Now in paperback, this multi-awarded national best seller shares a clear message from case studies of 400 North American congregations: church is done best when it's kept simple.

In this book the authors explore some dynamic trends in society and church that are pushing believers into simpler ways of doing church. -- from back cover.

David Garrison, PhD University of Chicago, defines Church Planting Movements as rapidly multiplying indigenous churches planting churches that sweep across a people group or population segment. Garrison's Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World signaled a breakthrough in missionary church planting. After the publication of Garrison's book in 2004 it became impossible to talk about missions without referencing Church Planting Movements. Church Planting Movements examines more than two-dozen movements of multiplying churches on five continents. After presenting these case studies, Garrison identifies ten universal elements present in each movement. He then broadens the circle of examination to identify a further ten common characteristics, factors identified in most, but not all, of the movements. He concludes his examination with a list of "Seven Deadly Sins," i.e. harmful practices that stifle or impede Church Planting Movements. Important for evangelical readers, the author returns to his findings to see how they stand up to the light of Scripture. What he discovers is that Church Planting Movements are much more consistent with the New Testament lay-led house-church movements that swept rapidly through the Mediterranean world in the face of hostile opposition than today's more sedentary professional institutionalized Christianity. Learn more about Church Planting Movements from the book's website: www.ChurchPlantingMovements.com.

Over the past two decades, small groups have gone from spontaneous gatherings among friends to a major and elaborate phenomenon in the church. Many evangelical churches have some form of small groups ministry in place. But there's just one problem, says Bill Search--what started as a simple get-together has become a complicated process, especially for small group leaders. They are often not sure what is expected of them or what to expect from their groups as a result of their efforts. In Simple Small Groups, Search lays out the three C's of small groups--connecting, changing, and cultivating. This paradigm helps to simplify leading small groups in a way that is helpful, rewarding, and life changing. Unlike many other books geared toward small group leaders, Simple Small Groups does not require a church-wide adoption of an intricately designed system of assimilation, making it useful to any small group leader looking for guidance.

It is time to take heart and rework the scorecard. --

Learn how a "less is more" approach to church can equip believers for eternal influence. Church innovator Dave Browning unpacks the six elements of a new equation for church development. These concepts---minimality, intentionality, reality, multility, velocity, and scalability---provide a realistic plan for streamlining church while maximizing impact.

This text extends the teachings of bestseller "Simple Church," guiding readers to joyfully balance God, time, relationships, and money through clarity, movement, focus, and alignment.

Most church members don't see their churches clearly. In almost all of Thom S. Rainer's consultations, church members perceive their church to be friendly. But as he surveyed guests, he found that the guests typically saw church members as unfriendly. The perception chasm existed because the members were indeed friendly . . . to one another. The guests felt like they crashed a private party. Bestselling author Thom Rainer (I Am a Church Member, Autopsy of a Deceased Church) has a game plan for churches to become more hospitable. In a format that is suitable for church members to read individually or study together, Rainer guides readers toward a practical framework for making a difference for those who visit their church. Churches may use Becoming a Welcoming Church to assess and audit where they are on a spectrum between welcoming and wanting. Additionally, churches can use the companion book We Want You Here to send guests home with a compelling vision for what pastors want every guest to know when they visit.

Is a church just something we create to serve our purposes or to maintain old traditions? Or is it something more vital, more meaningful, and more powerful? In this introduction to the nature of the local church, historian and missionary Scott Sunquist brings us a portrait of the church in motion, clarifying the two primary purposes of the church: worship and witness.

Read table of contents, intro., first chapter, press release, etc. right here: http://joelcomiskeygroup.com/plant.html You can also call: 1-888-344-2355 (Joel Comiskey Group). This book clearly explains how to plant churches that are simple enough to keep on reproducing and even grow into a movement of churches. Planting Churches that Reproduce is the fruit of Comiskey's extensive research and personal experience (three church plants in a wide variety of settings). Comiskey not only uses the latest North American church planting statistics but also extends the illustrations to include worldwide church planting. More than anything else, this book will provide practical solutions for those planting churches today. Comiskey's book is a must-read for all those interested in starting Christ-honoring, multiplying churches. __ LEONARD SWEET (Drew University) wrote: Better late than never but best never late. Where has this book been? How different might the church be today if Comiskey's invaluable resource had been available even ten years ago? Don't discover Comiskey ten years from now and exclaim, Where have I been! The book we've needed and been waiting for is here now. Tag, you're it. ALAN HIRSCH (Author of The Forgotten Ways) wrote: Here is a thoroughly practical, encouraging and thoughtful contribution to the small but growing body of literature on multiplication movements. This is an important book not only because it involves a return to a more genuinely biblical ecclesiology but also because it envisions the much more dynamic form of church that will advance the cause of Jesus in the 21st Century. JEANNETTE BULLER (Church planter and coach) wrote: Joel Comiskey brings both his experience and the experience of others together in a clear, easy to understand fashion that will be helpful to any simple church planter today. As I read, I kept thinking of chapters I wanted to recommend to the various church planters I coach. Based on timeless principles of church planting, Comiskey lays a firm foundation for multiplying churches which I believe is on the heart of God. His practical application of these principles keeps the reader focused on the path toward church planting success. BOB ROBERTS (Pastor NorthWood, author of The Multiplying Church) wrote: Joel Comiskey does a great job in his book of explaining what a simple church is and how to plant them. He provides solid theology, numerous examples and strategic steps for planting simple churches. We will use it with our planters as a resource. Ive read a lot of books on simple, cell, house churches defending them or promoting them - I don't think I've read anything as clear and as concise as this or as practical to get them started as this. PETER WAGNER (Presiding Apostle, International Coalition of Apostles) wrote: Joel Comiskey's lifelong passion for multiplying churches does not allow him to get stuck in the past. I love this excellent book because it is a book for the future. Joel's blueprint will help many find their proper position for enriching their life and for extending the kingdom of God. DR. TOM JONES (Stadia East Regional Director) wrote: Joel Comiskey is a veteran church planter. His new book Planting Churches that Reproduce is biblical, practical and inspirational. If indeed church planters are going to get serious about evangelistic reproducing movements that start new testament churches then we must take a long and creative look at Simple churches or some variation of the house church movement. The typical suburban church planting model will not get the job done alone. JIMMY SEIBERT (senior pastor of Antioch Community Church) wrote: Over the last ten years Joel's writings and research have deeply influenced who we are as a people. His genuine love for Jesus and his heart to capture what God is doing and saying is bearing great fruit for the body of Christ. His latest book, Planting Churches that Reproduce, is at the heart of what God is speaking to the body of Christ worldwide, whether in the United States or around the world. RALPH NEIGHBOUR (author, professor, and church planter) wrote: Once again, Joel Comiskey has felt the pulse of the body of Christ and has given a prescription for its well being. This book is a combination of spiritual insights coupled with personal experience in the field of planting Biblical communities. I recommend this for the group that God forms to form a new Christ centered missional congregation. BEN WONG (founder of CCMN) wrote: Joel Comiskeys books have always been a blessing to me personally they have brought special insight into issues that people in cell churches are interested in. Joel, you have out done yourself again! You have written a book that will be used to bring the house church and cell church people together. Well done! All those who are interested in the new move of God for these final days must read this book! BOB LOGAN (author, professor, and church planter) wrote: Planting Churches that Reproduce is a good solid manual for planters who want to get back to the basics and discover what church is really all about. Comiskey helps Christian leaders make the paradigm shift from buildings and events to people and evangelism--and then provides clear strategies for moving forward. He underscores that what makes a church effective is not about size so much as it is about how well it can reproduce. AUBREY MALPHURS (lead Vision Navigator with the Malphurs Group) wrote: If you're a church planter or part of a church plant that is passionate about reaching the Next Generation-the future of the North American church, then this book is a must read!