Church Planting in the Secular West. Learning from the European Experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-184
Author(s):  
Hannes Wiher
Keyword(s):  
Church Growth ◽  
Church Planting ◽  
Great Benefit ◽  
Reflective Practitioner ◽  
Growth Theory ◽  
European Experience ◽  
The Church

SummaryThe Dutch missiologist and church planter Stefan Paas has written an excellent book which will be of great benefit to theologians and practitioners alike. He provides an overview over the biblical material on church planting as well as its history, but the focus of the book is practical. The Church Growth Theory is among the models which are discussed critically. The book concludes with a theological defence of church planting in Europe in our time. This comprehensive book by a very knowledgeable ‘reflective practitioner’ is well researched and documented.RésuméStefan Paas, missiologue et implanteur d’Église hollandais, a rédigé un livre excellent qui bénéficiera grandement aux théologiens et aux praticiens. Il présente l’enseignement biblique sur l’implantation d’Église et retrace l’histoire de l’implantation d’Église, mais son apport est surtout pratique. La théorie de la croissance d’Église fait partie des modèles qu’il évalue de manière critique. Il conclut avec une apologie théologique de l’implantation d’Église en Europe en notre temps. Cet ouvrage repose sur une documentation fournie et un bon travail de recherche et de réflexion.ZusammenfassungDer niederländische Missionswissenschaftler und Gemeindegründer Stefan Paas hat ein ausgezeichnetes Buch geschrieben, von dem Wissenschaftler und Praktiker gleichermaßen profitieren können. Er bietet zwar einen Überblick über das biblische Material zu Gemeindegründung wie auch deren Geschichte, doch der Schwerpunkt des Buches ist praktischer Natur. Die Gemeindewachstumstheorie zählt zu den Modellen, die hier kritisch erörtert werden. Das Buch schließt mit einer theologischen Rechtfertigung von Gemeindegründung im gegenwärtigen Europa. Dieses umfangreiche Werk von einem ausgesprochen wohlinformierten ,,reflektierender Praktiker“ bezeugt eine fundierte Forschung und Dokumentation.

Is Church Development ‘Natural’?

Ecclesiology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-336
Author(s):  
Lars Råmunddal
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Church Growth ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Growth Theory ◽  
Church Development ◽  
Natural Church Development ◽  
The Church ◽  
Development Practice

The aim of this article is to give a theologically and scientifically based answer to the question whether church development is ‘natural’ in the sense that Christian A. Schwarz describes in his book Natural Church Development. Giving a reasonable answer to this question requires, first of all, that an analysis and assessment be done on how Schwarz’s biotic church growth paradigm is constructed and what kind of historical and theological factors have formed Schwartz’s thinking. Part of this theoretical analysis is also to find out what kind of epistemology and ecclesiological ontology seem to be the theoretical basis for Schwarz’s theory. Finally, I will contribute to the debate on the function of biotic growth theory in church development practice. Here I argue mostly out of my own previous empirical research. My conclusion will be that I cannot find any theologically and scientifically sound arguments to support the theory that church growth is natural – or biotic – as Schwarz claims. From a practical viewpoint, I conclude that there is no plausible connection between biotic theory and the church development practices recommended by Schwarz.

Church Planting and the Parish in Durham Diocese, 1970–1990: Church Growth Controversies in Recent Historical Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-127
Author(s):  
Philip Lockley
Keyword(s):  
Church Growth ◽  
Church Planting ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Church Of England ◽  
The Other ◽  
Parish Ministry ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Church ◽  
Reverse Tendency

AbstractThis article unearths the forgotten history of the first modern church planting scheme in the Church of England: an attempt to restructure parish ministry in Chester-le-Street, near Durham, in the 1970s and 1980s. This story of rapid growth followed by decline, and of an evangelical church’s strained relations with their liberal bishop, David Jenkins, has pertinence for contemporary Anglican antagonisms over ‘fresh expressions’ and other church planting programmes. A culture of mistrust is arguably apparent both then and now, between liberals and conservatives in ecclesiology, even as the same line divides those of the reverse tendency in broader, doctrinal theology: conservatives from liberals. Developments, decisions and, indeed, debacles in the story of Chester-le-Street parish point to the urgent need for liberals and conservatives in Anglican ecclesiology and theology to overcome their mistrust of each other by recognizing the other as valuable for the mutual strengthening and renewal of the Church.

scholarly journals YOUTH CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHURCH GROWTH: A CASE STUDY OF THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD SOCIETY (LOWS) OF CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH, NIGERIA, 1966 - 1992

2020 ◽  
pp. 319-322
Author(s):  
Afolabi Samuel Oluseyi Ph.D
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Church Growth ◽  
Church Planting ◽  
World Society ◽  
Indigenous Church ◽  
The World ◽  
The Church ◽  
Interview Questionnaire ◽  
Apostolic Church

Christ Apostolic Church was the foremost African Indigenous Church in Nigeria and its history dates back to 1918. The growth and expansion of the church in Nigeria was aided by the activities of its youth organisations, foremost among which was the Light of the World Society. This article examines the origin of the society, its objectives, administration and programmes. The article also highlights the various contributions of the society to the growth and expansion of the church via evangelism and church planting, promotion of Christian education and leadership development. The study adopted George Ehusani’s concept which states that the youths should not be seen as mere objects or targets of the Church’s programmes and projects, rather they should be seen as active agents of evangelization. Data were gathered through the use of structured oral interview, questionnaire, archival materials and bibliographical search. KEYWORDS: Christ Apostolic Church, Light of the World, Youths, Growth and Expansion

scholarly journals Continuing the Paul Mission for the Gentiles in the New Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-302
Author(s):  
Naomi Sampe ◽  
Perdi Masuang ◽  
Gantina Banne Lembang ◽  
Rinus Menok Sara ◽  
Karel Sanda Toding
Keyword(s):  
Church Growth ◽  
Church Planting ◽  
Early Church ◽  
New Era ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Church

The research in this paper seeks to find some thought as a product of research that examines the important role of Paul's mission in the early church planting. In addition, this article will examine the pattern of Paul's mission so that church growth is very sporadic. The purpose of this research is to show that Paul's success strategy in mission is very worthy and interesting to be researched and studied, so that it becomes a cornerstone for the church today to continue Paul's mission pattern. Methodology in this research is going to use the theory of Francis Watson which based on the freedom of Paul mission, and also it want to take advantage based on the theory of Terence L. Donaldson that stated the universalism of Paul mission. This research shows that through God's help, Paul succeeded in establishing Gentiles churches. The churches today may learn that the preaching of the Gospel to the new generation today has its own challenges, because the different context. Another thing that today's church needs to learn is that Paul's passion and strategy in his mission has enabled him to build churches for other nations in various places for the glory of Christ.Penelitian dalam tulisan ini hendak berupaya menemukan beberapa refleksi sebagai hasil riset yang meneliti tentang peran penting misi Paulus terhadap perintisan gereja perdana. Selain itu, risalah ini hendak meneliti bagaimana pola misi Paulus sehingga pertumbuhan gereja sangat sporadis. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah hendak menunjukkan bahwa strategi keberhasilan Paulus dalam misi sangat layak dan menarik untuk diteliti dan dipelajari, agar menjadi batu penjuru bagi gereja masa kini untuk melanjutkan pola misi Paulus. Teologi misi Paulus yang berkaitan dengan pekerjaan misionaris yang dia layani saat itu. Tulisan ini mencoba menggunakan perspektif Francis Watson tentang kebebasan misi rasul Paulus. Selain itu juga didasarkan pada teori Terence L. Donaldson yang menyatakan tentang universalisme dari misi Paulus. Metodologi dalam penelitian ini akan menggunakan teori Francis Watson yang didasarkan pada kebebasan misi Paulus, serta ingin memanfaatkan teori Terence L. Donaldson yang menyatakan universalisme misi Paulus. Penelitian ini memperlihatkan bahwa melalui pertolongan Tuhan, Paulus berhasil mendirikan gereja-gereja non-Yahudi. Manfaat bagi gereja masa kini adalah bahwa Pemberitaan Injil bagi generasi era baru saat ini memiliki tantangan tersendiri karena konteksnya tidak sama lagi dengan era Paulus. Hal lain yang perlu dikaji oleh gereja era masa kini adalah semangat dan strategi Paulus dalam misinya, telah memampukannya membangun gereja-gereja bagi bangsa-bangsa lain untuk kemuliaan Kristus.

The Continuing Relevance of Orlando Costas' Ecclesiology La pertinence toujours actuelle de l'ecclésiologie d'Orlando Costas Die beständige Bedeutung der Ekklesiologie Orlando Costas La relevancia actual de la eclesiología de Orlando Costa

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-78
Author(s):  
Curtis Book
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Church Growth ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Growth Theory ◽  
Religious Context ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Incarnational Theology ◽  
The Church ◽  
Visible Body

AbstractSignificant is the ecclesiology of Latin American contextual theologian Orlando Costas for mission studies today, says this article. Beginning with his birth in Puerto Rico, this article traces the socio-religious context of Costas as key to the later development of his incarnational theology from the periphery. Then, by showing how Costas relates his models of the church to his kingdom theology as sign and instrument of God's salvation, the author points out that Costas' ecclesiology profoundly shapes the understanding of mission in general and critiques Church Growth theory in particular. Costas' ecclesiology of the incarnational hermeneutics of Jesus Christ from the Galilean periphery challenges the church as Christ's visible body to obey its Master through a life of discipleship and suffering for the sake of others, especially the poor. Cet article souligne l'importance de l'ecclésiologie du théologien contextuel latino-américain Orlando Costas pour l'étude de la mission aujourd'hui. A partir de sa naissance à Porto Rico, l'article fait remonter les développements de la théologie incarnationnelle de Costas, à partir de la périphérie, à son contexte socioreligieux. Puis, exposant comment Costas relie ses modèles de l'Église à sa théologie du Royaume comme signe et instrument du salut de Dieu, l'auteur montre que l'ecclésiologie de Costas influence profondément la compréhension de la mission en général et les critiques de la théorie de la Croissance de l'Église en particulier. Chez Costas, l'ecclésiologie de l'herméneutique incarnationnelle de Jésus-Christ, à partir de la périphérie galiléenne, oblige l'Église, en tant que corps visible du christ à obéir à son Maître par une vie de disciple, souffrant pour le bien des autres et en particulier des pauvres. Die Ekklesiologie des lateinamerikanischen kontextuellen Theologen Orlando Costa ist für die aktuelle Missiologie von Bedeutung, behauptet dieser Artikel. Ausgehend von seiner Geburt in Puerto Rico untersucht der Artikel den sozioreligiösen Kontext Costas als Schlüssel zur weiteren Entwicklung seiner inkarnatorischen Theologie von der Peripherie her. In der Darstellung, wie Costa seine Kirchenmodelle mit seiner Reich-Gottes-Theologie als Zeichen und Instrument des Heils Gottes in Beziehung setzt, zeigt der Autor, dass die Ekklesiologie Costas das Missionsverständnis grundlegend beeinflusst und speziell die Theorie des Kirchenwachstums kritisiert. Die Ekklesiologie der inkarnatorischen Hermeneutik mit Jesus Christus aus der galiläischen Peripherie fordert die Kirche als den sichtbaren Leib Christi heraus, ihrem Meister zu gehorchen in einem Leben von Jüngerschaft und Leiden für die anderen, besonders für die Armen. De acuerdo con el artículo, la eclesiología del teólogo contextual latinoamericano Orlando Costa es significativa para la misionología actual. Comenzando con su nacimiento en Puerto Rico, este artículo analiza los rasgos del contexto socio religioso de Costa como clave para el desarrollo posterior de su teología encarnacional desde la periferia. Después, al mostrar cómo Costa relaciona sus modelos de la iglesia con su teología del Reino como signo e instrumento de la salvación de Dios, el autor indica que la eclesiología de Costa configura profundamente la compresión de la misión en general y critica la teología del crecimiento de la iglesia en particular. La eclesiología de Costa de una hermenéutica encarnacional de Jesucristo desde la periferia de Galilea desafía a la iglesia como el cuerpo visible de Cristo a obedecer a su maestro a través de una vida de discipulado y sufrimiento en bien de los otros, especialmente de los pobres.

scholarly journals Mission in Evolving Cultures: Constructively Managing Music-Related Conflict in Cross-Cultural Church Planting Contexts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Robert Dunaetz
Keyword(s):  
Church Planting ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Musical Style ◽  
Church Planters ◽  
Interpersonal Conflicts ◽  
Church Life ◽  
Church Plants ◽  
The Church

The choice of music, an essential element of worship and church life, mustbe addressed in cross-cultural church planting contexts. As culturesevolve, church planters are faced with choices about musical styles thatmay lead to interpersonal conflicts within the church. The purpose of thisstudy is to empirically examine factors that may enable cross-culturalchurch planters to constructively manage music-related conflicts when theyarise. Members of church plants, like all people, have various goals whenentering into such conflicts. They are concerned about the content of theconflict (i.e., the musical style) and thus have content goals. They arealso concerned about social elements of the conflict (e.g., theirrelationships, their identity and values, and the process used to resolvethe conflict) and thus have social goals. The results of this study of 276evangelical Christians indicate that achieving both content goals andsocial goals contributes to overall satisfaction across various conflictoutcomes. Moreover, the evidence indicates that achieving only a socialgoal leads to greater satisfaction with the conflict outcome than achievingonly the content goal in music related conflict. This implies that churchplanters, when faced with music-related conflict, should strive to meet thegospel-congruent social goals of people with whom they are in conflict inorder to maximize satisfaction with the conflict outcome._______________________David R. Dunaetz, PhDAssistant Professor, Leadership and Organizational PsychologyAzusa Pacific University

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