Reproducing Church

The other day we had Dave Ferguson in the office. Dave is the sr. pastor at Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. He talked to the staff about being a reproducing church. At the risk of stating the obvious I will state the obvious- a reproducing church is a church that reproduces itself. This might not sound like a big deal but when you consider how far this one principle has taken Community it makes you want to ponder the reproducing model.

The basic premiss is that the church would produce more churches. Something I think most people can buy into especially when your vision is as powerful as New Life's. But the reproducing principle goes deeper than just the church. It really starts at the top with the sr. pastor saying I am going to take one person and help them learn how to do what I do. This trickles down to the staff. Which trickles down to coaches. Which trickles down to small group leaders. Which trickles down to apprentices. 

This reproducing model isn't just for small groups either. It is something that community has said is a value - and even a requirement for every volunteer and staff position in the church. So if you make coffee on sunday morning who are you training to make coffee? Who is going to replace you? 

This is my dream for New Life. That we would become a reproducing church in every way. That our life group leaders would reproduce themselves in apprentices who go out and start new groups. That service leaders would reproduce themselves in others around them and take on greater ownership in the church. 

Reproduction is the essence of church. It is what Jesus did. Check this out - John 20:21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

Lets be a reproducing church! If you have questions about how to do this just shoot me an email. Joshb@newlife4me.com