local multiplying network, we could see that sociological tipping point of 16% become a reality. It looks like 16% really is possible.
My mentor Bob Buford would often say, “Work only with the receptive, and only on what’s trying to happen.” I believe a movement is trying to happen in the United States. It is mission critical that every denomination, large church planting network and reproducing church do all they can to equip these young church planters with the tools and the resources needed to start these multiplying networks. If I can help you, your network or denomination, email me at daveferguson@exponential.org.