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Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Asbury Theological Seminary

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

Natural Church Development

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The Transition From Church Growth To Church Health, Philip Walker Jan 2005

The Transition From Church Growth To Church Health, Philip Walker

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

When I have taught Church Growth principles I have found it helpful to look at Acts 2:41-47 and the variety of growth types indicated in these verses. You will find: Growing up in verse 42, individuals growing into a mature relationship with God; Growing together in verse 44, in great generosity and spiritual gifts; Growing out in verse 47a, into the community; Growing more in verse 47b, as the numbers increase. The problem has been that Church Growth thinking has been caricatured as relating only to the last of these, although a careful reading of the Church Growth books shows …