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Survey And Questionnaire Design For Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz Oct 2023

Survey And Questionnaire Design For Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

To better understand behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes in churches, survey research can be very useful, especially to test a hypothesis that we believe to be true. Before creating a survey or questionnaire, the phenomena being examined need to be well understood and appropriate measures chosen. The items included in the survey need to measure the concepts desired and should be clear and unambiguous. The survey should be laid out to motivate maximum participation and minimize biased responses. This article provides many principles for how to accomplish these goals and to ensure that the research undertaken is credible.


Book Review: Administry: The Nuts And Bolts Of Church Administration By Thomas F. Tumblin, Timothy Clothier Oct 2023

Book Review: Administry: The Nuts And Bolts Of Church Administration By Thomas F. Tumblin, Timothy Clothier

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Disciple Making Starts At A Different Point Today, Brad Ransom Oct 2023

Disciple Making Starts At A Different Point Today, Brad Ransom

Great Commission Research Journal

Disciple-making starts at a different place today than it did forty years ago. Knocking on a stranger’s door today is unlikely to be effective for people distant from the gospel as is characteristic of today's generations. We must now view evangelism as a process and we must have a non-judgmental acceptance of all people. We must be willing to change to communicate the gospel in a way persuasive way.


Book Review: No Shortcut To Success: A Manifesto For Modern Missions By Matt Rhodes, Kenneth Nehrbass Oct 2023

Book Review: No Shortcut To Success: A Manifesto For Modern Missions By Matt Rhodes, Kenneth Nehrbass

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Need-Oriented Evangelism: Encountering, Embracing, And Experiencing God, Petr Činčala, Allison Sauceda Oct 2023

Need-Oriented Evangelism: Encountering, Embracing, And Experiencing God, Petr Činčala, Allison Sauceda

Great Commission Research Journal

This article provides a fresh perspective on evangelism by reflecting a belief in the Triune God--the source of saving truth and loving community. Mission is part of God’s nature; he is the ultimate Missionary. Mission happens naturally whenever children of God intentionally invite and facilitate God’s presence. Over time, the word “evangelism" has become contaminated by myths, a false understanding of God, and unpleasant religious experiences and practices. Genuine evangelism addresses the most burning issues of people’s lives and should be treated as such. True evangelism involves caring about, praying for, and sharing with people. The practical part of this …


How A Novel Research Framework Resulted In Fruitful Evangelism And Discovery: Introducing Ethnoscopy And Spiritual Patronage, L. Lynn Thigpen Oct 2023

How A Novel Research Framework Resulted In Fruitful Evangelism And Discovery: Introducing Ethnoscopy And Spiritual Patronage, L. Lynn Thigpen

Great Commission Research Journal

Faced with an unusual question from a Cambodian friend who had heard stories from God’s Word, I embarked on a quest for an answer. He worshipped an unusual and unfamiliar object and wondered whether he must abandon it to serve Christ. I knew he did, but I needed to explore the meanings ascribed to that object of worship to communicate the gospel more clearly, just as Paul did in Acts 17 while in Athens. According to Jesus’ parable of the soils in Matthew 13, fruitful evangelism involves understanding. How might individual missionaries and evangelists aid in that crucial need? With …


Book Review: New Funding Models In Global Mission: Learning From The Majority World By Tim Welch, John Cheong Oct 2023

Book Review: New Funding Models In Global Mission: Learning From The Majority World By Tim Welch, John Cheong

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Portraits Of Global Christianity: Research And Reflections In Honor Of Todd M. Johnson Edited By J. Gina Zurlo, Joe Handley Oct 2023

Book Review: Portraits Of Global Christianity: Research And Reflections In Honor Of Todd M. Johnson Edited By J. Gina Zurlo, Joe Handley

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Multiplying Leaders In Intercultural Contexts: Recognizing And Developing Grassroots Potential By Evelyn And Richard Hibbert, Mark D. Wood Oct 2023

Book Review: Multiplying Leaders In Intercultural Contexts: Recognizing And Developing Grassroots Potential By Evelyn And Richard Hibbert, Mark D. Wood

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Church Plantology: The Art And Science Of Planting By Peyton Jones, David Thiessen Oct 2023

Book Review: Church Plantology: The Art And Science Of Planting By Peyton Jones, David Thiessen

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Smart Church Finances: A Pastor’S Guide To Budgets, Spreadsheets, And Other Things You Didn’T Learn In Seminary By George Hillman, Jr., And John Reece, Walter Castro Oct 2023

Book Review: Smart Church Finances: A Pastor’S Guide To Budgets, Spreadsheets, And Other Things You Didn’T Learn In Seminary By George Hillman, Jr., And John Reece, Walter Castro

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Christian Martyrdom: A Brief History With Reflections For Today By Edward L. Smither, Francis Kyle Oct 2023

Book Review: Christian Martyrdom: A Brief History With Reflections For Today By Edward L. Smither, Francis Kyle

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


About The Great Commission Research Network, David R. Dunaetz Azusa Pacific University Oct 2023

About The Great Commission Research Network, David R. Dunaetz Azusa Pacific University

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Great Commission Research Journal Fall 2023, David R. Dunaetz Azusa Pacific University Oct 2023

Great Commission Research Journal Fall 2023, David R. Dunaetz Azusa Pacific University

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


The Top Ten Challenges Facing Churches In 2023, Edward E. Moody Jr. Apr 2023

The Top Ten Challenges Facing Churches In 2023, Edward E. Moody Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

This article summarizes the results of a study conducted by the Great Commission Research Network seeking to identify the top challenges facing churches in 2023. The results are similar to other recently conducted studies, emphasizing challenges related to evangelism and young adults.


A Bibliometric Analysis Of The Great Commission Research Journal 2009-2019, Glenn R. Wittig Apr 2023

A Bibliometric Analysis Of The Great Commission Research Journal 2009-2019, Glenn R. Wittig

Great Commission Research Journal

The Great Commission Research Journal, the subject of this investigation, is a relatively new journal with roots in the past. It is a successor to two previous publications from the American Society for Church Growth. A bibliometric analysis of the journal’s first ten volumes is presented on two levels. The first is a content analysis of the surface features of the publication such as the authors’ education, academic credentials, and employment, the number of full-length articles published, the subjects covered in each article, and other features such as the average length of articles, number of footnote references, and number of …


Metrics And Measurements In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz Apr 2023

Metrics And Measurements In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

To better understand the characteristics of specific churches and phenomena that occur across churches, various metrics and measurements can be used to describe them. Measurements must be meaningful and appropriate. Quantities involving people, finances, objects, or events are most frequently counted, but other measures may include behaviors, traits, skills, knowledge, and abilities of individuals. Measuring phenomena is necessary to understand how phenomena are related to each other. Measuring attitudes and beliefs are especially important because many ministries in churches are designed to influence these (e.g., preaching and teaching). However, from a Christian perspective, our motivation behind our measuring is important. …


Growing And Declining Churches Face Different Challenges: A Statistical Analysis Of The Top Ten Challenges Facing Churches Study, David R. Dunaetz Apr 2023

Growing And Declining Churches Face Different Challenges: A Statistical Analysis Of The Top Ten Challenges Facing Churches Study, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

The data behind the study The Top Ten Challenges Facing Churches (Moody, 2023) is presented and analyzed with a focus on differences between growing churches and non-growing churches. Church leaders (N = 129) indicated how difficult they believed it would be for North American churches to overcome 50 potential challenges. For most challenges, no significant difference between the church leaders from growing and non-growing churches was detected. However, church leaders from non-growing churches viewed 1) attractiveness of programs, 2) retaining young adults, 3) youth programs, 4) small group participation, and 5) effective strategy as more difficult challenges to overcome than …


Trust, Scripture, And The Spirit As Core Values Of Evangelism In A Chinantec Village In Oaxaca, Mexico, Eliseo Arce Hernandez, Ashley Stamper Apr 2023

Trust, Scripture, And The Spirit As Core Values Of Evangelism In A Chinantec Village In Oaxaca, Mexico, Eliseo Arce Hernandez, Ashley Stamper

Great Commission Research Journal

The paper provides both a rationale for an approach to evangelism and a practical, replicable ministry model focusing on three core values (trust, Scripture, and the Spirit) in order for churches and individuals to effectively fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20), particularly in cross-cultural contexts. A case study using this model in an indigenous Chinantec community in Oaxaca, Mexico, is presented. In contrast to modern evangelistic strategies that emphasize speed and numbers, this model and field example offer an alternative approach to church planting, an approach with a long-term focus and a goal of mature disciples and healthy churches.


Book Review: One Faith No Longer: The Transformation Of Christianity In Red And Blue America By George Yancy And Ashlee Quosigk, Mike Urton Apr 2023

Book Review: One Faith No Longer: The Transformation Of Christianity In Red And Blue America By George Yancy And Ashlee Quosigk, Mike Urton

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Introduction To Special Section On Gary L. Mcintosh, David R. Dunaetz Apr 2023

Introduction To Special Section On Gary L. Mcintosh, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Christian Barriers To Jesus: Conversations And Questions From The Indian Context By J. Paul Pennington, Harshit Gudka Apr 2023

Book Review: Christian Barriers To Jesus: Conversations And Questions From The Indian Context By J. Paul Pennington, Harshit Gudka

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Revitalizing The Declining Church: From Death’S Door To Community. Growth By Desmond Barrett, Terry Neumayer Apr 2023

Book Review: Revitalizing The Declining Church: From Death’S Door To Community. Growth By Desmond Barrett, Terry Neumayer

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Relationship Building For Evangelism Among English Language Learners In China, Ryan Jensen Apr 2023

Relationship Building For Evangelism Among English Language Learners In China, Ryan Jensen

Great Commission Research Journal

This empirical research revealed that relationship-building by missionaries among English language learners in China was a factor that facilitated their verbal communication of the gospel. For this study, I interviewed 15 missionaries who were identified by various leaders as being active in evangelism and who had shared the gospel with at least 10 Chinese people in the last year that they were on the field. Participants explained that they used the strategy of “funneling” interactions with Chinese individuals by narrowing down a large number of people with whom they had contact to a select few who were interested in spiritual …


Book Review: God At Work In The World: Theology And Mission In The Global Church By Lalsangkima Pachuau, Kenneth Nehrbass Apr 2023

Book Review: God At Work In The World: Theology And Mission In The Global Church By Lalsangkima Pachuau, Kenneth Nehrbass

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Finding Them, Keeping Them – Strategies For Evangelism And Assimilation: A Review Of The Books Written By Gary L. Mcintosh, Gordon E. Penfold Apr 2023

Finding Them, Keeping Them – Strategies For Evangelism And Assimilation: A Review Of The Books Written By Gary L. Mcintosh, Gordon E. Penfold

Great Commission Research Journal

A short review of each of the twenty-seven books by Gary L. McIntosh traces the development of the author’s thought up to his latest release in January 2023. This review demonstrates that McIntosh’s passion is to see churches and Christian leaders apply classical biblical church growth principles in their ministry contexts. His passion for reaching and assimilating new people, and for developing Christian leaders to carry out Christ’s Great Commission with a Great Commandment passion permeates each book. The breadth and depth of his knowledge are demonstrated in his many volumes with little overlap in their subject matter. His works …


My Pilgrimage In Church Growth, Gary L. Mcintosh Apr 2023

My Pilgrimage In Church Growth, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

A short autobiography by Gary McIntosh focusing on his role in the Church Growth Movement


Book Review: Faith In The Wilderness: Words Of Exhortation From The Chinese Church Edited By Hannah Nation And Simon Liu, Ryan Jensen Apr 2023

Book Review: Faith In The Wilderness: Words Of Exhortation From The Chinese Church Edited By Hannah Nation And Simon Liu, Ryan Jensen

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Missions And Money: Global Realities And Challenges By Jonathan J. Bonk, Michel G. Distefano, J. Nelson Jennings, Jinbong Kim, And Jae Hoon Lee, Gregory C. Cochran Apr 2023

Book Review: Missions And Money: Global Realities And Challenges By Jonathan J. Bonk, Michel G. Distefano, J. Nelson Jennings, Jinbong Kim, And Jae Hoon Lee, Gregory C. Cochran

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Stick Figures Save The World: Drawing Simply To Share Jesus Well By Pam Arlund, Jason Lalonde Apr 2023

Book Review: Stick Figures Save The World: Drawing Simply To Share Jesus Well By Pam Arlund, Jason Lalonde

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.