At Exponential, we believe no single church—no matter how large or strong—can reach an entire city. The future of the Church is networking: churches linking arms, building friendships, and multiplying together until the love of Jesus reaches every person in every place.
Networks NEXT exists to accelerate that movement. Rooted in the 16% Mission, we’re equipping leaders to start, sustain, and scale reproducing networks—small groups of churches becoming friends on mission.
This is about moving from isolation to collaboration. From ego to humility. From castle building to Kingdom advancement.
When churches unite around the mission of Jesus, movements begin. When networks collaborate across cities and denominations, multiplication accelerates.
Together, we can reach the tipping point—16% of churches reproducing and multiplying—and reshape the spiritual landscape of our generation.
Join the Great Collaboration. Start a Network. Join a Network. Support the Movement. Together, we can choose Kingdom over castle and see multiplication become the new normal.
Watch Leadership Network’s Microchurch Next Directors, Rob Wegner and Brian Johnson, with guest Doug Paul from Catapult for Part 1 of, “The State of the Microchurch in the West,” Over the course of three gatherings in 2022 hosted by Leadership Network, Microchurch Networks from across the US gathered to explore three questions, “How did we get here? Where are we currently? Where are we headed?”
In part 1 of this 2 part series, Rob, Brian, and Doug will primarily explore the answers discovered to the first question, “How did we get here?” You’ll hear about the process these networks engaged to discern the critical factors that led to the return of the Microchurch in the West over the past three decades, both within the church world and the cultural contributing factors.
Over the course of three gatherings in 2022 hosted by Leadership Network, microchurch networks from across the US gathered to explore three questions: “How did we get here? Where are we currently? Where are we headed?”
In part 2 of this 2 part series, Rob, Brian, and Doug will address the barriers to success and sustainability discovered by these microchurch networks. As a note, we admit that we don’t have holistic answers to these barriers, but we do see bright spots where networks are creatively exploring solutions. There will also be Q/A time with Rob and Brian following the discussion. Before joining us for the second part of this webinar, we encourage you to read the “State of the Microchurch in the West” which you can find at leadnet.org/microchurch-next.
Patrick O’Connell is the Executive Director of Practice and a Directional Leader on the Global Expressions Team at Exponential. He develops tools, training, and strategies to help leaders start, sustain, and scale multiplying networks around the world.
Patrick’s leadership journey began after planting a network of churches in Kansas City, where he discovered a calling to coach and equip church planters. Since then, he has worked with leaders across the globe to advance Kingdom collaboration and multiplication.
He is the co-author of Together: Pursuing the Great Collaboration and writes regularly on his Substack, The Great Collaboration. Patrick is also a frequent conference speaker and leadership trainer.
A former Army soldier and marketplace executive, Patrick is married to Nancy, whom he met in a punk rock mosh pit. They have three children and two grandchildren, Ezra and Aviana.
