I picked up a copy of Dave and Jon Ferguson's book "Exponential" yesterday.  After reading the first fifty pages, my first question was: "Why didn't I buy this book five years ago?"  Then I realized it hadn't been written five years ago ... so I felt a bit less guilty. In 2001, when Tonya and I were leaving the Churches of Christ, I interviewed for the Senior Associate Pastor position with Dave and Jon's dad, Earl Ferguson.  The job went to the other candidate but I was honored to be considered.  A large part of the attraction for me was the opportunity to apprentice for two years with Earl.  Now, ten years later, I'm able to be a virtual apprentice to his sons through their writing. How cool is that!

Here are my notes from a church planting webinar I attended today: Lessons from the Trenches.  The host/leader was Andy Wood, senior pastor at South Bay Church in Silicon Valley.  It was fantastic! ******** Andy Woods - South Bay ChurchFebruary 2, 2012 Lessons from the Trenches 1.  The importance of giving the unreached a voice at the table. Typically there is no one in a decision making position that represents the lost.  How will this decision help us reach the unchurched person in our community? How hot is my passion for the lost? How are we doing making decisions with the lost in mind? 2.  There are two types of health indicators: leading and lagging. What do you measures? Lagging = Bodies.  Seats.  First-time guests.  Budget.  Baptisms. Leading = Are more people praying?  (What impacts the lagging indicators?). What stats are you giving attention to? What leading factors are contributing…