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Articles 1 - 28 of 28
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My Pilgrimage In The Growth Of The Church, Charles Van Engen
My Pilgrimage In The Growth Of The Church, Charles Van Engen
Great Commission Research Journal
I have lived a life invested in the growth of the church and forming leaders who would mobilize the church toward growth. I have sought to pay forward what others did for me. Born of missionary parents, I was raised in the state of Chiapas, in southern Mexico. From 1973 to 1985, my wife, Jean, and I served the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico in Chiapas, Mexico, in leadership formation, training evangelists, pastors, and teachers of rapidly growing churches. In 1981, I received a Ph.D. in missiology under Johannes Verkuyl at the Free University of Amsterdam. I taught Mission Theology …
Book Review: Canoeing The Mountains: Christian Leadership In Uncharted Territory By Tod Bolsinger, Jason Ballard
Book Review: Canoeing The Mountains: Christian Leadership In Uncharted Territory By Tod Bolsinger, Jason Ballard
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Street Smarts: Using Questions To Answer Christianity’S Toughest Challenges By Gregory Koukal, Daniel Suter
Book Review: Street Smarts: Using Questions To Answer Christianity’S Toughest Challenges By Gregory Koukal, Daniel Suter
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Equipping For Global Mission: Theological And Missiological Proposals And Case Studies Edited By Linda P Saunders, Gregory Mathias, And Edward L. Smithe, Mark D. Wood
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
2025 Vol 17(1) Complete Issue.Pdf, David R. Dunaetz
2025 Vol 17(1) Complete Issue.Pdf, David R. Dunaetz
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Mission In Praise, Word, And Deed: Reflections On The Past And Future Of Global Mission Edited By Edward L. Smither And Jessica A. Udall, Nathaniel (Than) Veltman
Book Review: Mission In Praise, Word, And Deed: Reflections On The Past And Future Of Global Mission Edited By Edward L. Smither And Jessica A. Udall, Nathaniel (Than) Veltman
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Motus Dei: The Movement Of God To Disciple The Nations Edited By Warrick Farah, David H. Campbell
Book Review: Motus Dei: The Movement Of God To Disciple The Nations Edited By Warrick Farah, David H. Campbell
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Development In Mission: A Guide For Transforming Global Poverty And Ourselves By Monty Lynn, Rob Gailey, And Derran Reese, Nathaniel Veltman
Book Review: Development In Mission: A Guide For Transforming Global Poverty And Ourselves By Monty Lynn, Rob Gailey, And Derran Reese, Nathaniel Veltman
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Turning Points In The Expansion Of Christianity: From Pentecost To The Present By Alice Ott, David Thiessen
Book Review: Turning Points In The Expansion Of Christianity: From Pentecost To The Present By Alice Ott, David Thiessen
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
The Continuity Mindset For Christian Mission, Jack T. Davison
The Continuity Mindset For Christian Mission, Jack T. Davison
Great Commission Research Journal
Missionaries from the Global North regularly serve as trainers for Christians in the Global South. From personal experience, missionaries are regularly seen as being qualified to do this work simply because of their position. Rather than missionaries assuming they are competent purely on the basis of their titles, I believe they should instead practice the Continuity Mindset for Christian Mission, a mindset that emphasizes the continuity of one’s identity and ministry in one’s home culture with one’s identity and ministry in the host culture. This practice includes elements of vulnerable mission, nonresidential mission, tentmaking, cultural intelligence, and authentic leadership. I …
Book Review: The Learning Cycle: Insights For Faithful Teaching From Neuroscience And The Social Sciences, Nathaniel Veltman
Book Review: The Learning Cycle: Insights For Faithful Teaching From Neuroscience And The Social Sciences, Nathaniel Veltman
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Church Planting In The Secular West: Learning From The European Experience By Stefan Paas, Keith R. Sellers
Book Review: Church Planting In The Secular West: Learning From The European Experience By Stefan Paas, Keith R. Sellers
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Partnership In Missions As A Tool For World Evangelization, Adedayo Oladele Odesola, Moses Audi
Partnership In Missions As A Tool For World Evangelization, Adedayo Oladele Odesola, Moses Audi
Great Commission Research Journal
Partnership, though challenging, can be a valuable tool for world evangelization. The teaching of the Bible and the experience of the Church have shown that joining effort and resources enhances effective ministry, making the Church achieve formidable results in relatively shorter time. Partnership harnesses resources and potentials around the world and encourages mutual participation and engagement globally without duplication or negligence.
An Alternative Mission Paradigm For Healthy Church Growth, Paul Seung-Oh An
An Alternative Mission Paradigm For Healthy Church Growth, Paul Seung-Oh An
Great Commission Research Journal
Christianity is becoming weaker and nominalized, and it is expected to be surpassed quantitatively by Islam in 2070. The purpose of this article is to analyze the limitations of the holistic mission paradigm, a representative view of mission today, in terms of healthy church growth, and to propose key points of an alternative mission paradigm which would be helpful for overcoming these limitations. The history of holistic mission is examined to show the identity and characteristics of the paradigm, and then an alternative mission paradigm that can contribute to healthy church growth is presented.
Do Larger Churches Tolerate Pastoral Narcissism More Than Smaller Churches?, David R. Dunaetz, Hannah L. Jung, Stephen L. Lambert
Do Larger Churches Tolerate Pastoral Narcissism More Than Smaller Churches?, David R. Dunaetz, Hannah L. Jung, Stephen L. Lambert
Great Commission Research Journal
Pastoral narcissism in churches is a problem, from both a theological and practical perspective. In this study, we explore the question of whether church size is related to tolerance for narcissism. In the popular press, pastors of megachurches are often portrayed as narcissistic. The Dominance Complementarity Model of narcissistic leaders (Grijalva & Harms, 2004) predicts that churches which have less dominant followers, as may be the case in larger churches, would be more tolerant of narcissistic pastors than smaller churches. Yet larger churches also have the resources to hire the most qualified staff, which would presumably exclude candidates high in …
A Holistic Framework For Measurement Of Entrepreneurial Church Planting, Samuel Lee
A Holistic Framework For Measurement Of Entrepreneurial Church Planting, Samuel Lee
Great Commission Research Journal
For too long in missions, financial stewardship (Business as Mission) or conversions (Tentmaking) has sufficed as a measuring tool for mission endeavors. However, Fresh Expressions of Church (FXC), such as a “café church,” have enlightened us to the need not only to be governed by the quantifiable elements of reconciliation or financial flourishing, but also to evaluate outcomes of transformation, i.e., to be accountable. The purpose of this article is to provide specific historical examples as a basis for Entrepreneurial Church Planting (ECP) and develop a systematic way to evaluate ECP through the creation of a holistic framework for metrics …
The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Building A Faculty, Gary Mcintosh
The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Building A Faculty, Gary Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
Following the founding of the Fuller School of World Mission and Institute of Church Growth in 1965, Donald McGavran began to enlarge the faculty. To the initial members—McGavran and Alan Tippett—he added Ralph Winter, J. Edwin Orr, Charles Kraft, C. Peter Wagner, and Arthur Glasser. This excerpt tells the story of these hires and the early development of the Church Growth curriculum.
The Benefit Of The Diversification Of The Church Growth Movement And A Way Forward, Russell Bryan
The Benefit Of The Diversification Of The Church Growth Movement And A Way Forward, Russell Bryan
Great Commission Research Journal
Although the diversification of the Church Growth Movement has created an environment in which people balk at its definitions and its principles, many fail to realize the benefit of the diversification. The diversification of the Church Growth Movement allows theologians and missiologists to evaluate the impact church growth thought has had on both the culture within the church and the church’s ability to reach its surrounding culture. As a result, theologians and missiologists not only can assess and address the current state of churches, but they also can offer a biblical way forward. In doing so, churches can realign with …
Book Review: The Mission Of The Church: Five Views In Conversation By Craig Ott, Ed., Dustin Slaton
Book Review: The Mission Of The Church: Five Views In Conversation By Craig Ott, Ed., Dustin Slaton
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Complete Issue, Alan Mcmahan
The Case For Prioritism: Part 2, Christopher R. Little
The Case For Prioritism: Part 2, Christopher R. Little
Great Commission Research Journal
Debate is no stranger to evangelicalism. Rigorous dialogue among evangelicals ought to be welcomed as it clarifies issues, forms convictions, and sets agendas. The missiological disagreement between prioritists and holists is a case in point. Prioritists feel constrained to redress holistic reconfigurations of such fundamental concepts as gospel, kingdom, and mission. For the sake of the nations, this article seeks to compare and contrast prioritism with holism, trace the historical emergence of evangelical holism, offer reasons why prioritism more accurately represents a biblically informed approach to mission, and concludes with means by which readers can determine which viewpoint to affirm …
What Is Your Main Business?, George G. Hunter Iii
What Is Your Main Business?, George G. Hunter Iii
Great Commission Research Journal
In chapter one of his forthcoming book, Christianity’s Main Business, George Hunter recalls the question that Peter Drucker advised leaders of all types of organizations (including churches) to ask, repeatedly, “What is our main business?” Hunter distinguishes between what church leaders typically say (and believe) is their main business, and their actual main business as revealed by their data—from budgets, to time expenditure, to interview data. He then unpacks the “top ten” themes he found driving most local churches. Hunter contends that Christianity’s mission to the world was supposed to be Christianity’s main business, and, drawing from N. T. Wright, …
Church Growth Missiologist And Defender Of The Faith: George G. Hunter, Iii, R. Daniel Reeves
Church Growth Missiologist And Defender Of The Faith: George G. Hunter, Iii, R. Daniel Reeves
Great Commission Research Journal
Reeves summarizes Hunter’s impact in McGavran missiology with professors, church planters and evangelists. He highlights Hunter’s pioneering research among secular peoples at Muscle Beach and the fifth century Celtic movement, with broad application for enlisting and equipping disciples. Reeves also emphasizes Hunter’s less reported role as friend and trusted advisor, citing his personal experience of receiving encouragement and advice while forming and facilitating the Council on Ecclesiology, a project aimed at reducing counterproductive rhetoric among several popular movements.
A Critique Of The Multi-Ethnic Church Planting Strategy, Gustavo Suarez
A Critique Of The Multi-Ethnic Church Planting Strategy, Gustavo Suarez
Great Commission Research Journal
This paper seeks to discover if the multiethnic church planting strategy is effective in reaching a multicultural nation. This paper will first take a brief look at the challenges of an ethnic population in North America with primary emphasis given to the Hispanic population. Second, I will present supportive evidence for the multiethnic church planting view. Third, I will present arguments against the multiethnic strategy. Fourth, I will give observations and implications for the church. The main source of argument centers more in the methodology used. The reader will readily see the contrasting theological and cultural opinions of these two …
The Urban Legacy Of Twentieth Century Missiology, Jeff K. Walters
The Urban Legacy Of Twentieth Century Missiology, Jeff K. Walters
Great Commission Research Journal
In this “urban century,” it is sometimes easy to forget that urban work is not new to global missions. The purpose of this article is to review the work of four key twentieth century missiologists—Donald A. McGavran, Francis DuBose, Harvie Conn, and Roger Greenway— and consider their impact on the evangelism and missions in urban contexts. The article concludes with a brief analysis of their missiology and its application to twenty-first century missions strategy.
Book Review: Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional By Alvin Reid, Chuck Lawless
Book Review: Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional By Alvin Reid, Chuck Lawless
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Missional Church And Leadership Formation: Helping Congregations Develop Leadership Capacity By Craig Van G Elder, Ed., Scott D. Edgar
Book Review: The Missional Church And Leadership Formation: Helping Congregations Develop Leadership Capacity By Craig Van G Elder, Ed., Scott D. Edgar
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
An Examination Of The Compatibility Of The Church Growth Movement With A Calvinistic Soteriology, Michael Waldrop
An Examination Of The Compatibility Of The Church Growth Movement With A Calvinistic Soteriology, Michael Waldrop
Great Commission Research Journal
The purpose of this article is to establish that the strategic, missiological thinking of the Church Growth Movement is compatible with a Calvinistic soteriology. The method for accomplishing this purpose involves, first, a clarification of terms. Both “Church Growth Movement” and “Calvinism” have been defined in myriad ways, and these are not all equally valid. Thus, specific descriptions are included here. Next is a necessary discussion of the tensions that are perceived to exist between Church Growth and Calvinism. This is followed by a survey of kindred concerns and an exhibition of the common doctrinal ground shown to be held …