Digital Commons Network^™

An Investigation Of Public Leadership Formation In Select Zimbabwe Churches, Kurai Chitima

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Leadership Of The Umc As A Prophetic Community For The Holistic Transformation Of Post-Conflict Liberia, Jerry Paye-Manfloe Kulah

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Opening Their Eyes And Ours : A Study On The Belief And Practice Of Prayer Evangelism, Mitchell L. Reece

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Components To Effect Spiritual And Numerical Growth In The Good News Churches Of Palakonda Division, Srikakulam District, A. P. India, Victor John Ratnam Palla

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

From Traditional To Missional Church: Describing A Contextual Model Of Change For Ingrown Korean Diaspora Church In North America, Gil Pyo Lee

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

2010 - 104th Annual Summit, "Aliens & Light: Finding God In The Darkness", Abilene Christian University, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

No abstract provided.

Transnational Migration And The Reverse Mission Of Nigerian-Led Pentecostal Churches In The U.S.A.: A Case Study Of Selected Churches In Metro Atlanta, William E. Udotong

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Toward Addressing Split-Level Christianity : A Study Of The Interaction Between Christianity And Folk Religions In Romania, Florin Paul Botica

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Subdivided By Faith? An Historical Account Of Evangelicals And The City, Mark T. Mulder, James K.A. Smith

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

In an echo of Michael Emerson and Christian Smith’s study of evangelicals and the racialized society (detailed vividly in Divided by Faith), Mark T. Mulder and James K. A. Smith attempt to trace the history and literature concerning evangelicals and their relationship to the city. While there exists an interesting literature about general urban antipathy in the U.S., the authors contend religion remains a salient and under-examined component within that phenomenon. This paper calls for more theologically-nuanced studies regarding evangelicals, anti-urban bias, and geographical habits. Mr. Mulder is Assistant Professor of Sociology and Mr. Smith is Associate Professor of Philosophy …

Church Growth By Another Name: Challenges And Opportunities For The Future Of A Movement, Alan Mcmahan

Great Commission Research Journal

A brief review of the church growth movement not only highlights significant accomplishments but also raises questions about its future. While church growth thinkers were compelled by the evangelistic mandate, this article argues that continued obedience to the Great Commission will require new responses to the rapidly changing context of ministry. Charting the path ahead, the author identifies six key challenges that demand new initiatives from the church: 1) the challenge to reinvent the evangelistic paradigm and imagination; 2) the challenge of diasporas, and the worldwide migration of people; 3) the challenge of urbanization, 4) the challenge of the plateaued …

Creating Church Multiplication Through A Denominational Structure, Phil Stevenson

Great Commission Research Journal

A denomination will not survive, much less thrive, if it does not strategically and effectively plant churches. Church planting is the primary means by which new inroads are made. Church planting is the method by which a denomination keeps its vitality, energy, and vigor. The denominations that neglect this emphasis become ingrown, resulting in them “. . . losing the vigor and the high octane faith that caused them to succeed in the first place.”

Korean Church Planters’ Perception On Church Planting Education, Hansung Kim

Great Commission Research Journal

This study seeks to understand how Korean church planters perceive the church planting education that they received. This study employs the qualitative approach, which uses words and open-ended questions to explore and understand the meaning that individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. To collect data, I interviewed nine church planters. I analyzed, interpreted, and wrote data as soon as possible. In addition, I collected other data. I also compared different data with each other to generate categories, and it was done consistently. The followings are the findings. While their passion for church planting was great and …

Book Review: You Don’T Have To Cross The Ocean To Reach The World: The Power Of Local Cross-Cultural Ministry By David Boyd, Jeff K. Walters

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Shaped By God’S Heart: The Passion And Practices Of Missional Churches By Milfred Minatrea, Grant Horner

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Bridges Of God: The Mission Legacy Of Donald Anderson Mcgavran, Charles Van Engen

Great Commission Research Journal

This short essay is about Donald McGavran and his ground-breaking book, Bridges of God, that became the cornerstone of Church Growth theory and the foundation of what is now called the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Missiological thinking and missionary practice was transformed by the energy, vitality, insight, and stubborn tenacity of Donald McGavran. Whether they agreed with McGavran or not, after the publication of The Bridges of God, mission professors, mission executives, and mission practitioners could no longer do business as usual, nor their usual business.

Book Review: Vintage Church: Timeless Truths And Timely Methods By Mark Driscoll And Gerry Breshears, Aaron James Meraz Sr.

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Doubling Down On Jesus, Joshua Rhone

Great Commission Research Journal

How can we go about meeting people's needs in a way that is faithful to the Good News of Jesus Christ?

Whither Church Planting?, Hutz Hertzberg, Francis Lonsway

Great Commission Research Journal

Church planting is a clear response to the gospel command to spread the good news. While the term “church plant” may not be shared across Christian traditions, its meaning and goal are universally embraced. What is also clear, however, is the fact that the establishment of a new plant does not guarantee its success. Likely the critical factor in denomination, free, or independent church expansion is the nature of the individual or team assigned or commissioned to spread the good news.

Ethical Guidelines For Church Planters: A Suggested Approach For Starting (And Continuing) The Conversation, J. D. Payne

Great Commission Research Journal

Church planters, regardless of their ministry contexts, need to develop a set of ethical guidelines to direct their ministry practices. This paper presents eleven particular guidelines.

Fit Churches Missionally Engaged, Phil Stevenson

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

This concept of church health and fitness has intrigued me. Is there a difference between a healthy church and a fit church? Might a church move from unhealthy to healthy, but fall short of fitness? If a church can be healthy, but not fit, what does that mean? How does a healthy church move toward fitness? Does a healthy church need to be fit in order to be effective? My short conclusion is that a church can be healthy but not fit. And just as in our physical being, fitness can enhance health. Therefore, healthy churches should move to fitness. …

Book Review Of The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating The Missional Church By Alan Hirsch, Bob Wenz

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.

Evangelism Lessons Learned Abroad That Have Implications At Home, Tom Steffen

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

This article will address my journey in evangelism among the Ifugao of the Philippines and years of consulting and teaching on the topic at home and abroad. It will seek to take the things I've learned in cross-cultural settings and demonstrate possible implications and applications for a postmodern, post- Christian, post-literate, post-denominational, post-commitment generation in the USA.

The Effect Of The Healthy Church Initiative On Participating Congregations Of The Missionary Church, Larry R. Salsburey

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Along The Way To The Mission Field: Factors Affecting Persistency Of Missionary Recruits, David L. Sherwood

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Asimilación : A Study Of Costa Rican Newcomers In Their Search For A Church, And The Church's Response To Them, Osias Segura-Guzmán

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Introductory Study Into The Relationship Between Ministerial Adherance To Wesleyan Soteriology And Church Growth In The North Alabama Conference Of The United Methodist Church, Travis Neal Wilson

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Study On The Relationship Between Missional Awareness And Work-Life Ministry Practice Among The Clergy Of The South Atlantic District Of The Cma, Suresh Thomas

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

"Led By The Holy Spirit": The Missionary Career, Leadership, Thought, And Influence Of Alice Eveline Luce, Mikeuel Eugene Peterson

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Model Of Missional Leadership Training In A Context Of Brokenness : A Case Study Of The Restoration Missionary Church In The Democratic Republic Of Congo, Fohle Lygunda Li-M

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Planting Missional Mennonite Churches In Complex Social Contexts As The Denomination Undergoes A Paradigm Shift In Ecclesiology: A Multiple Case Study, David W. Boshart

Dissertations

Problem. The problem investigated in this study is the struggle of church planters and their key stakeholders to develop common understanding about the churches that are being planted in complex social contexts while relating to a denomination in the midst of an ecclesial paradigm shift in mission.

Method. This qualitative research used a multiple case design with an emphasis on narrative inquiry. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews with denominational and conference leaders, church planters, and key stakeholders. The four cases chosen included Anglo, Hispanic, Hmong, and multi-ethnic church plants.

Findings. The study found that the attempt to establish a …