MC520: Church Growth in Contemporary Culture (4 units)

Eddie Gibbs, Donald A. McGavran Professor of Church Growth
Winter 2005 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This course provides a basic introduction to the history of the Church Growth Movement and a critical assessment of its main tenets as a theologically undergirded, research-based field of study, and as a distinctive approach to practical missiology. The heart of this course is an in-depth study and critical appraisal of the work of Donald McGavran, particularly as expressed in Understanding Church Growth. The course also trains students in Church Growth research methodology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Explore the key church growth concepts as developed by Donald McGavran and consider their contemporary relevance.
• Trace the historical development of the Church Growth movement.
• Develop a missiological perspective and theological critique of Church Growth.
• Provide an introduction to research methods by which to investigate the various dimensions of growth of a congregation.

COURSE FORMAT:

A lecture and class discussion format based on pre-reading, reflection, and group interaction, designed to insure a thorough understanding of basic church-growth principles and the ability to apply these insights in assessing a local church.

REQUIRED READING:

McGavran, Donald A. Understanding Church Growth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. (294 pp)
Engle, Paul E. and Gary L. McIntosh, eds. Evaluating the Church Growth Movement. Grand Rapids, IL: Zondervan, 2004
Gibbs, Eddie. I Believe in Church Growth. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1990. Fuller re-print 1996.
McIntosh, Gary I. Biblical Church Growth. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003
Rainer, Thom S. The Book of Church Growth . Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1993.
Schwartz, Christian A. Natural Church Development. Carol Stream: Church Smart Resources, 1996.
NOTE: The SYLLABUS must be purchased from the bookstore and brought to the first day of class.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Option A is for students who have not held a leadership position in a local church, and option B is for those who currently hold such a position or have in the recent past and have access to current data on the church they serve(d).
Option A: A 5000 word paper, double-space, that provides an overview of 10 church growth issues, selected from the course, providing a summary description of each followed by creative and critical reflections derived from class presentations and discussions coupled with your required reading. All four books need to be referenced but without long quotations.
Option B: A 5000 word paper, double-spaced, entitled, “An Accurate Picture of My Church,” which provides a quantitative and qualitative study and assessment of your church utilizing the insights gained during the course. Your report should reference all of the assigned books, providing appropriate footnotes.
Special Equipment: An electronic calculator with 1/x, yx (or xy) functions is useful, but not essential for this paper.
ThM. Students are required to read two books recommended by the professor, and to write a 6250 word paper.

PREREQUISITES: 3 years of cross-cultural ministry experience. Auditors are welcome, but are required to complete all reading assignments and to fully participate in the class.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets core competency in M.A. ICS.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Last Date Edited: September 13, 2004