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Articles 1111 - 1140 of 1620

Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology

Introduction Winter 2009, Alan Mcmahan Apr 2009

Introduction Winter 2009, Alan Mcmahan

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

With this issue, I have assumed the General Editorship of the Journal under the new and vigorous sponsorship of the School of Intercultural Studies at Biola University. In the spirit of the Journal’s founding, the School of Intercultural Studies, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, has long been in the business of preparing men and women to cross the barriers that prevent people from hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ. Biola’s commitment to this task insures the continuation of the Journal into the future, a future that will bring many new opportunities for expansion and impact. This edition …


Book Review Of The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating The Missional Church By Alan Hirsch, Kenneth E. Bickel Apr 2009

Book Review Of The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating The Missional Church By Alan Hirsch, Kenneth E. Bickel

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.


The Triumph Of The Church (Audio), Robert Emerson Coleman Jan 2009

The Triumph Of The Church (Audio), Robert Emerson Coleman

ATS Chapel Services

No abstract provided.


Book Review: Planting New Churches In A Postmodern Age, Daryl Thompson Jul 2008

Book Review: Planting New Churches In A Postmodern Age, Daryl Thompson

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.


The Art Of Vision Casting For Church Multiplication, J. D. Payne Jul 2008

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 …


Book Review: The Myth Of The 200 Barrier, Phil Stevenson Jul 2008

Book Review: The Myth Of The 200 Barrier, Phil Stevenson

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.


Factors Of Survivability Of Church Plants In The Tarrant, Collin, North Texas, And Denton Baptist Associations, Aaron James Meraz Sr. Jul 2008

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 Jul 2008

Book Review: Breakout Churches: Discover How To Make The Leap, Gordon Penfold

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.


Changing Perspectives On Leadership During Four Decades, Eddie Gibbs Jul 2008

Changing Perspectives On Leadership During Four Decades, Eddie Gibbs

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

The significance of leadership for the growth of the church has been a constant focus of attention throughout the history of the Church Growth movement in North America during the past four decades. During that time, different aspects of leadership have been explored in response to the challenges and pressures encountered by leaders. Increasing pressures have resulted in heightened levels of stress.


Book Review: Strategies For Change, Jeff Mansell Jul 2008

Book Review: Strategies For Change, Jeff Mansell

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

No abstract provided.


Introduction, Gary L. Mcintosh Jul 2008

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 …


Book Review: The Living Church – Convictions Of A Lifelong Pastor, Roger Trautmann Jul 2008

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: Simple Church: Returning To God’S Process For Making Disciples, Bob Beaver Jul 2008

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.


Using Markov Chain Simulation To Measure The Eternal Impact Of Personal Evangelism,, Charles H. Reilly Jul 2008

Using Markov Chain Simulation To Measure The Eternal Impact Of Personal Evangelism,, Charles H. Reilly

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

All Christians have been commanded by Jesus Christ to share the Gospel message with unbelievers so that they too may be saved. However, few Christians regularly share the Gospel with non-Christians, and there are eternal consequences to this disobedience for everyone. A Markov chain model is proposed for estimating over time the proportions of persons who are saved and receive eternal life in heaven and who are condemned to hell. An evaluation and an analysis of the model are presented. Simulation results for the model indicate that a moderate increase in present personal evangelism efforts will result in only modestly …


The State Of Church Planting In The United States: Research Overview And Qualitative Study Of Primary Church Planting Entities, Edward Stetzer, Warren Bird Jul 2008

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 …


Prophet, Priest, And King : The Impact Of A Pastoral Theology Course On The Practice Of Pentecostal Pastors In The Philippines, Albert C. Clavo May 2008

Prophet, Priest, And King : The Impact Of A Pastoral Theology Course On The Practice Of Pentecostal Pastors In The Philippines, Albert C. Clavo

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.


A Training Program In Preaching For Pastors Of The Morogoro-Pwani District Of The Tanzania Assembly Of God, Kent Adrian Reynolds May 2008

A Training Program In Preaching For Pastors Of The Morogoro-Pwani District Of The Tanzania Assembly Of God, Kent Adrian Reynolds

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Short-Term Family Missions : A Study Of Family Faith Development, Anthony Wayne Mccollum May 2008

Short-Term Family Missions : A Study Of Family Faith Development, Anthony Wayne Mccollum

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Reconstructing Justice In The Land : How Urban Evangelical Congregations In Cotonou And Porto-Novo Can Respond To The Escalating Phenomenon Of Antisocial Behaviors, Mathieu Segbegnon Gnonhossou May 2008

Reconstructing Justice In The Land : How Urban Evangelical Congregations In Cotonou And Porto-Novo Can Respond To The Escalating Phenomenon Of Antisocial Behaviors, Mathieu Segbegnon Gnonhossou

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Leadership Communication : How Leader-Communicators Shape A Missional Culture, Willis Randy May 2008

Leadership Communication : How Leader-Communicators Shape A Missional Culture, Willis Randy

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Transformation Into Mission : A Case Study Of Forest Park United Methodist Church, Derek Edward Russell May 2008

Transformation Into Mission : A Case Study Of Forest Park United Methodist Church, Derek Edward Russell

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Remembering Bill Sullivan, Gary L. Mcintosh Jan 2008

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 Jan 2008

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 Jan 2008

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.


Shall We Reinvent Our 100 Year Old Denomination? Surveying Organizational Models, Kenneth Crow, Richard Houseal, Stan Ingersol, Dale Jones Jan 2008

Shall We Reinvent Our 100 Year Old Denomination? Surveying Organizational Models, Kenneth Crow, Richard Houseal, Stan Ingersol, Dale Jones

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

David Moberg has described the life cycle of religious organizations in The Church as a Social Institution. His model suggests five predictable stages. FIGURE 1 In the beginning of the ascending curve there is a phase of incipient organization characterized by a negative reaction to existing churches, emotional enthusiasm for the new church, and diffused leadership. Second, as the age and effectiveness of the organization increase, there is a phase of formal organization characterized by membership commitments, specification of goals, symbolic separation from the larger society, and a gradual move from charismatic leaders to rational or bureaucratic leaders. Third, as …


The God-Equipped Magnificent Obsession: A Christ-Centered And Values-Based Strategic Intent, Allen H. Quist Jan 2008

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 …


Misperceiving The Real Reasons For Non-Attendance, Attribution Theory, Peter Burch Jan 2008

Misperceiving The Real Reasons For Non-Attendance, Attribution Theory, Peter Burch

Journal of the American Society for Church Growth

My wife Holly and I arrived at Vista Del Mar Baptist Church (VDMBC) in Pacifica, California, a suburb of San Francisco, just three weeks shy of Easter in the year 2000. VDMBC began in the garage of a tract home in the 1950s. After two decades of consistent growth, the congregation dedicated an attractive 200-seat sanctuary in 1976. Regrettably, the next two decades brought consistent decline and, when I arrived as the new pastor in 2000, the church had returned to a garage-sized congregation. Having no staff to direct, secretary to talk to, or walls to paint, I decided to …


Church Conflict/Church Growth, Thomas Hammond, Steve Wilkes Jan 2008

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.


Book Review: Growth By Accident, Death By Planning: How Not To Kill A Growing Congregation, Darrell Lamos Jan 2008

Book Review: Growth By Accident, Death By Planning: How Not To Kill A Growing Congregation, Darrell Lamos

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 Jan 2008

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.