MC520/620: Church Growth in Contemporary Culture (4 units)

Ryan K. Bolger, Assistant Professor of Church in Contemporary Culture

Fall 2006 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 Bridges of God and Understanding Church Growth. The course also trains students in Church Growth research methodology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Understand the key church growth concepts as developed by Donald McGavran and consider their contemporary relevance
• Appreciate the significance of the historical development of the Church Growth movement
• Present a missiological perspective and theological critique of Church Growth
• Become familiar with some basic research methods by which to investigate the various dimensions of growth of a congregation.

COURSE FORMAT:

This course is a two-week intensive that meets for three-hour sessions each weekday. 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: If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

McGavran, Donald A., Bridges of God. Wipf and Stock, 2005 (reprint)
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:

• Assignment 1: A 2,500 word paper, double-spaced, 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.
• Assignment 2: A 2,500 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 3,500 words for each assignment.

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: July 13, 2006