Christianity Commons^™

A Theology Of Church Planting, Phil Stevenson

Great Commission Research Journal

Does church planting need a theology of its own? Or is it enough for it to be informed by theological themes? This paper will attempt to address this conversation. It will show that, even though, church planting may fall outside the realm of traditional theology it is still a branch off the theological trunk. Church planting is an implementation of theological teaching. There are four theological foundations that inform the practice of church planting. They are critical for church planting reflection and framing. These are: Missio Dei, Incarnation, Kingdom of God, and Ecclesiology. Each of this will be explored and …

Advent Devotional Guide 2011, Belmont University

Advent Devotional Guides

No abstract provided.

The Banner - V. 146, No. 1 - (January 2011), Christian Reformed Church In North America

The Banner

6 - Editorial: Security for Whom? by Bob De Moor / 7 - Catch Your Breath: In the Palm of God’s Hand by Judy Hardy / 8 - IMHO: Saying No to the Belhar by Rob Toornstra / 8 - Letters to the Editor / 10 - News: A firsthand look at rebuilding Haiti / 19 - Frequently Asked Questions / 20 - Tuned In: The Comeback Catechism by Robert N. Hosack / 22 - Caring for Creation by Kristen deRoo VanderBerg / 26 - Dear Reader: Our World Belongs to God by Jerry Dykstra / 30 - Just for …

Does Eros Seek Happiness? A Critical Analysis Of C. S. Lewis's Reply To Anders Nygren, Jason Lepojärvi

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

No abstract provided.

History Revisited: Learning From Charles H. Spurgeon’S Commitment To Conversion Growth, Michael O'Neal

Great Commission Research Journal

Donald McGavran and Peter Wagner, the early leaders of the Church Growth Movement (CGM), longed to see conversion growth as the primary source of church growth. Yet one of the common criticisms of church growth today is its lack of emphasis on conversion growth. This article discusses this criticism and argues that the church can learn from Charles H. Spurgeon’s commitment to conversion growth, calling church growth back to its theological and missiological roots.

Book Review: The Steward Leader: Transforming People, Organizations, And Communities By R. Scott Rodin, Alan Karr

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Stew Versus Melting Pot Ministry: Multicultural/Ethic Urban Apostolic Partnership, Parnell M. Lovelace Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

The church today has an opportunity to explore opportunities of culturally and ethnically diverse apostolic missional partnerships. Is it possible that vanguard and strategic concepts of multicultural/ethnic church planting models are contextualized and expanded within the urban setting? Is it possible that such modalities may serve not only towards the unification of believers, but also provide a means of connectivity to empower the community as a whole? The assertion is there are connecting points of evangelism and church growth opportunities found within such strategic and intentional multi-ethic/cultural models of apostolic partnerships.

Building Healthy Relationships In A Multi-Ethnic Congregation With No Ethnic Majority: A Case Study Of Sunrise Church, Arturo Lucero, Robert Weaver

Great Commission Research Journal

Friendship development is the key to the integration of members in multiethnic churches. Research has shown that in small congregations with an ethnic majority, those belonging to minorities experience high personal costs, thereby increasing the rate of turnover of fringe minorities. Our study focuses on the friendship development between ethnic groups in a mega-church with no ethnic majority. The conclusion is that the same social dynamics that produce homogeneity in non-religious volunteer organizations occur in a local church with no ethnic majority. In other words, people demonstrated a tendency of being with their own kind.

Book Review: Your Church Is Too Small: Why Unity In Christ’S Mission Is Vital To The Future Of The Church By John H. Armstrong, Robert I. Garrett Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Heart Of Mentoring: Ten Proven Principles For Developing People To Their Fullest Potential By David A. Stoddard, Jeff Ritchley

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Equipping Nationals To Train Church Planters In Their Culture, Mark Alan Williams

Great Commission Research Journal

Training in a cross-cultural environment has it challenges, but these challenges can be overcome through cultural sensitivity and emphasizing biblical principles over North American bias. A key element of cross-cultural training is equipping nationals to multiply the training throughout their cultural setting. Nationals make the best trainers for one primary reason: they understand their people best. This article provides practical methods for enhanced cross-cultural training effectiveness. Jesus’ training process is outlined as a model for such training. Common mistakes are shared so they might be avoided in equipping nationals to train.

Re-Imaging Leadership Development For Millennials, John Scott Ramsey

Doctor of Ministry

vii ABSTRACT Statistics of church attendance in America shows a chronic trend toward younger generations leaving the church. What will happen to the church in America over the next fifteen years when Boomer1 pastors choose to retire? The Church will face a monumental leadership transition and many churches will not be equipped with a new generation of experienced leaders. Seasoned church leaders (aka those of the Boomer population) must give great care, and with a sense of urgency, develop the Millennial generation2 as leaders for the future vitality of the church. The thesis of this study is seasoned church leaders …

The Relationship Between The Great Commission, The Most Important Commandment, And Abundance, Mark Mcnees

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Adventures In Churchland: Discovering The Beautiful Mess Jesus Loves, Dan Kimball

Doctor of Ministry

A growing number of young adults (those in the 18-30-year-old age range) are not
engaging, becoming involved or entering into the church of America. An increasing
number of those who grew up attending church are leaving after their high school years.
I have observed this as a pattern when visiting churches and talking to church
leaders across America. Statistics are showing this as seen in studies such as Dave Kin-
naman’s research and writings from the Barna Research group and Ed Stetzer’s research
from LifeWay Christian Resources. This is a very significant problem because if the
church loses connection with …

Listening Life: An Approach To Spiritual Formation At Newberg Friends Church, Stephen D. Fawver

Doctor of Ministry

At Newberg Friends Church we have developed a Listening Life approach to spiritual formation based on the call of God recorded in Mark 9:7, "This is my Son, whom I love, listen to him." A listening life is a holistic life - one that is open to being in a love relationship with God, creating intentional space and time with Christ, and responding to the nudges of the Spirit in the spontaneity of life. This listening is richer when done together with others and more free if it embraces an experimental attitude that holds things loosely as we seek to …

A Curriculum For Peace And Conflict Management: Teachers' Guide, Eloise Hockett

Faculty Publications - College of Education

This peace curriculum is currently being used by several Quaker secondary schools in Kenya. It promotes peace and effective conflict management. This guide was made in part through collaboration between Friends Secondary Schools, Kenya; Friends United Meeting, Africa; and George Fox University.

This resource has three parts: the syllabus and a resource guide, linked below under "additional files," and the teacher's guide at the "download" link to the left.

Letter From The Editor, Christina Belcher

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Welcome to the summer issue of the ICCTE Journal. Recently, your ICCTE Leadership Council met at Azusa Pacific University in preparation for the 2012 Biennial Conference. While there, we contemplated what it meant to implement ’emphatic listening’, as expressed in the book Messengers of God: The sensuous side of spirituality by Arthur Roberts as an act of worship to God and out of respect to each other. In this beneficial devotional within community, we were able to fellowship, plan, eat and laugh as a team who would return with something to share with you all. I invite you to send …

Transforming Teaching In Inclusive Settings: An Educator Looks At Vim, Robin Labarbera Ph.D.

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Inclusive classrooms are those in which students with special needs are educated alongside their non-disabled peers. This article examines the attitudes that teachers in inclusive settings may hold that are believed to be barriers to successful inclusion. Given that historically, students with special needs in inclusive classrooms have made limited academic progress through traditional whole-class instruction, it is suggested that a transformation in inclusive teaching take place. This article suggests that educators apply Dallas Willard’s (2002) concept of VIM, outlined in his book, Renovation of the Heart. Christian teachers may find the vision, intention, and means Willard advocates to be …

Conflict And The Campus Ministry Leader : A Strategy For Preparation, Robert S. Henry

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Understanding The Book Of Mormon, Terryl Givens

English Faculty Publications

With over 150 million copies in circulation, the Book of Mormon has yet to find its niche in historical, religious or literary studies. Largely ignored by scholars and berated by Evangelicals, the text may find a more successful path to a larger audience, hopes historian Grant Hardy, if historical and religious questions are bracketed in deference to the work’s surprisingly complex and interesting literary dimensions