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It's Big Idea Day!

Today is BIG IDEA Day!! 

We have been ramping up to this for the last couple weeks with brainstorming and a flurry of e-mails and today we will give it our best shot to plan all the BIG IDEAS for a whole ministry year.  When we finish the day we hope to have series themes and individual BIG IDEA titles for September 2008 through August 2009.  These BIG IDEAS are not only used at Community, but by many of our NewThing Network churches as well. 

If you are reading this I would love it if you could take a moment to ask God to give us wisdom and direction in this process.  It is a BIG DAY.

Donnie Williams On Starting A BIgger Second Site

Donnie Williams is the Lead Pastor of LifePointe Church in Raleigh, North Carolina and went to multiple sites eleven weeks ago. LifePointe is a part of the NewThing Network and has an amazing story!  They were averaging 445 people and they started the second site and now they are averaging 979 and they have more people attending their second site then they have at their first site! I think that is without precedent.  Donnie gave us a few key learnings from their experience of going to multiple sites:

• Prayer works. Donnie told an amazing story of how he asked God for a theater and God answered that prayer in a way that only He could.  Good stuff!  Great reminder.
• Get equipped and organized.
• Don't forget to take care of the original site.
• There are lots of leaders sitting in your seats.  There were leaders sitting in the chairs of our first location and did not contribute until we decided to start a second site. 
• Direct mail still works.  90% of our first time people came as a result of the mailings that we did.
• Don't skimp on kids and children's ministry.
• There was also a sense of loss.  Our staff realized that this would be the last time that we would all go to church together.  I also realized that I would never be able to be at both our locations at the same time and I would always miss out on one location.

Troy McMahon on Planting Restore Community Church

  Troy was on staff at Community for 10 years after leaving a job at General Mills.  Troy was sent with 20+ people from Community to start a Restore Community Church in Kansas City.  It launched with 423 people on March 2nd of this year.  The surprise was the high number of students who were there on the first day.  Eleven weeks later the kids and student numbers have increased and Restore is now averaging little over 300 people.  Here are some key learnings that Troy gave us at our NewThing Gathering.

• Did fund raising from multiple sources (churches, individuals and church planting organizations).
• Did 18 service projects in the community before the launch of the new church.  This included raking leaves, servant evangelism, Troy being Santa at a local mall and more!
• Highly recommends converge with Passion 4 Planting.
• Interviewed lots of community leaders:  principal of schools, business leaders, civic leaders.  And learned lots of good information that they didn't get from demographics that they purchased.  This was very valuable.
• Started small groups before the opening day.
• Started a turbo group from the beginning with fourteen people and eight of them started a small group with two of those groups already reproducing new groups.
• Every person on the staff was challenged to do a block party.
• Keep fund raising after the church was started.
• Follow-up on newcomers relentlessly - send them a hand-written note.

What Does It Take To Create A Movement?

All the NewThing Network Lead Pastors are flying into Chicago to hangout for a couple days for our NewThing Gathering.  We have leaders coming from right here in Chicago and from as far away as San Pablo, Philippines. It is going to be an fun and productive couple days!

The mission of NewThing is "to be a catalyst for a movement of reproducing churches".  Since the comments I get on this blog are often better than the posts, I thought I would ask you - WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO CREATE A MOVEMENT?

I have been reading a lot of what Alan Hirsch has to say in Forgotten Ways (Alan will be hanging out with us tomorrow - that will be great stuff!) I have also have been thinking a lot about the content of The Starfish and The Spider.  But I'd like to know what you think.  Leave me a comment - it could impact the future of our Network and maybe a movement of reproducing churches!

Church Chat

This is a video interview that Scott Hodge and Chris Elrod did with me at the Exponential Conference.  I had a link to this earlier, but got a request that I post it, so here it is!  We talked about a lot of stuff:

• the rapid growth of the Exponential Conference
• what we are going to do next year at Exponential
• The Big Idea and potential upcoming books
• a brief appearance by Pat Masek and Troy McMahon
• lots about church planting and multi-site
  
• the expansion of NewThing Network into multiple networks
• the priority of growing 3C Christ Followers
• developing a leadership pipeline

As you will see, we had a lot of fun.

Tim Keller on International Church Planting

One of the cool things about being asked to be the President of the Exponential Conference is getting to connect with some remarkable Christian leaders.  We had an unbelievable line-up of speakers this past year which included Tim Keller.  I had not met Tim, but was able to work both our schedules so that my brother Jon and I could spend about an 90 minutes with him the night before he was to speak.  His reputation for being an intellectual is right on target.  But Tim is also very approachable and has a keen understanding of the practical side of ministry and what it takes to get stuff done. 

Whenever I set up an appointment to meet with other leaders I will write up a list of questions and bring them with me. I am always surprised when someone makes an appointment with me to talk about church planting, multi-site or leadership and then they have no prepared questions. It feels like we are wasting both our time.  I believe leaders are learners and the best way to learn is to ask good questions. So anyway, I had a written list of questions and one of the topics that we discussed was Redeemer's vision for international church planting. Here is my summary of their strategy

1. Target key international cities. Tim believes that the key cities in the world today are New York, London, Hong Kong.  However, he said that Hong Kong will soon be replaced in the east by Dubai and Shanghai. (I'm sure Chicago is also in that category, he just assumed I knew that!)


2. Don't send a church planter to those cities, go to those cities to find a church planter.  I found this fascinating and counter-intuitive.  Most church planting organizations or church planting churches send church planters into new context; but Redeemer's strategy is to send some of their people to these cities who will search for the best church planters in that context already.


3. Provide training and money. Tim said that when they first approach potential church planters in these international settings they don't believe them or think it is some kind of bait and switch.  But once trust is earned this is the best way to attract church planters; to improve quality of the church plant and ensure that it still has the proper DNA.

While Keller and Redeemer are all about reproducing sites (they have 3) and church plants (helped start more than 100) my favorite quote of the night from Keller was this warning about the reproducing church:  "cell reproduction without a purpose is called cancer."  Comments?

The Feeling Post...

Jeff Ekblad, (who is currently reminding us that it is Mustache Awareness Month) Arts Director at CCC-Yorkville came up to me at Leadership Community last month and said in so many words, "I really dig your blog...but I wish you would tell me more about what you are feeling?  Your blog feels like an update on your calendar."  So, in honor of Jeff's request this is my "feeling post". 

But here is the problem...I don't really think people are that interested in how I "feel" about stuff.  But if I'm wrong, this is your chance to leave me a comment and ask me how I "feel" about whatever you want.  Don't ask me what I think or what I would do.  Just ask me how I "feel".

How do I feel about this post?  I have a feeling that Mustache Awareness Month will be more interesting.

Multi-Site Phenomenon!

If you are interested in how your church can reproduce multiple sites, then you need to check out the latest issue of Willow Magazine.  A great resource with some great content.  It starts with an article on how multi-site is becoming more and more common and is titled, The New Normal.  Another article asks the question, "will it work for you" and is titled, Joining the Multi-Site Revolution.  My favorite article (because I'm bias and think our Kids City is the best!) is Children's Ministry and Multi-Site and it features an interview with our own Tammy Melchien.

This issue of Willow Magazine also highlights some of the leading churches in the multi-site movement.  And for your convenience here they are just a click away:

• Community Christian Church
• Seacoast Church
• New Life Community Church
• National Community Church
• Life Church
• Healing Place Church
• The Chapel
• Christ the King Community Church

Reproducing Church Experience on June 2-4

In just one month (June 2-4) we will be hosting our Reproducing Church Experience here in Chicago.  If you are among the growing number of young emerging leaders that understand that reproducing is the way to accomplish the mission of Jesus join us!  At this event you will get the opportunity to:

• Discover how to help your church become a reproducing church.
• Catch a vision of God’s dream for an apostolic movement.
• Enter into the minds of innovative church planting leaders.
• Interact with like-minded leaders through problem solving projects.

The Reproducing Church Experience is for:

• Church planters and staff of churches one year old or older.
• Church leadership teams who want to be a part of reproducing ministry.
• Anyone who senses God leading them to be a part of a reproducing church.

God is at work creating opportunities for churches to reproduce and become reproducing networks. And these reproducing networks have the potential to become an early church, exponential movement. If you would like more information on the Reproducing Church Experience or to register, click HERE.

Theologically Right and Relationally Wrong

This past weekend we continued our series on Life's Toughest Questions.  We let the people of Community submit questions on our website and create the series.  It has been a truly great series so far! 

This week the question was, "What does God have to say about homosexuality?" That is a tough question.  I don't think it's nearly as tough a theological question as it is a relationally tough question.  The research amongst 16-29 year-olds who don't go to church in the best-seller UnChristian concluded, “When you identify yourself as a Christian to a friend, neighbor, or business associate, you might as well have tattooed on your arm: anti-homosexual, gay-hater, homophobic.” That tells me that the church of Jesus has too often been theologically right and relationally wrong.  

My biggest concern going into this weekend is that we would sound like we had all the answers but had no interest in trying to serve and love people who are a part of the gay and lesbian community.  Over and over again in scripture and in the person of Jesus it is clear that God wants to be not just morally right or theologically right, but also relationally right.  And if the church of Jesus wants to see God's Dream accomplished on this planet we can no longer be theologically right and relationally wrong.

The BIG IDEA at Willow Arts Conference

Are you interested in learning how to apply The BIG IDEA creative process to your church setting?  Eric, Jon and I will be leading one of the all-day Point Leader Sessions at the Willow Arts Conference, June 11-13.  They have put together a terrific group of main session speakers including Brian McLaren, Giles Ste-Croix of Cirque du Soleil, Nancy Beach and Richard Allen Farmer and Francis Chan.  So, if you are interested in the arts and The BIG IDEA, or if you are planning to attend the Willow Arts Conference come and join us!

If you enjoy great music, don't click.

If you miss Troy McMahon (like I do!) here is Troy and I goofing around behind the scenes at the Exponential Conference.  At the urging of Chris Elrod and Scott Hodge we sang a few bars from our "famous" Be Our Guest video.  WARNING:  If you enjoy great music, don't click.

Give Me BIG IDEAS & You Get 1 Year of BIG IDEAS

I need your help as we plan BIG IDEAS for next year. If you leave me a comment I will e-mail you our 2008-09 BIG IDEA plan.

In a couple weeks some of the gang from Community and some of the gang from our NewThing Network will hole themselves up for a couple days and compile one years worth of BIG IDEAS.  These BIG IDEAS will become the themes that we will use in our Celebration Service and small groups for adults, and then in an age-appropriate way for students and kids.  It is a great concept!  If you want more information on how we do it at Community click HERE.

I already have some good ideas that I hope make the cut.  But I also know that you have some great ideas that you have used in the past or would like to use.  I'll make you a deal.  If you leave me a comment with your best suggestions, when we get done planning our BIG IDEAS I will e-mail our 1-Year BIG IDEA plan to you.  So, give me your best BIG IDEAS.

Looking for a place to pray?

Since today is the National Day of Prayer, you might be looking for a special place to spend some time in prayer.  Our iPray Team is hosting an all day prayer event from 7am-10pm in the Icon Theatre at the Yellow Box in Naperville.  If you are looking for a time of group prayer that will occur at 10am and 7pm.  If you are in the area, come and join us.

"Thanks, I'm one of the 67%"

Last week at Community we gave our entire offering away to other parts of the Jesus mission around the world.  It was amazing!  The money is still coming in and it looks like the grand total is going to be almost a quarter of a million dollars from one weekend!! I'm so proud of Community.

Our motivation as always is to help people find their way back to God.  And the people we wanted to reach were the 67 and the 20. 

• The 67 represents the 67% of the world that does not know Jesus.
• The 20 represents the 20% of the world that lives on less than a dollar a day. 

The coolest moment came in a note that someone dropped into the offering bag.  The note simply said: "Thanks.  I'm one of the 67%!"

It's all about helping people find their way back to God.

Great "Behind The Scenes Video" From Exponential

I had a great time at Exponential.  And some of the most fun I had was some of the behind the scenes stuff:  meeting Andy Stanley for the first time; getting to spend an hour or so with Tim Keller at his hotel asking questions or just watching Rick Warren work the room at our NewThing Pizza dinner.  Good stuff! 

But as much fun as I had, no one had more fun at Exponential than Todd Rhoades, Chris Elrod and my blogging hero, Scott Hodge.  They got to interview some amazing people and totally cut up.  In the process they also got some great video of some terrific Exponential leaders:

• Alan Hirsch
• Dave Ferguson (me!)
• Greg Surratt
• John Burke & Vince Antonucci
• Ed Stetzer
• Rick Warren

Each one of these is really worth checking out.

Alan Hirsch at Exponential Conference

One of the highlights of the Exponential Conference was getting to do this session with Alan Hirsch on Organizing for Reproduction. I believe that Alan is a prophet for our generation.  His current book Forgotten Ways has really encouraged us at Community to experiment with new forms of church, like our 3C Communities.  I think every church should be experimenting so that they can better determine where God wants them to go next.  Alan is going to be hanging out with all the NewThing Lead Pastors at our next Gathering in a few weeks.  That will be a blast!  If you would like to hear a podcast interview I did with Alan before the Exponential Conference, click HERE. 

Andy Stanley or Jon Ferguson??

Got a moment to hangout with Andy Stanley, the Lead Pastor of NorthPoint Community Church at Exponential 08.  Andy did the opening main session on Apostolic Vision.  It was the best talk I've heard on how to communicate a clear vision.  If you want the notes check out Vince's site.

Now is it me or do you think Andy looks like my brother Jon?  One time we were at a Willow Conference where Andy was speaking and while Jon and I were in the bathroom someone came up to Jon and told him he did a great job on his talk.  The guy was referring to the talk that Andy had just given.  Andy Stanley and Jon Ferguson - twins separated at birth?  Wow, imagine how awesome Community would be if I had another brother and it turned out to be Andy Stanley?!?

Hundreds & Hundreds Commit to Church Planting

This was the closing moment at Exponential 08.  It was awesome as hundreds and hundreds of leaders came forward committing to start new churches/sites or committing the new church they are starting to God. 

In this pic Rick Warren (seated on the stage) is praying for all these new church planters and reproducing church leaders asking God's blessing on their efforts.  What you see here has the potential to be a catalyst for a movement of reproducing churches!

We Just Gave Away $229,000!

Last Saturday and Sunday was our Celebration Generosity and one of the most amazing weekends ever in the life of Community!  We gave away our entire weekend offering!!  Yep, we gave away nearly a quarter of a million dollars.  The grand total was just over $229,000!

Last winter we felt like God was calling us to be an even more generous church than ever before.  As we prayed about this it became clear that we were to take one whole weekend and give away our entire offering to some other part of the Jesus mission both locally and around the world.  I am so proud of the people of Community for not only getting behind this, but giving so generously.  Our weekly budget for the Jesus mission is $95,000 and you gave way more than double.  Wow!  Thanks.  Let's continue to become a more and more generous church who follows an extraordinarily generous God!

What I've been doing while not blogging...

I have been going literally non-stop for the last four days!  Mostly I have been in Orlando for the Exponential Conference where I've done some speaking and serving as conference President.  I've been going so hard I didn't have enough time to stop and celebrate some absolutely amazing stuff going on at Community and some amazing stuff going on here in Orlando!  So, I am going to play a little catch up in the next several hours.  Check back -- great stuff coming your way!!