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Twelve Trends in Multiplication: A Study in Reproducing Churches
"Twelve Trends in Multiplication" identifies and documents some of the evident trends in the multiplying churches of the United States. Author Jeff Leake's goal in writing this book is to go beyond summarizing these trends. Rather, this book was written to inspire others to think beyond the boundaries of their previous understanding of church multiplication.
This book presents unique and powerful models to share its points and observations. Too often, creativity is limited because we see the world in nice, neat categories and we don't give ourselves space to dream about what is possible.
Leake's goal is that the stories he shares, representing each of these twelve models of multiplication, will help you think outside the box and give God an opportunity to speak to you about your own journey towards multiplication.
In this book, readers will have access
Interviews – Leake collects the thoughts of some pastors who lead great churches. Many of these pastors are close friends. All were very open and willing to share their journey.
Model Descriptions - In each chapter, Leake attempts to draw some distinctions for you about how and why the model works, what it costs, and how you might consider taking some first steps in that particular direction of multiplication.
Contrasts - Early on, you will start to pick up on some of the differences in values, strategies, and style. This is not to lift one up over the other, but simply to educate you on what is possible.
This material is also designed to be practical enough that you can determine the 'how.' Based on the models described, you will have enough information to know which two or three potential paths forward there are for you and your church to prayerfully pursue.
This book presents unique and powerful models to share its points and observations. Too often, creativity is limited because we see the world in nice, neat categories and we don't give ourselves space to dream about what is possible.
Leake's goal is that the stories he shares, representing each of these twelve models of multiplication, will help you think outside the box and give God an opportunity to speak to you about your own journey towards multiplication.
In this book, readers will have access
Interviews – Leake collects the thoughts of some pastors who lead great churches. Many of these pastors are close friends. All were very open and willing to share their journey.
Model Descriptions - In each chapter, Leake attempts to draw some distinctions for you about how and why the model works, what it costs, and how you might consider taking some first steps in that particular direction of multiplication.
Contrasts - Early on, you will start to pick up on some of the differences in values, strategies, and style. This is not to lift one up over the other, but simply to educate you on what is possible.
This material is also designed to be practical enough that you can determine the 'how.' Based on the models described, you will have enough information to know which two or three potential paths forward there are for you and your church to prayerfully pursue.
188 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 15, 2021
Church planting has been around since New Testament times. Today, however, it means more than starting a single congregation. It often means one congregation multiplying itself through other congregations.
In Twelve Trends in Multiplication, Jeff Leake identifies different ways existing Assemblies of God churches are starting new AG congregations. As a “voluntary cooperative fellowship,” the AG encourages its churches to experiment with new ways of doing things, and this experimentation is bearing fruit in the growth of new churches.
Leake is pastor of Allison Park Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. APC has seven campuses and has planted 31 new churches over the course of his three-decades-long leadership. It is an example of what he calls “the church planting network model.”
Here are the 12 models Leake identifies:
1. Attractional/video venue
2. Empowerment/live speaking
3. Micro-church
4. Circuit rider
5. International venue
6. Merger/revitalization
7. Church planting network
8. Resource network
9. Big day/large launch
10. Cell-based
11. Prison campus
12. Leadership pipeline
For each model, Leake answers seven questions:
1. What does each entity/location have in common?
2. What is customized?
3. What is centralized?
4. What are the pros of this model?
5. What are the cons or limitations of this model?
6. What are the start-up and ongoing cost factors?
7. What is the level of management competence needed to provide proper controls?
These two lists indicate that there is no one “right” way to multiply churches, as well as that all models have tradeoffs.
I would recommend this book especially to pastors who feel called to plant churches out of their existing congregations. It will give them an idea of the various ways church planting can take place, as well as address some of the questions they might have about which models will work best for them.
Some of the churches Leake profiles are megachurches, but not all are. In fact, several of the models were designed specifically to plant churches in under-resourced areas, whether rural or urban.
Book Reviewed
Jeff Leake, Twelve Trends in Multiplication: A Study in Reproducing Churches (Springfield, MO: Church Multiplication Network, 2021).
P.S. If you like my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
In Twelve Trends in Multiplication, Jeff Leake identifies different ways existing Assemblies of God churches are starting new AG congregations. As a “voluntary cooperative fellowship,” the AG encourages its churches to experiment with new ways of doing things, and this experimentation is bearing fruit in the growth of new churches.
Leake is pastor of Allison Park Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. APC has seven campuses and has planted 31 new churches over the course of his three-decades-long leadership. It is an example of what he calls “the church planting network model.”
Here are the 12 models Leake identifies:
1. Attractional/video venue
2. Empowerment/live speaking
3. Micro-church
4. Circuit rider
5. International venue
6. Merger/revitalization
7. Church planting network
8. Resource network
9. Big day/large launch
10. Cell-based
11. Prison campus
12. Leadership pipeline
For each model, Leake answers seven questions:
1. What does each entity/location have in common?
2. What is customized?
3. What is centralized?
4. What are the pros of this model?
5. What are the cons or limitations of this model?
6. What are the start-up and ongoing cost factors?
7. What is the level of management competence needed to provide proper controls?
These two lists indicate that there is no one “right” way to multiply churches, as well as that all models have tradeoffs.
I would recommend this book especially to pastors who feel called to plant churches out of their existing congregations. It will give them an idea of the various ways church planting can take place, as well as address some of the questions they might have about which models will work best for them.
Some of the churches Leake profiles are megachurches, but not all are. In fact, several of the models were designed specifically to plant churches in under-resourced areas, whether rural or urban.
Book Reviewed
Jeff Leake, Twelve Trends in Multiplication: A Study in Reproducing Churches (Springfield, MO: Church Multiplication Network, 2021).
P.S. If you like my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
May 31, 2021
This is a very inspiring book! I loved getting the backstory of how each pastor/leader began their journey of pastoring and how each church is uniquely governed. I highly recommend this book for individuals considering pastoral leadership, church planting or even business administration. This is a much needed resource!
June 4, 2025
Super helpful book! I enjoyed the examples and learned several things. Only knocked a star off because of editing and formatting issues in my copy.
August 28, 2022
Good content. Very sloppy editing.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews