I'll do a longer report for my DBA on this outstanding book, but I just finished reading it a few days ago and can't wait to recommend it. The book is called Transformation: How Glocal Churches Transform Lives and the World. It tells the story of one local church pastor's journey through brokenness to the blessing of exponential ministry.
Back in 1985, Bob Roberts Jr. planted Northwood Church in Keller, Texas. Not content to be the biggest church in his city, Bob and his team committed to churching their city...and the world.
Since 1992, NorthWood's Church Multiplication Center has started almost 90 churches, including 8 in their daughter churches in their own immediate area. Their first church plant was 3 miles to the east of their campus and the second plant was 4 miles to the west. They now have clusters of churches in 19 cities throughout the United States. Sixty-two new churches were planted in the network in 2005 alone!
Here are a few of Bob's comments that impacted me:
"...we started implementing what it meant to church the area instead of pouring all our energies into becoming the biggest church in the area." (p.41)
"when will Jesus be enough for you?" (p.80)
"what if the church were the missionary?" (p.106)
"the question is not 'Have you been baptized, converted or joined a church?' The question is 'Have you been transformed?'" (p.117)
"I have no interest in helping start a church--it's a waste of time and money. I have much interest in starting church-starting churches." (p.139)
"You know a church is multiplying when it has as many or more 'granddaughter' churches than it has 'daughter' churches." (p. 146)
Bob is living a great story that will will inspire and challenge every pastor!
For more information, check out Bob's website, Glocal.Net
