EM627 - Church Dynamics and Growth

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • evangelism missiolUnit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

The principles and practices of church growth.

B. Be able to

  1. Discuss the theology, principles and practices of church growth and their significance for contemporary ministry theory and practice.
  2. Compare and contrast contemporary approaches to church growth.
  3. Conduct a case study of church growth in a particular congregation or Assess a model of church growth.
  4. Present a Critical evidence-based perspective on church growth.

C. Be in a position to

  1. Integrate perspectives from ‘Church Dynamics and Growth’ with their other theological and ministry studies.
  2. Apply church growth strategies in congregational situations as a reflective practitioner.

Content

Section A: Principles

  1. The development of church growth thinking and its contemporary significance in mission thinking and practice; theological foundations and biblical examples;
  2. Church growth concepts: homogeneous group principle; receptivity; people movements and networks; redemption-lift; house churches; cell churches; theological foundations; quantity and quality:
  3. Problems in church growth: nominalism and attrition; follow-up and incorporation of new members; static, passive and declining churches; missional churches.

Section B: Practice

  1. Examination of contemporary models of church ministry and structure, evaluating philosophy, theological implications, and dynamics of operation;  familiarisation with literature on congregational ministry methodologies and strategy development; structuring and staffing for different sized churches;
  2. Making a local area survey; measurement of growth and decline: types; reporting and evaluating; survey techniques relating to: membership and attendance; attrition; nominalism; lay mobilisation; financial resources;
  3. Growth factors: stimulants and retardants in the congregation, the wider church, the community, and the  nation;
  4. Growth goals: establishing objectives, setting goals, making plans, assessing results.

Section C: Field Work

  1. Conduct a case study of one particular congregation to ascertain patterns of growth and decline over a minimum period of five years, analyse the factors involved and make recommendations.

OR

Analyse some specific model of doing church, its philosophy, theological implications, methodologies and strategies.

Set Readings

Prescribed

Carson, D. A., Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and Its Implications (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005).

Engle, P., et al (eds), Evaluating the Church Growth Movement: Five views (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004).

Frazee, R., The Connecting Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001).

Gibbs, E. and I. Coffey, Church Next: Quantum Changes in Christian Ministry (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2001).

Gibbs, E. and R. Bolger, Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005).

McGavran, D. A., Understanding Church Growth (3rd Rev. ed.; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990).

McIntosh, G. L., Biblical Church Growth: How you Can Work With God to Build a Faithful Church (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003).

Moynagh, M., Changing World, Changing Church (London: Monarch, 2001).

Pritchard, G. A., Willow Creek Seeker Services: Evaluating a New Way of Doing Church (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996).

Roxburgh, A., The Missionary Congregation, Leadership and Liminality (Harrisburg, PA: TPI, 1997).

Schwarz, C., Natural Church Development (4th ed.; Carol Stream, IL: Churchsmart Resources, 2000).

Warren, R., The Purpose Driven Church:  Growth Without Compromising Your Message or Mission (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995).

Recommended

Guder, D. and L. Barrett (eds), Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998).

Malphurs, A., Advanced Strategic Planning (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999).