Exponential’s 2025 theme—Good, Great, Greater—is inspired by a calling God placed on our hearts years ago, and is rooted in the promise of John 14:12: “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.” This big idea challenges churches—regardless of size, style or history—to step boldly into the greater things of kingdom multiplication. For us, this calling isn’t just a theory, it’s personal. It’s hard. And sometimes it feels counterintuitive. But the rewards? Eternal.
When we wrote a chapter in the book Good, Great, Greater: Measuring What Matters on the Journey to Multiplication (Exponential), we wanted to articulate a vision we’ve lived, a vision that challenges us to ask different questions. Instead of “How many people were in church last Sunday?” how about “How many leaders have we sent out? How many lives are being transformed in cities we may never visit?” Becoming a reproducing church is about shifting the scorecard from success to significance. From good to great, and ultimately, to something greater: the movement Jesus imagined when he gave his disciples the Great Commission.
Barriers to Reproduction
Let’s face it, reproduction doesn’t come naturally. Since launching Restore Community Church in Kansas City, Missouri, back in 2008, we’ve learned this firsthand. The easier, more familiar path is to hold on to people and resources as tightly as possible. We’ve wrestled with real barriers, both tangible and internal. Here are a few we’ve encountered and the strategies to overcome them:
• An exaggerated sense of self. It feels good to be needed, doesn’t it? Moses felt it. We felt it. When you’re the go-to leader, it’s tempting to believe no one can do it quite like you. But leading well means empowering others. It means shifting from the headliner to the coach. A humble, openhanded posture teaches us something profound: We find our worth in obedience to Jesus, not in our position.
• An exaggerated sense of responsibility. Ever felt like the entire mission of your church rests on your shoulders? That’s a lie many leaders live. We’ve learned that carrying this weight burns people out and stifles kingdom work. Jesus designed the church to be a team effort. By equipping and releasing others, we demonstrate trust in him, not just in our words, but through our actions.
• Unhealthy personal attachments. Saying goodbye to key people is hard. We’ve cried our share of tears when leaders we discipled said, “It’s time to go.” It’s easy to cling to people, especially when they feel like family. But healthy churches grow by letting go. When our personal attachments are centered on the mission, not possession, God’s work expands far beyond what we thought possible.
• The wrong scorecard. If your only success metric is Sunday attendance, you’ll miss God’s bigger picture. Healthy churches reproduce disciple makers, not just attendees. Bob Buford said it best: “My fruit grows on other people’s trees.” The joy of reproduction multiplies exponentially when we release leaders and see their kingdom impact ripple into new communities.
Principles for Reproducing
If these barriers feel familiar, you’re not alone. Every reproducing church we’ve led, coached or partnered with has faced these obstacles. But we’ve also discovered powerful principles to build into the foundation of any church. Here are a few that transformed our ministry:
1. Apprentice first, always. Every Christ follower in your church is called to make disciples. It’s not just the “super-spiritual” who are positioned to lead. Create a culture where apprenticing is central to everything. This starts one-on-one. The process is simple yet profound:
• I do. You watch. We talk.
• I do. You help. We talk.
• You do. I help. We talk.
• You do. I watch. We talk.
• You do. Someone else watches.
These intentional actions and conversations shape leaders for reproduction that goes far beyond the walls of the church.
2. Celebrate the sending. Releasing people is painful, but it’s worth it. Stories of multiplication remind everyone what the mission is about. We’ve experienced it firsthand. When we sent high-level leaders out to plant new churches, it stretched us to the core. But today, those churches are flourishing, baptizing people by the hundreds, and changing communities.
3. Budget big for multiplication. Generosity fuels reproduction. Build reproduction into your budget right from the start. At Restore, we’ve sent tens of thousands of dollars with each church plant, even when that meant adjusting other priorities. God’s provision has been more than enough to cover the gaps.
4. Stay lean. Temporary spaces keep you nimble. Resist the urge to invest in permanent facilities too soon. Staying flexible allows a church to multiply faster without being tied down by debt or long-term logistical challenges.
5. Collaborate citywide. Swallow the pride that says, “We’ve got this.” Nobody plants a church alone. Partnerships with other churches have been essential for Restore. The Kansas City NewThing Network was born from a spirit of collaboration among different denominations. Today, over 46 churches participate in four local networks around our city.
6. Keep the vision front and center. Leadership gatherings, stories of multiplication, and constant alignment on mission keep the call to reproduce alive. Share the “why” behind every decision, showing your church the kingdom impact made possible when leaders are sent out.
Moving Toward a Multiplication Movement
Reproducing churches don’t happen by accident. If your church is ready to move from good to great to greater, here’s a road map to start the journey:
• Pray boldly. Ask God to clarify the mission and open doors wider than you can imagine. Moments of direction often begin on our knees.
• Shift the scorecard. Define success by lives changed, leaders sent and communities impacted rather than “butts in seats.” Celebrate these wins often.
• Equip and release. Leadership pipelines don’t just happen—build them intentionally. Invest time and resources into apprenticing leaders who can, in turn, apprentice others.
• Partner locally. You’re stronger together. Reach out to other churches and create a partnership around shared goals for citywide transformation.
• Take the leap. There’s never a perfect time to launch. If God’s calling you to reproduce, follow his lead and trust him with the results.
Looking back over the past 15 years, the challenges of becoming a reproducing church were real. But so were the rewards. Baptisms, salvations, restored marriages and vibrant communities planted in places we may never see in person have brought eternal significance. The seeds planted by releasing leaders have grown into orchards of hope.
We pray that as you step into God’s call, you’ll experience the same joy and freedom we have. Reproduction may feel hard in the moment, but trust us, it’s always worth it. Together, we can advance the mission in ways we never imagined.
