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“Lift Up Your Eyes”: Case Study of Journey Church, Tucson
Full text linkThe receptivity principle of church growth discerns who in the local population is generally responsive to the gospel. The biblical warrant for this principle is seen in Jesus’ instructions to his disciples (Mark 5:11) and in Paul’s ministry (Acts 14:19-20). Donald McGavran emphasized, “Evangelism can be and ought to be directed to responsive persons, groups, and segments of society…. Correct policy is to occupy fields of low receptivity lightly.” The experience of anxiety typifies gospel-receptive groups; when their anxiety dissipates, their gospel receptivity diminishes. The special-needs population and those who are close to them experience unrelieved chronic anxiety that predisposes them to gospel receptivity, and yet most churches and pastors either do not perceive that fact or know how to serve them in ways that demonstrate the love of Christ. This article chronicles how The Journey Church (EFCA) of Tucson, Arizona, has experienced dramatic church growth as a result of identifying and ministering to this highly receptive group of needy people. The article concludes with eight steps any church can undertake to minister to the special-needs community and thereby enjoy church revitalization through conversion growth
The Life of Donald McGavran: Leaving a Legacy
Full text linkAs the Church Growth Movement continued to develop, it gained strength and respect. The establishing of the McGavran Chair of Church Growth was a red-letter day, which established the CGM as an academic discipline. Donald and Mary McGavran slowly backed away from direct ministry, but continued to follow the movement’s impact. This except reports the final years of McGavran’s life and ministr
Los Angeles Free Methodist Church
No full textLos Angeles Free Methodist Church, later known as Mission Valley Free Methodist Church. Rebuilt after arson with same congregation. Currently located at 1201 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel, CA 91776
Igniting Hope among Gen Z
Full text linkGeneration Z is the future of the Church. We need to begin equipping followers of Jesus to welcome them home. This article explores the seven common characteristics of Generation Z. It will also dive into research done among current youth workers from around the country and then provide some strategies on how to engage Generation Z based on that research. About 90 million young Americans fit into the age bracket of Generation Z.1 As the Church, we need to understand their worldview. As they emerge into adulthood, it will be vital to the health of the Church overall to equip our churches to reach them. We need to adapt ministry strategies to serve them well
The Life of Donald McGavran: Growing Stronger
Full text linkThe 1980s were the major growth years of the Church Growth Movement in the USA. Win Arn’s Institute for American Church Growth reached its zenith, and the School of World Mission at Fuller continued to promote Church Growth thinking. Peter Wagner gradually took over the primary role as professor of church growth, as McGavran reduced his teaching load. The issue of what is the primary goal of mission—social justice or evangelism—continued to be one of McGavran’s major concerns
The Life of Donald McGavran: Coming of Age
Full text linkIn the mid-1970s, criticism of the Church Growth Movement gradually began to wane. Donald McGavran reduced his teaching load to halftime, although he continued to teach for another decade. McGavran and Win Arn continued teaming together on books and films, and even Peter Wagner turned toward a focus on North American Church Growth. The Church Growth Movement came of age, and it would flourish throughout the remainder of the 1970s and into the 1980s
An Alternative Mission Paradigm for Healthy Church Growth
Full text linkChristianity is becoming weaker and nominalized, and it is expected to be surpassed quantitatively by Islam in 2070. The purpose of this article is to analyze the limitations of the holistic mission paradigm, a representative view of mission today, in terms of healthy church growth, and to propose key points of an alternative mission paradigm which would be helpful for overcoming these limitations. The history of holistic mission is examined to show the identity and characteristics of the paradigm, and then an alternative mission paradigm that can contribute to healthy church growth is presented
Women in God’s Mission: Accepting the Invitation to Serve and Lead. By Mary T. Lederleitner
Full text linkLeadership and Church Growth: The Case of Chuck Smith
Full text linkHow can we understand church growth in a way that is healthy and doesn’t lead pastors to exhaustion? This article answers this question by looking at the experience of the late Chuck Smith, founder of the Calvary Chapel movement. It also explores some of the characteristics of the early church and compares Smith’s approach with church growth advocates. The observation and analysis bring about a better understanding of the role of the pastor and his mindset regarding church growth and a recognition of who is really responsible for growth