Category Archives: An Introduction

… as much to do with overcoming resistance to change as with innovative methods of evangelism.

Overcoming Resistance to Change in Cultural Contexts             Viewing church growth from an organic systems perspective allows a clearer understanding of why third world cell churches grow rapidly. It is not a cultural oddity or an environmental factor.[1] Cell churches … Continue reading

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Churches fail to thrive when the Great Commission is not the central priority.

These churches thrive because at the core of all they do is a passionate obedience to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ as the highest priority of the local church. Every member without exception is expected to be directly involved … Continue reading

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… is transforming itself to a modified metachurch model …

Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago is transforming itself to a modified metachurch model of using small groups to provide community in their congregation of more than twenty thousand.[1] Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church of rural Dayton, Ohio, grew from … Continue reading

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In four years they had gained a net growth of two thousand families.

Dale Galloway used the Yoido 5×5 system to build New Hope Community Church of Portland, Oregon, to more than five thousand persons in cells by 1990.[1] Bethany World Prayer Center, near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was inspired by the Elim Church … Continue reading

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“It is God’s will that his Church grow …”

In the following twenty centuries the pace of change has accelerated as the population of the world has increased. Each new generation of Christians has flourished relative to their obedience to everything that Jesus commanded. As Donald McGavran said, “It … Continue reading

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… used the Yoido system, known as the “5×5″ model …

In South America, the Elim Church in El Salvador used the Yoido system, known as the “5×5″ model, to build a church of 130,000 members in 1999.[1] The International Charismatic Mission (ICM) of Bogota, Columbia, grew from eight members in … Continue reading

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a failure of the majority of churches to thrive

There is no county within the United States where the percentage of church attendance is higher than ten years ago.[1] Some growth in American churches is deceptive, as between 70-90% of new members are received from other churches. This is … Continue reading

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In the beginning, west of Eden …

INTRODUCTION             In the beginning, west of Eden, humanity began to fulfill the command of God: “be fruitful and multiply.”[1] God’s creation is continually fruitful in a continually changing environment. To adapt and be fruitful is natural to all creation. … Continue reading

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ABSTRACT 3: The seminars will incorporate the vision, mission and goals of our conference

ABSTRACT: Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference by David O. Kueker – Doctor of Ministry, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 2007. The seminars will incorporate the vision, mission and goals … Continue reading

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ABSTRACT 2: The entire project will function as a gentle antithesis to homeostasis

ABSTRACT: Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference by David O. Kueker – Doctor of Ministry, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, 2007.             The first seminar, Diagnosis, will help churches understand … Continue reading

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