Practical Theology Commons^™

A Case Study Of Growth And Decline: The Churches Of Christ, 2006-2016, Stanley E. Granberg

Great Commission Research Journal

The group known as the Churches of Christ is one of America’s largest religious bodies with over 1.5 million adherents and congregations in all fifty states. Like many U.S. Christian bodies, the Churches of Christ have entered a time of decline. This article is a case study of the Churches of Christ and describes the group’s growth and decline, with a specific focus on the years 2006 to 2016. The movement’s current state of health is assessed, and the impact of new church planting as the engine for movement growth is described. The article ends by addressing three hard challenges …

The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Turning To North America, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

The event that put Church Growth on the worldwide map was the Lausanne Congress on Evangelism held on July 14-28, 1974. Then, as the Church Growth Movement took hold around the world, the focus of some faculty at Fuller’s School of World Mission gradually turned toward North America. This article describes the actions and processes that propelled the movement into world prominence.

Architectural Evangelism: Examination Of Place Constructs Held By Churched And Unchurched Individuals, Matthew Niermann

Great Commission Research Journal

In recent decades, the exterior design of Protestant churches has undergone radical reformulation under the influence of the church growth architectural design theory known as architectural evangelism. Presupposing that churched and unchurched individuals hold differing place constructs, architectural evangelism seeks to attract unchurched individuals to the church by changing the exterior design from church typologies to secular typologies. In doing so, as the theory proposes, when an unchurched individual is exposed to a typology they are more familiar with, a different place construct formulation occurs—a place construct rooted in conceptions of comfort and the perception of community-based activities. Noting the …

Book Review: Reclaiming Glory: Revitalizing Dying Churches By Mark Clifton, Chris Messerer

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Turn-Around Churches: How To Overcome Barriers To Growth And Bring New Life To An Established Church By George Barna, Harvey Mitchell Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

A Divine Selection: An Exegetical Analysis Of Vocational Calling, Timothy Nguyen

Senior Honors Theses

Within Christian circles, the ‘calling’ of the vocational minister is frequently abused and misunderstood and muddled by the lack of Scriptural evidence for the overused term. The focus of this research is to observe first, the current cultural climate surrounding the nature of calling, and second, to compare this understanding to the authoritative Scriptural teaching on the subject in both the Old and New Testaments. This analysis reveals that the “internal” vocational call to minister is absent from the Bible and must be replaced by an alternative the Scripture directly teaches. It is concluded that God gives man the desire …

"Are We There Yet?" What Air Travel Teaches Us About Sermon Appeals, Willie Edward Hucks Ii

Faculty Publications

Preaching a sermon resembles air travel in several ways, with each element of the flying experience finding a counterpart in the sermon—from arriving at the airport for the flight to departing the last airport after finally arriving.

Modern-Day Sacrifices, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Only Bible Some People Will Ever Read, Petr Cincala

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Christian Leadership In Africa: Interview With An African Cohort Of Christian Leaders, Petr Cincala

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Petr Cincala, Ph.D., is Director of the Institute of Church Ministry, Andrews University, assistant Professor of World Mission, Director of NCD America (Natural Church Development), and the Managing Editor of the Journal of Applied Christian Leadership.

In February 2019, Dr. Petr Cincala met with a cohort of Christian leaders from Africa and presented them with questions regarding leadership in their various countries. Comprised of one woman and eight men, between the ages of 31-60, these cohort members currently serve in a variety of capacities, including pastors, directors, conference executive/ministerial secretaries and church workers, and have been working in Christian leadership …

The Historic Liturgy: Important Or Adiaphoron? Yes, John Tape

Theological Symposia

I humbly submit to you today that this is the current problem in our beloved synod, concerning the proper role of the historic liturgy. If we are going to begin to have an accurate understanding of the liturgy, we must carefully stay on the tightrope and avoid falling to one side or the other.

Today I would like to focus on two polar elements concerning the historic liturgy and suggest several specific ways they can be kept in balance. In all of this, I hope to present five theological principles (or if you are Waltherian—theses) which will help guide us …

The Historic Liturgy: Important Or Adiaphoron? Yes

Theological Symposia

>p>I humbly submit to you today that this is the current problem in our beloved synod, concerning the proper role of the historic liturgy. If we are going to begin to have an accurate understanding of the liturgy, we must carefully stay on the tightrope and avoid falling to one side or the other.

Today I would like to focus on two polar elements concerning the historic liturgy and suggest several specific ways they can be kept in balance. In all of this, I hope to present five theological principles (or if you are Waltherian—theses) which will help guide …

Missional Partnership: Reframing The Concept Of “Placing Membership”, Steve Cloer

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This essay reframes the process of “placing membership” in a local church with the theological concept of missional partnership. A critical review is offered of the organizational procedure of “placing membership,” its underlying theoretical assumptions, and its deficient theological vision. Then, the practice of joining a local Christian community is reimagined in a missional ecclesiology focusing on the key theological strands of spiritual accountability and equipping for mission. The biblical metaphor of “partner in the gospel” is explored as an alternative to “membership” as a way to adequately communicate what joining, entering, and participating within a church on mission entails. …

Propers 17 (Pentecost 18) Series B 2018, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

This PDF comments on the Propers Seventeen Series B and offers ideas for proclamation and preaching.

A Trinitarian Leadership Model: Insights From The Apostle Peter, Brian Ruffner, Russell L. Huizing

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

The integration of Biblical principles with leadership theory has proven a monumental undertaking. Can such principles actually guide Christian leaders even though they are sometimes in tension with current concepts of leadership? It might seem like a difficult balance to achieve. However, by delving into Peter’s basic and presuppositional commitments, a clear picture of Biblical leadership emerged. Using 1 Peter 5 as the investigative platform, thorough analysis revealed a Trinitarian belief structure underpinning Peter’s concept of leadership. Significantly, the transition from simple fisherman to apostle demonstrated a radical transformation in both thought and application of leadership principles. Ultimately, a precise …

The Life Of A Volunteer, Hannah Gallant

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Ending Domestic Violence--No Time To Waste, Beverly J. Sedlacek, David Sedlacek

Faculty Publications

The church plays an important role in creating a safe community and an environment in which intimate partner violence (IPV) is addressed, not covered up. An appropriate understanding of Scripture is also protective. Local churches must become aware of resources in their communities designed to help both victims and perpetrators. The message that violence of any kind will not be tolerated must be clearly sent. Perpetrators must experience appropriate consequences along with the help they need. enditnow, the Adventist Church’s program to create awareness and help prevent IPV, must continue to be supported.

Aus Dem Leben Von Joseph Kidder – Teil 2 – Wachstum Durch Gebet, S. Joseph Kidder

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Jonah: A Preacher God Wanted To Save—A City God Wanted To Reach, Ranko Stefanovic

Faculty Publications

"The book of Jonah records one of the most provocative stories in the Bible. It contrasts God’s and humans’ attitudes toward sinners.¹ It is a story of God’s love and compassion that stands in contrast to human indifference, condemnation, and bigotry toward wayward sinners who are in need of salvation. Its primary purpose was to teach Israel that God’s love is for all people, not just for Israel. The book is also for God’s people throughout history who find it hard to accept the truth that no person is out of the reach of God’s love and salvation."

Propers 16 (Pentecost 14) Series B 2018, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

This PDF comments on the Propers Sixteen, Series B and offers ideas for proclamation and preaching.