Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Missions and World Christianity Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Evangelism (9)
- Church growth (3)
- Relationships (3)
- Brazil (2)
- Church (2)
-
- Church Growth (2)
- Church planting (2)
- Discipleship (2)
- Ministry (2)
- Outreach (2)
- Research Methods (2)
- Research methods (2)
- Academics (1)
- Acts of the Apostles (1)
- China (1)
- Christian missions (1)
- Christianity (1)
- Church Growth Movement (1)
- Church planting movements (1)
- Churches (1)
- Commitment (1)
- Consulting (1)
- Contextualization (1)
- Contextualized mission (1)
- Conversion (1)
- Creativity (1)
- Cross-cultural evangelism (1)
- Cultural analysis (1)
- Data Collection (1)
- Discipleship in restricted contexts (1)
Articles 1 - 30 of 182
Full-Text Articles in Missions and World Christianity
When Everything Moves Faster Than The Soul: Spirituality In A Fast-Paced World, Pablo Marzilli
When Everything Moves Faster Than The Soul: Spirituality In A Fast-Paced World, Pablo Marzilli
Great Commission Research Journal
This article analyzes one of the main characteristics of the hypermodern era in which we live: social acceleration. We live in an extremely individualistic era that forces us to be highly efficient and productive in everything we do. This social phenomenon leads to a sense of being overwhelmed; our culture demands that we maximize the use of our time, to the point where we feel that we are less productive than we actually are, even though this is objectively impossible. This culture of acceleration, which makes us live at a dizzying pace, also influences the church and reshapes our daily …
Using Demographics And Psychographics To Advance The Great Commission: Lessons From The National Association Of Free Will Baptists, Edward E. Moody Jr.
Using Demographics And Psychographics To Advance The Great Commission: Lessons From The National Association Of Free Will Baptists, Edward E. Moody Jr.
Great Commission Research Journal
For decades, marketers have used demographics and psychographics to engage different segments of the population. Psychographics refers to the study of people’s activities, interests, opinions, values, attitudes, and lifestyles to better understand and predict behavior beyond what can be learned from demographic characteristics alone (Demby, 1974; Wells & Tigert, 1971). This paper examines whether these strategies can be effectively adapted to advance the Great Commission. The practices of the early church, particularly those of the Apostle Paul, reflect principles that are consistent with contemporary demographic and psychographic analysis. In this paper, the process of using an approach to help churches …
Reviving Mission: Awakening To The Everyday Movement Of God By Linson Daniel, Jon Hietbrink, And Eric Rafferty, John Husted
Reviving Mission: Awakening To The Everyday Movement Of God By Linson Daniel, Jon Hietbrink, And Eric Rafferty, John Husted
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Cultural Landscaping Of North Korea: Preparing For Mission Engagement Through Large-Scale Defector Insights On Economy And Society, Soo Min James Park
Cultural Landscaping Of North Korea: Preparing For Mission Engagement Through Large-Scale Defector Insights On Economy And Society, Soo Min James Park
Great Commission Research Journal
North Korea is one of the world’s most closed societies, yet history shows that closed systems can shift rapidly. A sudden opening through political change, humanitarian crisis, or expanded cross-border engagement could expose millions to unprecedented cultural, social, and spiritual influences. While earlier mission research relied primarily on anecdotal testimonies or small-sample studies, this study draws on the most comprehensive resource available to date, in-depth surveys of 6,351 North Korean defectors released in 2025 by South Korea’s Ministry of Unification. Through thematic analysis, the study conducts cultural deductions across nine categories, including five of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, cultural tightness/looseness, communication …
Book Review: Emplacing Globalisation: Contextualising Mission In Settings Of People, Places And Processes By John Cheong And Jonathan Ro, David H. Campbell
Book Review: Emplacing Globalisation: Contextualising Mission In Settings Of People, Places And Processes By John Cheong And Jonathan Ro, David H. Campbell
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Bearing Witness In Acts And Today By Troy M. Troftgruben, Christopher Robershaw
Book Review: Bearing Witness In Acts And Today By Troy M. Troftgruben, Christopher Robershaw
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
The Receptivity Principle For Effective Evangelism: Its Biblical Basis, Mike Morris
The Receptivity Principle For Effective Evangelism: Its Biblical Basis, Mike Morris
Great Commission Research Journal
Donald McGavran’s receptivity principle remains relevant today as Christian mission agencies and individuals make decisions about prioritizing evangelistic efforts. This article examines the scriptural basis of the principle. The author analyzes various passages that confirm the logical progression of the following statements: The preliminary work of God is necessary for evangelistic effectiveness. God works unevenly around the world as he works in the evangelistic process. Because of God’s uneven work, some individuals and groups are more receptive to the gospel than are other individuals and groups. Christians can and should discern where God is causing increased receptivity, and they should …
A Brief History Of The American Society For Church Growth And Great Commission Research Network, Gary Mcintosh
A Brief History Of The American Society For Church Growth And Great Commission Research Network, Gary Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
This article surveys the 40‑year history of the Great Commission Research Network, originally founded in 1985 as the American Society for Church Growth. It traces the Society’s origins in the vision of C. Peter Wagner, its early development alongside emerging academic and consulting roles in the Church Growth Movement, and its subsequent evolution through changing leadership, themes, and institutional partnerships. The narrative outlines major milestones, including organizational restructuring, name changes, expanding conference formats, and increasing collaboration with seminaries, denominations, and the Society for Church Consulting. Across four decades, the Society has produced significant research, cultivated key leaders, supported academic scholarship, …
Book Review: A New And Ancient Evangelism: Rediscovering The Ways God Calls And Sends By Judith Paulsen, Rhonda Haynes
Book Review: A New And Ancient Evangelism: Rediscovering The Ways God Calls And Sends By Judith Paulsen, Rhonda Haynes
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Fall 2025 Complete Issue, David R. Dunaetz
Fall 2025 Complete Issue, David R. Dunaetz
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Experiments In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz
Experiments In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz
Great Commission Research Journal
Experiments, with their ability to establish causal relationships (unlike correlational studies), are an under-utilized research tool in church-based research. This article examines experimental designs, including pre-experiments, true experiments, and quasi-experiments, and their relevance to church contexts. The challenges of random assignment, ethical considerations, and threats to validity, such as history, maturation, and selection effects, are real, but not insurmountable. There are practical limitations to experiments in church settings, but previously conducted experiments focusing on Bible reading, church attendance, and leadership development initiatives demonstrate their feasibility. The value of experimental methodologies for understanding church-related phenomena, improving ministry effectiveness, fostering spiritual growth, …
Life In The Kingdom: Reimagining Theological Education For A Post-Secular Global Age, Jose Philip
Life In The Kingdom: Reimagining Theological Education For A Post-Secular Global Age, Jose Philip
Great Commission Research Journal
Theological education faces a profound crisis, shaped by globalization, secularization, and an epistemological fracture that prioritizes intellectual mastery over spiritual formation. Many seminaries fail to cultivate graduates who are spiritually grounded and missionally engaged due to models rooted in Enlightenment rationalism and managerial pragmatism. This paper advocates for reimagining theological education as a Kingdom-centered vocation, emphasizing transformative participation in the life of God. The paper calls for a shift from content delivery to character formation, centering theological education on faithful, embodied witness to God's mission in a complex world.
Book Review: Reading James Missiologically: The Missionary Motive, Message, And Methods Of James Edited By Abeneazer G. Urga, Jessica A. Udall, And Edward L. Smither, Kenneth Nehrbass
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: A New And Ancient Evangelism: Rediscovering The Ways God Calls And Sends By Judith Paulsen, Christina D. Gonet
Book Review: A New And Ancient Evangelism: Rediscovering The Ways God Calls And Sends By Judith Paulsen, Christina D. Gonet
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Christianity In North America (Edinburgh Companions To Global Christianity) Edited By Kenneth R. Ross, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, And Todd M. Johnson, John Cheong
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Stronger Together: Seven Partnership Virtues And The Vices That Subvert Them By Dave Harvey, Rex Ng
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: 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.
Validity And Reliability In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz
Validity And Reliability In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz
Great Commission Research Journal
Conducting high-quality research is difficult because so many things can go wrong, whether it be poor research design, researcher bias, inaccurate attempts to measure phenomena, random errors made by participants, or any of a myriad of other problems that can occur. Researchers need to consciously seek to maximize the accuracy of their measurements (measurements that are high in reliability) and make credible conclusions (conclusions that are high in validity). This paper explains several forms of validity and reliability using examples from measures of church attendance and spiritual gifts inventories. It first examines how the validity of research design (including both …
Church Doors And Hospital Doors: The Interrelationship, Azubuike Chukwubumnobi Okeke, Samuel Obiajulu Ike
Church Doors And Hospital Doors: The Interrelationship, Azubuike Chukwubumnobi Okeke, Samuel Obiajulu Ike
Great Commission Research Journal
This study examines the place of medical evangelism as a means of church expansion in modern Nigeria. It is a retrospective cross-sectional investigative study involving data collection from the Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital’s anonymized patient records. The Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital is in Enugu State in southeastern Nigeria. Over 100,000 patients sought medical care in the hospital during a period of 19 years. Seventy-four percent had spiritual care provided by a person of the same faith. Most of the respondents came from within the Enugu metropolitan area. Using the church planting ministry of the Chapel of His Resurrection within the …
Book Review: Missiological Triage: A Framework For Integrating Theology And Social Sciences In Missiological Methods By Sarah Lunsford, L. Lynn Thigpen
Book Review: Missiological Triage: A Framework For Integrating Theology And Social Sciences In Missiological Methods By Sarah Lunsford, L. Lynn Thigpen
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Partnership In Ministry: A Study Of Networking And Collaboration In Paul’S Ministry And Their Implications By Paul H. Byun, Joyce Brenya Amoah
Book Review: Partnership In Ministry: A Study Of Networking And Collaboration In Paul’S Ministry And Their Implications By Paul H. Byun, Joyce Brenya Amoah
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Communication In Mission: Global Opportunities And Challenges Edited By Marcus Dean, Scott Moreau, Sue Russell, And Rochelle Scheuermann, I. Francis Kile Iii
Book Review: Communication In Mission: Global Opportunities And Challenges Edited By Marcus Dean, Scott Moreau, Sue Russell, And Rochelle Scheuermann, I. Francis Kile Iii
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Mission In The Way Of Daniel: Empowering Believers To Live Into God’S Plan By Edward Smither, H. L. "Scooter" Ward Jr.
Book Review: Mission In The Way Of Daniel: Empowering Believers To Live Into God’S Plan By Edward Smither, H. L. "Scooter" Ward Jr.
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.
Review Of Leadership By The Book: Cultivating Spirit-Led Kingdom Leaders By Galen Wendell Jones, Jeremy Langly
Review Of Leadership By The Book: Cultivating Spirit-Led Kingdom Leaders By Galen Wendell Jones, Jeremy Langly
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Great Commission Research Journal Spring 2024, David R. Dunaetz
Great Commission Research Journal Spring 2024, David R. Dunaetz
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Gods Have Names: Addressing The Translation Of “God” In The Thai Language And Culture, Kelly M. Hilderbrand
Gods Have Names: Addressing The Translation Of “God” In The Thai Language And Culture, Kelly M. Hilderbrand
Great Commission Research Journal
This article is a practical missiological examination of the word used to reference God in the Thai language. The problem is that the term used in Thai, Phrajao (พระเจ้า), is a generic term that can be used for any number of different gods or royalty and is easily misunderstood. After an examination of the words used for “God” in Chinese and Hindu contexts, the biblical terms for “God” are examined. Although the Bible uses generic terms for God (Elohim and Theos), God has a name. The name of God, Yahweh, was revealed to Moses and used throughout the Old Testament. …
Review Of Diaspora Missions To International Students By Enoch Wan, I. Francis Kyle Iii
Review Of Diaspora Missions To International Students By Enoch Wan, I. Francis Kyle Iii
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Review Of Interpreting Your World: Five Lenses For Engaging Theology And Culture By Justin Ariel Bailey, John E. Rife Jr.
Review Of Interpreting Your World: Five Lenses For Engaging Theology And Culture By Justin Ariel Bailey, John E. Rife Jr.
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.