Review: Exponential
I rarely rate a book “5-star,†and I may actually need to downgrade my enthusiasm about this book to four stars, but it’s been so immensely helpful, encouraging, and practical for our church’s staff team at this point that I gave it the highest mark.
This is not a book about “church growth.†Rest assured. I too grow weary about books that tell you how to grow your church in 90 days with nothing but poems and parking.
Exponential is a field manual. It’s the tome of Dave and Jon Ferguson who are brothers and pastors of Community Christian Church in Chicago. The book tells their story, but it does so from the perspective of spiritual expectation.
We don’t grow the church; God grows His church as His leaders are faithful to equip His people. So Exponential demonstrates how CCC has organized their ministry in expectation of God’s desire to reach people.
Things you’ll find in the book:
- An imperative to develop systems in your church
- A strategy for developing leaders who develop leaders
- A bedrock solid conviction that when godly, submitted leaders pursue the glory of God, He will grow first the leaders and then the church.
Right now, we are doling out Exponential books like candy to our key leaders and volunteers. Everyone needs to grow in expectations, but particularly church leaders. The Fergusons reveal how God has led them to develop leaders and organize for growth. Our leaders have already found much to be encouraged by as we lean forward in faith to offer His salvation to all peoples.
The God we serve has promised to be a God of impossibilities. Let’s serve Him with loving obedience and expect to participate in His great work. If we serve Him, the results are “exponential.â€
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Review: AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church
I thoroughly enjoyed reading AND. I was recently challenged to consider the tyranny of the word “or.†Essentially, we use “or†in places to indicate a choice between two things that may not need to be placed at either end of a spectrum, especially in organizational life. (i.e., Do you prefer contemporary worship OR expository preaching?) We need to be much more watchful about how we use “or†in leadership, because we may set people up to have to lean in a particular direction when in reality we should encourage better balance.
This book does just that in reference to the sending and gathering of the church. The mission of the church is go into the world and make disciples. There is a “going†(they call it scattering) mode to the identity of the church.
On the other hand, it’s also imperative that the church gathers. It’s plain in the New Testament that new believers and the disciples of Christ came together corporately for worship, instruction and encouragement.
BOTH are needed.
In today’s western Christian culture, there have tended to be folks on the scattered extreme lobbing criticisms at the institutional, corporate and gathered church. Some of their points are valid.
On the other hand, the gathered church has valid concerns about the organic, decentralized, house church movement.
As pastors of a church called Adullam, authors Matt Smay and Hugh Halter encourage us to not choose “or†but to choose “and.†We need both. They have strong words for those in both camps and urge extremists to be faithful to scripture, consistent in mission and authentic in community.
One of the best chapters in the book is their rewrite of the modality and sodality principles first expounded by renown missiologist Ralph Winter.
Should you read this book OR not?
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You’re too young
Our church here in Blacksburg, Virginia has seen growth in the last two years. It’s exciting, humbling and at times discouraging.
How can great growth be discouraging, you may ask? Well, when the faucet is turned on all the way, and the water is flowing, you sometimes don’t notice that there are small leaks. We’ve had that in our church amid the growth. Though many are being poured in, and the enthusiasm of new faces, transformation and joy captures our attention, we are also aware of a slow trickle of folks exiting our church.
I had a conversation with someone recently who is leaving our church, and he was gracious and kind enough to visit with me and affirmed our leadership and our church. He and his family are long-time members of our church (about 5-6 years in an eight year-old church). They joined our church from another church in the area a few years after it started. The growth of the last two years has caused some concern for him.
Since I’ve been pastor, we’ve heard different reasons for people who have chosen to exit our church for others:
- The sermons are too long.
- The music is too loud.
- It doesn’t seem like the kind of church you can raise your family in.
- Not enough children’s ministry.
- You’re not organized enough.
Those are most of the reasons we’ve heard.
One of the most baffling, however, is one that we hear a lot: You’re becoming a “college church.”
You see, we’ve been seeing exponential growth among our college student and graduate student population. I would think that’s to be expected in a town where Virginia Tech dominates the landscape and local politics. It’s a campus of almost 30,000, and I would hope that a church in its shadow is reaching its staff and students. While our growth has been steady in many demographics (we’re not successfully reaching new people who are 60+), the college and graduate student population of our church has grown at a faster rate than others.
So our church is growing “younger,” percentage-wise.
This was the underlying reason for the man I visited with, though he also said that his family wanted something more “traditional” and more “stable.” Both are fair desires.
In our community, there is lots of transition. It does get exhausting, and at times, disheartening to pour yourself into someone’s life only to have that person or family move in 2-3 years. Then you start over and do it again. And again. I can understand the desire for a more consistent and stable church experience.
On the other hand, I personally have also been around churches that only grow as a result of a fight at another church. They aren’t reaching the younger generations. They aren’t developing new leaders. They are essentially shuffling sheep and satisfied with status quo. You won’t find yourself on a leadership board or committee there unless you’ve been there for years.
I know of churches that are dying for young people. Literally. Their congregation is graying, and as much as they want young adults, they’re not prepared to make the adjustments and sacrifices that a vibrant ministry to and with people in their 20s and 30s requires.
It’s a strange, surreal situation that we’re in. People are leaving us because we’re too young.
I wish we had more older adults with the vision of teaching the younger adults what it looks like to walk in humble, obedient joy with Jesus. I think it’s a beautiful gift that one generation can give to another. I also think it’s biblical and intentional.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78.4)O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71-17-18)
I think the point is that wisdom generally comes with age and is meant to be passed on. Wherever there’s young people, there is immense opportunity to leave a legacy of faith, obedience and righteousness. You may have to sacrifice stability and comfort in order to invest in young people.
On the other hand, we have consistent leadership discussions in our church about how to encourage and minister to older adults as well. We ask how a church that is reaching young adults can also appeal and reach out to the older adults in its community. We have no concrete answers at present, but we are praying consistently that God would bring older adults with a vision of discipling others – both old and young – into our fellowship.
What are your thoughts?
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Lie to fly
I’m so exceptionally proud of my wife this morning. She took our son to Roanoke early (5:45a) for a flight out to visit grandparents. The trip has been planned for some time. US Airways refused him boarding due to age.
They told her, “Say he’s 15.” in refusing, she may have lost a flight, but she has strengthened her faith. She’s waiting now to talk to a supervisor to see about an exception, but she is the exception.
We all need clearly defined moments when we make tough decisions solely on the basis of our belief. When we choose to lose rather than lie to fly, it may be painful for a moment. Yet it solidifies for us and those around usthe authenticity of our godly ambitions.
I’m proud of her, and I hope that the super grants her favor. But even if he doesn’t, the favor of her Father is greater. Because of her integrity, she’s flying higher than US Airways could ever take our son.
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The urgency of discipleship and a review of “Real Life Discipleship”
One of the main reasons I read Jim Putman’s Real Life Discipleship is that it had been given to me as part of a promotional package from the publisher. However, I’d been on the hunt for discipleship materials for study and implementation by our church as we prepped for a summer series called “Building a Discipleship Culture.” I stumbled across the book on Amazon and was really interested when I learned of Avery Willis’ influence in Putman’s ministry and church. Willis is the author of the Masterlife series of discipleship books that were hugely popular in the 1970s as a tool for leading people to spiritual maturity. Willis passed away in July 2010, and he left a legacy of devotion to discipleship in the church.
I sensed I’d found the book I needed to digest. I wasn’t disappointed.
Before I proceed, let me just a few things about the church and discipleship.
- Churches should be proactive, intentional and focused on discipleship.
- Discipleship is not arbitrary one-on-one or small group meetings that discuss spiritual principles or read books together.
- Discipleship should be thought of as the deliberate process of leading individuals and churches to spiritual maturity. We use Colossians 1.28 as a key verse:
    ”… that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” - If you as a spiritual leader are hung up on finding the perfect tool to use in discipleship, you will be forever spinning your wheels.
- The urgency of beginning far exceeds the implentation of a perfect tool. So pick a tool and begin. Write your own stuff later.
Putman’s material helpfully provides a way of assessing where people are in their spiritual growth process. He uses the following “stages” of development:
- Spiritually dead
- Spiritual infant
- Child
- Young Adult
- Parent
RLD uses four key terms to describe the strategy used with people at different levels to lead them to further growth.
- SHARE: Spiritually Dead & Infant
- CONNECT: Child
- MINISTER: Young Adult
- DISCIPLE: Parent
We reproduced the main image the book uses for our folks to better understand how we are to respond and engage people in each stage of spiritual growth.
After digesting the book and much of the accompanying workbook, I recommend it as a fantastic tool for individual and corporate use.
Our churches are full of spiritual infants and children. In many cases, what appear as young adults zealously serving are actually less mature people who are only serving as a result of being asked to help or “fill a slot.” The American church suffers from a maturity deficiency, and yet, that is the very thing that its pastors and leaders have been called to lead people to.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children…” (Ephesians 4.11-14)
So let’s get intentionally busy and focused about sharing the depth of the Father’s love with His children.
Other discipleship resources to consider
I’ve had personal experience and used the following materials with success. Again, it’s not finding a perfect tool. It’s just using one that’s important. I suspect that you or your church will gravitate toward one that fits your collective personality and culture.
- One on One with God by Jerry Fine
- Experiencing God’s Story of Life & Hope by J. Scott Duvall
- This workbook has been split into four separate, smaller workbooks for easier use with different stages. Scott is a good friend, and I love his approach of leading people to Christian maturity from the perspective of believe-behave-become.
- Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby
It’s one of the most foundational studies I’ve ever been through and used in my life and ministry. - Building a Discipleship Culture by Northstar Church
This is the series of videos we produced in the summer of 2011 to help communicate the principles of discipleship from RLD. Disclaimer: Rated “C” for cheesy.
In addition, Jason Dukes, author of Live Sent, has a great entry about books being used by actual disciple makers.
Leave a comment about what materials or process are you using in your personal life or ministry that you’ve seen bear fruit.
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Yes, yeah, yea and yay
OK, pet peeve time. Brace yourselves.
I constantly see people writing the following on blogs, tweets, notes, or statuses: yeah, yea and yay. I’m offering this simple blog post as my contribution to a world gone mad in the affirmative exclamation arena in an attempt not to be negative but to set the record straight.
Here are the proper pronunciations and definitions of yeah, yea and yay:
- Yeah (yay-uh, but said quickly): This is when you’re in agreement with someone.
“Are you really going to do that?”
“Yeah.” - Yea (yay): Should rarely be used. It is for voting or Robert’s Rules of Orders.
“All in favor, indicate with yea. All opposed, indicate with nay.”
Or it can also be used in formal English to introduce a thought.
“Yea, I forsee that I will journey to America and forsooth, I shall sail.”
It is not, I repeat, not, to be used as a simple affirmative. That is the place for yeah as mentioned above. - Yay: Though it sounds like you’re voting, the intensity of this exclamation marks it as one that is used for joy and enthusiam.
“Yay! The Arkansas Razorbacks are strong contenders to win the SEC in football this year!”
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A la carte: Pack your casket, junk DNA, Cydia tweaks, World Cup
Pack Your Casket
Another VT collegian offers some profound thoughts as she rediscovered the missional heritage of Southern Baptists this past week. I encourage you to read the whole entry, but consider this from Katie Kochuba’s blog:
That fundamental truth makes me want to dance like an African tribal member. A love like that should compel anyone who believes it to willing pack their belongings in a casket and move to an isolated area of the earth to share it with the hopeless. Or reach out to the less fortunate in your city. Or adopt a child. Or lead a Bible study in your community. Or love on a family who needs encouragement.
Matthew 28:17-20 is a mandate, but we should be willing to go because of the grace that has covered our lives, because of the hope that Christ gives us, that surpasses any materialistic object or relationship that’s in our lives.
Katie is working at the IMB main offices this summer. I’m grateful for young adults who not only have a biblical world vision but who cultivate it.
Junk DNA
One of the things that I remember my youth minister constantly preaching to teens about their identities and hang ups was that “God don’t make no junk.” It was an encouraging reminder that no matter what one’s self perception is, God is sovereign, loving and infinitely aware of our condition – whether it be our appearance or disability. What others perceive as ugly or malformed is not so in God’s eyes. It is all for His purposes.
I’ve been remiss in continuing my review of Francis Collins’ The Language of God which I started here, but one of his premises in favor of theistic evolution (and ironically, one of renowned atheist Stephen Hawking) is their assertion that there are vast parts of the genome that are “junk” – not used for anything. This is evidence in favor of their version of evolution. However, in recent months, continued scientific findings are showing that what was considered junk may actually have purposes. This supports Jonathan Wells’ work entitled The Myth of Junk DNA which was vilified upon its release this year. (Source) It’s encouraging to see articulate scientists taking initiative to differ from long-held assumptions about evolution. One writer calls evolution a “scientific pipsqueak in a suit of cultural armor.” He makes an excellent point that evolution is bolstered more by cultural weight and academic momentum of the past 100 years than scientific proof.
Top 7 Cydia tweaks for your iPad
For you geeks out there, Apple released today a new firmware for its iDevices – 4.3.3 – which closes the hole that enabled you to jailbreak your device using jailbreakme.com. If you haven’t jailbroken yet, or want to retain your jailbreak on 4.3.1, don’t upgrade to the latest firmware. (When you plug your device into the computer, iTunes will notify you that you can upgrade to the latest firmware…)
From Twitter this week
Here are some tweets I fav’ed this week that may be of use, inspiration or at least generate an eye-roll:
- What is Google+? (helpful videos for those wondering) HT
- I recommend you chickens learn to talk. Nobody ever said let’s go get a bucket of parrot. (via @crankfetter) HT
- It’s impossible to say “Good Eye Might†without sounding Australian. (via @James_Lyle) HT
- Don’t believe the stats – an entry by pastor/author John Ortberg which echoes a review I wrote a while back.
- What would national repentance look like? (via @Stevetsunami) HT
Women’s World Cup
I’ll confess immediately. Even after a a trip to Spain this summer, I’m not a soccer fan. That is, until last Sunday. I was eating at Bull & Bones here in Blacksburg with the Davenport family and the Women’s World Cup match with Brazil was on every TV in the place. We were quickly inducted into fans as the US gals’ team got a bogus call on a penalty kick. They went on to win against Brazil in OT last Sunday, defeated France on Monday and are scheduled to play Japan this Sunday in the finals. This video shows “How You Rebound After Almost Getting Eliminated From The Women’s World Cup On A Questionable Call.”
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A la carte: Google Plus, iPhone birthday, jailbreakme 3.0, new blog and Tumblr app
Again, I feel like I must give a shout out to Tim Challies for my a la carte blog entries. He does them each Friday on his blog, and while I’m not that regular (perhaps my blog needs more bran?), I love the idea of short bits of interest shared with my massive readership… or at least Carolyn and my mom. Basically, I pull in entries I’ve starred in my Google Reader or Twitter account. I also keep track of tidbits in my SimpleNote app.
Without further ado…
Google +
If you’re a net denizen, you’ve heard of Google’s new social media service. It’s been billed as a Facebook competitor, and I, for one, hope it succeeds. Facebook has so much going for it, but Zuckerburg seems intent on hacking off all 750 million of his users by cluttering it with obnoxious apps and consistently invading our privacy with its policies and ads. All Google + has to do is reject apps and games, secure our privacy and provide similar interaction for individuals and groups, and create an iPad app to succeed.
Links:
- The Good, the Bad, the Ugly of Google +
- Google Plus: What is the hype all about?
- Google launches Google + to battle Facebook
So… one question: Is it Google Plus or Google+ or Google +?
Happy 4th birthday, iPhone!
Last week, the iPhone celebrated its fourth birthday, and the Mashable blog put together a pretty amazing graphic about the iPhone. It’s definitely worth looking at. Click here.
I’m still grateful to my folks for ponying up the money in June of 2007 for my first iPhone. Carolyn and Sam stood in line at the Monticello, Arkansas AT&T store with about 20 other folks. Most southeast Arkansans didn’t know what an iPhone was those days. There was a boy there with them in line with a briefcase full of coins from his snow cone stand in Crossett, Arkansas to buy his first one.
Jailbreakme.com 3.0
Renowned code genius @comex released his amazing, web-based jailbreak for Apple devices this past Monday. Simply by visiting jailbreakme.com, a user can install Cydia, which allows you to install apps on your idevice that have not been approved by Apple. Basically, these apps give your device more functionality than Apple intended. My two favorites right now are qTwitter (update Facebook and Twitter with a swipe, simultaneously) and YouMail (customize voicemail messages for your callers).
If you’re interesting in jailbreaking your iPad 2 or iPhone or any other idevice, now is the time. The next firmware update by Apple will most likely not allow you to do this after you update your device. (Source)
Most creative blog I’ve seen recently
One of our new Northstar interns, Phil Cumbia, mentioned on Facebook that he’d been memorialized in a cartoon for the first time in his life. I was intrigued and followed the link to May Contain Roaring Lion. I was delighted by what I found there. In short, a VT student blogs with cartoons. I was immediately captivated, added it to my blog list, and then forwarded it to Carolyn to see if she too would enjoy it. She also loves it! So spread the word and enjoy MCRL! I’m hoping I get to meet Taylor in person soon! (Entry about Phil)
Tumblr vs WordPress
I use WordPress and have for many moons now. But I’ve experimented with Tumblr too. Adelyn uses Tumblr when she blogs as well. This story announced a major update for Tumblr’s iPhone and iPad app that may lure some would-be bloggers into the net woods again. Tumblr is extremely easy to use and is Facebooky in that you can follow other friends who use Tumblr as well.
If you become a regular reader of MCRL mentioned above, you’ll notice that she uses Tumblr as her platform as well.
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The Same Things
“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.” (Philippians 3.1)
I love the truth of the importance of repetition and reminder.
- To be reminded of the beauty and everlasting worth of the gospel in Matthew 13:44.
- To repeat that righteousness comes from God as a gift through Christ and not by obedience to the law in Philippians 1:9.
- To gaze again at the grace of God that saves me and all who believe in Ephesians 2:8.
- To be reminded that God loved me and chose me before I ever conceived of Him in Ephesians 1:4 and 1 John 4:10.
Repeat and repreach these truths to yourself over and over! There is no better preacher than your own voice. Read these truths aloud. Meditate on them frequently so that you will not get discouraged or go astray.
Great is His love for us.
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The process of heading home
Saturday was our last day in beautiful Donastia/San Sebastian. We’ve had an incredible week of new relationships, cultural experiences and family deepening. I truly enjoy leading teams overseas to serve our God by showing His love through helpful ways. The people we worked with in Spain pulled off their first English camp with our team’s help, and by all accounts from the Basque parents, there will be a great demand for it next year!
Today we had the opportunity to sleep in a little, and after we got up, our intentions were to ride the train to Biarritz, France where the beaches are reputed to be gorgeous. However, we would do this without the aid of any Spanish or French speakers. To get there, it required a train and then taking a bus the rest of the way.
We arrived in France no problem, but the bus situation was a little tenuous. After deliberating for a while and waiting on a bus to take us in the direction we were hoping to go, our family opted out. We jumped the next train back to San Sebastian and spent the rest of the afternoon seeing some sights we’d not gotten to see and enjoying the beach.
The Cook family and another young couple we worked with here waited for the bus to take them beyond Hendaia, France. Their destination was either Biarritz or Bayonne. We’ll learn when they return where they wound up. It’s a form of Bussian Roulette.
One cool thing is that we saw a massive parade on the way back from the beach. We think they were celebrating the release of a Basque political dissident. But we’re not sure… We cheered a little with everyone else.
Our plane leaves early a.m. Sunday, so we’re scheduled to arrive late Sunday night back in Roanoke. We’re exceptionally grateful for our experience and the opportunity to magnify Christ among these people!
You can see our pictures at this link.
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About
Notes from the Trail
The Personal Blog of Jeff Noble
Info: From the misty hills of Virginia, "Notes from the Trail" seeks to encourage you on your journey. Written by a graphic designer-pastor, this blog is a blend of humor, insight, and faith discovery.
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RT @jackieflake: @vthoneybee, Melissa u lived as Christ, your death is gain. God thank u for sharing our sister w/us. Living well yields ... [journeyguy]
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Praying for the@bcmvt and Cheliras families upon learning of Melissa's death from cancer today. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 [journeyguy]
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