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Articles 181 - 210 of 476
Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology
Church-Based Research: Challenges And Opportunities, David R. Dunaetz
Church-Based Research: Challenges And Opportunities, David R. Dunaetz
Great Commission Research Journal
Because the church is the body of Christ, research focused on the Great Commission and Jesus’ concern for evangelism and disciple-making needs to be church-based. The goal of such research is to better share God’s love to a world who does not know him by building up a collection of knowledge that will enable us to do so. This research may be both theological (focusing on what the Bible and other theologians have said) and scientific (focusing on collecting new data and interpreting it, especially in light of theology). Church-based scientific research may be either qualitative (exploring broad ideas and …
The Power Of Faithfulness In Relational Evangelism, Lance C. Hahn
The Power Of Faithfulness In Relational Evangelism, Lance C. Hahn
Great Commission Research Journal
Many evangelistic efforts bear little fruit. It may be due to our inability to convey the right information, but it may also be due to an inappropriate environment for the information to be interpreted correctly. This article describes a process that God may use to engage a person whose heart has been prepared, so that the seed sown is received, not only as truth, but with joy. Relational evangelism carried out faithfully allows consistent sowing until chaotic moments open the heart.
A Missional Outreach Model In The Czech Republic: A Postchristian, Secular Culture, Petr Činčala
A Missional Outreach Model In The Czech Republic: A Postchristian, Secular Culture, Petr Činčala
Great Commission Research Journal
The Czech Republic is one of the most secular countries in the world. Moreover, the church has not been growing over the last few decades. This case study presents the church planting efforts in the city of Liberec, focusing on an outreach center started by a small number of Christians with the goal of sharing Christ’s love in culturally relevant ways. The initial efforts led to a family-centered activity center with many programs that helped develop personal relationships, trust, and open doors to share the gospel. An English class and gospel choir have been at the center of the outreach, …
Narcissistic Pastors And The Making Of Narcissistic Churches, Darrell Puls
Narcissistic Pastors And The Making Of Narcissistic Churches, Darrell Puls
Great Commission Research Journal
Can churches take on the pathological behaviors associated with narcissism through the influence of a narcissistic pastor? While there is a large body of literature on narcissistic individuals, and a smaller body of research into narcissistic organizations, there is little research on the prevalence of toxic narcissism in clergy and little to none on narcissistic churches. This paper is written from the perspective of currently available research and the author’s experience in working with churches suffering from severe internal conflicts in which both the pastor and church evidenced toxic levels of narcissism. The intent is to increase awareness, open a …
Book Review: A Guide To Church Revitalization Edited By Albert R. Mohler, Jr., Dustin Slaton
Book Review: A Guide To Church Revitalization Edited By Albert R. Mohler, Jr., Dustin Slaton
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Hospitable Leader: Creating Environments Where People And Dreams Can Flourish By Terry A. Smith, Harvey Mitchell Jr.
Book Review: The Hospitable Leader: Creating Environments Where People And Dreams Can Flourish By Terry A. Smith, Harvey Mitchell Jr.
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Planting Reproducing Churches By Elmer L. Towns, David Thiessen
Book Review: Planting Reproducing Churches By Elmer L. Towns, David Thiessen
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Return Of Oral Hermeneutics: As Good Today As It Was For The Hebrew Bible And First-Century Christianity By T. A. Stephen And W. Bjoraker, Regina Manley
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Something Old, Something New: How New Churches Are Embracing Liturgy, Winfield Bevins
Something Old, Something New: How New Churches Are Embracing Liturgy, Winfield Bevins
Great Commission Research Journal
The movement toward ancient church tradition has been well documented; however, there has also been a steady rise of new churches that are embracing church tradition and liturgy. The first part of this article will examine the history behind this movement and the factors that have contributed to its development. Next, it will look at four case studies of new churches that are embracing liturgy, which I refer to as neo-liturgical churches. It will end with an exploration of the promise that this may hold for reaching young adults.
Musical Worship: The New Sacrament?, Elsen Portugal
Musical Worship: The New Sacrament?, Elsen Portugal
Great Commission Research Journal
Music has been present in the worship practices of Christian communities as far back as the early days of the Church. Its presence has not been merely tolerated but intentionally integrated into liturgical practices, sometimes reflecting practices under the old covenant, and at other times adopting other shapes. Music’s meaning and power have also been variously evaluated by theologians and laypeople through the centuries. In certain segments of Christianity, music has even developed a theological relationship to concepts of sacrament. Such a relationship has penetrated the “worship event” in the latter part of the twentieth century and has frequently become …
That All May Hear: How Indigenous Church Music Encourages Church Growth In Africa, Trevor Yoakum
That All May Hear: How Indigenous Church Music Encourages Church Growth In Africa, Trevor Yoakum
Great Commission Research Journal
This article demonstrates how indigenous church music can be an effective tool in promoting healthy church growth. After defining indigenous church music through the insights of ethnodoxology, the author explains how it engages local hearers through their own conceptual categories. This cognitive interaction is relevant in that it augments comprehension of biblical themes and content. But it also impacts hearers through the various levels of their worldview. The article ends with a case study of how a consortium of African theological institutions and IMB missionaries are developing orality-based indigenous music to teach, refute heresy, and evangelize the continent.
“Lift Up Your Eyes”: Case Study Of Journey Church, Tucson, Jim Roden
“Lift Up Your Eyes”: Case Study Of Journey Church, Tucson, Jim Roden
Great Commission Research Journal
The receptivity principle of church growth discerns who in the local population is generally responsive to the gospel. The biblical warrant for this principle is seen in Jesus’ instructions to his disciples (Mark 5:11) and in Paul’s ministry (Acts 14:19-20). Donald McGavran emphasized, “Evangelism can be and ought to be directed to responsive persons, groups, and segments of society…. Correct policy is to occupy fields of low receptivity lightly.” The experience of anxiety typifies gospel-receptive groups; when their anxiety dissipates, their gospel receptivity diminishes. The special-needs population and those who are close to them experience unrelieved chronic anxiety that predisposes …
The Acts Way: Returning To The Original Plan A Of Church Planting, Joshua D. Sorrows
The Acts Way: Returning To The Original Plan A Of Church Planting, Joshua D. Sorrows
Great Commission Research Journal
This article examines the question: Is there a way to plant gospel-centered churches faster? Building off of Donald McGavran’s homogeneous unit theory, this article explores the biblical basis, the varied methodologies, and the successful implementation of a micro-church planting strategy in the Colorado Rockies. It evaluates the validity of micro-church planting alongside our current methods of church planting. The article calls for consideration to return to the Acts model of church planting through disciple-making that will help the Church go deep and reach wide.
The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Leaving A Legacy, Gary L. Mcintosh
The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Leaving A Legacy, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
As the Church Growth Movement continued to develop, it gained strength and respect. The establishing of the McGavran Chair of Church Growth was a red-letter day, which established the CGM as an academic discipline. Donald and Mary McGavran slowly backed away from direct ministry, but continued to follow the movement’s impact. This except reports the final years of McGavran’s life and ministry
Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed An Unlikely Generation And How He Can Do It Again Today. By Greg Laurie And Ellen Vaughn, H. L. Ward Jr.
Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed An Unlikely Generation And How He Can Do It Again Today. By Greg Laurie And Ellen Vaughn, H. L. Ward Jr.
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
L.E.A.R.N. Evangelism Handbook: Giving Away The Greatest Gift. By Marshall Windsor, Sanejo Leonard
L.E.A.R.N. Evangelism Handbook: Giving Away The Greatest Gift. By Marshall Windsor, Sanejo Leonard
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Something Old, Something New: How New Churches Are Embracing Liturgy, Winfield Bevins
Something Old, Something New: How New Churches Are Embracing Liturgy, Winfield Bevins
Great Commission Research Journal
The movement toward ancient church tradition has been well documented; however, there has also been a steady rise of new churches that are embracing church tradition and liturgy. The first part of this article will examine the history behind this movement and the factors that have contributed to its development. Next, it will look at four case studies of new churches that are embracing liturgy, which I refer to as neo-liturgical churches. It will end with an exploration of the promise that this may hold for reaching young adults.
Musical Worship: The New Sacrament?, Elsen Portugal
Musical Worship: The New Sacrament?, Elsen Portugal
Great Commission Research Journal
Music has been present in the worship practices of Christian communities as far back as the early days of the Church. Its presence has not been merely tolerated but intentionally integrated into liturgical practices, sometimes reflecting practices under the old covenant, and at other times adopting other shapes. Music’s meaning and power have also been variously evaluated by theologians and laypeople through the centuries. In certain segments of Christianity, music has even developed a theological relationship to concepts of sacrament. Such a relationship has penetrated the “worship event” in the latter part of the twentieth century and has frequently become …
That All May Hear: How Indigenous Church Music Encourages Church Growth In Africa, Trevor Yoakum
That All May Hear: How Indigenous Church Music Encourages Church Growth In Africa, Trevor Yoakum
Great Commission Research Journal
This article demonstrates how indigenous church music can be an effective tool in promoting healthy church growth. After defining indigenous church music through the insights of ethnodoxology, the author explains how it engages local hearers through their own conceptual categories. This cognitive interaction is relevant in that it augments comprehension of biblical themes and content. But it also impacts hearers through the various levels of their worldview. The article ends with a case study of how a consortium of African theological institutions and IMB missionaries are developing orality-based indigenous music to teach, refute heresy, and evangelize the continent.
The Song Of Cuba’S Great Awakening: Music In Baptist Worship And Witness, Michael Sharp, Ed Steele
The Song Of Cuba’S Great Awakening: Music In Baptist Worship And Witness, Michael Sharp, Ed Steele
Great Commission Research Journal
From the 1990s to the present, Cuban Baptists have witnessed a time of unparalleled church growth. During that time frame, musicians have participated in ministries aimed at church growth by organizing largescale public musical events, compiling a Cuban hymnal that included indigenous Cubano worship songs, developing new programs of leadership training for church musicians, and employing music in missionary projects both at home and abroad. This article explores what can be learned from the Cuban Baptists’ experience regarding music as an effective tool in evangelism, the value of musicians reaching musicians as a mission strategy, the importance of ethnodoxology in …
Igniting Hope Among Gen Z, Billy Mcmahan
Igniting Hope Among Gen Z, Billy Mcmahan
Great Commission Research Journal
Generation Z is the future of the Church. We need to begin equipping followers of Jesus to welcome them home. This article explores the seven common characteristics of Generation Z. It will also dive into research done among current youth workers from around the country and then provide some strategies on how to engage Generation Z based on that research. About 90 million young Americans fit into the age bracket of Generation Z. As the Church, we need to understand their worldview. As they emerge into adulthood, it will be vital to the health of the Church overall to equip …
“Lift Up Your Eyes”: Case Study Of Journey Church, Tucson, Jim Roden
“Lift Up Your Eyes”: Case Study Of Journey Church, Tucson, Jim Roden
Great Commission Research Journal
The receptivity principle of church growth discerns who in the local population is generally responsive to the gospel. The biblical warrant for this principle is seen in Jesus’ instructions to his disciples (Mark 5:11) and in Paul’s ministry (Acts 14:19-20). Donald McGavran emphasized, “Evangelism can be and ought to be directed to responsive persons, groups, and segments of society…. Correct policy is to occupy fields of low receptivity lightly.” The experience of anxiety typifies gospel-receptive groups; when their anxiety dissipates, their gospel receptivity diminishes. The special-needs population and those who are close to them experience unrelieved chronic anxiety that predisposes …
The Acts Way: Returning To The Original Plan A Of Church Planting, Joshua D. Sorrows
The Acts Way: Returning To The Original Plan A Of Church Planting, Joshua D. Sorrows
Great Commission Research Journal
This article examines the question: Is there a way to plant gospel-centered churches faster? Building off of Donald McGavran’s homogeneous unit theory, this article explores the biblical basis, the varied methodologies, and the successful implementation of a micro-church planting strategy in the Colorado Rockies. It evaluates the validity of micro-church planting alongside our current methods of church planting. The article calls for consideration to return to the Acts model of church planting through disciple-making that will help the Church go deep and reach wide.
The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Leaving A Legacy, Gary L. Mcintosh
The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Leaving A Legacy, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
As the Church Growth Movement continued to develop, it gained strength and respect. The establishing of the McGavran Chair of Church Growth was a red-letter day, which established the CGM as an academic discipline. Donald and Mary McGavran slowly backed away from direct ministry, but continued to follow the movement’s impact. This except reports the final years of McGavran’s life and ministry
Book Review: Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed An Unlikely Generation And How He Can Do It Again Today By Greg Laurie And Ellen Vaughn, H. L. Ward Jr.
Book Review: Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed An Unlikely Generation And How He Can Do It Again Today By Greg Laurie And Ellen Vaughn, H. L. Ward Jr.
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: L.E.A.R.N. Evangelism Handbook: Giving Away The Greatest Gift By Marshall Windsor, Sanejo Leonard
Book Review: L.E.A.R.N. Evangelism Handbook: Giving Away The Greatest Gift By Marshall Windsor, Sanejo Leonard
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Remission: Rethinking How Church Leaders Create Movement By Gary Comer, Jim Roden
Book Review: Remission: Rethinking How Church Leaders Create Movement By Gary Comer, Jim Roden
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Coming Of Age, Gary L. Mcintosh
The Life Of Donald Mcgavran: Coming Of Age, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
In the mid-1970s, criticism of the Church Growth Movement gradually began to wane. Donald McGavran reduced his teaching load to halftime, although he continued to teach for another decade. McGavran and Win Arn continued teaming together on books and films, and even Peter Wagner turned toward a focus on North American Church Growth. The Church Growth Movement came of age, and it would flourish throughout the remainder of the 1970s and into the 1980s.
Christian Ministry To Refugees In The Contrasting Settings Of Greece And Germany, John P. Thompson
Christian Ministry To Refugees In The Contrasting Settings Of Greece And Germany, John P. Thompson
Great Commission Research Journal
The refugee crisis in Europe may be one of the most significant opportunities for the spread of the gospel on that continent since the fall of the Iron Curtain. Many churches in Western Europe are engaging these newcomers in holistic ministry. From February to May 2018, seventeen leaders were interviewed from fourteen ministries engaged in refugee ministry in Greece and Germany to explore refugee ministry realities and practices in these two nations with contrasting policies. The research describes the shifting refugee situation, the shifting context, the relationship between these ministries and government, refugee ministry approaches, spiritual openness among refugees, and …
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.