Recently, I was interviewed on the blog of one of my friends, J.D. Payne. He directs the Church Planting Center at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is also a professor. J.D. interviewed me about Viral Churches, which I recently co-authored with Warren Bird. Here are some excerpts:

What makes this book different from others on church planting?

It's different because, though this book is research-based, we also take an advocacy perspective. We advocate the need for an alternative to inward-focused or addition based church planting. Viral Churches contains enough stories for participants in church planting at every level to find inspiration and specific help but we want to see a new breed of planters. Our country needs planters to shift from church planting to church multiplication movements. The message put simply: Church planting needs to go viral.

Why is this book important for church planters?

I think this book will help church planters see the next big picture of what God is doing. The guidance offered will help planters expand their vision for how churches can be part of a replicating movement.
Now, some church planters already have the vision for a multiplying movement. They can use this book to see the practices and characteristics necessary to move from vision to action.
Also, each chapter in the book will introduce the reader to at least one network, coalition, or denomination that is placing a major emphasis on church planting, and the Appendix in the book lists all the entities that have been described.

You talk about "changing the scorecard" today. What do you mean by this phrase?

A change of the scorecard is needed to see a multiplication movement occur where you lead. Warren and I contend that if you change the scorecard in the church that eventually you will be able to change the scorecard in the community. Rather than seeking to be the next big thing - the church version of "America's Got Talent" - let's become the next transformative thing. Instead of our neighbors saying, "Wow, you've got a big church," let's create a movement where they say, "Wow, your church makes a difference in our community, and around the country."

You can check out the rest of the interview here.