Outreach magazine recently published a list of 2007’s top 25 multiplying churches in America. These are churches that produce more churches.

The list was created using the results from a survey sponsored by Leadership Network. Rankings are based on:

• the total number of church plants over the life of a church
• the average number of churches planted each year
• dollars and percentage of budget dedicated to church planting
• the number of daughter churches that have planted a new church
• a church’s influence on the entire church-planting community

What I find refreshing about this list is that 17 of the churches were not highlighted on one of the seven previous lists on Church Relevance’s churches to watch list. So here are 2007’s top 25 multiplying churches in America, as well as, which previous lists they have made:

1. Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York, NY) :: Timothy Keller
   other achievements include:
   >> #15 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
   >> #16 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
   >> #26 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘05
2. Mars Hill Church (Seattle, WA) :: Mark Driscoll
   other achievements include:
   >> #9 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
   >> #15 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘06
   >> #22 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
   >> #54 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘05
   >> #23 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘05
3. NorthWood Church (Keller, TX) :: Bob Roberts
4. Perimeter Church (Duluth, GA) :: Randy Pope
5. Spanish River Church (Boca Raton, FL) :: David Nicholas
6. East 91st Street Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN) :: Derek Duncan
7. Community Christian Church (Naperville, IL) :: Dave Ferguson
   other achievements include:
   >> #7 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
   >> #13 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
   >> #48 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘04
8. Fellowship Bible Church (Little Rock, AR) :: Bill Wellons
   other achievements include:
   >> #26 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
9. Kensington Community Church (Troy, MI) :: Steve Andrews
10. Church at the Springs (Ocala, FL) :: Ron Sylvia
11. Summit Church (Bonita Springs, FL) :: Orlando Cabrera
12. Vineyard Christian Church of Evanston (Evanston, IL) :: Steve Nicholson
13. New Life Christian Church (Centreville, VA) :: Brett Andrews
14. Owensboro Christian Church (Owensboro, KY) :: Myke Templeton
15. Elmbrook Church (Brookfield, WI) :: Mel Lawrenz
    other achievements include:
    >> #66 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06
16. West Ridge Church (Dallas, GA) :: Brian Bloye
    other achievements include:
    >> #91 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06
    >> #68 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘05
17. Journey Christian Church (Apopka, FL) :: Dan Donaldson
18. Grace Fellowship (Brooklyn Park, MN) :: Dave Reno
19. Columbia Crossroads Church (Columbia, SC) :: Jeff Shipman
20. Atlanta Vineyard Church (Norcross, GA) :: Johnny Crist
21. CrossPointe Church (Orlando, FL) :: Chan Kilgore
22. Set Free (Yucaipa, CA) :: Willie Dalgity
23. First Southwest Baptist Church (Alief, TX) :: Rickie Bradshaw
24. French Speaking Baptist Church (Brooklyn, NY) :: Jean Baptiste Thomas
    other achievements include:
    >> #87 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘06
25. Vineyard Church (Westerville, OH) :: Rich Nathan
    other achievements include:
    >> #67 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06

Be sure to read Outreach’s article to learn how these churches are multiplying and impacting the world.

If you are interested in multiplying your church, these 25 churches are worth studying. At the same time, stay focused on God’s calling for your church, and learn what principles and methods these churches use that can help you fulfill your calling. Don’t simply imitate, or you may find yourself focused on another church’s calling and not yours.

[via The Christian Post]