Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 30 of 132
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Fit Churches Missionally Engaged, Phil Stevenson
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
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
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.
Book Review: The Living Church – Convictions Of A Lifelong Pastor, Roger Trautmann
Book Review: The Living Church – Convictions Of A Lifelong Pastor, Roger Trautmann
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Planting New Churches In A Postmodern Age, Daryl Thompson
Book Review: Planting New Churches In A Postmodern Age, Daryl Thompson
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Simple Church: Returning To God’S Process For Making Disciples, Bob Beaver
Book Review: Simple Church: Returning To God’S Process For Making Disciples, Bob Beaver
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
No abstract provided.
The Art Of Vision Casting For Church Multiplication, J. D. Payne
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 …
The State Of Church Planting In The United States: Research Overview And Qualitative Study Of Primary Church Planting Entities, Edward Stetzer, Warren Bird
The State Of Church Planting In The United States: Research Overview And Qualitative Study Of Primary Church Planting Entities, Edward Stetzer, Warren Bird
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
The launching of new Protestant churches in the United States, widely known as church planting, plays an increasing role in today's ecclesiastical landscape. This article summarizes salient findings from existing literature (multiple church planting studies, 54 doctoral dissertations, 41 journal articles, and over 100 church planting books and manuals), giving particular attention to a 2007 study by Leadership Network, which itself involved fresh research among more than 200 church-planting churches, over 100 leaders from 40 denominations, 45 church planting networks, 84 organic church leaders, 12 nationally known experts, and 81 colleges and seminaries. The Leadership Network findings review the contributions …
Factors Of Survivability Of Church Plants In The Tarrant, Collin, North Texas, And Denton Baptist Associations, Aaron James Meraz Sr.
Factors Of Survivability Of Church Plants In The Tarrant, Collin, North Texas, And Denton Baptist Associations, Aaron James Meraz Sr.
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
When I planted Bridgeway Baptist Church, McKinney, Texas, in October 2005, my association put me in contact with two recently deceased church plants to get some of their materials to use in our church. I talked with the two pastors and asked them why their churches died, hoping I could avoid their destiny. Though both churches made it past their fourth birthday, the pastors said that they needed more time to give to the church, a team member, and more financial support. I began looking into the survivability of church plants and, thanks to my church planting colloquium, was able …
Book Review: Breakout Churches: Discover How To Make The Leap, Gordon Penfold
Book Review: Breakout Churches: Discover How To Make The Leap, Gordon Penfold
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
No abstract provided.
Introduction, Gary L. Mcintosh
Introduction, Gary L. Mcintosh
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
For the past fourteen years, it has been my privilege to edit the Journal of the American Society for Church Growth. John Vaughan’s vision of seeing a new journal devoted to Great Commission research became a reality when the first issue was released in 1990. He edited the first four years, and I followed him as editor in 1995. My two major goals were to publish on a regular time schedule, and to move to multiple issues per year. Both of those goals were accomplished in 1997 when we first began publishing three issues per year. Now, after editing thirty-seven …
Remembering Bill Sullivan, Gary L. Mcintosh
Remembering Bill Sullivan, Gary L. Mcintosh
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
One of the founding members of the American Society for Church, Bill M. Sullivan, passed away on June 23, 2007. Bill’s passion for church planting and evangelism made him a beloved leader in the Church Growth Movement.
A Glimpse Into The Missional House Churches Of America, J. D. Payne
A Glimpse Into The Missional House Churches Of America, J. D. Payne
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
Discussions of house churches in western contexts have been increasing over the last decade. Though one can speculate as to the reason for the interest and growth in this particular expression of the Body of Christ, few have attempted to study the present realities. For some time I heard of these simple expressions of the Church in countries throughout the world, but wondered if there were such churches in the United States that were evangelistic and involved in church planting. I wanted to know if there were more to house churches than the stereotypical small group of disgruntled believers huddling …
Book Review: A Second Resurrection: Leading Your Congregation To New Life, Randy M. Keeley
Book Review: A Second Resurrection: Leading Your Congregation To New Life, Randy M. Keeley
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
No abstract provided.
The Impact Of Donald A. Mcgavran’S Church Growth Missiology On The Church Of The Nazarene, Gary L. Mcintosh
The Impact Of Donald A. Mcgavran’S Church Growth Missiology On The Church Of The Nazarene, Gary L. Mcintosh
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
On February 23, 2004 I interviewed Bill Sullivan by phone regarding the development of the Church Growth Movement in the Church of the Nazarene. The interview was recorded, transcribed, and then sent to Dr. Sullivan for his review. After receiving his edits, I wrote the following history of how Donald A. McGavran’s Church Growth missiology impacted the Church of the Nazarene. As the reader will discover, Bill Sullivan was the primary architect of translating Church Growth theory into action within this denomination.
The God-Equipped Magnificent Obsession: A Christ-Centered And Values-Based Strategic Intent, Allen H. Quist
The God-Equipped Magnificent Obsession: A Christ-Centered And Values-Based Strategic Intent, Allen H. Quist
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
It was the first-century believers’ Christ-centered core values that drove their evangelism behavior. Core values still drive the behavior of present day believers. For present day followers of Christ to maximize the work of Christ’s Great Commission, Christians need Christcentered core values held at an obsessive level, plus God’s preparation and provision. Believers making up the first-century church, engaged their world through touch points of their time; the Roman political system providing relatively safe travel and quality roads, the widely-used Greek language, and scattered post-Pentecost new Christian believers. Today’s Christians need to engage our world through the touch points of …
Church Conflict/Church Growth, Thomas Hammond, Steve Wilkes
Church Conflict/Church Growth, Thomas Hammond, Steve Wilkes
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
Sadly, conflict is a common occurrence in congregations of every denomination across America. It happens to traditional, blended, and contemporary churches for a variety of reasons, with the capacity to reach extreme levels of intensity. Its impact on a congregation can be devastating. Relationships are damaged, friendships strained, and many decide to stop attending. The church's ministry and evangelism efforts are usually brought to a standstill, leaving a divided fellowship that has taken its eyes off the harvest and has become distracted from fulfilling the Great Commission.
The Protean Church, Allan Karr
The Protean Church, Allan Karr
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
This article examines some symptoms of ecclesiological shifts that are being observed and documented in the “church” meta-narrative.
My Pilgrimage In Church Growth, Waldo J. Werning
My Pilgrimage In Church Growth, Waldo J. Werning
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
By the Spirit’s strength, various teachers and mentors shared truths and life applications of God’s Word with me to walk the justification and sanctification path Jesus offers with the light that He gives. My pilgrimage in the ministry of church growth that involved both Christian stewardship and church health has been and is one of reflecting Christ, our Savior and Lord, and learning from teachers, mentors, leadership networks and informative books that provided a healthy diet of God’s Word.
A Short History Of Winfield C. Arn And The Institute For American Church Growth, Gary L. Mcintosh
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
This article is being reprinted from the Fall 2005 issue of the Journal of the ASCG in tribute to Win Arn. Readers who are not familiar with the early history of church growth, and particularly the role played by Win Arn and the Institute for American Church Growth, will find this article of interest. —Editor
Means Of Evangelistic Growth: The First 300 Years, J. D. Payne
Means Of Evangelistic Growth: The First 300 Years, J. D. Payne
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
The purpose of this study is to examine the various means, by which the gospel spread across the word throughout the first three hundred years of the Church’s existence. Though some biblical texts will be referenced, the primary focus of this study is upon the post-Apostolic, pre-Constantinian years. This study is descriptive in nature. Though contemporary secondary source literature will be consulted, I will draw predominantly from the historical documents written circa A.D. 100-300 and Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History.
The Shaping Of Things Now: Questions Of Emerging Churches, Darren Cronshaw
The Shaping Of Things Now: Questions Of Emerging Churches, Darren Cronshaw
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
The term ‘emerging church’ has been hotly debated. Some mainstream churches say ‘what are you doing that we are not?’ and some emerging churches resent the implication that they are still ‘emerging’ into being a real church. 3 But ‘emerging’ describes something that is changing and evolving rather than fixed in one place. The label recognizes that such churches are emerging from a modern into a postmodern framework, in a post-Christendom era, in a digital age, for a post-colonial era. Interestingly, it is a term that has been used to describe the early church in the first century, since that …
Book Review: Revolution: Finding Vibrant Faith Beyond The Walls Of The Sanctuary, R. Daniel Reeves
Book Review: Revolution: Finding Vibrant Faith Beyond The Walls Of The Sanctuary, R. Daniel Reeves
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
No abstract provided.
Index 1990-2003, Gary L. Mcintosh
Index 1990-2003, Gary L. Mcintosh
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
The articles and book reviews published in the Journal for the American Society for Church Growth from 1990 to 2003 are presented in this index.
The State Of The Unions—Denominations In The 21st Century, Robert Wenz
The State Of The Unions—Denominations In The 21st Century, Robert Wenz
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
The denominational landscape in America is changing. It is no longer a landscape of blossoming and blooming. It is rather a landscape marked by withering, fallen petals, and some new and different shoots budding. Some denominations are merging or consolidating districts/regions/presbyteries, effectively reducing regional overhead. This serves to reduce the burden on churches to support both a national organization and a regional association. Increasingly, denominations are questioning the relative value and cutting their publications ministries.
Introduction, Gary L. Mcintosh
Introduction, Gary L. Mcintosh
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Small Groups And Established Churches: Challenge And Hope For The Future, Katie Dudgeon
Book Review: Small Groups And Established Churches: Challenge And Hope For The Future, Katie Dudgeon
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
No abstract provided.
Contemporary Church Planting, Elmer Towns
Contemporary Church Planting, Elmer Towns
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
The challenge of church planting has never been greater. There has always been the challenge of reaching people. But today’s challenges are different than ever before, and more extreme than ever before. Today’s challenges are exploding population, urbanization, technological innovations, expanding travel, complex international commercialization, the growing threat of terrorism, and growing secularization in First World or civilized countries; and in the Third World countries growing mysticism, spiritism, and demonism. Other challenges involve the influence of postmodernity, the influence of globalization through the United Nations, the collapse of church cooperation, i.e., World Council of Churches, Baptist World Alliance, etc.; the …
The Complex Task—A Place For Everyone: Session Four Manhattan Christian College, October 1981, Donald Mcgavran
The Complex Task—A Place For Everyone: Session Four 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 fourth in the series. This article has been transcribed from the taped lectures.
The Evolution Of Church Growth, Church Health, And The Missional Church: An Overview Of The Church Growth Movement From, And Back To, Its Missional Roots, Ed Stetzer
Journal of the American Society for Church Growth
The American application of the Church Growth Movement has, in my estimation, moved away from McGavran’s original emphasis of mission. While still valuing the approach and learning much from it, I would like to share my personal journey out of mainstream Church Growth into a more missional approach.