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My Pilgrimage In Church Growth, Elmer L. Towns

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

My pilgrimage with Church Growth began with my conversion. It was a deep conversion that affected every part of my life and it was a hard struggle because I didn’t want to give up my self-righteousness.

2006 - 88th Annual Lectureship, "Messages From The Gospel Of John", Abilene Christian University, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

No abstract provided.

2006 - 89th Annual Lectureship, "Messages From The Gospel Of John 9-21", Abilene Christian University, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

This is the brochure for the 2006 89thh Annual Bible Lectureship held at Abilene Christian University.

The Art Of Vision Casting For Church Multiplication, J. D. Payne

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

“A plan in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out.” Proverbs 20:5 (NASB). The writer of the above verse reminds us of the importance of having knowledge in regard to moving one’s plans out of the deep recesses of the heart to the surface to where those plans can be carried out. This proverb has much to say about casting a vision for multiplication. Casting, or drawing out that vision from the heart so that others will take ownership of that vision and work to carry it out, requires a discerning …

Multiplying Churches In Every Ethos: Session Three 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. This is the second in the series. —Editor

A Short History Of Winfield C. Arn And The Institute For American Church Growth, Gary L. Mcintosh

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

Flowing out of the first Church Growth class for pastors and denominational leaders in the USA at the School of World Mission of Fuller Theological seminary , three organizations became the primary pipelines for communicating Church Growth theory to pastors and church leaders until the late 1990s—the Institute for American Church Growth, the Fuller Evangelistic Association, and the Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry program. Of the three, the Institute for American Church Growth presented the most consistent or pure form of McGavran’s church growth missiology.

Incarnational Ministry : A Program For Spiritual Formation And Renewal, John Charles Dendiu

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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 …

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 …

Introduction, Gary L. Mcintosh

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

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 …

“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 …

2005 - 87th Annual Bible Lectureship, "Since You Have Been Risen With Christ", Abilene Christian University, Abilene Christianity University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

No abstract provided.

Church Growth Consulting: Focusing On The ‘Main’ Thing Or Boosting The Reproductive Quotient, R. Daniel Reeves

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

In this article, I want to challenge the complexity and mechanism of some of the consulting practices we have used and show how important it is to “keep our eye on the ball,” and focus on the “main thing,” – the “reproductive quotient.” What is the reproductive quotient? Very simply it is that evidence or measure that shows a congregation that it is meeting its God given assignment of winning and making disciples of Jesus Christ. As we help a congregation to raise its “reproductive quotient,” we focus attention on four specific areas – reproducing new disciples, new leaders, new …

A Historical Overview Of Church Growth Consulting, Carl George

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

My longtime friend and colleague, Alan McMahan, asked for an article that would sum up my observations of Church Growth consulting over the past twenty-five years. He wanted it to be helpful to practitioners.

The Mentoring Of First-Time Leaders In The Church, Sterling Neville Gosman

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum: April 2004, John D. Witvliet, Ronald J. Nydam, Gary Teja

Calvin Theological Seminary Forum (2002- )

Reflections on Ministry in Cultural Context
3 - The Holy Restlessness of Contextual Ministry by John D. Witvliet
6 - Faculty Interview: Preparing Students for Ministry in Cultural Context
9 - Relating “Cross-Culturally” to Generation Y by Ron Nydam
11 - Cross-Cultural Issues in Church Planting by Gary Teja Venture by Lyle Bierma
9 - Grace and Truth by Dean Deppe
10 - Ministry at the Boundaries: An Interview with Chaplain Carl Kammeraad
11 - East, West, North and South Meet at CTS by Richard Sytsma

Departments
13 - Preaching
14 - Continuing Education
15 - News

Cho Yonggi’S Charismatic Leadership And Church Growth, David S. Lim

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

As the founding and senior pastor of the largest megachurch in the world so far, it is quite obvious that Rev. Dr. Cho Yonggi (hereafter, Cho) has been an effective leader of church growth (CG) in Korea and the world. How was he able to lead the Yoido Full Gospel Church (YFGC) to achieve such phenomenal growth? I am greatly honored to have been invited to present this paper that will focus on his personal charisma as one of the key factors that brought about such a development in church history.

Complete Issue, Gary L. Mcintosh

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

Church Planting As Growth Strategy: Is It Effective?, Skip Bell, Rod Davis

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.