Practical Theology Commons^™

Book Review: Cure For The Common Church: God’S Plan To Restore Church Health By Bob Whitesel, Joshua L. Henry

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Donald Mcgavran And The City, Jeff K. Walters

Great Commission Research Journal

As the “father of the Church Growth Movement,” Donald A. McGavran’s impact on twentieth century missiology is undisputed. His teaching on missions in urban contexts holds great value for our rapidly urbanizing world, but those contributions have been studied very little. The purpose of this article is to survey McGavran’s urban missiology, especially as presented in his seminal work, Understanding Church Growth.

Book Review: Wisdom From Lyle E. Schaller: The Elder Statesman Of Church Leadership By Warren Bird, Ed., James R. Farrer

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Donald Mcgavran’S Understanding Of Conversion, Gustavo V. Suarez

Great Commission Research Journal

This paper seeks to explore Donald McGavran’s understanding of conversion. First, we will look at the people and events that shaped his theology and methodology. Second, we will explore McGavran’s understanding of conversion. He clearly emphasized in his writings that Church Growth was conversion growth. He also was very clear that salvation is only through Jesus Christ. However, Donald McGavran’s understanding of conversion was clouded with the conflicting theological and sociological views that consequently influenced his methodology. Donald McGavran’s view of conversion lacked a clear theological explanation as to how man becomes a Christian. Most of McGavran’s explanation of conversion …

Blow Ups Or Grow Ups: Strategic Issues For Turnaround Churches, Kent R. Hunter

Great Commission Research Journal

This article addresses the theological and strategic issues affecting current turnaround churches in North America. In at least two scenarios, pastors can either “blow up” or “grow up” their church. The difference lies in the way change is introduced. Dr. Hunter explains that the biblical model of repentance, or metanoia, is always focused on turning towards God. To refocus the church’s mission on discipleship and away from the cultural drift, an understanding of the three most common church change strategies is essential. This discussion includes an analysis of the transition, extension, and organic models, along with an illustration of what …

The Rise And Decline Of The Church Growth Movement, Elmer Towns

Great Commission Research Journal

Dr. Towns surveys the movements and personalities that brought the Church Growth Movement into being and gave it a focus in the American church scene. Then he discusses the several accomplishments in its golden age of influence. After 20 years of ministry in various areas, the Church Growth Movement began to decline as evidenced by nine trends surveyed by Dr. Towns. Then he noted seven continuing influences of the Church Growth Movement on today’s church culture. Finally he reminds the reader of what God can do through the church and that God is still using churches today.

The Twenty-First Century Relevance Of Donald Mcgavran, Gary Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

Donald A. McGavran is widely considered to be the greatest missiologist of the twentieth century. However, recent articles and books often ignore his contributions to mission theory. This lecture presents ten major influences of McGavran on the church in North America, and suggests five ways he challenges missional thinking in the twenty first century

Finding Still Waters And Green Pastures: Understanding And Reducing Stress In Urban Church Planting, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

The work of urban church planters is often hindered by high levels of stress. Stress may be viewed as a process that involves stressors and an individual’s perceptions of both the level of threat and his or her ability to deal with the threat. The long-term and the short-term consequences of stress can be attenuated through appropriate coping strategies such as problem solving, prayer, and seeking social support. Recent empirical evidence indicates that exposure to nature is also very effective, a strategy that might be especially beneficial to urban church planters and their ministries. Several practical applications are suggested.

Converge International Missionaries And Their Churches In Thailand: Different Strategies Reaching Different People Groups In The Bangkapi District Of Bangkok, Thailand, John F. Easterling

Great Commission Research Journal

In 1990, two missionary families moved to Thailand under the supervision of the Baptist General Conference to study the Thai language, intern under a Thai pastor, and eventually plant churches. Their coming to Thailand was following many years of Buddhism that is firmly established in the land. Christianity has not had an easy reception, but slowly the Christian church has been planted by men and women with faith, a call, determination, vision, and hard work. As these two missionary families began to work together, they started to realize that they each had a distinct calling. After twelve years, their one …

Book Review: Understanding World Christianity: The Vision And Work Of Andrew F. Walls By William R. Burrows, Mark R. Gornik, And Janice A. Mclean, Eds., Dwight P. Baker

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review Of Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways To Stop Procrastinating And Get More Done In Less Time, By Tracy, B. (2007, 2nd Ed.), Stan Patterson, Michael Adomako

Stanley E. Patterson

No abstract provided.

Interview With Richard Blackaby: Reflections On Spiritual Leadership, Leadership, Stan Patterson

Stanley E. Patterson

Dr. Richard Blackaby is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and has written or co-authored with his father 23 books, including Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda and Experiencing God. He and his wife, Lisa, make their home in Greenville, South Carolina. There has been so much—some would say too much—written on the subject of leadership during the last decade. Much of this work has influenced leadership behaviors and practices in the context of Christian organizations, but relatively little has emerged from the Christian context that has had the lasting impact of the book Spiritual Leadership: Moving People …

Factors Associated With Pastoral Preaching On Financially-Related Topics Within The Missionary Church, Terry A. Zeitlow

Dissertations

Problem

The Bible gives significant direction and insight concerning financial stewardship. One of the roles of pastors is to teach biblical principles, including these financial concepts and practices. While there have been a few studies on pastoral preaching and teaching on financial matters, no known studies examine factors related to pastoral preaching on finances in smaller evangelical communities. This study focused on senior pastors in the Missionary Church, and factors that predicted their frequency in preaching and teaching about financial topics. The Missionary Church was selected because its five theological traditions (Anabaptism, pietism, Wesleyan-holiness movement, Keswickian-holiness movement, and evangelicalism) value …

Developing A Strategy For Mobilizing Ministry On Behalf Of The Community Of Lilongwe, Malawi, Gladson Thumbalamoto

Professional Dissertations DMin

Statement of the Problem

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world with over half of the population living below the poverty line (Fekete et al., 2007). The country has had a Seventh-day Adventist presence for the last 100 years. Although the Adventist Disaster and Relief Agency (ADRA) is addressing hunger in Malawi, there is a need for church congregations to do something at a local level to combat poverty, HIV/AIDS, disease, and hunger which are all rampant (Pembrey, 2010b). Lilongwe is the headquarters of many aid agencies but the worst symptoms of poverty exist within the city …

Hermeneutics And The Methods Of Oral Bible Storytelling For The Evangelization And Discipleship Of Oral Learners, Jennifer Jagerson

Great Commission Research Journal

The methods of oral Bible storytelling are expanding in influence for proclamation of the Gospel, discipleship, and church planting on the mission field. Such strategies are essential to reach those from primarily oral cultures where few have strong skills in literacy. As these methods are implemented, it is of critical importance to insure that they equip nationals with the fundamental skills of biblical interpretation. The author will demonstrate that at the level of proclamation and early discipleship, oral methods are able to effectively empower nonand semi-literates in the practices of robust inductive Bible study of the narrative texts of Scripture.

Job 28 In Its Literary Context, Daniel J. Estes

Biblical and Theological Studies Faculty Publications

In order to discern the relationship of Job 28 to the book in which it is located in the biblical text, several questions must be answered. What is the theme of Job 28? Who is the likely speaker in this chapter? How does Job 28 function within the flow of the book of Job? Does Job 28 play an integrative role within the book? By a close reading of the text, this paper endeavors to answer these four interpretive questions, and thus draw some conclusions about Job 28 in its literary context.

An Enrichment Program Designed To Increase Marital Satisfaction Among Couples Age 18-40 In Highlands County, Florida, Dion Henry

Professional Dissertations DMin

Problem

Couples who are between the ages of 18 and 40 divorce frequently in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist. In Highlands County, Florida young couples seem to experience marital stress which may affect marital satisfaction. Unique to young marriages are certain stressors that can contribute to a decrease in marital satisfaction which will inevitably lead to a failed relationship. Although, there are several enrichment programs that focus on potential challenges for couples in general, few solely target married couples age 18 -40 with skills to manage these unique stressors.

Method

The purpose of this in-ministry project was to …

Andrews Students Grow, Ashley Meyer

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

The Essential Leadership Elements For Transforming The Ethos Of A Local Church, Austin Rammell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the essential leadership elements involved in transforming the ethos of local church from a community organization for Christians into a movement to change the world. It is a case study of what took place at Hardin Baptist Church (now Venture). In addition to published scholarship, the findings from the case study will be compared with five other churches that have experienced a similar transformation. The reason for this project is to document the key elements of the transformation of Hardin in hopes that the changes will serve as a tool for other …

An Effective Leadership Strategy Model For Lakeland Korean Presbyterian Church, Jae Hwa Mun

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to find out the strategy of building leadership for church growth. This thesis is primarily concerned with understanding church leadership and leadership development for effective ministry. The fundamental reason churches go through crisis in growth is due to a lack of leadership and strategy for leadership development.
To establish effective leadership strategy model, this project examined the leadership qualities and the process of leadership development from the Biblical perspective, and researched effective leadership types for church growth through a survey. The survey was performed on eight churches to look at the need of leadership. …