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Articles 241 - 270 of 476
Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology
Rethinking The Term Missionary: Is Every Christian A Missionary?, Cecil Stalnaker
Rethinking The Term Missionary: Is Every Christian A Missionary?, Cecil Stalnaker
Great Commission Research Journal
In order to emphasize the missionary nature of the local church, a new expression has emerged in recent years: “Every Christian a missionary.” Is this valid? Should local churches be instructing and claiming that their church members are all missionaries? Although many mission leaders and writers claim that the Bible never uses the word missionary, an examination of fifty-two different English versions of the Bible shows otherwise. In order to respond to the main question, a number of avenues are explored in this paper—the identity, definitions, and origin of the term missionary, including old and new paradigms and their analyses. …
Choosing The Right Consultant, William J. Ingram, Denise D. Quigley
Choosing The Right Consultant, William J. Ingram, Denise D. Quigley
Great Commission Research Journal
The church in North America is in decline. Research indicates that many churches are not growing or even considered “healthy.” More and more churches are addressing their declining attendance through hiring consultants to identify areas of growth and improvement. The key is finding the right consultant or consulting firm for the needs of the local church. This article seeks to help the local church ask the right questions when selecting a consultant or consulting firm.
One More Time: Why We Do Research On The Ministry Of Evangelism, George G. Hunter
One More Time: Why We Do Research On The Ministry Of Evangelism, George G. Hunter
Great Commission Research Journal
George Hunter has spent a lifetime studying the ministry of evangelism. Following his teenage conversion, he discovered that the ministry that helps pre-Christian people become new Christians was the most understudied of the Church’s ministries. In this article, he reports on how he studied, from multiple perspectives, the Church’s most essential (but most academically neglected) ministry. Hunter gradually discovered at least a dozen assumptions about evangelism in Protestant folk-wisdom that are typically more counterproductive than productive. He interfaces with these assumptions to suggest alternative views that are more academically warranted and practically effective. He concludes by inviting a generation of …
Theological Empathy And John Wesley’S Missional Field Preaching, Lenny Luchetti
Theological Empathy And John Wesley’S Missional Field Preaching, Lenny Luchetti
Great Commission Research Journal
John Wesley cited several external reasons for his submission to field-preaching. These external factors include the persuasive requests of George Whitefield, the effectiveness of open-air preaching, and the closed doors of the Anglican Church. These usual suspects have received much attention among Wesley scholars. However, a closer look at Wesley’s writings, especially his A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion, reveals that internal motivators were at least as much to blame as external ones for driving Wesley to the fields. What initiated and sustained Wesley’s field-preaching for fifty-one years, despite the many inconveniences and dangers associated with this …
Eight Steps To Transitioning To One Of Five Models Of A Multicultural Church, Bob Whitesel
Eight Steps To Transitioning To One Of Five Models Of A Multicultural Church, Bob Whitesel
Great Commission Research Journal
Theories of change and theories of changing are insufficiently studied, hence often inadequately understood by the ecclesial academy. The few theories that are available are based on an author’s experience with singular process model developed from similar homogeneous contexts. However, the present author, reflecting on case studies over a ten-year window, strengthens the argument for a holistic, eight-step model as first developed by John P. Kotter at Harvard University. Whitesel argues that the eight-step process model is resident and visible in ecclesiological change. He then suggests that the requisite change objective for many churches will be a heterogeneous, multicultural model, …
How Donald Mcgavran Has Impacted One Urban Church Plant And Indirectly Influenced Thousands Of Other Churches: An Analysis Of The Journey Church Of The City, Nelson Searcy, Matthew C. Easter
How Donald Mcgavran Has Impacted One Urban Church Plant And Indirectly Influenced Thousands Of Other Churches: An Analysis Of The Journey Church Of The City, Nelson Searcy, Matthew C. Easter
Great Commission Research Journal
This essay offers five specific principles from Donald McGavran that have directly influenced The Journey Church in New York City, San Francisco, and Boca Raton, Florida, and indirectly thousands of other churches (through the writing and coaching ministry of Nelson Searcy with Church Leader Insights). McGavran’s principles of missionary eyes, goal setting, assimilation, homogeneity, and a Great Commission focus have proven invaluable in this church plant and offer a similar value to other churches seeking to make a difference in their communities.
Book Review: Leading Church Multiplication: Locally, Regionally, Nationally By Tom Nebel And Steve Pike, David Yetter
Book Review: Leading Church Multiplication: Locally, Regionally, Nationally By Tom Nebel And Steve Pike, David Yetter
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Lego Principle: The Power Of Connecting To God And One Another By Joey Bonifacio, Jamie Booth
Book Review: The Lego Principle: The Power Of Connecting To God And One Another By Joey Bonifacio, Jamie Booth
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Understanding Diversification In The Church Growth Movement, Christopher Divietro
Understanding Diversification In The Church Growth Movement, Christopher Divietro
Great Commission Research Journal
Donald McGavran observed isolationist tendencies in the church and proposed both methodological consistency and sociological analysis as factors critical to evangelistic success. Later, church growth thinkers devolved into a syncretistic pragmatism that, over time, rendered the church as irrelevant as the church McGavran sought to combat. I synthesize various strands running through the history of the Church Growth Movement and isolate contributing factors to diversification through critical interaction with a contemporary of Donald McGavran—Lesslie Newbigin. Newbigin’s understanding of the relationships among gospel, church, and culture serves as the foundation for understanding how a church can slip into a position of …
Donald Mcgavran: An Evangelistic Missionary, Gary L. Mcintosh
Donald Mcgavran: An Evangelistic Missionary, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
During the second half of Donald McGavran’s time in India from 1937 until the early 1950s, he worked as an evangelistic missionary among a low caste tribe of people. This article follows his story of planting fifteen churches, seeing new believers come to faith in Christ, and the further developing of his principles of church growth.
My Pilgrimage In Church Growth, Bill Easum
My Pilgrimage In Church Growth, Bill Easum
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
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 …
Technology-Based Oral Ministry Strategies: The Bridge Between Western Literate And Majority World Oral Contexts, Christina Toy
Technology-Based Oral Ministry Strategies: The Bridge Between Western Literate And Majority World Oral Contexts, Christina Toy
Great Commission Research Journal
Modern technology has ushered in a third era of communication—secondary orality. The literate West and oral Majority World represent two polarized societies. As awareness of orality grows, technology must be part of the developing approaches to ensure continued effective ministry. Technology-based oral ministry strategies are the best way to bridge the gap between the Western literate and Majority World oral contexts. This paper will discuss characteristics of the third communication era, including inadequacies of current ministry approaches, the biblical basis for technology-based oral strategies, and implications of secondary orality in alternative ministry strategies’ development and implementation.
The Practical Effects Of Clerical Clothing On Evangelism: A Quantitative Study, Eugene A. Curry
The Practical Effects Of Clerical Clothing On Evangelism: A Quantitative Study, Eugene A. Curry
Great Commission Research Journal
Clothing has been shown to have a quantifiable effect on the perceptions of research subjects in a variety of contexts. This study seeks to establish whether this general principle applies to Christian evangelism. While subtle, the study finds that the wearing of a clerical collar leads to measurable differences in the rate at which specific sorts of people approach an evangelist to discuss religion. Wearing a collar increases the rate of engagements with men and nonChristians, relative to wearing business casual clothing. Conversely, wearing a collar leads to fewer engagements with women and Christians. Possible explanations and applications of this …
Book Review: Growing God’S Church: How People Are Actually Coming To Faith Today By Gary L. Mcintosh, William J. Ingram
Book Review: Growing God’S Church: How People Are Actually Coming To Faith Today By Gary L. Mcintosh, William J. Ingram
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Prodigal Church: A Gentile Manifesto Against The Status Quo By Jared C. Wilson, Joey Chen
Book Review: The Prodigal Church: A Gentile Manifesto Against The Status Quo By Jared C. Wilson, Joey Chen
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Sunday School That Really Works: A Strategy For Connecting Congregations And Communities By Steve R. Parr, David Russell Bryan
Book Review: Sunday School That Really Works: A Strategy For Connecting Congregations And Communities By Steve R. Parr, David Russell Bryan
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st Century Model For Church And Ministry Leaders By Aubrey Malphurs, Chase Weeks
Book Review: Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st Century Model For Church And Ministry Leaders By Aubrey Malphurs, Chase Weeks
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Church Growth And Outreach Lessons From The Oil Boom In North Dakota, Mark R. Teasdale, Steve Trefz
Church Growth And Outreach Lessons From The Oil Boom In North Dakota, Mark R. Teasdale, Steve Trefz
Great Commission Research Journal
Using primary data collected from four churches situated in the North Dakota towns of Williston and Watford City, this study considers how the outreach ministries of these churches have been affected by the massive population growth brought about by the oil boom in the Bakken region. Drawing from the survey responses provided by the leaders of these congregations, the study concludes that people engaged in new outreach ministries can apply several lessons, including the definition of evangelism, the importance of relationship building, the need for multifaceted teams and resources, and issues with denominational support.
A Framework For Developing Global Leadership According To The Apostle Paul, Peter Rios
A Framework For Developing Global Leadership According To The Apostle Paul, Peter Rios
Great Commission Research Journal
Globalization is inevitable. There is no longer any need to debate whether an organization or a leader should consider becoming global. Such a discussion is as dead as universities debating whether they should have online studies. Being a global leader or organization is imperative today, especially if the goal of the organization is to extend the reach of its markets. The apostle Paul personified global leadership during the course of his ministry. The skills he displayed as a leader were (1) having a global mentality, (2) becoming all things, (3) displaying cultural agility, (4) overcoming adversity, (5) assembling strategic teams, …
Book Review: Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around And Yours Can Too By Ed Stetzer And Mike Dodson, Philips Sunday Akinbobola
Book Review: Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around And Yours Can Too By Ed Stetzer And Mike Dodson, Philips Sunday Akinbobola
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
A Historical Analysis Of Hinderances Related To The Slow Growth Of Christianity In Thailand, Kelly Michael Hilderbrand
A Historical Analysis Of Hinderances Related To The Slow Growth Of Christianity In Thailand, Kelly Michael Hilderbrand
Great Commission Research Journal
From the very beginning, Christianity has experienced slow growth in Thailand. This article examines the historical hindrances to growth in Thailand. What are they, and why have they hindered church growth? Early hindrances have included climate and disease, ministry approaches, and a lack of persecution. Historical and present hindrances are also examined, including the foreignness of Christianity, confrontational evangelism, and the Thai patron-client social structure. Once identified, missions organizations and missionaries can make adjustments to be more effective in impacting the kingdom of Thailand for the gospel.
The Lost Balance In Missions Today, Mike Morris
The Lost Balance In Missions Today, Mike Morris
Great Commission Research Journal
Many evangelical Christian missiologists emphasize search-only theology (i.e., search theology that is not balanced by harvest theology). When the Great Commission is reexamined, search-only theology deficiencies are revealed. When search-only proponents attempt to sow seed speedily in all UPGs at the same time without regard for receptivity, poor stewardship of gospel seed is evident. A lack of thorough discipleship results in UdPGs. Such speedy search-only theology is not the pattern set by Jesus or Paul. e dangers of search-only theology’s emphasis on speed include placing unqualified people in leadership positions and getting involved in the deceptive insider movement.
Book Review: Donald A. Mcgavran: A Biography Of The Twentieth Century’S Premier Missiologist By Gary Mcintosh, Mike Morris
Book Review: Donald A. Mcgavran: A Biography Of The Twentieth Century’S Premier Missiologist By Gary Mcintosh, Mike Morris
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Whose Story To Join? The Problem Of Social Plausibility, Social Missions Stations, And Their Relationship To Church Planting Movements, J. S. Williams
Whose Story To Join? The Problem Of Social Plausibility, Social Missions Stations, And Their Relationship To Church Planting Movements, J. S. Williams
Great Commission Research Journal
Donald McGavran challenged the missions community sixty years ago to use the natural social bridges of a community, rather than create new ones, to see the gospel spread. This paper builds on this concept by applying social plausibility theory, as articulated by Peter Berger and Thomas Tuckman, to three case studies of church planting efforts among Muslims. The paper indicates, in keeping with McGavran, that missionaries may still construct “sociological mission stations” if they do not intentionally present the gospel to families and social networks instead of individuals.
William Carey’S Vision For Missionary Partnerships, Andrew D. Mcfarland
William Carey’S Vision For Missionary Partnerships, Andrew D. Mcfarland
Great Commission Research Journal
When the English Baptist missionary William Carey left England bound for India in 1793, he did not attempt the effort alone. Instead, he thought a brotherhood of serious Christians residing in England as essential for the undertaking. However, he expected them to provide more than funding. He trusted them to supply the love, encouragement, and support that would make missionary service possible. As a result, the partnership of William Carey with the BMS was founded on interdependence, and Carey’s devotion to this fueled his perseverance through seasons of painful challenges. This was Carey’s vision for missionary partnerships.
The Case For Prioritism: Part 1, Christopher R. Little
The Case For Prioritism: Part 1, Christopher R. Little
Great Commission Research Journal
The global evangelical missions movement has embraced holism or integral mission as a framework for engaging the nations. Many astute observers maintain that this development indicates that present-day evangelicals are following in the footsteps of ecumenicals and repeating the mistakes of the past. The matter of the relationship between proclamation and social action in the mission of the church must therefore be revisited for the sake of the world. The first installment of this article seeks to highlight why the debate is still necessary, clarify the fundamental differences between prioritism and holism, recount the road to evangelical holism, and address …
The Big News On Small Churches: Re-Evaluating The Contribution Of Small Churches To The Fulfillment Of The Great Commission ., Ian Hussey
Great Commission Research Journal
Although many small churches are declining, research presented in this article suggests that on almost every measure of vitality or effectiveness (including newcomers), smaller churches are doing as well, if not better, than larger churches. Of particular note is that people in smaller congregations tend to find it easier to make friends in the congregation and are more likely to seek to make new arrivals welcome. Indeed, small churches may have a number of strategic advantages that are discussed and identified as ways smaller churches can make a significant contribution to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Book Review: Can These Bones Live? A Practical Guide To Church Revitalization By Bill Henard, Nicholas Clark
Book Review: Can These Bones Live? A Practical Guide To Church Revitalization By Bill Henard, Nicholas Clark
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Our Global Families: Christians Embracing Common Identity In A Changing World By Todd M. Johnson And Cindy M. Wu, Beau K. Brewer
Book Review: Our Global Families: Christians Embracing Common Identity In A Changing World By Todd M. Johnson And Cindy M. Wu, Beau K. Brewer
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.