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Articles 361 - 390 of 470
Full-Text Articles in Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Plateaued Church: Creating A Culture Of Growth, Phil Stevenson
Plateaued Church: Creating A Culture Of Growth, Phil Stevenson
Great Commission Research Journal
The plateaued and declining churches are a great challenge for denominational leaders. This paper deals with this challenge. It is the premise of this work that denominations, especially at the judicatory level of their organization, need to be culture creators. Leaders must create a culture where plateaued and declining churches can move from ill health to healthy, fit congregations. Such a culture will only be created when judicatory leaders readjust their role from administration to consulting, coaching, strategizing, and vision casting.
Interdependent Church Planting Among The Urban Poor: A Case Study With Living Bread Ministries In Southern Brazil, G. Patrick Hubbard Ii
Interdependent Church Planting Among The Urban Poor: A Case Study With Living Bread Ministries In Southern Brazil, G. Patrick Hubbard Ii
Great Commission Research Journal
This case study will highlight the work of Living Bread Ministries. I will detail our seven-year journey of beginning LBM, building interdependent partnerships with indigenous leaders, and planting eight churches in the favelas within the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Brazil. In addition, I will discuss how these partnerships have led to planting churches and to establishing a Brazilian-led church planting ministry which shares the vision and focus of LBM. Through this organization, Brazilian individuals and churches are joining us to plant churches among the urban poor in Brazil and beyond. Finally, I will share some theological principles that are …
Intergenerational Church Splits, Eunice Hong, Richard L. Starcher
Intergenerational Church Splits, Eunice Hong, Richard L. Starcher
Great Commission Research Journal
Generational and cultural differences between the first- and second-generation Korean American church leaders have caused division, anxiety, and tension. Though nearly all immigrant churches recognize the difficulties of embracing different generations and cultures, the lack of attention has resulted in frustration, bitterness, and ultimately, separation of the church. This article explores key factors contributing to church splits in multigenerational Korean-American churches in the greater Los Angeles area. Research participants included seventeen second-generation Korean-Americans. While they were from different churches and various denominations, all participants were involved in a church split. Data was collected through open-ended, semi-structured interviews. A careful analysis …
Book Review: A Light To The Nations: The Missional Church And The Biblical Story By Michael W. Goheen, Tereso C. Casino
Book Review: A Light To The Nations: The Missional Church And The Biblical Story By Michael W. Goheen, Tereso C. Casino
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel And Community By Tim Chester And Steve Timmis, Rod Earls
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Muslims, Christians, And Jesus: Gaining Understanding And Building Relationships By Carl Medearis, Warren F. Larson
Book Review: Muslims, Christians, And Jesus: Gaining Understanding And Building Relationships By Carl Medearis, Warren F. Larson
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging And Traditional By Jim Belcher, William P. Brooks
Book Review: Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging And Traditional By Jim Belcher, William P. Brooks
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Soul Of Hip Hop: Rims, Timbs And A Cultural Theology By Daniel White Hodge, Steven Ybarrola
Book Review: The Soul Of Hip Hop: Rims, Timbs And A Cultural Theology By Daniel White Hodge, Steven Ybarrola
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Turnaround Church Ministry: Causes Of Decline And Changes Needed For Turnaround, Dan Eymann
Turnaround Church Ministry: Causes Of Decline And Changes Needed For Turnaround, Dan Eymann
Great Commission Research Journal
“If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” This familiar saying is the crux of this paper. With 85% of the churches in North America in plateau or decline, change is desperately needed. Change is the name-of-the-game in turnaround church ministry. This paper examines the following three crucial questions in turnaround ministry: (1) what are the primary causes of decline in North American churches, (2) what are the changes needed to effectively turn around plateaued or declining churches, and (3) what is the relationship between the changes implemented for turnaround and the …
Church Turnaround: Perspectives, Principles, And Practices, Kenneth E. Priddy
Church Turnaround: Perspectives, Principles, And Practices, Kenneth E. Priddy
Great Commission Research Journal
Prominent church analysts agree that over 80% of American Protestant churches are in plateau and decline and that the growth of the church is not keeping pace with the growth of the population. Sacrifice on the part of church leaders and congregants is sorely needed but strongly resisted, as congregations tend to prefer stability and familiarity above risk and change. This paper presents insights into the origin of plateau and decline and offers perspectives, principles, and practices that when properly and faithfully applied, generate health, growth, and multiplication in churches that commit to sustainable church turnaround.
Characteristics Of Turnaround Pastors, Gordon Penfold
Characteristics Of Turnaround Pastors, Gordon Penfold
Great Commission Research Journal
While the population of the United States grows, the percentage of people attending church continues to plummet. Much of the drop can be attributed to the 70% to 85% of the churches that have plateaued or declined in attendance. However, bright spots are on the church landscape. Many churches, after decades of plateau or decline, begin to turn around and grow as they are led by “turnaround” pastors. This paper explores the leadership characteristics of turnaround pastors in contradistinction to non-turnaround pastors and argues that church renewal and church planting are critical components needed for a healthy twenty-first century church.
A Critique Of The Multi-Ethnic Church Planting Strategy, Gustavo Suarez
A Critique Of The Multi-Ethnic Church Planting Strategy, Gustavo Suarez
Great Commission Research Journal
This paper seeks to discover if the multiethnic church planting strategy is effective in reaching a multicultural nation. This paper will first take a brief look at the challenges of an ethnic population in North America with primary emphasis given to the Hispanic population. Second, I will present supportive evidence for the multiethnic church planting view. Third, I will present arguments against the multiethnic strategy. Fourth, I will give observations and implications for the church. The main source of argument centers more in the methodology used. The reader will readily see the contrasting theological and cultural opinions of these two …
Book Review: To Change The World: The Irony, Tragedy, And Possibility Of Christianity In The Late Modern World By James Davison Hunter, Joel Rainey
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role Of Business In Missions By Steve Rundle And Tom Steffen, Anthony Casey
Book Review: Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role Of Business In Missions By Steve Rundle And Tom Steffen, Anthony Casey
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Urban Impact: Reaching The World Through Effective Urban Ministry By John L. Thompson, Timothy R. Sisk
Book Review: Urban Impact: Reaching The World Through Effective Urban Ministry By John L. Thompson, Timothy R. Sisk
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Global Church Planting: Biblical Principles And Best Practices For Multiplication By Craig Ott And Gene Wilson, Tom Steffen
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Introducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective By Brian M. Howell And Jenell Williams Paris, M. David Sills, Faye Stone
Book Review: Introducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective By Brian M. Howell And Jenell Williams Paris, M. David Sills, Faye Stone
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Dissertations And Theses Notices, Gary L. Mcintosh
Dissertations And Theses Notices, Gary L. Mcintosh
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Taking Your Church To The Next Level: What Got You Here Won’T Get You There By Gary L. Mcintosh, Jeff Reynolds
Book Review: Taking Your Church To The Next Level: What Got You Here Won’T Get You There By Gary L. Mcintosh, Jeff Reynolds
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Introduction, Alan Mcmahan
The Urban Legacy Of Twentieth Century Missiology, Jeff K. Walters
The Urban Legacy Of Twentieth Century Missiology, Jeff K. Walters
Great Commission Research Journal
In this “urban century,” it is sometimes easy to forget that urban work is not new to global missions. The purpose of this article is to review the work of four key twentieth century missiologists—Donald A. McGavran, Francis DuBose, Harvie Conn, and Roger Greenway— and consider their impact on the evangelism and missions in urban contexts. The article concludes with a brief analysis of their missiology and its application to twenty-first century missions strategy.
Book Review: The Next Wave: Empowering The Generation That Will Change Our World By David Wraight, R. Scott Pace
Book Review: The Next Wave: Empowering The Generation That Will Change Our World By David Wraight, R. Scott Pace
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: Spiritual Leadership In A Secular Age: Building Bridges Instead Of Barriers By Edward H. Hammett, Lloyd W. Rodgers
Book Review: Spiritual Leadership In A Secular Age: Building Bridges Instead Of Barriers By Edward H. Hammett, Lloyd W. Rodgers
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Book Review: The Facilitator Era: Beyond Pioneer Church Multiplication By Tom Steffen, Matthew L. Pierce
Book Review: The Facilitator Era: Beyond Pioneer Church Multiplication By Tom Steffen, Matthew L. Pierce
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Rethinking Urban Theology: A Critique For Moving Forward, Cory Wilson
Rethinking Urban Theology: A Critique For Moving Forward, Cory Wilson
Great Commission Research Journal
The last 300 years have witnessed the worldwide urban population jump from just two percent in 1700 to fifty percent at the turn of the twenty-first century. The Christian community has sought to adapt and respond to this current trend in the form of developing an urban theology. This article seeks to provide what is intended to be a helpful critique of some aspects of urban theology. Specific attention will be given to three aspects of urban theology that are in need of critique: urbanization, the gospel and social justice, and biblical theology. Following an analysis of these three areas, …
Saving The Church From The Sinner’S Prayer, Christopher R. Little
Saving The Church From The Sinner’S Prayer, Christopher R. Little
Great Commission Research Journal
The Sinner’s Prayer has become part and parcel of Western evangelistic methodology. Its historical derivation can be traced to American revivalist techniques. The prayer’s application in twenty-first century popular culture has added further obstacles to the process of making genuine disciples as Jesus is presented as a commodity to be consumed in order to achieve self-actualization. In this setting, the calls to count the cost of discipleship have been neglected, which has adversely affected the church. To reverse course, baptism should replace the prayer’s usage as an indication of one’s commitment to Christ, and disciple formation should incorporate the biblical …
The Mother Of All Challenges: Constant Change, Enormous Needs, But-For-God Impossible Difficulties, John Thompson
The Mother Of All Challenges: Constant Change, Enormous Needs, But-For-God Impossible Difficulties, John Thompson
Great Commission Research Journal
Half of the population of the world lives in cities of one million or more. If we don’t reach and disciple from these masses, our future missionary and pastoral force will be diminished. The book Urban Impact is a trumpet call to muster our forces but also deals with the philosophy and practical principles that make any ministry in the city successful. Brandishing a practical writing style coupled with real life experiences, the author helps the reader understand the problems, burdens, joys, and powerful impact cities have on the rest of society.
How Should We Then Witness? A Plea For Reexamining Evangelical Evangelistic Practice In Light Of The Concept Of Worldview, Adam W. Greenway
How Should We Then Witness? A Plea For Reexamining Evangelical Evangelistic Practice In Light Of The Concept Of Worldview, Adam W. Greenway
Great Commission Research Journal
This article’s purpose is to explore the issue of evangelistic renewal within evangelicalism. Discussions concerning the decline of evangelism are ubiquitous, and many evangelicals have called for greater attention to discipleship and follow up as the prescription to this acknowledged malady. This essay argues that the more critical need is to intentionally factor the concept of worldview into the development of contemporary evangelistic strategies and methods to more effectively reach postmodern persons. The article commences with an exploration and definition of the concept of worldview itself. Of particular focus here is how worldview interplays with theology and praxis. A brief …
Book Review: Right Here, Right Now: Everyday Mission For Everyday People By Alan Hirsch And Lance Ford, Kevin Book-Satterlee
Book Review: Right Here, Right Now: Everyday Mission For Everyday People By Alan Hirsch And Lance Ford, Kevin Book-Satterlee
Great Commission Research Journal
No abstract provided.
Judicatory Leadership And The Urban Challenge: A Wesleyan District Makes The Move, Richard E. Meeks
Judicatory Leadership And The Urban Challenge: A Wesleyan District Makes The Move, Richard E. Meeks
Great Commission Research Journal
Detroit, Michigan, finds itself listed in the “top ten” of our nation’s dead or dying cities. After a forty year absence, God is calling the Wesleyan Church back into this great city. This denomination’s East Michigan District is leading the way. The thrust of urban ministry is gaining momentum as church leaders commit to reaching the cities. Judicatory leaders must understand the challenges that come with the opportunities. Richard chronicles the East Michigan District’s journey and shares their experience and learning to assist others in making the move into church planting in a major city’s urban environment.