Digital Commons Network^™

Rethinking Missiology In The Context For The 21st Century: Global Demographic Trends And Diaspora Missiology, Enoch Wan

Great Commission Research Journal

New orientations are required of practitioners/researchers in formulating mission strategy and conducting missiological research in the context of the 21st Century due to the global demographic trends of internal migration to the city and international immigration to countries of the Northwest region. In addition, the center of Christianity has shifted from the Northern hemisphere towards the south and from the post-Christian west to elsewhere; thus new approaches are required. Diaspora missiology will be presented as an alternative to the traditional orientations of farming analogy (e.g. church planting and church growth), territorialization (e.g. home vs. foreign missions, sending vs. receiving) and …

Leadership Transfer Awakens Dormant Dilemmas In A Multi Ethnic Church: Correctives From Church Planting, Elizabeth Childs Drury

Great Commission Research Journal

This case study examines the six-month transition to a new pastor for a multiethnic, multicongregational church near Washington, DC. It describes four dilemmas that emerged and proposes correctives from church-planting literature, particularly the facilitative approach of Tom Steffen (and principles from Donald McGavran and David Garrison). First, the ownership dilemma asks how a multiethnic church can achieve genuine mutuality among varied cultural groups and suggests the need for chronological Bible teaching. Second, the identity dilemma asks how deeply individual pastors and congregations need to agree on matters of governance and doctrine, and how non-negotiables can best be communicated. It insists …

Teaching For Transformation, Michael L. Wilson

Great Commission Research Journal

The center of Christianity began in Jerusalem in the Middle East, then shifted to Europe and then expanded to include North America. In the last three decades the center of Christianity as measured by the number of adherents to the faith has shifted from North America and Europe to South America and Africa. Some of the largest churches in Europe currently were founded by church planters from Africa. Now the shift is back to the Middle East where it all began as millions of Muslims are trusting Christ through visions and other signs and wonders. Conversely the Church in North …

Dissertations And Theses Notices, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Global Migration, The United States And Canada: A Great Commission Opportunity, J. D. Payne

Great Commission Research Journal

The history of the United States and Canada is a story of migration. While many waves of early migrants came from Christianized European countries, the past several decades have revealed many contemporary migrants coming from Asian, African, and Middle Eastern contexts where Evangelicals are small in number. While certainly there is a great influx of migrants from Latin American contexts, there are also large numbers of migrants coming to the U. S. and Canada representing some of the world’s least reached peoples. In this article, I attempt to describe their numbers and offer a theological and missiological response to this …

Unique Characteristics Of Church Planters: A Research Proposal, Francis A. Lonsway, Hutz H. Hertzberg

Great Commission Research Journal

This article is the second and concluding article derived from the doctoral research project on young, male church planters initiated by Hertzberg with statistical and analytical support by Lonsway. Its goal is to recap the major initiatives in the research on church planters in the evangelical tradition and to cite their strengths and limitations, to summarize the research design and findings from Hertzberg’s research using the researcher’s Church Planter Questionnaire and the Stage II Casebook of the ATS Profiles of Ministry Program, and to offer a set of recommendations to strengthen and broaden the research in this vital area of …

Church Movements Of The Last Fifty Years In North America, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

Over the last half-century, four major movements have arisen in an effort to stem the tide of decline in church attendance within North America. The Church Renewal Movement, Church Growth Movement, Emerging Church Movement, and Missional Movement have offered different approaches to engaging lost people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This article presents an overview of these major movements and the numerous sub-movements within each and suggests five insights and seven questions that emerge from their interplay.

About The Great Commission Research Network, Alan Mcmahan

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Donald Mcgavran’S Theological Foundations For “Effective Evangelism”, Jeff K. Walters

Great Commission Research Journal

From its inception, the Church Growth Movement, as espoused by its “father,” Donald A. McGavran, was focused on “effective evangelism.” The purpose of this article is to identify McGavran’s theology of evangelism as revealed in his published writings. While he may never have delineated a precise theology of evangelism, one can find in McGavran’s writings an orthodox, if sometimes incomplete, system regarding the working of God in the salvation of men and women. The article investigates McGavran’s views on Scripture, the content and proclamation of the gospel, and on key soteriological issues.

The Teacher’S Notebook: Missions And The Challenge Of Conversion Part Ii, Lisa Clark Diller

Memory, Meaning & Faith

No abstract provided.

Organic Disciple Development: Purposeful And Practical Mentoring As An Answer To Twentysomethings Leaving The Local Church In The Postmodern Context, Jerry W. Payne

Doctor of Ministry

The thesis of this paper is that mentoring twentysomething followers of Christ as part of an organic disciple-development process will mitigate the frustrations caused by the attractional growth model and increase the effectiveness of the church in this postmodern context. This thesis will be supported by introducing practical methodologies, integrating theological reflection, and incorporating biblical precepts.

Chapter one provides an overview and working definition of the attractional church model. It provides a brief, but detailed, history of the attractional model and examines it through the lens of three distinct time periods (pre-modern, modern, and postmodern), tracing the model from the …

Biblical Strategy And Shift To Spiritual Driven Church Growth, Chang Kyu Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to present the biblical standards, principles, components, and methods of spiritual discipline for 21st century churches' conversion from human efforts and programs oriented church growth to spiritual driven church growth like an early church. The early church is a best model as a spiritual driven church. Modern churches are trying to build like the early church. The biblical study of the early churches in Bible and the results of survey of growing churches in Washington area will give biblical concepts and methods to make the spiritual driven church.

An Analysis Of The Evangelistic Impact Of The Baptist Bible Fellowship International, Billy Hamm

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A review of current literature demonstrates that very little material is available to describe the mission and effectiveness of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International. Research reflects that for the last half of the 20th Century, BBFI was a formidable movement among Fundamentalists in its independent Baptist doctrinal position and its evangelistic zeal. It was also determined that the BBFI has struggled to maintain its growth patterns and should reassess its original purpose and identity though it still appears to be the largest expression of Fundamentalism in America. Both historical and empirical research methods are used.

2010 Empowered21 Global Congress On The Holy Spirit Program, Empowered21 Committee

Empowered21 Global Council

The program for the first Empowered21 conference on the Holy Spirit held on the campus of Oral Roberts University April 8-10, 2010. Led by Dr. Billy Wilson, the executive director and char for E21, the conference included five general, learning conversations from next-gen leaders from around the world. Speakers included

• Jack Hayford
• Mark Rutland
• Tommy Barnett
• Claudio Freidzon
• A.E. Adeboye
• Ulf Ekman
• Niko Njotorahardjo
• Margaret Court
• Billy Joe Daughtery

A scholars track was hosted by Dr. Vinson Synan with 30 papers presented by Spirit-empowered scholars on a variety of topics. These were compiled into the book Spirit-empowered Christianity in the …

What Did Early Adventist Pioneers Think About Women In Ministry?, Denis Fortin

Memory, Meaning & Faith

No abstract provided.

Mission Fields Across The Street: Sending And Supporting Simple Church Planters As Local Missionaries, Rick Shrout

Doctor of Ministry

Churches in North America are ineffective in reaching their smTounding neighborhoods when those neighborhoods are populated predominately by people who embrace a postmodem lifestyle and worldview. One of the reasons for this ineffectiveness stems from an ecclesiology that leans heavily upon institutional stmctures and methods that fly in the face of postmodem sensibilities. This problem is addressed by proposing partnerships of established churches and denominational agencies with simple church planters as a way for traditional churches to play an active role in supporting a missional presence in an emerging culture through planting simple churches.

Section 2 introduces the problems and …

Holistic Mission: God’S Plan For God’S People, Brian Woolnough, Wonsuk Ma

Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series

This book reaffirms that to be true to the bible, to follow the example of Jesus, the church must address the whole person in all their needs. It considers the meaning of the holistic gospel, how it has developed, and implications for the individual Christian, for the local church, for denominations and church groups, for missionary societies, for Christian NGOs, and for theological training. It takes a global, eclectic approach, with 19 writers, church leaders, academics and practitioners and addresses critically and honestly one of the most exciting, challenging, and important issues facing the church today. To be part of …

67th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectureship -- The Hero Of The Story: The Book Of Acts Revisited (2010), Jerry Rushford

Pepperdine Bible Lectures: Programs

Program booklet for the 67th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures, held at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, May 4-7, 2010. 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

Rick Gibson, Tami Williamson, and Joella Michael, Lectures Team

Mobilizing Christ-Followers For Kingdom Ministry, Shonnie Scott

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

The Good Soil Process: A Strategic Missional Process For American Institutional Churches, Keith Tilley

Doctor of Ministry

The Primary Readers: Christian laity and clergy who are interested in learning about the increasing institutionalization of American mainstream denominations and the problems associated with maintaining such large corporations. They include those who have a burden for postmodern 21st century North America as a mission field and wish to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ effectively. The two project artifacts will specifically be contextualized for smaller to mid-size rural East Texas communities of faith. Much of the history and denominational traditions drawn upon in this written statement will be influenced by United Methodist heritage and experience but provided for …

Rethinking Missions: A Pathway For Helping The Next Generation To Fulfill Christ's Great Commission, Jon Olson

Doctor of Ministry

No abstract provided.

Good Teams, Bad Teams: Under What Conditions Do Missionary Teams Function Effectively?, David R. Dunaetz

Selected Faculty Publications

Missionary teams are popular, but not always effective. Five conditions contributing to healthy team functioning are examined in light of empirical evidence: trust, task conflict, commitment to decisions, accountability, and group goals.

Organizational Justice: Perceptions Of Being Fairly Treated, David R. Dunaetz

Selected Faculty Publications

When members of mission organizations perceive injustice within their organization, they work less effectively and attrition is more likely. This paper examines various types of organizational justice (distributive, procedural, interpersonal, and informational) which need to be monitored and maximized to help mission organizations accomplish their goals.

Not My Church! (Chapter 5 Of Grappling With Faith: Decision Cases For Christians In Social Work), Clifford J M Rosenbohm

Faculty Publications - College of Social Work

"You're not acting as my church acts!" church social worker Sandy Potts exclaimed. "In fact, you're not acting as His church would act!"

Peter Wilson, Senior Executive Director of Creekside Christian Church, and Rita Kimball, an assistant from human resources had just informed Sandy that she was being terminated. They had given the same news to others on the church staff as they met at fifteen minute intervals; another pair of administrators was doing the same in an adjoining room.

"Thou Hast Given Me A Body": Theological Anthropology And The Virtual Chruch, Travis Pickell

Faculty Publications - George Fox School of Theology

Introduction

There is no denying the absolutely revolutionary effect of digital and Internet technology on society in the twenty-first century. For many people, the Internet provides an instant connection to friends, family, colleagues, workstations, entertainment media, and other valuable (or completely trivial) information. As a result, the world is becoming more networked, opportunities for entrepreneurial growth are more widespread, and the speed and efficiency of everyday life is increasing rapidly.2 Add blistering growth in digital Smartphone technology, which effectively turns every mobile phone into a web-connected personal computer, and one can easily see that “connectivity” is quickly becoming the new …

A Study Of Effective Strategies For Evangelism Applied To Richmond Korean Central Presbyterian Church, Kon Tae Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to map out a strategy of evangelism applied to Richmond Korean Central Presbyterian Church. The project examines field analysis, case study, and literature research. The case study was done on eight outstanding Korean churches both outside and inside the U.S.A. with productive ministries of evangelism. The author has been working for Richmond Korean Central Presbyterian Church as an assistant pastor for one and a half years. He develops a strategy with regards to evangelism out of his experience and lessons from his ministry.

The History Of The Emergence Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In The State Of Manipur, India, Cornelius Kamei

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist church emerged in the state of Manipur, India, through a lay-led church planting movement. Currently, no written account exists of the early history of this work in Manipur. Today, the work in Manipur is clergy-dependent and growth in this region has stagnated. In order for the work to move forward successfully, there is a need to remember the early history of the work in this region.

Method

In the absence of earlier written works on the rise of Adventism in Manipur, oral sources were relied upon as primary sources for accuracy. The sources were gathered through …

Holistic Mission God’S Plan For God’S People, Brian Woolnough, Wonsuk Ma

Edinburgh Centenary Series

This volume on holistic mission addresses this challenge in a dynamic and multi-faceted way through a variety of voices from different contexts. Many should find the collection of materials it contains useful, stimulating and rewarding. Above all, as I commend it to you, may it stir greater response and engagement in the spread of the gospel of the kingdom of God throughout the world.

Evaluation Of The Formal And Informal Curricula Of The North American Division Evangelism Institute, Calvin Novaraj Joshua

Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to conduct a formal program evaluation of the North American Division Evangelism Institute (NADEI). The goal of NADEI is to equip pastors and laity for ministry. It developed over 30 years, and has presented formal and informal educational programs during that time. This helped it emerge as an indispensable unit in the North American Division (NAD), Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (SDATS), and Andrews University (AU). However, the programs of NADEI had not been evaluated.

Method. This study followed an Evaluative Case Study Design to evaluate the formal and informal programs of NADEI. Formal …

Viacordis: A Case Study Of The First Year Of A House Church Network, Robert E. Logan

Great Commission Research Journal

This paper is a synopsis of Logan’s journey in the development of a multi-ethnic network of house churches in the Los Angeles area and beyond. It is in this missional expression of faith communities that the necessary blending of the Great Commandment with the Great Commission are lived out. This multiplying network of churches is ViaCordis (Latin for “way of the heart”). A variety of church models are explored as to their methodology of living out Christ in their community. The 12 Life Commitments of leadership are shared along with 12 lessons learned to date in this process of ViaCordis …