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Articles 271 - 300 of 476
Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology
After Postmodernism, Thomas W. Sieberhagen
After Postmodernism, Thomas W. Sieberhagen
Great Commission Research Journal
For the past 30 years, Christians have written about and discussed postmodernism. The topic is a favorite among scholars and students, who have enjoyed endless debates on the impact of postmodernism and who have speculated what the Church’s proper response should be to the West’s dominant worldview. This article urges the reader to recognize postmodernism’s demise, and to start thinking about the Church’s response to the next dominant worldview: Neo-realism. Could it be that God has brought the greater culture through the emptiness of postmodernism so that they will be ready to hear the truth of the Gospel as they …
The Strategic Nature Of Urban Ministry, Alan Mcmahan
The Strategic Nature Of Urban Ministry, Alan Mcmahan
Great Commission Research Journal
The explosive growth of cities around the world provides an unprecedented and strategic opportunity for the advancement of the gospel and the expansion of the church. Ten overlapping realities found in urban contexts are explored in this article to show how the world is dramatically changing the context in which most people live. The enormous advantages offered by urban ministry are then examined to show how the church can extend its reach, identify and reach receptive people and influence the culture of a region or a nation.
Cubans In The United States, Antonio J. Lopez
Cubans In The United States, Antonio J. Lopez
Great Commission Research Journal
The term “Hispanic” is used in the United States for a large and diverse group of people. Cubans are among those that fall under this category, though they differ from other Hispanics. To understand some of the characteristic of Cubans, and to effectively reach them it is important to understand their history and culture. Mainly in Florida, Cubans are diffused throughout the United States, which requires flexibility and intentionality in reaching them. This article seeks to familiarize the reader with some of the historical, and cultural aspects of Cubans in order to reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Book Reviews: There’S Hope For Your Church By Gary L. Mcintosh And A Place Of Grace By William O. Webster, James R. Farrer
Book Reviews: There’S Hope For Your Church By Gary L. Mcintosh And A Place Of Grace By William O. Webster, James R. Farrer
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Rise Of The "Nones", Dave Page
Rise Of The "Nones", Dave Page
Great Commission Research Journal
The number of Americans (“nones”) who do not identify with any religion continues to grow at a rapid pace with Millennials leading the way. Is this growing trend a cause for concern? This article argues that it is cause for great concern and that churches cannot keep doing what they’ve always done if they expect to reach this unique cultural group. Nones are spiritual but not religious and are very different than seekers. In order to reach nones for Christ, churches must 1) Become mission minded; 2) Focus on conversion growth; 3) Educate themselves on this new group 4) Utilize …
My Pilgrimage In The Church Growth Movement: Empowerment To Lead People To Jesus, Kent R. Hunter
My Pilgrimage In The Church Growth Movement: Empowerment To Lead People To Jesus, Kent R. Hunter
Great Commission Research Journal
As a child, Kent Hunter was a nominal Christian with faithful parents. During surgery for a football injury, God changed Kent from mediocrity to missionary. Kent’s journey through college and seminary provided theology, but little strategy. In search of mission training, he earned a Ph.D. in Theology. It would become the biblical foundation for his future. Kent’s first ministry was to pastor a dying, inner-city, Anglo church surrounded by unchurched African Americans. Humbled and discouraged by failure to effectively reach out, he enrolled in Fuller Seminary. God used that experience to transform his life, his church, and many others on …
Global Church Growth Through Multicultural Mission Teams, Parnell M. Lovelace Jr.
Global Church Growth Through Multicultural Mission Teams, Parnell M. Lovelace Jr.
Great Commission Research Journal
The globalization of ministry outreach is emerging as the church is expanding its reach beyond the local community. As a result, many congregations have embraced multicultural mission team development. As models of leadership are capturing opportunities to develop strategic liaisons globally with various nations politically, educationally, financially, and socially, there appears to be an opportunity to implement or receive initiatives that mutually benefit both the hosting country and the serving organization. These opportunities are available to the local church or a consortium of local churches. The growth of the church and its impact is readily observed through the implementation and …
Donald Mcgavran: A Missionary To India, Gary L. Mcintosh
Donald Mcgavran: A Missionary To India, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
Donald McGavran served as a director of Christian education and denominational executive in India for the United Christian Missionary Society from 1923 to 1936. During those years he completed a Ph.D. in Education from Columbia University, and met J. Waskom Pickett who helped redirect him into the research on church growth. His interest in evangelism eventually led to his demotion to a field evangelist in 1936; a move that would change his life.
Book Review: Not Safe For Church: Ten Commandments For Reaching New Generations By F. Douglas Powe, Jr. And Jasmine Rose Smothers, Cory L. Siebel
Book Review: Not Safe For Church: Ten Commandments For Reaching New Generations By F. Douglas Powe, Jr. And Jasmine Rose Smothers, Cory L. Siebel
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: White Unto Harvest: Evangelizing Today’S Senior Adults By Charles Arn, Matthew Costner
Book Review: White Unto Harvest: Evangelizing Today’S Senior Adults By Charles Arn, Matthew Costner
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Unchurched Next Door By Thom Rainer, Amy Nicholson Jones
Book Review: The Unchurched Next Door By Thom Rainer, Amy Nicholson Jones
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Urban Apologetics: Why The Gospel Is Good News For The City By Christopher W. Brooks, Paul M. Gould
Book Review: Urban Apologetics: Why The Gospel Is Good News For The City By Christopher W. Brooks, Paul M. Gould
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Wheel Model: Catalyzing Sustainable Church Multiplication Movements By Frank Schattner, Ariel Lee
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Church Growth Before Mcgavran: The Methodological Parallels Of John Wesley, Bob Whitesel
Church Growth Before Mcgavran: The Methodological Parallels Of John Wesley, Bob Whitesel
Great Commission Research Journal
This article will look at methodological parallels between John B. Wesley and Donald A. McGavran. The influence of both men arose during similar social shifts that were accompanied by a perception of ecclesial apathy. Parallels will be demonstrated in McGavran’s principles of 1) conversion as a priority, 2) effective evangelism as a process model, 3) the danger of redemption and lift, 4) the importance of multiplication, and 5) pragmatism in methodology. A final section will look at the legacy of these two men and will suggest how identification can help retain focus on principles rather than on contextually-bound tactics.
Book Review: The Ten Most Influential Churches Of The Past Century: How They Impact You Today By Elmer L. Towns, Anthony Svajda
Book Review: The Ten Most Influential Churches Of The Past Century: How They Impact You Today By Elmer L. Towns, Anthony Svajda
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
A Biblical And Relevant Way To Reach Young Adults, Matthew Costner
A Biblical And Relevant Way To Reach Young Adults, Matthew Costner
Great Commission Research Journal
The church’s influence in America and the world is decreasing, yet America and the world’s population is on the rise. What is the church to do? Church planting is not fixing the problem, and neither are the currently existing model churches. The only way to turn around America’s church is the only method the Bible recommends—discipleship. In this article, you will see that the best way to reach young adults is not by flashy programs, the best worship, or by dropping a denomination’s name from the church title. The best way to reach young adults is by using the younger …
Prayer: A Key Component To Planting Or Revitalizing A Church, William J. Ingram
Prayer: A Key Component To Planting Or Revitalizing A Church, William J. Ingram
Great Commission Research Journal
This article examines prayer from a biblical and theological perspective as it relates to turning around or revitalizing declining or plateaued churches and offers practical insights into starting an intercessory prayer ministry at the local church.
Book Review: Tens Steps For Church Growth By Donald A. Mcgavran And Winfield C. Arn, Ken Pierce
Book Review: Tens Steps For Church Growth By Donald A. Mcgavran And Winfield C. Arn, Ken Pierce
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
What Is Your Main Business?, George G. Hunter Iii
What Is Your Main Business?, George G. Hunter Iii
Great Commission Research Journal
In chapter one of his forthcoming book, Christianity’s Main Business, George Hunter recalls the question that Peter Drucker advised leaders of all types of organizations (including churches) to ask, repeatedly, “What is our main business?” Hunter distinguishes between what church leaders typically say (and believe) is their main business, and their actual main business as revealed by their data—from budgets, to time expenditure, to interview data. He then unpacks the “top ten” themes he found driving most local churches. Hunter contends that Christianity’s mission to the world was supposed to be Christianity’s main business, and, drawing from N. T. Wright, …
Was Wesley An Anglican? Implications For Mission, John Marsh
Was Wesley An Anglican? Implications For Mission, John Marsh
Great Commission Research Journal
John Wesley, in his own mind, lived and died an Anglican. He was an Anglican in his theology but deviated in his missional activity and this contributed to him moving away ecclesiastically. He gave primacy to his theology of justification by faith and this was driven by a personal “awakening” into missional activity. Wesley’s frustration at the lack of preaching opportunities led to successful itinerancy. Resulting missional growth necessitated a developing ecclesiology of societies, lay preachers, the Methodist conference, and eventually irregular ordinations. Wesley’s subordination of ecclesiological organization to theological and missiological demands may have something to teach today’s church.
Mcgavran’S Early Years, Gary L. Mcintosh
Mcgavran’S Early Years, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
Donald McGavran was born in 1897. This article covers the years from his birth until 1923 when he and Mary McGavran sailed to India. His early life as the child of missionaries, his secondary education in the United States, service in WWI, college education at Butler University, seminary days at Yale Divinity School, and masters work at the College of Mission are presented.
Why Are We Here? Harvest Theology, Search Theology, And Christ’S Vision For Redemption, Gordon E. Penfold
Why Are We Here? Harvest Theology, Search Theology, And Christ’S Vision For Redemption, Gordon E. Penfold
Great Commission Research Journal
Varying voices cry out for attention concerning how churches should engage the culture and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this article, attention will be given to understanding what Donald McGavran called Harvest Theology and Search Theology, as well as the biblical foundations for theology and authority. This work also describes the key role that vision plays in church transformation and further explores how Search Theology and Harvest Theology measure up to Christ’s vision for ministry and to the Great Commission. The article concludes with a plea to pastors and congregations urging them to fulfill Christ’s vision …
Book Review: Organic Mentoring: A Mentor’S Guide To Relationships With Next Generation Women By Sue Edwards And Barbara Neumann, Grace S. Morris
Book Review: Organic Mentoring: A Mentor’S Guide To Relationships With Next Generation Women By Sue Edwards And Barbara Neumann, Grace S. Morris
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests Into Fully Engaged Members Of Your Church By Nelson Searcy With Jennifer Dykes Henson, William J. Ingram
Book Review: Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests Into Fully Engaged Members Of Your Church By Nelson Searcy With Jennifer Dykes Henson, William J. Ingram
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Mcgavran’S Family Heritage, Gary L. Mcintosh
Mcgavran’S Family Heritage, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
Mission was the natural expression of Donald McGavran’s heritage. This article traces the ancestral history of Donald McGavran’s family line from James and Agnes Anderson, his maternal grandparents, and John and Helen McGavran, his mother and father. His connection to the Stone-Campbell Movement and William Carey’s Baptist Missionary Society is discussed.
Reaching The Nations Through Our Cities, Chris Clayman
Reaching The Nations Through Our Cities, Chris Clayman
Great Commission Research Journal
While the American public perceives New York City to be a post-Christian environment, reality is that the city is moving into a post-secular existence largely influenced by religious immigrants. These immigrants are symbolic of a new era in pioneer missions—one in which migration, transnationalism, globalization, and urbanization pose newer challenges and opportunities than uncharted geographies, isolated societies, and foreign cultures. “Reaching the Nations Through Our Cities” proposes that the next challenge for missionary pioneers is reaching busy, hidden, influential unreached peoples who have migrated to cities. Based on several years of research on the immigrant populations in Metro New York, …
The Church Of The Nazarene And Church Growth: Better Together?, Duane H. Boady
The Church Of The Nazarene And Church Growth: Better Together?, Duane H. Boady
Great Commission Research Journal
The essence of the article is to offer a fresh look at Church Growth to the Church of the Nazarene. Perhaps the Church of the Nazarene is one of many denominations that struggle with plateaued and declining churches. It seems to this writer that we have failed to ask difficult questions about what we are doing and why we do those things. If we are part of the Body of Christ, then we ought to be flourishing. Instead the converse is often more true. The Church Growth movement may have brought out some people hoping to sell their latest and …
Why Multiply Healthy Churches?, Charles Van Engen
Why Multiply Healthy Churches?, Charles Van Engen
Great Commission Research Journal
This article examines biblical motivations to multiply new, healthy churches. Such motivations emerge from the following five biblical truths: a) God the Father seeks and finds the lost, b) The love of Christ obligates us, c) God sent the Holy Spirit for all human beings, d) The local congregation is the primary locus of the rule of the King, and e) Multiplying churches is for the glory of God. Our loving and compassionate triune God desires that all women and men become disciples of Jesus Christ, active participants in a local Christian church, and committed agents of the transformation of …
Book Review: The Bridges Of God: A Study In The Strategy Of Missions By Donald A. Mcgavran, Ivan Yu
Book Review: The Bridges Of God: A Study In The Strategy Of Missions By Donald A. Mcgavran, Ivan Yu
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Replant: How A Dying Church Can Grow Again By Mark Devine And Darrin Patrick, Garrett R. Eaglin
Book Review: Replant: How A Dying Church Can Grow Again By Mark Devine And Darrin Patrick, Garrett R. Eaglin
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.