12/10/2023
Hi, it's Carrie Williams and I have an exciting announcement to share with you. As you may have heard Exponential acquired Leadership Network a few years ago to explore the potential it could hold in helping reach the 16% Mission.
Exponential’s Mission - 16% of churches in the U.S. becoming multiplying churches
Over the last year myself and the Exponential team have prayerfully explored how Leadership Network can support Exponential in fulfilling its mission. I am thrilled to say that Leadership Network will give birth to Exponential NEXT! While Leadership Network as a brand and separate ministry will no longer exist, its rich history and legacy will continue on with Exponential NEXT.
Exponential NEXT will be an intricate part of Exponential moving forward with a focus on discovering what is coming NEXT for the future of the church that can lead to accelerating church multiplication. We will continue to walk the path pioneered by Leadership Network as we explore innovative models, methods, and approaches to reaching, discipling, and mobilizing people with a strong focus on church planting. Sharing our learnings with you along the way to help equip leaders through fresh content, NEXT Ventures, research, and events.
Before I continue I would like you to hear from my friend and Exponential’s co-founder and new permanent CEO Dave Ferguson…
I’m honored to welcome you and the thousands of Leadership Network friends to Exponential. Leadership Network holds an important and special place in my heart and ministry. I have been impacted by the people and ministry of Leadership Network as a lead pastor, including serving previously on the Leadership Network Board of Directors.
Personally, the late Bob Buford, founder and visionary of Leadership Network, was an important mentor of mine and my Exponential co-founder, Todd Wilson. Bob’s vision, intentionality, results orientation, and “my fruit grows on other people’s trees” humility has deeply marked my own leadership and has shaped what Exponential is today. We know at Exponential we stand on the shoulders of Bob Buford and the previous staff at Leadership Network..
For many, many years Exponential and Leadership Network have collaborated together on ministry initiatives. Three years ago, Exponential acquired Leadership Network. The purpose of the acquisition was to continue the work of helping leaders engage with innovative ideas and collaboration to advance the impact of the Church. The opportunity for Exponential was to introduce the Leadership Network audience to the church multiplication conversation in hopes to accelerate more disciple making and church planting in the U.S.
Now as Exponential NEXT, we will continue to research and curate innovative principles along with convening pioneering leaders to resource you and thousands upon thousands of church leaders. We are going after a movement of the Gospel in our generation. I could not be more excited for how Exponential NEXT will help us to continue to move the needle for the percentage of churches who are reproducing and multiplying from 4% to now 7% to a tipping point of 16% and beyond.
This change is one that I [Carrie] personally believe will bring the greatest Kingdom impact while honoring the legacy of Leadership Network. I will continue to stay on staff with Exponential as the Executive Director of Exponential NEXT. I am honored to work with such an amazing team of humble, God loving, talented, and mission driven people at Exponential.
As we move forward into the future I would like you to consider supporting the birth of Exponential NEXT in the following ways:
PRAY — We are focusing on reaching our 16% Mission. Specifically, we see the need for 60,000 church leaders committed to be what we call a Multiplier (a healthy disciple making leader who champions reproduction). This number would ensure that the church in the U.S. would not only remain but continue to advance as a movement! Join us in praying for 60,000 Multipliers, and for our team, as we guide more leaders to be Multipliers.
SHARE — We continue to hear from many of you about the impact Exponential and Leadership Network has had on you, your leadership, your church, and your network or denomination. We want to remind you that we believe it will be YOU and your friends who fulfill The 16% Mission and we are just simply here to help! We invite you to spread the word and share the free resources at your fingertips. The more people we have engaged, the faster that we together will get to 60,000 Multipliers! Find free resources and more by exploring our updated website: exponential.org/next
ENGAGE — We are a community with a cause and we invite you to engage even deeper with us around The 16% Mission. You are called to not just simply manage church growth, but to be a Multiplier! We want you to connect and be inspired with like-minded leaders so we can move this mission forward, together. Join us at an upcoming Exponential gathering, for more visit exponential.org/exponential-events.
On behalf of the entire Leadership Network and Exponential team THANK YOU for your partnership in the Gospel. I hope you will join us in our excitement about Exponential NEXT and join us on mission as we seek to multiply the church!
Until All Know Him,
Carrie Williams
Executive Director of Exponential NEXT
