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Articles 451 - 476 of 476
Full-Text Articles in Practical Theology
A Process Model For Church Change As Reflected In St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Sheffield, England, Bob Whitesel
A Process Model For Church Change As Reflected In St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Sheffield, England, Bob Whitesel
Great Commission Research Journal
This article is an abbreviation of research originally presented to Dr. Eddie Gibbs, Donald McGavran Professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary. Gibbs has been involved with the church under study for over two decades and lauded the author’s research. The research indicates a five-stage/four-trigger process model of change that may serve as an ecclesial prototype for effective change. The article is presented here in honor of Dr. Eddie Gibbs on his retirement.
Building Bridges Of God During Calamity: Lessons Learned From India, Gary L. Mcintosh
Building Bridges Of God During Calamity: Lessons Learned From India, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
The Church Growth Movement has historically placed a priority on evangelism over that of social action. From a church growth perspective, if social action takes priority, evangelism is eventually lost amid the numerous good things that a church can do. In contrast the thinking of the missional church declares it is possible keep evangelism and social action in balance with neither gaining a priority edge. Using a real story from the missionary life of Donald McGavran’s father, John G. McGavran, this article illustrates that when social action does, as it often must, take first place over evangelism, effectiveness in evangelism …
Changing Paradigms Of Evangelism: Three Generational Views, Elmer Towns
Changing Paradigms Of Evangelism: Three Generational Views, Elmer Towns
Great Commission Research Journal
This paper attempts to summarize the overarching movements of evangelism in the past 70 years in the United States, most of which this author has personally observed and influenced. While there has always been evangelism in various expressions and to some degree, certain expressions of evangelism have been more effective than others. The primary emphasis of evangelism has gone from soul-winning evangelism (pre-1950), to Church Growth evangelism (1960–1990), to missional evangelism (2000-to the present). Each of these categories will be explored with concluding observations made as to the continued import of evangelism as a priority.
The Conversations Of Our Times, Bill Easum
The Conversations Of Our Times, Bill Easum
Great Commission Research Journal
The changes in what the church is and what the church does is explored in this article. These changes are the result of the challenges that have descended on culture in the 21st Century. In the midst of these challenges several conversations are taking place that Christian leaders can’t afford to ignore because each one challenges the fabric of Western Christianity as we know it today. With the goal of reporting what is at stake six budding movements are explored: Emergent, Incarnational, Organic, Reproductive, Missional and Sim Card. Each is summarized with a short explanation as to their potential impact …
A Return To Our Roots: 1st Century Church Growth In The 21st Century, Robert E. Logan
A Return To Our Roots: 1st Century Church Growth In The 21st Century, Robert E. Logan
Great Commission Research Journal
This paper reviews the history of the church growth movement with the underlying question: Can such happen in the 21st Century? The origination of the church growth movement is explored with a challenge to recontextualize the posture of church growth initiatives. A key to this process is the development of leaders through both missional and relational processes. Returning to our missional roots and becoming more and more incarnational as we walk alongside the next generation of leaders will have historic impact not only for church, but for the world, for the marketplace, and for all the new ways God may …
Church Growth: A Holiness Perspective, Christopher Mark Baldwin
Church Growth: A Holiness Perspective, Christopher Mark Baldwin
Great Commission Research Journal
The purpose of this article is to outline the Holiness Perspective on Church Growth. Some may be tempted to think of Church Growth and Holiness as mutually exclusive ideas. This article attempts to bring these concepts together. This is accomplished through biblical, theological, and historical foundations. The biblical foundation is based on the church of Antioch and the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. The theological foundation focuses on three aspects: missio Dei, Incarnation, and kingdom of God. The historical foundations outline a number of church planting strategies used throughout the history of the church.
Emerging Church Growth Oxymoron: Mcgavran And Newbigin In Dialog, David Drury
Emerging Church Growth Oxymoron: Mcgavran And Newbigin In Dialog, David Drury
Great Commission Research Journal
The Emerging church and the Church Growth movement are presented in the article in comparison and contrast, with special attention paid to the fathers of both movements, Lesslie Newbigin and Donald McGavran, respectively. An overview of problematic critiques and unhelpful practices in the treatments of each movement is given. Current trends are noted involving shifts in both movements, leaving open a possibility for more constructive dialog and partnership. A final synergy is suggested to envision a future way forward.
Viacordis: A Case Study Of The First Year Of A House Church Network, Robert E. Logan
Viacordis: A Case Study Of The First Year Of A House Church Network, Robert E. Logan
Great Commission Research Journal
This paper is a synopsis of Logan’s journey in the development of a multi-ethnic network of house churches in the Los Angeles area and beyond. It is in this missional expression of faith communities that the necessary blending of the Great Commandment with the Great Commission are lived out. This multiplying network of churches is ViaCordis (Latin for “way of the heart”). A variety of church models are explored as to their methodology of living out Christ in their community. The 12 Life Commitments of leadership are shared along with 12 lessons learned to date in this process of ViaCordis …
Book Review: Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around And Yours Can, Too By Ed Stetzer And Mike Dodson, Keith Stone
Book Review: Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around And Yours Can, Too By Ed Stetzer And Mike Dodson, Keith Stone
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Churchmorph: How Megatrends Are Reshaping Christian Communities By Eddie Gibbs, Tom Harper
Book Review: Churchmorph: How Megatrends Are Reshaping Christian Communities By Eddie Gibbs, Tom Harper
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
About The Great Commission Research Network, Alan Mcmahan
About The Great Commission Research Network, Alan Mcmahan
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Church Growth By Another Name: Challenges And Opportunities For The Future Of A Movement, Alan Mcmahan
Church Growth By Another Name: Challenges And Opportunities For The Future Of A Movement, Alan Mcmahan
Great Commission Research Journal
A brief review of the church growth movement not only highlights significant accomplishments but also raises questions about its future. While church growth thinkers were compelled by the evangelistic mandate, this article argues that continued obedience to the Great Commission will require new responses to the rapidly changing context of ministry. Charting the path ahead, the author identifies six key challenges that demand new initiatives from the church: 1) the challenge to reinvent the evangelistic paradigm and imagination; 2) the challenge of diasporas, and the worldwide migration of people; 3) the challenge of urbanization, 4) the challenge of the plateaued …
Eight Keys To Overcoming Apathy Towards Church Growth, Danny R. Van Kanel
Eight Keys To Overcoming Apathy Towards Church Growth, Danny R. Van Kanel
Great Commission Research Journal
Nothing zaps ministry efforts towards growth more than apathy among church members. Nothing energizes those efforts more than genuine interest and enthusiasm in growing the church. How can we turn apathy into enthusiasm? The answer is not as difficult as we might think.
Doubling Down On Jesus, Joshua Rhone
Doubling Down On Jesus, Joshua Rhone
Great Commission Research Journal
How can we go about meeting people's needs in a way that is faithful to the Good News of Jesus Christ?
Ethical Guidelines For Church Planters: A Suggested Approach For Starting (And Continuing) The Conversation, J. D. Payne
Ethical Guidelines For Church Planters: A Suggested Approach For Starting (And Continuing) The Conversation, J. D. Payne
Great Commission Research Journal
Church planters, regardless of their ministry contexts, need to develop a set of ethical guidelines to direct their ministry practices. This paper presents eleven particular guidelines.
An Examination Of The Compatibility Of The Church Growth Movement With A Calvinistic Soteriology, Michael Waldrop
An Examination Of The Compatibility Of The Church Growth Movement With A Calvinistic Soteriology, Michael Waldrop
Great Commission Research Journal
The purpose of this article is to establish that the strategic, missiological thinking of the Church Growth Movement is compatible with a Calvinistic soteriology. The method for accomplishing this purpose involves, first, a clarification of terms. Both “Church Growth Movement” and “Calvinism” have been defined in myriad ways, and these are not all equally valid. Thus, specific descriptions are included here. Next is a necessary discussion of the tensions that are perceived to exist between Church Growth and Calvinism. This is followed by a survey of kindred concerns and an exhibition of the common doctrinal ground shown to be held …
Book Review: Shaped By God’S Heart: The Passion And Practices Of Missional Churches By Milfred Minatrea, Grant Horner
Book Review: Shaped By God’S Heart: The Passion And Practices Of Missional Churches By Milfred Minatrea, Grant Horner
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: You Don’T Have To Cross The Ocean To Reach The World: The Power Of Local Cross-Cultural Ministry By David Boyd, Jeff K. Walters
Book Review: You Don’T Have To Cross The Ocean To Reach The World: The Power Of Local Cross-Cultural Ministry By David Boyd, Jeff K. Walters
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Korean Church Planters’ Perception On Church Planting Education, Hansung Kim
Korean Church Planters’ Perception On Church Planting Education, Hansung Kim
Great Commission Research Journal
This study seeks to understand how Korean church planters perceive the church planting education that they received. This study employs the qualitative approach, which uses words and open-ended questions to explore and understand the meaning that individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. To collect data, I interviewed nine church planters. I analyzed, interpreted, and wrote data as soon as possible. In addition, I collected other data. I also compared different data with each other to generate categories, and it was done consistently. The followings are the findings. While their passion for church planting was great and …
Creating Church Multiplication Through A Denominational Structure, Phil Stevenson
Creating Church Multiplication Through A Denominational Structure, Phil Stevenson
Great Commission Research Journal
A denomination will not survive, much less thrive, if it does not strategically and effectively plant churches. Church planting is the primary means by which new inroads are made. Church planting is the method by which a denomination keeps its vitality, energy, and vigor. The denominations that neglect this emphasis become ingrown, resulting in them “. . . losing the vigor and the high octane faith that caused them to succeed in the first place.”
Bridges Of God: The Mission Legacy Of Donald Anderson Mcgavran, Charles Van Engen
Bridges Of God: The Mission Legacy Of Donald Anderson Mcgavran, Charles Van Engen
Great Commission Research Journal
This short essay is about Donald McGavran and his ground-breaking book, Bridges of God, that became the cornerstone of Church Growth theory and the foundation of what is now called the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Missiological thinking and missionary practice was transformed by the energy, vitality, insight, and stubborn tenacity of Donald McGavran. Whether they agreed with McGavran or not, after the publication of The Bridges of God, mission professors, mission executives, and mission practitioners could no longer do business as usual, nor their usual business.
Leadership Succession From Matthew’S Gospel: Passing The Baton Of Leadership To The Next Generation, Allen H. Quist
Leadership Succession From Matthew’S Gospel: Passing The Baton Of Leadership To The Next Generation, Allen H. Quist
Great Commission Research Journal
This article examines Matthew’s gospel drawn from social and cultural texture analysis to discover principles of biblical leadership succession. It provides a summary of principles about leadership succession, including that it: (a) starts with honorable leaders, (b) is an ongoing process, (c) is a family affair, (d) focuses on Christ’s authority with leaders as His agents, and (e) is action oriented. From the principles, this article infers five Christian ethical responses for organizational leadership: (a) it begins with a leader’s honor and then reveals itself in the leader’s life, (b) it is a continual process for the best interest of …
Whither Church Planting?, Hutz Hertzberg, Francis Lonsway
Whither Church Planting?, Hutz Hertzberg, Francis Lonsway
Great Commission Research Journal
Church planting is a clear response to the gospel command to spread the good news. While the term “church plant” may not be shared across Christian traditions, its meaning and goal are universally embraced. What is also clear, however, is the fact that the establishment of a new plant does not guarantee its success. Likely the critical factor in denomination, free, or independent church expansion is the nature of the individual or team assigned or commissioned to spread the good news.
Evangelism At The Family Altar (Butsudan), Michael Wilson
Evangelism At The Family Altar (Butsudan), Michael Wilson
Great Commission Research Journal
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household” (Acts 16:31). This is the hope of all Japanese people who come to Christ for salvation. They long to see their loved ones—their household—believe in Christ, too. However, all too often, they are counseled to forsake their families who remain enmeshed in religious rituals to demons.
Book Review: Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60: Being Church For All Generations By Edward H. Hammett With James R. Pearce, Mark Platt
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Vintage Church: Timeless Truths And Timely Methods By Mark Driscoll And Gerry Breshears, Aaron James Meraz Sr.
Book Review: Vintage Church: Timeless Truths And Timely Methods By Mark Driscoll And Gerry Breshears, Aaron James Meraz Sr.
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.