Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Video Venue Preaching On Christian Life Transformation, Richard Blackburn Gifford

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Review: Church Next, William E. Brown

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015)

No abstract provided.

Www.Church: Consulting With 19th And 20th Century Congregations In A 21st Century World, Earl James Price

Doctor of Ministry

A new pastor is called and excitement is high. Both the pastor and the congregation begin this journey with high hopes and expectations. Yet too often things get off track quickly and people are left wondering what happened and why aren't things going in the direction we hoped? The problem comes from a failure to understand the unique nature of a faith community. Understanding the nature includes an understanding of the roles of and the relationship between values, vision and mission in charting a course to the future of their ministry together. This failure in understanding also presents itself when …

The State Of The North American Church, Joel Comiskey

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

Barna, more than any other person, has diligently uncovered what is happening in the North American church scene through hard, factual research. This article combines Barna’s research, the research of others, and my own personal observations to paint a clearer picture of the North American church.

The Theological Roots, Vision, And Contribution Of The Church Growth Movement, George Hunter

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

In the 1970’s, Donald McGavran’s Church Growth movement emerged in the service of a powerful theological vision: to fulfill the ancient promise to Abraham—that all of the earth’s peoples would be blessed, and to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission—to reach, and make disciples, among the lost peoples of the earth. Church Growth’s people, however, have never “majored” in Constructive Theology. With most other Christians, we regard Christianity as a revealed (not an imagined) faith; most of us affirm the classical theology of the Church, with deep roots in the Scriptures and normative respect for the several ancient creeds. So Church Growth …

Volume 20, Number 1, Department Of Church Relations

Pacific Church News

Edited by Jerry Rushford

Spring 2005

Being Ecumenical And Evangelical, Elmer Towns

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

This article looks at the nature of the ecumenical movement, specifically attempting to examine the differences between the ecumenical movement as represented in the National Council of Churches, and the evangelical movement as represented by the National Association of Evangelicals. Specifically, we are asking, “Can we be evangelical and ecumenical?” This article will show a difference between the “old ecumenical” movement represented by the National Council of Churches/World Council of Churches and the “new ecumenical” that is seen among evangelicals. It will show why the “old” has failed and is approaching bankruptcy and will demonstrate the growing strength of the …

The Church As The Household Of God : A Biblical And Sociocultural Study, Simon K. Varghese

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Psalms Lecture, Calvin Seerveld

Symposium on Worship Archive

A recording of and handout to accompany the morning plenary service hosted by Calvin Seerveld, based off of the Psalms and Seerveld's book "Voicing God's Psalms."

The Psalms are for all of us! Whether we love classical organ music or jazz, contemporary praise music or global songs, the Psalms provide a deep well of instruction and inspiration. In our work at the Worship Institute over the past year, we have been deeply encouraged regarding the use of biblical Psalms in new churches, traditional churches, contemporary churches, urban churches, military bases, nursing homes, and hospitals.

Program Book - 2005 Calvin Symposium On Worship: Word, Image, Music, Action, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Program book for the 2005 Calvin Symposium on Worship, including a schedule, presenter bios, and practical information.

62nd Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectureship -- Lifted Up: Great Themes From John 18-21 (2005), Jerry Rushford

Pepperdine Bible Lectures: Programs

Program booklet for the 62nd Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures, held at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, May 3-6, 2005. The Pepperdine Bible Lectures is an annual event hosted by Pepperdine University featuring a wide variety of lectures and classes on topics and themes in the Bible and Christianity.

Jerry Rushford, Lectureship Director

Bill Henegar, Rick Gibson, Kym Dildine, and Patty Atkisson, Lectures Team

Rivers Of Revival Volume 1 And Volume 2 (Chinese), Elmer Towns, Neil T. Anderson

Towns Foreign Language Book Collection

No abstract provided.

Www.Church: Consulting With 19th And 20th Century Congregations In A 21st Century World, Earl J. Pierce

Doctor of Ministry

A new pastor is called and excitement is high. Both the pastor and the congregation begin this joumey with high hopes and expectations. Yet too often things get off track quickly and people are left wondering what happened and why aren't things going in the direction we hoped?

The problem comes from a failure to understand the unique nature of a faith community. Understanding the nature includes an understanding of the roles of and the relationship between values, vision and mission in charting a course to the future of their ministry together. This failure in understanding also presents itself when …

Metanoic Adaptation: The Necessary Experience That Precedes Church Revitalization, Wayne Evans

Doctor of Ministry

A look at the church landscape shows that once vibrant and influential churches sometimes have stagnated or died. Without a remedy, some of the EFC-ER churches I superintend have already faced this. My contention is that such churches can be revitalized. When, how, and with what tools can they be transformed? I answer these questions in this document. Revitalization is not a formula to guarantee success; it is an experience that spiritually and strategically remakes the church from the inside out. I call the experience Metanoic Adaptation. By research and experience, I frame the conditions, components, and course for …

Simple Church Ecclesiology In Relationship To The Evangelical Church Denomination, Leroy V. Robinson

Doctor of Ministry

The issue addressed in this paper regards the validity of a more organic ecclesiology in the context of The Evangelical Church. The validation for this paradigm is its ability to embody authentic Christian community and in the process develop disciples who are able to administrate the mandates of the Great Commission. The result will be three-fold: leadership development, church planting, and engagement of the emerging culture.

The purpose of this paper is to offer an ecclesiological paradigm advantageous to the entire Church community. This model is one of several the Holy Spirit has chosen to use in blessing and emboldening …

Introduction, Gary L. Mcintosh

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

Missional Communities, Milton Adams

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Leadership Development In Albania: Equipping Young Pastors For Apostolic Leadership, Leigh Rice

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Albania opened to Christian missions in 1992. The church is new and the pastors are young and with limited experience. Initial rapid growth has been followed by slow decline. Leadership and leadership development is in the hands of foreign missionaries with limited experience in Albania. There is a need to develop culturally-appropriate, apostolic leadership for a country with a predominately Muslim population.

Method

Library research, questionnaires, interviews, and observations were conducted to develop an understanding of the Project Director, the Albanian culture, a theology of leadership and church, and methods in leadership development. An appreciative inquiry approach was used …

A Discipleship Model For Evangelism In Northeast Brazil, Emilio Abdala Dutra

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Churches in Northeast Brazil (NB), including the Seventh-day Adventist Church, have been growing rapidly. Their numerical growth is phenomenal by any estimation. However, these churches are growing numerically and not in depth. We see a discipleship deficit among new believers in the form of a high rate of backdoor losses, unawareness of the meaning and duties of discipleship, spiritually undisciplined members, absence of intentional relationships to share faith, biblical illiteracy, and lack of church fellowship. How can churches in Northeast Brazil grow in quality, reproducing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ?

Method

Current literature related to the problem was reviewed, …

Ministry To The Black Middle Class: Strategies For Churches In Transition, Dedrick L. Blue

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Between 1944 and 1997 over 1 million Black people in the United States rose from poverty to middle class status. Increased upward mobility has brought an increased social mobility. Middle class Blacks are moving into close proximity to predominantly White suburban Seventh-day Adventist churches. Simultaneously, the out-migration of the Black middle class from urban areas to suburbia has created not only an economic drain, but also has fostered class tensions within the Black urban church. If churches are to be successful in the recruitment and retention of the Black middle class, then ministry approaches must be developed to address …

Parallel Structures: Challenges And Opportunities, Bruce L. Bauer

Faculty Publications

This article presents a case study of the Vietnam house-church movement, looking at the challenges and opportunities that often exist when security concerns and governmental persecution force the creation of a parallel structure through which God can work. The article suggests ways to maintain administrative linkage and supervision between parallel structures and gives several reasons why parallel structures may be necessary in our present sinful world.

“God’S Unswerving Purpose”: Session One Manhattan Christian College, October 1981, Donald Mcgavran

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

In 1981, Donald McGavran presented a series of lectures at Manhattan Christian college. Over the next few journals, we will publish this series in a continuing effort to honor McGavran and his legacy of Church Growth Missiology. —Editor

The Transition From Church Growth To Church Health, Philip Walker

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

When I have taught Church Growth principles I have found it helpful to look at Acts 2:41-47 and the variety of growth types indicated in these verses. You will find: Growing up in verse 42, individuals growing into a mature relationship with God; Growing together in verse 44, in great generosity and spiritual gifts; Growing out in verse 47a, into the community; Growing more in verse 47b, as the numbers increase. The problem has been that Church Growth thinking has been caricatured as relating only to the last of these, although a careful reading of the Church Growth books shows …

The Mother Church And Church Planting, J. D. Payne

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

In this article, I will address several issues related to a much neglected area of church planting. First, I will discuss three reasons why churches are not involved in church planting. Second, I will address this problem in light of the Scriptures and missiology. Third, I will list and respond to the most common objections to becoming a mother church. Fourth, I will discuss several ways in which established churches can become involved in church planting. Finally, I will address the significance of church leadership in the churches planting churches process.

The Multi-Site Movement, Dave Ferguson

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

There are now at least 1500 multi-site churches in the United States. No longer does a church have to only have one branch, one location, or one campus. This article presents and analyzes data collected by Leadership Network in a survey they conducted with over 1000 multi-site churches.

Developing A Strategy For Growth In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Finland Using The Natural Church Development Approach Based On A Case Study In The Turku Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Aimo Helminen

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The growth of the Adventist Church in Finland stagnated in the mid 1980s and after that the membership of the church began to slowly decrease. There is a need to look at the past growth patterns of the church in Finland to discover the reasons for the present decline in membership and develop and implement a strategy for church growth.

Method

Current literature was reviewed, including books and articles on the principles and strategies of church growth. These were studied in the context of the Turku Church in order to determine if the principles in the Natural Church Development …

Planting Adventist Communities Of Faith Among Muslims In Unentered Areas Of The Balkans, Milan Bajic

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The purpose of this research was to develop and equip the church for the implementation of a workable strategy for reaching a large population of about eight million secular Muslims in the Balkans who have never been systematically confronted with the gospel.

Method

This study describes the history, culture, and religion of the Balkans, analyzes socioeconomic and political developments of its Muslim population, examines methods of evangelism and suggests a strategy based on sound biblical and missiological principles for work among the Balkan Muslims.

Results

The outcome of this project will be the development of a contextualized method for …

Increasing Pastoral Job Satisfaction And Efficiency In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In Hungary, Andras Szilvasi

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The number of pastors in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hungary increased significantly since 1989. In 2002, 70 percent of the pastors had less than fifteen years in ministry. The members’ expectations of their pastor have changed and become widely polarized. Since there is not an evaluation and affirmation system in place, many of the pastors struggle to find satisfaction in pastoral work. One of the major premises of this project is that pastors are central figures in the church and the success of God’s work is largely dependent on how effectively pastors function.

Method

A Myers-Briggs Type Indicator …

Using Ceremonies To Disciple Oral Learners Among The Tribal People In Bangladesh, Roy C. Mcintyre

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Home Mission Board Of The Southern Baptist Convention In Panama, 1905-1974: Analysis Of The Strategy To Establish Indigenous Congregations, Gleen Edwin Nicholson

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.