Exploring Church Growth

Author : Wilbert R. Shenk
Publisher : Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN 13 : 160899872X
Total Pages : 320 pages
Book Rating : 4.22/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Exploring Church Growth written by Wilbert R. Shenk and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2010-08-01 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During the past twenty years the phenomenon of church growth--especially as it has been known under the dynamic leadership of Donald McGavran and the School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary--has resulted in an impressive array of books, articles, reports, and theses. While freely acknowledging their debut to the church growth school, the contributors to this volume wish to explore further the premises, principles, and goals of church growth. Firmly convinced that church growth is more than empirical data and effective methods, and that there is nothing approaching a complete book of church growth, they aim not simply to offer definitive answers but rather to open up fresh lines of inquiry--historical, experiential, methodological, and theological. Thus, while interacting with previous studies, the authors view their work as a constructive contribution to the search for a more adequate understanding of church growth patterns. Contributors to this volume include Alfred C. Krass, Harvie M. Conn, Orlando E. Costas, John H. Yoder, Harry R. Boer, and C. RenŽ Padilla.

Author : Nathan D. Holsteen
Publisher : Baker Books
ISBN 13 : 1441263616
Total Pages : 231 pages
Book Rating : 4.12/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Exploring Christian Theology : Volume 3 written by Nathan D. Holsteen and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2014-01-21 with total page 231 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dallas Seminary Professors Make Basic Theology Accessible for All Theology doesn't have to be complicated. In this book, trusted Dallas Seminary professors present a concise systematic theology that distills the essential spiritual truths in a way that makes sense to readers--students, lay people, and pastors. Here are introductions, overviews, and reviews of key tenets of orthodox protestant evangelical doctrines. The book also includes an annotated list of key applicable Bible texts, a quick-paced story of doctrine throughout church history, heresies or distortions to be aware of, and more. Exploring Christian Theology is useful for discipleship, catechism, membership training, preview or review of doctrine, or quick personal reference. It can also be used by ministry training programs, Bible colleges, or seminaries as an introductory primer to orient students in preparation for a more in-depth study of theology.

Author : Gary L. McIntosh
Publisher : Baker Books
ISBN 13 : 1493401572
Total Pages : 192 pages
Book Rating : 4.74/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Growing God's Church written by Gary L. McIntosh and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2016-01-12 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It's no secret that the evangelism methods of yesterday are not yielding the kinds of results they did in the 1970s and 1980s. So how are new Christians hearing the Gospel today? How are they finding churches? And what makes them stay at a church? The answers to these questions have the power to dramatically alter the way we do outreach. And Dr. McIntosh has them. Based on ten years of scientific research, Growing God's Church shows pastors and church leaders how people are actually coming to faith in the 21st century. It covers factors such as our motive for ministry, the priorities churches set for themselves, the reality of churchless Christians, generational and gender-based differences in evangelism effectiveness, the name of your church, the influence of pastors, and much more. The appendix includes a copy of the survey that provides the basis for McIntosh's arguments and an overview of the study is provided in the first chapter.

Author : Elmer L. Towns
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780842304085
Total Pages : 404 pages
Book Rating : 4.88/5 ( download)

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Download or read book The Complete Book of Church Growth written by Elmer L. Towns and published by . This book was released on 1981 with total page 404 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Author : Zondervan,
Publisher : Zondervan
ISBN 13 : 0310872154
Total Pages : 308 pages
Book Rating : 4.53/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Evaluating the Church Growth Movement written by Zondervan, and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2010-06-01 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What exactly is the Church Growth movement? This timely volume in the Counterpoints series addresses the history of the movement that has become such an enormous shaping force on the Western church today, and it explores--in a roundtable forum of leading voices--five main perspectives on the classic Church Growth movement: Effective Evangelism View - presented by Elmer Towns Gospel in Our Culture View - presented by Craig Van Gelder Centrist View - presented by Charles Van Engen Reformist View - presented by Gailyn Van Rheenan Renewal View - presented by Howard Snyder Each view is first presented by its proponent, then critiqued by the co-contributors. The interactive and fair-minded format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions. Evaluating the Church Growth Movement concludes with reflections by three seasoned pastors who have grappled with the practical implications of Church Growth. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Author : Gary L. McIntosh
Publisher : Baker Books
ISBN 13 : 1585585521
Total Pages : 193 pages
Book Rating : 4.26/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Biblical Church Growth written by Gary L. McIntosh and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2003-05-01 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every pastor wants to have a vibrant, dynamic church. There are many popular models for church growth based on outstanding churches led by outstanding pastors. But unfortunately, specific models are temporary and go out of style quickly. Author Gary McIntosh explores the biblical principles for church growth and applies them to today's culture. Instead of concentrating on the ephemeral how of church growth, he focuses on the unchanging why. McIntosh defines church growth as "all that is involved in bringing men and women who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ into fellowship with him and into responsible church membership." In other words, church growth is effective evangelism, not a methodology for increasing membership. According to Biblical Church Growth, growing churches always evidence a desire to fulfill the Great Commission by cooperating with God in building a faithful church. Using personal stories and current statistics as well as numerous biblical examples, the author sets forth ten basic principles that provide an eternal foundation for helping any church-large or small-achieve lasting vitality and growth.

Author : Elmer L. Towns
Publisher : Zondervan
ISBN 13 : 0310241103
Total Pages : 308 pages
Book Rating : 4.02/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Evaluating the Church Growth Movement written by Elmer L. Towns and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2004 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Gaining form and momentum over the second half of the 20th century, the Church Growth movement has become an enormous shaping force on the Western church today. You may love it, you may hate it, but you can't deny its impact. But what exactly is Church Growth? In what ways has the movement actually brought growth to the church, and how effective has it been in doing so? What are its strengths and weaknesses? This timely book addresses such questions. After providing a richly informative history and overview, it explores---in a first-ever roundtable of their leading voices---five main perspectives, both pro and con, on the classic Church Growth movement: * Effective Evangelism View (Elmer Towns) * Gospel in Our Culture View (Craig Van Gelder) * Centrist View (Charles Van Engen) * Reformist View (Gailyn Van Rheenan) * Renewal View (Howard Snyder) As in other Counterpoints books, each view is first presented by its proponent, then critiqued by his co-contributors. The book concludes with reflections by three seasoned pastors who have grappled with the practical implications of Church Growth. The interactive and fair-minded nature of the Counterpoints format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions. The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories: Church Life and Exploring Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.

Author : Thom S. Rainer
Publisher : B&H Publishing Group
ISBN 13 : 1433669463
Total Pages : 227 pages
Book Rating : 4.60/5 ( download)

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Download or read book The Book of Church Growth written by Thom S. Rainer and published by B&H Publishing Group. This book was released on 1998-09-01 with total page 227 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Church Growth Movement has divided devout Christians. Even though Rainer is an advocate, his aim here is to present an objective view of the movement--its history, the theology associated with it, and the principles which seem to separate churches that grow from those that don't.

Author : C. Peter Wagner
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9780842302876
Total Pages : 326 pages
Book Rating : 4.75/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Church Growth written by C. Peter Wagner and published by . This book was released on 1986 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Trends among the world's 20 largest churches; The local church as a church planting base; Church growth and the Holy Spirit; Using computers to support church growth; Who's who in church growth.

Author : Ronald J. Lavin
Publisher : CSS Publishing
ISBN 13 : 0788007335
Total Pages : 186 pages
Book Rating : 4.30/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Way To Grow written by Ronald J. Lavin and published by CSS Publishing. This book was released on 1996 with total page 186 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nothing is more important for ministry today than small groups. (George Gallop Jr., a Christian who conducts polls on political and religious matters, quoted in chapter 1 of this book.) Lavin is quick to point out that this book is not merely about numerical growth. It is about nurturing spiritual growth, which in itself is a dynamic that leads to growth in numbers. Use this publication as a workbook. The chapters each end with fascinating questions for consideration and group discussion. Dr. Lavin offers five different kinds of group structures for discipleship development. Each is fully explored, offering the reader or study participant the opportunity to determine which style best fits their group. He also lists five essentials that must be present for any group to function effectively. Lavin has had over 35 years of experience in the ministry, during which time he has refined the methods that are most successful in leading people to commitment and discipleship. This book is filled with fascinating anecdotes and stories that have grown out of his experience with congregations where impressive growth has taken place. Dr. Ronald J. Lavin is Senior Pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church, Fountain Valley, California. He previously served congregations in Indiana, Iowa, and Arizona. In each church where he served as pastor the membership doubled. He graduated cum laude from Carthage College, Northwestern Theological School of Theology, and engaged in graduate studies at the Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. Lavin has published twelve books and numerous magazine articles. He has been in demand as a speaker and seminar leader at schools and churches throughout the country as well as in several foreign countries.