Practical Theology Commons^™

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

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: 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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

Book Review: Christian, Evangelical & . . . Democrat? By George G. Hunter Iii, Willam Ingram

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Sanctuary: Cosmos, Covenant, And Creation, Elias Brasil De Souza

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

Justification In The Gospels, Clinton Wahlen

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

The Sola Scriptura Principle In The Current Debate, Aleksandar S. Santrac

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

"Away From The Body And At Home With The Lord": 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 In Context, Edwin Reynolds

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

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 …

A Pilot Project To Increase Member Participation And Revitalization Of The Coffeyville And Independence, Kansas, Seventh-Day Adventist Churches In The Central States Conference, Andre M. Trofort Jr.

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Mt. Moriah and South 18th Street Seventh-day Adventist Churches, located in Coffeyville and Independence, Kansas, had not experienced membership growth in the ten years of 1987-1997. These two churches were part of a three-church district, which also included a church 145 miles away in Springfield, MO. That church was active in developing outreach and evangelistic strategies whereas the Kansas churches were not. The two Kansas churches were headed toward closing due to stagnation. Unless revitalization and consistent leadership training took place, a turnaround would never happen for these two small churches.

Method

This project explored the Coffeyville and …

Youth Evangelism, "Link2llife," A Strategy To Reach Postmodern Youth In Germany And Switzerland, Stephan Sigg

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

In terms of cross-cultural mission youth are the most crucial group of people to be reached with the Gospel. From a theological, a sociological as well as a psychological point of view adolescence can be seen as the most receptive phase of life regarding the adoption and integration of faith, a coherent value system and a meaningful life narrative. The process of individuation in the adolescent years offers the biggest potential for both conversion and apostasy. Despite a professionalized youth ministry youth evangelism has never been high on the missional agenda of the Christian Church.

Method

The youth ministries …

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

Doctor of Ministry Projects

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 …

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

Doctor of Ministry Projects

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 …

What I Want To Do Before I Die, Landon Brady Saunders

Landon Saunders Documents

Saunders outlines a basic plan for Heartbeat and for himself after he steps down from Heartbeat.

An Examination Of Reaching, Teaching, Feeding And Loving People For The Kingdom Of God, Gwendolyn Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the biblically prescribed methodologies and innovative tools for attaining the desirable results of more disciples instead of followers of Christ. It is incumbent on every believer to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission, to go out into the world and preach the gospel to every ethnos. There are several contributing factors that are conducive to people globally starving holistically mainly due to a deviancy of knowledge imparted and less implementation of discipleship. The inclusion of this thesis is a partial account of interviews with some Christian leaders and selected Disciples of …