ReproducedwiththepermissionofthefamilyofDonaldMcGavran.

Nooneintheworldofmissionstodayissoprofoundathinker,sotraveledan
investigator,sofearlessacritic,orsoconstructiveaforceasDonaldMcGavran.Theselectures
throw downthegauntlettotodaysChristianleaders,theologians,andexecutiveslikenoother
book.Whataboldchallenge,whatafascinatingbiographicalapproach,basedonninetyyearsof
perceptiveexistence!
RalphD.Winter
Inadayofgreatopportunityforworldevangelizationandnolittleconfusion astothe
natureofourmissionI[would]urgeevangelicaldivinityschoolsandtheologicalseminariesto
readwhatDr.McGavranhastosayandtogiveseriousconsiderationtofollowinghisprimary
suggestions.
DavidJ.Hesselgrave
NochurchwillenjoytheblessingofGodwhenitforgetsitsevangelisticimperative.
Tragically,however,manypastorshavehadlittletrainingtoequipthemeffectivelyforthisvital
task.Ironically,themajorityoftheologicalseminariesandBiblecollegesinAmericahave
relegatedcoursesinevangelismtoasecondarystatusinthecurriculumorevenoblivion.Now
DonaldMcGavranhassetforthaboldandyetsimpleproposaltomakerequiredcoursesin
evangelismacentralpartofeveryministerseducation.Hisproposalwouldnotonly
revolutionizetheologicaleducation,butcouldbringnewvisionandvitalitytothechurchesof
America.Iheartilyendorsehisproposal.
BillyGraham
...anoutstandingcontributiontotheevangelicaldivinityschoolsandtheological
seminariesofAmerica.
ElmerL.Towns
AsthefounderoftheSchoolofWorldMissionandFatherofChurchPlanting, Dr.
McGavranhasservedonthefacultyofninetheologicalseminariesandlecturedinmanymore....
HehasinteractedwithandsharedideasandtheologicaltruthswiththousandsofChristian
leadersduringalongandrichministryforourLord.Heisquitelikelythemostqualifiedmanin
theentireworldtowriteonthisextremelyimportantsubject.
WilliamR.Bright

EffectiveEvangelism

ATheologicalMandate

DonaldA.McGavran

PresbyterianandReformedPublishingCompanyPhillipsburg,NewJersey

ThisbookisdedicatedtoBettyAnnKlebetowhomIamdeeplyindebtedforher
invaluableassistanceinthepreparationofthemanuscript.

Contents
Foreword
RogerS.Greenway
1. TheologicalEducationandEffectiveEvangelism
2. GodCommandsChurchGrowth
3. TheUrgencyofChurchGrowthinAmerica
4. BiblicalSoundness,SpiritualRenewal,andChurchGrowth
5. HowCanWeAssureEffectiveEvangelism?
6. TheRiseoftheChurchGrowthMovement
7. ChurchGrowth193365
8. ChurchGrowth196571
9. ChurchGrowth197185
10. IdeologicalandTheologicalConcerns
11. SegmentsofSocietyandChurchGrowth
12. SeeingtheActualFacts
13. ChurchGrowthbyClergyorLaity?
14. TheHeartofTodaysOpportunity
Afterword
RogerS.Greenway
Index

Foreword
ThisbookmaysendshockwavesthroughthehallsofChristiancollegesandseminaries.
Liberalandconservativeschoolsalikecomeunderindictment,asDonaldMcGavran,thedeanof
modernevangelicalmissiologists,examinesthestrengthsandweaknessesoftheological
institutionsintheareaofevangelismandcallsforaseriousreprioritizingoftheological
curricula.Iftheauthorsargumentsareacceptedandhisproposalsapplied, thegrowthpatterns
ofChristschurchthroughouttheworldarelikelytobedramaticallyimproved.
McGavranarguesthattheologicalinstitutionsshouldacceptresponsibilityfortraining
tomorrowsleadersforministryintherealworld,theworldinwhichovertwobillionpeople
[1988]stillneedtobereachedwiththegospelandmillionsareadriftinaseaofsecularismand
religiousconfusion.Hepleadsforcurricularrevisionsofakindthatwillmaketheeffective
communicationofGodsWordandmultiplicationofviablechurchesasubstantialandrequired
partofeveryschoolsprogram.
Thisisatheologicalissue,McGavranmaintains,becausetheGodoftheBiblewhoisthe
objectoftruetheologicalstudyistheGodwhohasrevealedHismissionaryintentionforall
racesandpeopleoftheearth.Godwantstheworldevangelizedanddiscipled,andtostudy
theologyinawaythatmissesorminimizesthispointistoadoptandperpetuateadistortedview
ofGodandis,effect,aheresy.
Thechaptersof thisbookwerefirstpresentedaslecturesatWestminsterTheological
SeminaryinPhiladelphia.Thisseminary,likemanyothers,isincreasinglyawareoftheneedfor
greaterintegrationbetweenevangelismandtheotherdepartmentsoftheologicaleducation.
AwedbytherapidgrowthofnonChristianpopulationsandtheburgeoningcities,andsensitive
tothefactthattheologicaleducationmustbegearedtotheneedsofchurchesinmission,
WestminsterinvitedDr.McGavrantospelloutforfacultyandstudentstheimplicationsofa
missionorientedcurriculumthatwouldproduceeffectivecommunicatorsofthegospelinthis
countryandabroad.Hisanalysisandchallengetotheseminary,presentednowinthisvolume,
shouldbetakenseriouslybyeveryinstitutionthattrainworkersforGodskingdom.
WoventhroughoutthebookisthestoryofMcGavransownpilgrimageasthefounderof
thechurchgrowthschoolofmissiologyandthestrugglesthroughwhichheandhiscoworkers
passedtheydefinedeffectiveevangelismintermsofthemultiplicationofliving,growing
churches.Theyconfrontedoppositionfromthetheologicalleft,whichdidnotsharetheir
commitmenttotheauthorityofthebiblicalmandate,andfromtheconservativeright,whichfelt
threatenedbytheconstantdemandforaccountabilityintermsofmeasurablechurch
multiplication.
Basictothechurchgrowthunderstandingofthemissionarymandateisafirm
commitmenttotheauthorityofScripture.Amajorreason,saysMcGavran,fortodaysvast
indifferencetoevangelismandchurchgrowthistheprevalentlowviewofScripture.Wherever
theauthorityofScripturehaseroded,thechurchlosesitspowerandthecalltobiblicalmission
fallsondeafears.Godscommandtoproclaimthegospeltopantataethne,leadingthemto

obedienceoffaith,isofimportanceonlytothosewhoholdtotheinspiredandutterlydependable
WordofGod,theultimateauthorityforfaithandpractice.Inschoolsandchurcheswherethe
Wordislovedandhonored,theurgencyofwinningthelostwillbefeltbyprofessors,ministers
andlaypeoplealike.
Biblicalsoundness,however,doesnotbyitselfguaranteehealthychurchgrowth.There
isakindofbiblicalsoundnessthatfocusesexclusiveattentiononparticulardoctrinesand
interpretstheminsuchawaythattheyhavelittlebearingonevangelism.Evenspiritualrenewal,
whichisthedesireandconcernofmanychurchestoday,willnottranslateintochurchgrowthif
thefocusofrenewalismainlyintermsoftheexistingcongregationanditsactivitieswithinthe
churchbuilding.
Atthesametime,biblicalsoundnessofthekindthatrecognizesthemissionaryintention
ofGodwhosavessinnersthroughHisSonandwhosendsthechurchonaredemptivemissionto
theworldcertainlywillproducehealthygrowthandrobustchurches.Likewise,spiritualrenewal
thatseesChristiansrecommittingthemselvestolivingthelifeoftheSpiritunderthedirections
oftheWordwillburstthougholdsocialandculturalbarriersandleadtoagreaterharvestof
soulsanddisciplingofmanysegmentsofsociety,aswellasahostofnewministriestotheneedy
andoppressed.INthebiblicalbalanceofdoctrinalsoundness,spiritualrenewal,andevangelistic
outreachliesthesecretofgrowthandeffectiveministry.
TheologicalschoolsandBiblecollegescanplayavitalroleintheevangelizationof
NorthAmericaandallothernations,saysMcGavran,iftheyarewillingtomakenecessary
changesinthewaytheytrainfutureleaders.Theymustrethinktheircurriculaandrequireathat
allstudentstakebasiccoursesinevangelism,churchgrowth,andChristianvocationthatbreaks
withthetraditionspreoccupiedwiththemaintenanceofbeautifulbuildings,thenicetiesof
denominationallife,andthepreachingandhearingofsermonsthatsaylittletotheuncommitted
andunconverted.
Fromtheperspectiveofaseminaryteacherandmissionexecutivewholistensregularly
tothecomplaintsandcriesforhelpofchurchmembersinthiscountryandabroad,Icanthinkof
nothingmoreneedful,indeed,morerevolutionaryforthechurchanditstheologicalschools,than
theappealcontainedinthisvolume.

RogerS.Greenway

1
TheologicalEducationandEffectiveEvangelism
Dotheologicalseminarieshaveanythingtodowitheffectiveevangelism?Orare
seminariesandBiblecollegesconcernedonlywithcorrectviewsofthebibleandwith
inculcatingtruedoctrines?Mustnotatheologicalseminarydealexclusivelywiththeological
conceptsrequiredbytheBible?Isnoteffectiveevangelismapartoflifeoutsidetheseminary?
Thoughwemightbetemptedtoseparatetheologicaleducationfromevangelism,weare
remindedofoureternalGodscommandtodiscipleallthepeoplesoftheearthandHispromise
thatinAbrahamallthepeoplesoftheworldwouldbeblessed.Wethereforeaffirmthat
seminariesandBiblecollegesshoulddotwothings.First,traintheirstudentstocommunicateto
membersofthechurchcorrectviewsoftheBibleandcorrectdoctrines.Second,trainfuture
ministerstomakeeverycongregationtheyserveevangelisticallyeffectiveathomeandabroad.
Effectiveevangelizationisanessentialpartofcorrectdoctrine.

MostTheologicalSeminariesDoNotTeachChurchGrowthorEffective
Evangelism
DuringmylifetimeIhaveservedasafacultymemberinninetheologicalseminaries.I
havelecturedinmanymoreandmetmanyfellowtheologicalprofessorsinseveralcontinents.
ThoughIhaveneverdoneacarefulresearchonthesubject,IbelievethatIamcorrectwhenI
statethatmosttheologicaltrainingschoolsdonotcountevangelismorchurchgrowthan
essentialpartoftheircurricula.Inafewschoolsatwo orfourhourcourseonevangelismisan
elective.Inmany,however,nocourseoneffectiveevangelismisoffered.
Undertheimpactoftheworldwidechurchgrowthmovementthisregrettablestateof
affairsisslowlychanging.Forexample,inMarchof1983atWestminsterTheologicalSeminary
inPhiladelphiafortyeightleadersoftheReformedtraditiongatheredtodiscussreachingthe
unreached.Inevitablytheydiscussedthetheologicalseminarysplaceinworldevangelization.
ProfessorHarvieM.Connrenderedanotableservicetotheworldchurchwhenhepublishedthe
contributionsofnineoftheparticipantsunderthetitle,ReachingtheUnreached. Inhisforward
ProfessorConnasks,Whatmustbedonetomobilizetheologicalseminariesforthework?
HeconcurswithAddisonSoltausstatementthatseminariestendtobestaticandisolationist.1
QuotingRogerS.Greenway,Connalsoasks,Will unreachedpeoplesbecomeanother
missiologicalfadifthechurchremainspreoccupiedwithitsownedificationanddoctrinal
purity?2 AgainProfessorConnasks,Isourtraditionallanguageof home andforeign
missionstoogeographicallyorientedtofindtheunevangelizedofourownneighborhoods?3
InthechaptertitledMobilizingtheSeminaries,AddisonSoltausays,Seminariesare
lookeduponasinstitutionstopreparefortheparishministry,rarelyforevangelism.4 Soltau

alsosaysthatmissionsareperceivedashavingnorightfulplaceinatheologicalseminary
alongsidetheestablisheddisciplines.5
Thistragicviewisheldbyleadersinotherbranchesoftheuniversalchurch.For
example,Dr.PaulBenjamin,headoftheNationalGrowthResearchCenterinWashington,D.C.,
hassomeunshakableconvictionsonexactlythissorrysituation.Inhis1986book,TheVision
Splendid:Believing,hewrites:
Iknowmanyministerswhowanttobecomemoreinvolvedinoutreach.
However,neithertheiracademicbackgroundnortheirexperiencehas
equippedthemforevangelism.
Againhesays,
Aminister/evangelistmustalwaysbeconsciousoftheworldarenainwhichthe
individualshehopestowinareliving.Hecanneverbridgethegapbetween
ChristiansandnonChristiansbycontinuingtoignoresecularthinkers.6
InhisentirebookDr.Benjamininsiststhateveryministershepherdthesheepinhisfold
andbringbacktothefoldmultitudesofsheepwhoarelostinthewilderness,apreyforwolves
andevilmen.
Theextraordinarystateofaffairsdiscussedinthisfirstchapterisevidentlywellknownto
theologicalleadersinmanybranchesofthechurch.Thereasonforthisregrettableconditionis
easytostate.Protestanttheologicalseminarieswerebornandtheircurriculafairlywell
establishedintheyears15501800.DuringtheseyearsRomanCatholicmissionorderswere
veryactiveinLatinAmerica,thePhilippineIslands,andafewothersectionsoftheworld.But
theProtestants,sealedoffbyMuslimarmiesinthesouthandeastandSpanishandPortuguese
naviesintheAtlantictothewest,believedthattheirmaintaskwasChristianizationofthe
massesofnominalRomanCatholicswhohadbeensweptintotheProtestantchurchbythe
Reformation.
Theconcept,therefore,ofthetheologicalseminaryasaninstitutionthattrainedministers
tomaintainandimproveexistingchurchesbecameveryfirmlyestablished.Amaintenance
mentalitystilldominatesmostseminaryfaculties.
Today,however,welookoutonaverydifferentworld.Christianscanreachanypartof
theworldinamatterofafewhours.EnormousnumbersofAmericanscrosstheoceanstovisit
Europe,LatinAmerica,Asia,Africa.CitizensofallthesedifferentnationsflocktotheUnited
States.Theconceptofoneworldinhabitedbyonegreathumanfamilyisvoicedagainandagain
bytodaysmedia.ItbecomespartoftheeverydaythinkingofmostAmericancitizens.
Furthermore,Protestantchurchestodayareledbyhighlytrainedministers.Most
Americandenominationsrequirethatthoseordainedbeatleastcollegegraduates.Many
denominationsinsistthatontopoffouryearsincollegetherebeanadditionalthreeormore
yearsinseminary.TheChristianministermustbeahighlyeducatedman.Hemustthinkthat

wayandspeakthatway.Thisalmostguaranteesthathewillremainoutoftouchwithbluecollar
AmericaandsomeofwhitecollarAmericaalso.
Todayseminaryfacultiesinallsixcontinentslookoutonaworldthatiswideopentothe
gospel.True,somenationsareclosedtomissionariesfromanyland,butthenumberof
unbelieving,unreachedpopulationsopentoworldevangelizationisenormous.Theexisting
evangelisticeffortsofmostdenominationsaretouchingonlyafringeoftheavailable
populations.AnyexactandtruthfulpictureofthespreadoftheChristianfaithindicatesthat,
whilein afewplacesithasspreadverygreatly,inmostplacesthenumberofbelieving,
practicingChristiansisrelativelysmall.EveninEuropeandNorthAmericacommitted
Christiansareasmallproportionofthetotalpopulation.Theywillremainasmalland
sometimesshrinkingpartunlessseminariesbegintotraintheirstudentsineffectiveevangelism.
Irepeattheywillremainasmallandsometimesshrinkingpartunlessseminariesbegintotrain
theirstudentsineffectiveevangelism.

AllSeminariesNeedtoMakeEffectiveEvangelismASubstantialPartof
TheirRequiredCourses
Atypicalseminaryrequiresthirtysixfourhourcoursessuccessfullycompletedtogain
thecoveteddegreeofBachelorofDivinityorMasterofDivinity.Ofthesethirtysixfourhour
coursesonemaybeanelectiveorveryoccasionallyarequiredcourseinevangelism.Inmost
seminaries,however,manycompletetheMasterofDivinitycurriculumwithoutlearninghowto
winmenandwomenoftheownneighborhoodstoChrist.Furthermore,theylearnnothingabout
theworldsvastunreachedpopulationsofthousandsofvarietiesandmultiplyingcongregations
ineach.
Iamspeakingabouttheseminaryworldingeneral.Onethirtysixthoftheseminary
curriculum(ornoevangelismatall)willnotsatisfyGodswillfortoday.Itisnottheologically
correct.ItstatesatheologythatisuntruetoeternalGodsoftexpressedpurposetoseekand
savethelost.Itisalsofunctionallyinadequate.ItdoesnotrecognizethateveryAmericanand
Europeanministergoesoutintoaworldthatislargelysecular,humanistic,andoftenpagan.It
doesnotevenseethattheEuropeanandAmericanworldwhereeveryonewasonceaChristian
andhadonlytobeeducatednolongerexists.Ourworldpopulationtodayisonlyonequarter
evennominallyChristian.TomorrowonlyonefifthwillcallthemselvesChristian.Practicing
Christiansare,ofcourse,amuchsmallerproportionofthetotal.
AsIlookattheverycomplexmosaicofmankindinNorthAmericaIamsurethatone
fourhourcoursecouldnotpossiblyinstructfutureministersinhowtoreacheffectivelythe
multitudinoussegmentsofpopulationtheywillfindinthecitiesandcountrysideswherethey
labor.Atoneendofthespectrumwillbethesecularists.Someoftheseeducatedmenand
womenfollowthereligionofscientism.Othersareopenlyagnosticoratheistic.Manybelieve
thatGodtheFatheralmightydescribedintheBibledoesnotexist.Attheotherendofthe
spectrumwillbetherecentimmigrantsfromAsia,LatinAmerica,andEurope.
AddtothispicturethefactthatministersinNorthAmericafacetheneedforsending
missionariestoAsia,Africa,LatinAmerica,andEuropetofindthelostthere.InFrancethe
RomanCatholicChurch callslargesectionsofthenationmissionterritories,becauseinthem
lessthan5percentofthepopulationeverattendmass.Similarstatisticscouldeasilybequoted

forRomanCatholicandProtestantpopulationsinmostotherEuropeannations.InFinlandless
than5percentofthepopulationisfoundinchurchonSunday.
Thiswholeunwonpopulationinourownnationandaroundtheworldisnow
immediatelyaccessible.StudentsinAmericanBiblecollegesandseminariesspeakEnglish,and
Englishhasbecomeduringthepastfiftyyearsthemostwidespreadlanguageknowntoman.
EnglishistothelatterpartofthetwentiethcenturywhatkoineGreekwastotheapostlePaul.It
wasinkoineGreekthathewrotetoallthemembersoftenormorehousechurchesinCorinth,I
amseekingthegoodofmany,sothattheymaybesaved.Followmyexample,asIfollow
theexampleofChrist(1Cor.10:3311:1).
TheologicalseminariespreparingeffectiveministersofJesusChristshouldpay
considerablymoreattentiontohowthecorrectdoctrinesandthecorrectScripturestheymust
teachcanbecommunicatedandbelievedbymultitudesinordertocarryouteternalGods
command.Theministerisacommunicatorofthegospel.Hemustknowhowtoevangelize
effectively.
Woulditnotbehighlydesirabletorulethatofthethirtysixfourhourcoursesrequired
fortheMasterofDivinity,fivebedevotedtoeffectiveevangelism?ThefiveIsuggestarebyno
meanstheonlypossibleones.EachseminaryandBibleschoolwoulddeterminefivegreat
aspectsofeffectiveevangelismthatitwantedtoteach.Somewouldemphasizecertainaspects
ofthegianttask.Otherswouldemphasizeotheraspects.However,tomakemyproposal
concrete,letmementionthefollowingfive.
Thefirstwouldteachthetheologyofevangelismfindingandfoldingthelostand
multiplyingcongregationsoftheredeemed.Thisisanessentialpartofalltruetheology.The
manypassagesofScripturecommandingeffectiveevangelismrequiretheformationofexplicit
doctrinesalongtheselines.
Thesecondcoursewouldteachhowtotrainlaymenandlaywomenforevangelism.Lay
people,iftrainedinevangelism,aremosteffectivecommunicators.Theyreachtheirfellow
workers,fellowfacultymembers,fellowemployersandemployees.Laypeoplemustbetrained
ineffectiveevangelism.
ThethirdcoursewouldteachhowtomultiplycongregationsinNorthAmericanAnglo
andminoritypopulations.EachofthemultitudinoussegmentsofAmericansocietyisadistinct
population,inwhichChristiancongregationsmustbemultiplied.Thegospelmustbestatedin
onewaytowinhighlyeducatedsecularistsandinotherwaystowinrecentimmigrantswho
speakEnglishveryimperfectly.
Afourthcoursewouldaccuratelydescribethestateofthechurchesanddenominationsin
othercontinents.Dotheycomprise1percentor90percentofthepopulation?Aretheygrowing
ordeclining?Aretheycarryingoneffectiveevangelismormerelylookingafterthemselves?
Howcan theybehelpedtobecomeevangelisticallymorepowerful?Aretheysending
missionariestotheirownunreachedpopulations,ormustthisbedonebymissionariesfromother
nationstates?AretheyworkingtoproduceamoreChristiansocialorder?

ThefifthcoursewoulddealwiththewayofevangelismthatGodwasmostgreatly
blessingtotheredemptionofwomenandmen.Thewaysofevangelismdifferforvarious
populations.Thosewhichareeffectiveinuniversitypopulationswillyieldnoresultsamongthe
illiteratetribesmenintheheartofAfrica.Thosewhichmultiplycongregationsamongblue
collarworkerswillnotbeeffectiveamongwhitecollarpeople.ThoseeffectiveinwestLondon
aresingularlyineffectiveineastLondon,where98percentoftheEnglishremainoutofthe
church.Becausethewaysofeffectiveevangelismaresonumerousandvaryfrompopulationto
populationandfromagetoage,thisfifthcoursemayrunfortwosemesters.
WouldfiveorsixfourhourcoursesonevangelismbepleasingtoGod?Wouldnotsuch
aprogramenormouslyadvantagetheexistingchurch?Wouldthisnotveryspeedilymakefora
muchbetterandmoremoralandjustworld?Iftheanswerstothesethreequestionsareyes,then
whyshouldnoteveryschooloftheologicaleducationrequirefivefourhourcoursesoneffective
evangelismi.e.,churchgrowth?

ObjectionstoTheseProposalsAreCertaintobeVoiced
Letmedealatoncewithonepossibleobjectionthatalltheexistingsubjectsalsoneedto
betaught.Whichofthemcanbecompressed?WillchurchhistoryorOldTestament,New
Testament,systematictheology,Christianeducation,orworshipgiveuppartofitscourses?
Quiteimpossible.
Theeffectiveanswertothisobjectionisthatasnewsituationsdevelop,newcoursesof
thecurriculumhavebeenmadeavailableandalwayswillbe.Thecurriculumformedbetween
1550and1950isnotthebestcurriculumforatremendouslychangedworld.AsGodswillfor
thepresentworldismadeclearandbecomesfeasible,allgoodChristianswillseektobringtheir
individualandcorporatelivesintoharmonywithit.Inordertomakechurchesand
denominationsmoreobedienttoChristscommandtomatheteusatepantataethne,discipleall
peoples,acommandnowbeingperceivedinanewway,seminaryfacultiesandtheirboardsof
trusteeswillbeyondquestion,bitbybit,reorganizetheircurricula.
Tobesure,someseminarieswillnot.Otherseminarieswill.Thoseseminarieswhich
willnotwillobservetheircongregationsanddenominationsshrink.Thosewhichmakethe
changeswillobservetheircongregationsanddenominationsgrow.
Itisworthrememberingthatinthepastthemostorthodoxandsoundtheological
seminarieshaveoftenbeenthoseofveryslowgrowingdenominations.Inanationwhose
populationhasbeenexploding,intowhichlargenumbersofimmigrantshavepoured,the
denominationswhoseseminarieshavebeencommittedtoteachingonlythoseportionsof
theologywhichpeoplealreadyconvertedneededtoknowhaveoftenbeentheleastgrowing.
AtthesametimethePentecostalsduringthepasteightyyearshavegrownenormously
eventhoughtheirseminariesandBiblecollegeshavenotbeenrankedhighbytheprestigious
seminariesoftheworld.
Everytheological seminarymustdecidewhethertheidealdenomination,mostpleasingto
God,wouldbeonethatcaresonlyforexistingChristiansoronethat,intrueNewTestament
fashion,bothcaresforexistingChristiansandmultiplieschurchesinunreachedportionsof

humanity.IftheansweristhatthechurchmostpleasingtoGodisonethatineverypossibleway
seekstodisciplepantataethneaswellascareforexistingChristians,thentheseminary
curriculummustprepareministerstodobothtasks.
Everyseminaryhasacourseonhomiletics,theeffectivepresentationofthegospel.At
firstthought,effectivecoursesonhomileticsareallthatisneeded.Unfortunately,homileticsis
usuallyheldtobethepresentationofthegospelinsermonformtothosewhoattendchurch.
These,withfewexceptions,arenottheunsavedbutthesaved,thepracticingChristians,the
existingcongregation.Asthethoughtfulministerpreparesamessageforthese,heinevitably
stresseswhatthey,thesaved,needtoknow.HetalksabouthowChristianscanbecomebetter
Christians.HeassumesthatthoselisteningtohimarealreadyfollowersoftheLordJesus.He
frameshissermoninlanguageandthoughtformsthatwillappealtothesegmentofsocietyto
whichhisflockbelongsandformwhichhissalarycomes.Allthisisexcellent.Thepastormust
indeedcarefortheflock.Hemustindeedpreachconvincing,wellthoughtout,andpersuasive
sermons.Butsuchsermonsdonotreachtheverylargepercentageofthepopulationthatattends
nochurch.
HereintheUnitedStatestherearepossiblyonly50millionpracticingChristians
regularlyinchurchonSunday.AhundredmillionnominalChristiansalsoaretobefoundin
churchnowandthen,particularlyatChristmasandEaster.Finallythereare8090millionwho
neverdarkenthedoorsofanychurch.Professorsofhomileticsmaybeassuredthatthesermons
theirstudentspreachwillcertainlyreachandinfluencethe50million.Theywillbeheardnow
andthenbyascatteringofmenandwomeninthe100million.Buttheywillneverbeheardby
the90million.Asweexplorethesubjectoftheologicaleducationandchurchgrowth,wemust
thereforeask,MustnotanyBiblecollegeorseminarythatwouldseektoobeyGodinthenext
thirtyyearshereinAmericateachwaysinwhichallcongregations,alldenominations,andall
ministerswilluseasignificantportionoftheirtimeinfindingandfoldingthe180millinglost
sheepintheUnitedStates?
Itcannotbesaidtooemphaticallythattoomanyseminariesinallsixcontinentsare
preparingministerswhoareengagedsolelyinlookingaftermaintainingthecurrent
congregations.Justhowtheydothiswillvaryfromsituationtosituation,congregationto
congregation,anddenominationtodenomination.Fartoomanycongregationsand
denominations,facingthemostresponsiveworldevertoexist,arespending8599percentof
theirtime,prayer,money,andthoughtinlookingafterthemselves.
OnOctober11,1985,Ireceivedaletterfromaveryableseminarygraduatewhohas
servedasapastoroftwolocalchurchesandnowoccupiesapositioninatheologicalseminaryin
India.ThatseminaryisplanningtosendhimtotheUnitedStatesforfurtherstudy,preparing
himtobecomeaprofessorofchurchhistoryintheseminary.Concerningthechurchesofseveral
denominationsinadenselypopulatedpartofIndia,hewritesthefollowing:
IbelievethatreachingthereceptiveEzhavasisaresponsibilityofthechurchesin
that area. These churches have to be mission minded, to win the receptive
peoples of the population. The government of India will not give visas to
missionaries.Whateverisdonemustbedonebythechurches.Unfortunately,the
churches,insteadofbeingmissionmindedhavebecomeinstitutionminded,with
scores of schools, hospitals, and nowadays socalled development workOur

churcheshavelotsofmoney,buttheyspenditonotherthingsthanwinningnon
ChristianstoChrist.Therootcauseofthisisthatourpastorsandleadersdonot
preach and teach about discipling all the castes. Also none of the pastors is
trained in effective evangelism. That is why I want to study missions. The
seminary ispreparedtosend metotheUnitedStatestostudychurch history.I
haveahardtimetodecidebetweenmyownconvictionsthatIneedtostudyhow
towin nonChristiansandthe seminarysdesiretohave me specialize inchurch
history.
Thislettermighthavebeenwrittenfromtenthousandmissionfieldsandfromany oneof
hundredsofseminaries.Seminariesbelievethattheyaretrainingministers,notevangelists.
Seminariesbelievethatthemaintaskoftheministeristobedoctrinallyandhistoricallycorrect.
Seminariesarenotmissionarysocieties,theyemphasize.Asaresult,inthemidstofamost
responsiveworldtoomanydenominationsgrowveryslowly.Sometimesthemostorthodox,
Reformed,anddoctrinallysounddenominationsarealsotheleastgrowing.Itisalsotruethat
oftenthemostmodern,advanced,andwideawakedenominationsareslowgrowing.
AsIdiscussthesematterswithChristianleadersoftoday,theyfrequentlyreply,Yes,of
course,suchcoursesmustbeinschoolsofevangelismormissions.Wequiteagreethatthe
unreachedmusthearthegospelrapidlyandeffectively.Butthetheologicalseminaryisnotthe
placeinwhichtoteachsuchcourses.Ifthechurchwantsthesetaught(andwehopeitdoes),the
churchmustestablishseparateinstitutionstodealwiththeseimportanttopics. Whatshallwe
saytotheseobjections?

TheTheologicalInstitutionHasTwoEssentialTasks
Thefundamentalrepeat,fundamentaltaskofeveryministermustbeseenasbothcaring
fortheflockandfindingandfoldingthelostincluding,alas,vastnumbersofverynominal
Christians. Notrueshepherdwilleversay,OnlysuchsheepascaretofollowmewillI
shepherd. Thetrueshepherdconstantlyseeksfortheuncaredfor,thelost,thehungry,andthe
wanderingsheep.TheLordJesussaidthetrueshepherdleavestheninetynineinthefoldand
goesouttoseektheonelostsheep.Todaysshepherdsmayhavetwentyinthefoldandeighty
lostinthewildernessindangerfromwolvesandlions.AlltruefollowersoftheLordJesusmust
shareandincorporateintheirownlivesHisoverpoweringconcernthatunbelieversinvast
numbersbecomebelieversthattheyrepent,bebaptized,andbecomelivingmembersofHis
body.
Sincetheseminaryispreparingcandidatestobecomepastorseffectiveshepherdsina
largelysecular,humanistic,andindeedpaganworld,theseminaryshouldchangethecurriculum
thatwasformedmanyyearsagotofitaChristianworldthatnolongerexists.Seminaries
shouldprepareministersbothtohelpexistingChristianstobecomebetterChristiansandtolead
multitudesofsecularists,humanists,followersofthereligionofscientism,Hinduistsandonand
ontobecomingbelieving,trusting,andobedientfollowersofChrist.
WhattheseminaryteachesinregardtocarryingouteternalGodscommandtoproclaim
thegospeltopantataethne,leadingthemtofaithandobedience,mustconstantlybemeasured.
Itmustbemeasuredagainstthedegreetowhichseminarygraduatesareeffectiveinleading

unbelievers,agnostics,materialists,Muslims,Jews,andothernonChristianstoChristianfaith.
Itmustbemeasuredagainstmultiplyingnewcongregations.Seminarycoursesineffective
evangelismmustbecountedgoodnotmerelyiftheyareacademicallyimpeccablebutifthose
whotakesuchcoursesbecomegoodharvesters,bringinginmanysheavesfromtheripened
fields.Theultimatetestastowhetherseminarygraduatesmakegoodpastorshastoofrequently
beenwhethersuchapastorcaredforexistingflocks.Certainlyexistingflocksmustbecaredfor
aboutthattherecanbenodoubt.However,inanationrapidlybecominghumanist,secularist,
andmaterialist,theultimatetestmustalsobehowwellthepastorandhispeoplewinunbelievers
toChristianfaithandmultiplynewcongregations.Everycongregationshouldplantandmother
anewcongregationeverytwoyears.Nocongregationshouldremainbarrenandchildless.Only
asavastpassiontobeallthingstoallmeninordertowinsomeseizescongregations,
denominations,andseminariescanGodswillfortheworldbetrulycarriedout.
TherecanbenodoubtthateternalGoddesiresthatmenandwomeninallethne
(segmentsofsociety)believeonJesusChristandbecomeliving,obedientmembersofHisbody,
thechurch.SinceatthispointtherewillbenodebateinanyChristianaudience,inthefollowing
chaptersweshallaskhowtheologicalschools,congregations,anddenominationscancarryout
muchmoreeffectiveevangelism.Weshalllookattheworldasitis.Weshallseetheunsaved
threequartersofearthspopulation.Weshallexaminethevariouswaysinwhichdifferentvast
populationsdividedintotensofthousandsofethnecanbeledtosavingfaithinChrist.Weshall
discusshowthetheologicalseminarynotonly inAmericabutaroundtheworldcanbecomea
moreeffectiveinstrumentinGodshands.Weshallpresentmanywaysinwhichseminary
graduatescanfindandbringhomeGodslostchildren.
TherearenodoubtotherwaystomultiplyChristiancongregationsinthetremendously
complexmosaicofhumankind.Nevertheless,Itrustthatthesethoughtswillprovestimulating
andwillbeonesmalladditiontothesurgingriverofthoughtdealingwithhowChristiansshould
meettheirpresentopportunitieshowseminariesandBibleschoolsshouldpreparetheirstudents,
whoarethemostimportantsegmentofsocietyintheworldtoday.
Aswelookuponthewhiteharvestfieldsstretchedawayinsomanydirections,wemust
indeedpraytheLordtosendmenandwomenintothefieldswhowillknowhowtoreapandhow
tobringbackmultitudesofsheavestotheMastersbarn.

2
GodCommandsChurchGrowth
LookonFieldsWhitetoHarvest

AstheLordJesus,accompaniedbyHisdisciples,walkedthroughSamaria,Hesaid
earnestlytothem,Openyoureyesandlookatthefields!Theyareripeforharvest.Evennow
thereaperdrawshiswages,evennowheharveststhecropforeternallife,sothatthesowerand
thereapermaybegladtogether(John4:3536).TheLordalsosaid,Theharvestisplentifulbut
theworkersarefew.AsktheLordoftheharvest,therefore,tosendoutworkersintohisharvest
field(Matt.9:3738).
Hisdiscipleshadthoughtthattheactualharvestofsouls,theactualmultiplicationof
Christsfollowers,wouldcomeinsomefuturetimeafterfourmonths.OurLord,knowing
whattheywerethinking,saidmostclearly,No,notatsomefuturetimebutnow.Thefieldsare
whitetoharvest.Ifyouwait,theripenedgrainwillfalltothegroundandrot.Ripefieldsmustbe
reapednow.Thesesheavesmustbecarriedintothemastersbarnnow.Bringinginonesheaf
everytendaysisnotwhatGodwants.Hewantsasheafeverytwominutes.Pray,therefore,for
theLordofharvesttosendlaborersmanylaborersintoHisharvest.
ThiswasthesituationevenbeforeHisfollowershadrightlyunderstoodtheChristian
message,evenbeforetheHolySpirithaddescendeduponthem,evenbeforetheLordJesushad
becomethesacrificeforsins.ThesewordsofourLordaremoreapplicabletodayinNewYork,
LosAngeles,andallothercitiesaroundtheworldthantheyarethereinSamarianearlytwo
thousandyearsago.Theyarenotonlyapplicabletheyshouldbeunderstoodasacommandto
reapallripeurbanandrural fieldsnow.
Whenwedisobeythiscommand,wedisobeyourLord.Hesaid,Lookontheripe
fields.Welookelsewhere,maintainingthattherearemanyothertasks,suchascaringforthe
existingflock,trainingfutureministers,andworkingforbrotherhoodandjustice,thataremuch
moreimportantthanbringinginsheavesofripenedgrain.Thispassageisnotoftenthoughtofas
acommandtoevangelizeeffectively,bringingmultitudesofrebornmenandwomenintoaliving
relationshipwiththeTriuneGod.Christianstodayinmanybranchesofthechurcharedoing
manygoodthings,butalas,toofewofthemaregirdingthemselveswithsicklesandropesand
bringinginasheafeverytwominutes.Thisisasignificantcrisisfacingtodayschurchandallits
seminaries.
TheNewTestamentisfullofpassagesthatindicatethesteadypurposeoftheTriune
Godtomakethegospelknownthroughouttheentireworldandtoinstituteanewkindoflife
basedoncompleteobediencetoHim,acompletesurrenderofselftoChrist,andamighty
multiplicationofChristiancongregations.

EternalGodsCommand
Forexample,PaulwritestotheRomans,Throughhimandforhisnamessake,we
receivedgraceandapostleshiptocallpeoplefromamongalltheGentilestotheobediencethat
comesfromfaith(1:5).Thewholeepistle,whichhassofrequentlybeentreatedasasummary
ofessentialChristiandoctrines,containsanessentialdoctrinefrequentlyoverlooked.Paulin1:5
saysthathehasbeenordainedofGodtocallpeoplefromamongalltheGentilestothe
obediencethatcomesfromfaith.TheGreekphraseforGentilesistaethnethepeoples,the
tribes,castes,segmentsofsociety,urbanitesandruralites.Pauldeclaresthathehasbeen
commissionedbyGodtocallallthepeoplesoftheworldtotheobediencethatcomesfromfaith.
ThatisGodscommand.DoingthatisessentialChristianconduct.Noonecanbeagood

Christianwhodoesnotengageinthisenterprise.Godintendsthatallmenshallhavethe
opportunity toacceptJesusChristasGodandSavior.Theonlywaythatthiscanhappenisfor
Christianseverywheretoconsidertheproclamationofthegospel,thewinningofmenand
womentoChrist,andthemultiplicationoflivingchurchesasGodscommand.
NotonlydoestheepistletotheRomansbegininthisfashionitalsoendsbystressing
churchgrowth.Lookas16:2527:
Nowtohimwhoisabletoestablishyouandbymygospelandtheproclamation
of Jesus Christ, according tothe revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages
past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the
commandoftheeternalGod,sothatall[ethne]mightbelieveandobeyhimtothe
onlywiseGodbegloryforeverthroughJesusChrist!Amen.
This is a magnificent ascription of praise to God. It ends with the words, to the only
wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. Paul in this wonderful passage piles
wordonwordandphraseonphraseuntilthewholegleamsandshinesinthesunlight.However,
if we go back and read the passage carefully, we shall find a most effective command to
evangelize the whole world. I lay before you the exact quotation. I shall leave out some
qualifying words and phrases. My gospelhidden for long ages pastbut now revealedby
thecommandoftheeternalGod,sothat[pantataethne]mightbelieveandobeyhim.
ThisclosingpassageunquestionablyindicatesthateternalGodHimselfhascommanded
thatthegospelbemadeknowntopantataethne,leadingthemtobelieveandobeyHim.
WhereverPaulwent,urgedonbythiscommandofeternalGod,heproclaimedthegospel,won
menandwomentoChrist,andmultipliedchurches.Hislettersalmostalwayswenttochurches,
notindividuals.InPhilippihewonnotonlyLydia,thatsellerofpurple,butthejailerandhis
familyandmanyothers.HedidnotwritetoLydiaorthejailer.Hewrotetoallthesaintsin
ChristJesusatPhilippi,togetherwiththeoverseersanddeacons,i.e.,thewholecongregation
(Phil.1:1).
EternalGodscommandvoicedinRomans16:2526echoeswhatPaulwroteinRomans
1:5andisamostessentialpartoftheentireepistle.Indeed,itmaybeconsideredthedriving
forcebehindtheepistle.Paulslifewaslivedinobediencetothiscommand.EternalGod
Himselfcommandsthatthegospelbemadeknowntoallthepeoplesofearth.Sinceitis
impossibletoimaginethateternalGodcommandedthistoPaulonlyandtonootherChristian,
weareforcedtotheconclusionthateternalGodsentHisSon,theWordmadeflesh,preciselyso
thatpantataethne,allthepeoplesoftheworld,shouldbeledtobelieveandobeyHim,andthus
besaved.GodwantsHislostchildrenfoundandlaysthiscommandfirmlyonHisredeemedin
alltimesinallplaces.
WhilePauldoesnotsaytotheRomans,Youasindividualsandascongregationsmust
engageinworldevangelism,surelysuchamessageisimpliedinthesetwoandotherpassages
inthebookofRomans.AllChristiansmarchunderthiscommand.Whattheydowill,ofcourse,
dependverygreatlyuponthecircumstancesinwhichtheyfindthemselves.Butthatcommand
whichenergizedthelivesoftheapostlesmustalsoenergizethelivesofallChristiansand
certainlyallstudentsandprofessorsinschoolsengagedintheological educationthroughoutthe
world.

ItiscertainlynaturalthatChristiansinallplacesandallagesshouldthinkofproclaiming
thegospeltopantataethneassomethingbeyondtheirowncapacities.Nevertheless,allgreat
revivalsofthechurchhaverestedonfirstonemanandthenmany,hearingandthenobeyingthis
command.InthedaysofWilliamCareyveryfew,ifany,ChristiansintheBritishIslesthought
ofworldevangelizationascommandedbyGod.ThenWilliamCareyheardthiscommand.When
hevoicedhisconvictionsthatGodwascommandingHischurchtoproclaimthegospeltoall
peoples,hewassharplyrebuked.Anotedleaderofhiscommunionturnedtohiminanopen
meetingandsaid,Sitdown,youngman.WhenitpleasesGodtoevangelizetheheathen,Hewill
doitwithoutyouraidormine.Sitdown.
Fortunately,WilliamCareyobeyedGodratherthanthismisguidedelder,andtheentire
historyoftheworldbegantochange.
EternalGodscommandsoclearlyvoicedinthepassagewehaveconsideredmusttoday
beheardandobeyed.Theprocessmaywellstartwithdivinityschoolswherethefutureleaders
oftheChristiancausearetrained.Asseminaries,individualChristians,congregations,andother
Christianorganizationshearthiscommand,theywill turntheirattentiontotheenormousfields
whitetoharvestthegreaturbanizationsrisingineveryland,thethousandsofunreachedpeoples
fromamongwhomveryfew,ifany,havebecomeChristian,andtheincreasingmillionsof
secularists,materialists,agnostics,andatheists.

TheUltimateAuthorityCommandsWorldwideDiscipling
ThenJesuscametothemandsaid,Allauthorityinheavenandonearthhad
beengiventome.Thereforegoandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingthem
inthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit(Matt.28:1819).
HowstrikingitisthattheNewTestamentrecordsthatnotonlydoeseternalGod
commandworldevangelization,buttherisenandreigningLorddoesalso.Hesays,All
authorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome.Whatoverwhelmingauthority!WhatHe
isabouttosaydoesnotcomefromthecarpenterofNazarethorfromtheitinerantpreacher,
goingupanddownPalestinenotknowingwherehewasgoingtosleepthatnight.Itdoesnot
comeevenfromtheOnedyingonCalvaryasanatonementforsins.ItcomesfromHimtowhom
allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiven,therisenLord.
WhatisthisultimateAuthoritygoingtosay?IsHegoingtosay,LovetheLordyour
Godandyourneighborasyourself?Thatcertainlyisanimportantcommand,butHedoesnt
sayithere.IsHegoingtosay,GotochurchandworshipGod?Thatalsoisimportant,butitis
notwhatHesays.WhatHedoessayis,Thereforematheteusatepantataethne. Matheteusate
isaverbintheimperative.Itmeansenrollinmyschoolorenlistinmyarmyorincorporatein
mybody.Pantameansall,andtaethnemeansthepeoples,thetribes,thecastes,thesegmentsof
societyeverywhere.Allaretobediscipled.
WhentheBiblewastranslatedintoEnglishbyorderofKingJamesI,themissionary
concernoftheProtestantsinnorthernEuropewasminimal,ormoreaccurately,nonexistent.
Consequently,theytranslatedthispassageasGoyetherefore,andteachall nations.Themore
accuratetranslationisDiscipleallthepeoples,allsegmentsofsocietyeverywhere.The

ultimateAuthorityintheuniversecommandsthisitisclearlyincumbentonallChristiansto
obeyit.
ThiswasthecommandthatmotivatedtheStudentVolunteerMovement.JohnMott,
RobertSpeer,andRobertWilder,hearingthiscommand,framedthebattlecryoftheStudent
VolunteerMovementastheevangelizationoftheworldinthisgeneration.TheStudent
VolunteerMovementhasfadedbutthecommandstillringsoutclearandunequivocal.Itshould
betaughtbyalltheologicalseminaries,divinityschools,andBiblecollegestoallministersin
training.
LiberalChristiansinthepasthalfcenturyhaveconsistentlydenigratedthiscommand.
SomehavemaintainedthatitwasneverspokenbytherisenLordbutwasaddedbyaneditor,
perhapsaslateasA.D.110.However,allthosewhobelievethattheBibleistheinspired,
authoritative,true,andutterlydependableWordofGodstillhearitasourLordspokeitdisciple
allthepeoplesofplanetearth.Thiscommandsendsthemtomultiplychurchesinthetownsand
citieswheretheyliveandamongtheunreachedbillionsinthewholeearth.Itisimportantto
realizethattheLordJesusisnotheregivingasuggestiontoHisfollowers.Heisnotmakinga
recommendation.Heisnotsaying,Dothisifyoufindtimeorifitisfinanciallyfeasible.Heis
notsayingtodivinityschools,Pleasesqueezethisinasanelective.Heisissuingacommand
discipleallthepeoplesofearth.
Thistasktodayislargelyundone.Notonlyaretheremorethan100millionpeopleinthe
UnitedStateswhohavenotyettobewontoardentChristianfaith,butthereare4billionunwon
intheworld,andbytheyear2000therewillbeatleast5billion.UnlessChristianslistentoand
obeythiscommand,theycannotbefullyChristian.Onehasonlytolistentothetelevision
broadcaststorealizethatwedonotliveinaChristianAmericaweliveinasecular,
materialistic,indeedanalmostpaganAmericainwhichpracticingChristiansareaminority.
True,atpresentweareaninfluentialminority,butunlessweobeythiscommandathomeand
abroad,wemaysoonbecomeamuchsmallerandlessinfluentialminority.
OnthispointwewoulddowelltolistentotheRev.MarkChristensenoftheMissouri
SynodLutheranChurch.Hesaysthatitisbecomingincreasinglyclearthatanenormousshift
towardasecularcultureistakingplaceinAmericatoday.Heseesanurgentneedtorelatetothe
unchurchedinamannerandmethodthatmakessensetothem.
KevinPerrotta,aRomanCatholicwholivesinAnnArbor,Michigan,writes:
TheintegrityofChristianbelief,life,andmissionisatstakeinthecontemporary
conflict between the gospel and secular culture.Our own time is marked by
widespreadrejectionofhistoricChristianbeliefs.ThedeepantiChristiantrends
ofourtime[mustbecombatedbyallChristians].7
Boththesemendescribethesocietyinwhichthechurchnowlivesinawaythatmakesit
absolutelyurgentforallschoolsoftheologytodevoteconsiderabletimetoteachingan
evangelismthatwillproveeffectiveinanincreasinglysecularandmaterialisticcivilization.
Thereisnotimetolose.SeminariesandBiblecollegesmustactnow.

TheApostlePaulCommandsWinningasManyUnbelieversasPossible

ThefourthcommandtowhichIwoulddirecttheattentionoftheologicalseminariesand
ministersandallpracticingChristiansisfoundin1Corinthians.Itreadsasfollows:Itryto
pleaseallmenineverythingIdothattheymaybesaved.BeimitatorsofmeasIamofChrist
(1Cor.10:3311:1,RSV,italicsadded).
FirstCorinthians9and10isusuallythoughtofasPaulscommentsoneatingmeat
offeredtoidols,and,ofcourse,heistalkingaboutthat.However,whatguidestheentirethought
ofthesetwochaptersistheconvictionthatallChristiansshouldbeallthingstoallmen,inorder
towinsome.Paulsaysthishasbeentheguidingprincipleofhislife,andthenhecommandsall
ChristianstoimitatehiminthisrespectasheimitatesChrist.Hesaysveryclearly,whateverthe
circumstancesinwhichyoufindyourself,eventhatofeatingmeatinafriendshouse,make
yourselfaChristianwitnessdonotraiseunnecessarydifficulties.Donotassumethatyourjailer
isyourenemy.Addresshimasyourfriend.Donotbelievethatonlyasafreemancanyou
preachthegospel.Believe,rather,thatwhenyoupreachitwithchainsonyourhandsandfeet,it
ismoreeffectivethanwhenyouarefree.
ThisisnotonlyPaulswayoflifebutonethatallChristians,especiallytheological
seminaries,shouldpractice.Itisatthispointwithacommandvoicedinthisfashionthatthe
scienceofmissiologytodayspeaksmostrelevantlytoallChristians.Thescienceofworld
evangelization(whichiswhatmissiologyis)saysclearly:Ifyouaretobeunderstood,youmust
speakthelanguageofyourlistener.Youmustknowhiscultureandspeakfromwithinit.You
mustvoicethemessagesothatitwillmakesensetohim.YoumustnotsoundlikeaJewtrying
tomakeothersintoJewsorlikeanAmericantryingtobringotherstoAmericancultureand
scientificachievement.No! Youmustbeallthingstoallmen inordertowinsome.
TotheurbanitemassesinMexicoCityyoumustspeakfromwithintheirculture,saying
tothemineffect,Godhaspreparedawayofsalvationforyou,livingatyourlevel,suffering
yourdisabilities,surroundedbyyourtemptations,anticipatingtherewardsyouanticipate.Begin
walkinginthewayGodhaspreparedforyou.BelieveontheLordJesusChristliveassaved
menandwomen.Whetheryoulivefreeorwithchainsonyourhandsandfeetmakeslittle
differenceliveredeemedliveswhereveryouare.
Tobesure,implicitinthegospelistheassurancethatasethnosafterethnosisdiscipled,
associetyaftersocietyisChristianized,tremendousadvancesinjustice,brotherhood,peace,and
goodlivingwillbepracticableandwillbeachieved.If wewanthumanimprovement,nothing
wecandowillsecureitasrapidlyandaseffectivelyasdisciplingpantataethne.Thecolossal
errorofsomemisguidedChristiansistobelievethatwecanhaveajustandegalitariansociety
withoutmenandwomenbecomingbelievingChristians.TheBiblegivesnogroundsforany
suchhope.Nor,forthatmatter,doeshumanhistory.Cleareyedvisionindicatesthatuntilmen
andwomenarereborn,nogreatmoraladvanceislikelytooccur.

ManyBiblicalPassagesConfirmGodsCommand
AsweconsidertheoverwhelmingpurposeoftheNewTestamenttoevangelizetheentire
world,werememberthemanypassagesinwhichourLordassumesthattheseexpresscommands
willbeobeyed.Irefertothree.ThefirstiswhenourLordwasin BethanyatthehomeofSimon,
andawomanbroughtanalabasterjarofexpensiveperfumeandpoureditonHishead.WhenHis
disciplesobjectedtothiswasteofmoney,Hereprovedthemsaying,Whereverthegospelis

preachedthroughouttheworld,whatshehasdonewillalsobetold,inmemoryofher(Mark
14:9).OurLordassumedthateternalGodscommandwouldbecarriedout,thatallschoolsof
theologicaleducationwouldteacheffectiveevangelismresponsibly,andthegospelwouldbe
proclaimedinall theworld.Therearemanysuchpassages.
ThesecondimportantexampleisfoundinMatthew11:2830,whereourLordsaid,
Cometome,allyouwhoarewearyandburdened,andIwillgiveyourest.Takemyyokeupon
youandlearnfromme,forIamgentleandhumbleinheart,andyouwillfindrestforyoursouls.
Formyyokeiseasyandmyburdenislight.Hecertainlywasnotspeakingonlytothosewho
werewearyandburdenedinthefewdozensorhundredswhowerethenlisteningtoHim.Hewas
voicingHispermanent,perpetual,worldwideinvitation,toallthoseofallculturesinall
countriesandallageswhoarewearyandburdened.TheChristianfaithassumesthatitisthe
onlytrueandfullunderstandingofGodsplanfortheentirehumanrace.
ThisisespeciallyimportantinAmericatoday,whereabrotherlyattitudetowardall
nationalitiesandminoritiesisheldtobepoliticallynecessary.Thescienceofanthropology
frequentlyassuresusthatallculturesareequal.Thismakesiteasytoassumethatallreligions
alsovoiceessentialtruths.Somearepossiblymoreexactthanothers,butallreligionsaregood
fortheiradherentstofollow.InreactiontotheimperialerawhenEuroperuledmostoftherestof
theworld,democraticAmericaissayingloudandclear,Yourownwaysandreligionsare
probablytheverybestwaysforyou.
Christiansmustthinkmuchmoreexactly.Whileappreciatingthegoodinothercultures,
ChristiansmusthearChristsinvitationtoallthoseinallculturesandallreligionswhoareweary
andburdenedtocometoHim,obeyHim,andfindrest.
TheOldTestamentalsohasmanypassagesthataffirmthatGodtheFatheralmighty,
Makerofheavenandearth,fromtheverybeginningintendedallpeopletoleavetheiridolsand
followHim.Letmementionjustonepassage.InGenesis12:3GodsaystoAbram,Inyouall
thefamiliesoftheearthshallbeblessed.Godwillsthesalvationofpantataethne,allthe
peoplesineverycontinent.Godcommandstheirevangelization.

TheologicalEducatorsandChristiansMustObeyTheseImperatives
GodscommandtoHischurchtoevangelizetheworldmustbeheardandcarriedoutby
allcomponentsofthechurch.Worldevangelizationmustnotbelimitedtomissionarysocieties
andprofessionalevangelists.ThesecommandsarelaiduponeveryChristian.Imitatemewas
notwrittentoPaulsfellowevangelists.ItwaswrittentotheChristianfellowshipinCorinth,to
allitsmembers,menandwomenalike.TheentirebodyofChristneedstohearandobey the
imperativetoworldevangelization.Aneffectivespreadofthegospelshouldbecomea
substantialpartofeveryseminaryscurriculum.Onlythenitwillbecomeapartoffamilyprayers
ineveryChristianhome.
Thisisofparticularimportanceinschoolsoftheologicaleducation.Itisapartofatrue
andadequatetheology.AnyknowledgeofGod,thetrueandeverlivingGod,mustgivepriority
toHiscommandsthatallHislostchildrenbefound.Theymustbefoundinallsegmentsof
societytherich,thepoor,therural,theurban,theliterate,theilliterate,Americans,Africans,
Asians,andEuropeansallthelostsheeparedeartoGodsheartandmustbebroughttobelief.

Thewordspantataethne,sooftenused,mustnotbeoverlookedindivinityschoolsand
Biblecolleges.Godclearlyintendsthatallsegmentsofsocietyinallnationsoftheworldnot
onlyhearthegospelbutobeythegospelandbecomefollowersoftheLord.Some,maybemany,
willhearandrejectthegospel.Thatisoftheirownchoosing.Goddoesnotcircumventtheir
wills.ButHedoeswanttheChristianizationofallsegmentsofsociety.Itisthehighdutyofthe
churchtoworkatthisenormoustask.Inthisbookthistruthwillbeconstantlyheldinmind.Itis
fromthisperspectivethatwewillviewcurrentsociety,worldhistory,andthedutiesand
responsibilitiesofallarmsofthechurchandespeciallyofschoolsoftheologicaleducation,both
facultyandstudents.

3
TheUrgencyof
ChurchGrowthinAmerica
TheurgencyofchurchgrowthinAmericatodayishighlightedbythefactthatduringthe
years196575tenofthelargestbranchesofthechurchnotonlywerestaticbutactuallydeclined.
Onedeclinedby32percent.Anothernotabledenominationdeclinedby19percent.Thethree
unit4dchurchesdeclined12percent,11percent,and10percent.Fiveotherdeclined7percent,6
percent,6percent,5percent,and2percent.
Allthistookplaceinafreecountry.Nochurchwasbeingpersecuted.Seminarieswere
neverfreer.Nationalprosperitywasatanalltimehigh.Thecountryasawholewasregardedas
themostpowerfulnationintheworld.Itsinstitutionsoflearningattractedstudentsfromevery
nationonearth.Theawesomepoweroftheatomhadbeenharnessed.Thermonuclearplants
wereturningoutenormousquantitiesofelectricity.Publichealthstoodatanalltimehigh.Men
andwomenwerelivinglongerlives.Therateofinfantmortalityhadsharplydeclined.The
battleforbrotherhoodwasbeingwon. Blackswerebeingtreatedmoreandmoreasfellow
citizensratherthanasmembersofaninferiorrace.
Yetinthisgreatcountrymanybranchesofthechurchwerestaticorevendeclining.
Seminaries,withfewexceptions,offeredrequiredcoursesineverythingexceptevangelism.
Oftenthemostorthodoxchurchesweretheleastgrowing.Whiletheirrockhardtheological
convictionswerecorrectandclearlybasedupontheBible,theirmemberswerenottaughthowto
comeoutofripefieldsbearingmanysheaves.Thiswasespeciallytrueofliberaldenominations.
Infact,thelargestliberaldenominationsweredeclining.Toooftenchurchmembersofboth
liberalandorthodoxdenominations,ledbywelltrainedpastors,satdowninsomefarcornerofa
ripefieldunderashadytreetosingpraisestoGod,voicebiblicallycorrectdoctrines,andpray.
AsHealwaysdoes,GodhadabundantlyblessedthosewhowereHisdevotedfollowers.
Theyhadbecomemoreprosperous,morerespected,andmorehonored.Thegulf betweenthem
andtheunsavedwidened.Theirprosperityhadmadegrowthdifficult.

Letmeillustratethisimportantpoint.InthemidsixtiesIwasconductingtheannual
churchgrowthseminarinWinonaLake,Indiana.WinonaLakeisthenationalheadquartersof
theFreeMethodistChurch.OneeveningsixbishopsoftheFreeMethodistChurchtookmeout
todinnerinordertodiscusswithmeaproblemthatwasgreatlyconcerningthem.Innorthern
Indiana,northwestOhio,andsoutheasternMichigantheirdenominationwasstrong.Theyhad
manyFreeMethodistcongregations.TheFreeMethodistswereanhonoredandrespectedpartof
manycommunities.Yettheywerenotgrowing.Why?
IntothatsectionofNorthAmericaduringtheprecedingthirtyyearshadcomelarge
numbersofAppalachians.TheseAppalachians,whowereallwhites,werelesseducated,less
prosperous,andlessrespectedthanthemembersoftheFreeMethodistcongregations.
Howdoesithappen,askedthebishops,thatwhenwetrytowintheAppalachiansto
Christandmembershipinourchurches,theymaycometoourchurchesonceortwice,butthey
donotcomebackagain?IfoccasionallysomeoneofthemjoinsaFreeMethodistChurch,heor
shecontinuesasamemberforonlyafewmonths.Whatmustwedotowinlargenumbersof
thissegmentofthepopulation?
Aswediscussedthesituation,thepicturebecameclear.TheAppalachianswerea
differentstratuminthepopulation.Theydidnotfeelathomeincongregationsmadeupof
prosperous,respected,andwelleducatedwomenandmen.Theyfrequentlywalkedtochurch
smokingcigarettes.TheydidnotfeelathomeindevoutlyChristian,highlyrespectable,and
prosperouscongregations.Consequently,theFreeMethodistswereunabletowinmanyfrom
thislargeunchurchedsegmentofthepopulation.Thiswasnottheonlyreasonforlackof
growth,butitcertainlywasone.
Letmegiveyouanotherillustrationfrommyowndenomination.WhileIwashomeone
furloughin1940,theUnitedChristianMissionarySocietysentmetospeakonmissionstoa
hundredyearoldcongregationoftheChristianchurcheslocatedinnortheastOhio,aboutseven
milesfromtheheartofagreatgrowingcity.Thecongregationhadbeenmadeupofprosperous
farmers.Ithadafinechurchbuilding,whichseatedperhapsahundredpeople.Itspastorsaidto
me,Thecityisgrowingoutallaroundus.Farmerssellfarms,whicharethensubdividedinto
lotsandsoldtocitypeople.Butsofarwehavebeenunabletowinthesepeopletoourchurch.
Theythinkofusasacountrychurch. Consequently,thechurchcontinuedasanongrowing
ruralcongregationontheedgeofagrowingcity.
Eightyearslater,in1948,Iwasagainonfurloughandwassentondeputationtothis
samecongregation.TheSundayIspoketherethechurchwasfilledtooverflowing.People
stoodontheverandahlookinginthroughtheopenwindows.Chairsfilledthecentralaisle.The
spaceinfrontofthepulpitwaslessthantwofeetside.Isaidtothepastor,Whatonearth
happened?
Hereplied,Formanyyearswewereunabletowinthecitypopulation.Theymight
comeatimeortwo,buttheydidnotreturn.Practicallynoneofthemputintheirmembership
here.Thenwehadamonthlongevangelisticcampaign.Weaskedallwhoattendedtohelpus
foundanewvigoroussuburbanchurchofChristhonoring,Biblebelievingmenandwomen.As
aresult114persons,includingmanywholefamilies,declaredthattheywishedtobecome

membersofthechurch.Thechurchboardcomposedoftheoldfarmingfamiliesresigned,and
weheldnewelections.Weelectednewelders,deacons,andSundayschoolteachers,manyof
themfromamongthenewpeople.
Theoldguardmusthavebeenverygrievedandindignant,Isaid.
No,hereplied,theyweredelighted.Thisiswhattheyhadwantedtohappenbutdid
notknowhowtobringitabout.Thecitypopulationnowfeltthattheywerenotjoiningachurch
governedbyaboardofelderlyfarmers.Theywerenowjoiningachurchoftheirownkindof
people.Itmadeallthedifferenceintheworld.
Toofrequentlyopportunitiesforchurchgrowthlieallaroundexistingcongregations,but
theseopportunitiesarenotboughtup.Consequently,wholesegmentsofthepopulationremain
undiscipled.Vastamountsofripegrainfalltothegroundandrot.Thisoughttobeamatterof
greatconcerntotheologicaleducatorsandotherleadersofthechurch.
OntheSundaybeforeLaborDay,1985,insouthernCaliforniathenewspapersreported
thattwoandahalfmillionpeoplewenttothebeachestospendthedayfrolickingonthesand.
Thenumberofpeopleinchurchthatdaywasconsiderablylessthanhalfamillion.
IfeternalGodscommandistobecarriedout,if pantataethne, all thesegmentsof
societyinNorthAmerica,aretobediscipled,wemustfindwaystomultiplyliving
congregationsineverysegment.Existingcongregationsmustnotassumethattheyaretheonly
churchesandthatotherpeoplehavetojointhem.AstheNewTestamentsoclearlyindicates,it
isGodswillthattheChristianfaithflowintoeverysegmentofthepopulationeverywhere.
Unlesswedigchannelsforsuchaflow,weshallcontinuetoseemanydenominations
bothmainlineandevangelicalbecomestaticorevendecline.The196575record,alas,can
easilybeduplicatedand,indeed,isbeingduplicatedintoomanycasestoday.

DoesDoctrinalCorrectnessFrequentlyCoincideWithDecline?
Ifearthattoooftendoctrinalcorrectnessdoescoincidewithdecline.Thistremendously
emphasizestheurgencyofchurchgrowthinNorthAmericatoday.Inalandwherewecould
multiplyChristiancongregationsandChristianconvictionsenormouslywearetoooftenstanding
still.Iconsiderdoctrinalcorrectnessofthehighestimportance.ThechurchofJesusChristmust
notbeindeed,cannotbeahereticalchurch.WhattheBibleclearlyteachesmustbewhatthe
churchteaches.
Nevertheless,wemustallrecognizethatdoctrinalcorrectnessfrequentlycoincideswith
prosperity,respectability,highereducationandnongrowth.Doctrinallycorrectdenominations
tendtobecomesodifferentthattheydonotattractpeopleofthegeneralcitizenry.
Therearethreereasonsforthis.Thefirstisthatagivendenominationmaystressonly
certaindoctrines.Itmayinsist,forexample,thatallChristiansavoidworldlyvicesorbecome
wellversedinthedoctrinesofgraceorstriveforsocialjustice.Andeachoftheseisgoodand
correctasfarasitgoes.Butadenominationmayatthesametimestopshortofteaching
doctrinesthatdemandeffectiveevangelism.

ThesecondreasonforfailuretogrowisthatGoddoesunquestionablyblessthosewho
obeyHimandliveaccordingtoHiscommands.Thisblessingtoooftenandunnecessarily
isolatesthemfromtheunsavedmultitudes.Asdoctrinallycorrectcongregationsand
denominationsareblessedbyGod,theirmembersbecomebettercitizens,husbands,wives,sons,
anddaughtersthanthosewhoareservantsofSatanorwholiveaccordingtothedictatesoftheir
ownhearts.Thedoctrinallycorrectmustcontinuallyworktomakesurethattheblessingsthey
receivedonotshutthemofffromtheunsavedmultitudes.Godslostchildrenmusthaveready
accesstothemandmustfeelwelcomeintheirpresence.EvangelicalsinparticularhereinNorth
Americamustmakesurethatthehonesty,kindness,compassion,andlovethattheirlives
demonstratedonotinsulatethemfromthegreatbulkofthepopulation.Beingsavedandbeing
goodpracticingChristiansmustalsomeanbeingespeciallyconcernedneighbors,especiallyopen
womenandmen.Onlysowilltheybeabletocommunicatethegospel.
Athirdandmostimportantreasonforfailuretogrowisthatunfortunatelythebestof
ChristiansfrequentlyneverhearGodscommandtodiscipleallthesegmentsofhumankind.
Theydonotbringsheavesoutofripefields.Theydonotproclaimthegospeltoallpeoples,
leadingthemtotheobedienceoffaith.Theydonoteventrytomatheteusatepantataethne.
Theyleavethesegoodactivitiestomissionariesandevangelists.Toofrequentlyministers
believethattheirchiefdutyislookingaftertheexistingcongregations,preachinggoodsermons,
andcounselingthosewhocometothem.
Asaresult,correctnessinregardtoonlysomedoctrinesfrequentlydoescoincidewith
declineoratleastwithastaticcondition.ThecorrectnessofwhichIhavejustspokenis
frequentlycorrectnessinregardtoaspectsofChristianfaiththatdonotexplicitly requirea
gatheringofthesheaves.
Ahistoricalreasonforthisstrangeanddistressingneglectofdisciplingallpeoplesisthat
whentheProtestantfaithwasbeingfirmlyestablishedinnorthernEurope,accesstotherestof
theworldwascutoffbythePortugueseandSpanishnaviesintheAtlanticandtheMuslim
armiesintheEastandSouth.Consequently,allgreatleadersofthechurchtaughtthattheGreat
Commissionwasgiventotheapostlesonlyandexpiredaftertheirdeath.
Letmeassureyouthatfulldoctrinalcorrectnesswillcertainlyleadtoeffective
evangelism.Itmust,however,becorrectnessinregardtoalldoctrines.Wecannotomitthe
doctrinescommandingthatthebodyofChristandallitsseparatepartscontinuouslyengagein
findinglostsonsanddaughtersandbringingthembacktotheFathershouse.Thisviewof
essentialChristianconductandessentialChristianobedienceis,tobesure,impliedinmany
doctrines.Forexample,thedoctrineoftheatonementisnotlimitedtoexistingChristians.It
doesnotstatethatChristdiedtosaveonlymembersoftheexistingchurches.Ifitiscorrectly
understoodasatonementforthosewhobelieve,ageafterage,amongallpeopleeverywhere,then
thedoctrineoftheatonementitselfimpelsustowardeffectiveevangelization.Thesameistrue
ofmanyotherdoctrines.
Consequently,wemustsaythattrue andcomplete doctrinalcorrectnesswillpromote
churchgrowth.However,theverycommonincompletedoctrinalcorrectnesstaughtbysomany
Biblecollegesandseminariesunfortunatelydoescreatestaticcongregationsanddenominations.

TheTidalWaveofSecularism,Materialism,andPaganism

Wemustnowmentionagainthetidalwaveofsecularism,materialism,andagnosticism
oratheismthathasspreadacrossEuropeandNorthAmerica.
Anyonewhoregardsthereadingmaterialbooks,magazines,newspapers,andthelike
andtheradioandtelevisionprogramsofNorthAmericapeoplesmustbeimpressedwiththe
agnostic,materialistic,andindeedatheisticteachingofmanyofthesebooksandprograms.Most
universityprofessorsareunbelievers.Theirteachings,thebookstheywrite,andthelectures
theygivestronglyinfluencetheirstudentstobecomelikethem.Manyyoungwomenandmen,
decidedlyChristianuntiltheygotocollege,waverintheirfaithastheystudyunderthese
professors.TheyentercollegeoruniversitypracticingChristians.Theyleaveuniversityeither
verynominalChristiansornoChristiansatall.
Manyreasonscausethistidalwaveofsecularism.Amongthemoreimportantarethe
following,statedherefromanonChristianpointofview.
First,sinceweliveinoneworldandoughttoliveinfriendshipandamitywithall
peopleseverywhere,wemustaccepttheirculturesandtheirreligionasequalto
ourown.Wemustnottrytoconvertthem.Wemaydialoguewiththem,butwe
certainlyshouldnotevangelizethem.Thereistruthinallreligions.Adherentsof
eachreligiontendtothinkthattheirownismoretruthful andrealisticthanothers.
Ifwearetoliveamicablywithallpeoplesonearth,wemustholdtheirreligions
tobeasgoodforthemasourreligionisforus.
Thesecondreasonforthistidalwaveofsecularismisthatmanyanthropologists
andhistoriansbelievethatmanevolvedfrommonkeysexactlyaspresentday
whalesevolvedfromwarmbloodedanimalsthatplayedalongtheedgesofthe
oceanahundredmillionyearsago.GoddidnotcreatemaninHisownimage.
Strictlybygeneticaccidentandmoreandmoreintelligentapeswereborn,began
towalkontwofeet,grewlargerbrains,begantouseweapons,andfinallyevolved
intoman.NoGodwasnecessaryforallthis.Thestudentisaskedtochoose
betweentheideathatGodcreatedmanoutofmudandthemuchmorereasonable
beliefthatmanevolvedfrommonkeys.
ItisinthissecularizedsocietythattheChristianfaithmustspread. Biblecollegesand
seminariesinparticularmustframe,putintooperation,test,andrefinemethodsofevangelism
thatGodblessestobringsecularistsandhumaniststoChristianfaith. Theologicalseminaries
mustteachmenandwomenhowtowinconvincedseculariststoardentChristianfaith.Unless
wespeaktothisgrowingcomponentofmodernsociety,weshallnotbringmanysheavesoutof
thesecularistic,humanisticmodernpopulations.

AFalseViewoftheBible
Amajorreasonfortodaysvastindifferencetochurchgrowth,i.e.,toeffective
evangelism,isaprevalentlowviewoftheBible.UndertheinfluenceofEuropeanrationalism,
biblicalscholarsstartedmorethanahundredyearsagotoanalyzethevariousbooksoftheBible.
Forexample,inthebookofGenesiscertainpassageswerebelievedtobewrittenbyJehovah
worshipers,othersbytheworshipersof Elohim,stillothersbythewritersofDeuteronomy,and

stillothersbymembersofapriestlyschool.Thusabiblicalscholarwoulddistinguishpassages
inGenesisaccordingtofourdifferentsourcesJ,E,D,andP.Fromthisbeginning,endless
speculationsaroseastowhichwerethemoreauthenticandtruepassages.Thisprocess,repeated
inbookafterbookoftheBible,destroyedanynotionofrealauthority.Indenominationswhere
thisviewgenerallyprevailed,thechurchlostitspower.TheBiblewasnottheWordofGod
inspired,authoritative,andutterlyreliable.Itwasaveryhumandocument.Init,nodoubt,were
manyexcellentteachings,anditwasthedutyofChristianstopickoutthoseteachingsmost
applicabletotodayandtodisregardtherest.
WhereverChristianshavecometoholdalowopinionoftheBiblewhetherthatdescribed
aboveoranyothereternalGodscommandtoproclaimthegospeltopantataethne,leading
themtoobedienceoffaith,isgreatlydamaged,ifnotdestroyed.
However,whereahighviewoftheBibleobtains,whereitisheldtobetheinspiredand
utterlydependableWordofGod,theultimateauthorityforhumanlife,theonlyinfallibleruleof
faithandpracticeGodsWordtoallpeopletheretremendousconcernfor theunsaved,forthose
whodonotliveaccordingtoGodsWord,iscertaintomarkthetruechurch.Theretheurgency
ofwinningthelostwillbefeltbyseminaryprofessors,ministers,andlaypeoplealike.Therethe
churchwillcomealive.

Conclusion
RipeharvestfieldsareoftennotbeingreapedorevenseeninNorthAmerica.Students
andfacultiesintheologicalinstitutionsneedtofacefranklythefactthattoofrequentlyChristian
denominationsevenevangelicaldenominationsaregrowingveryslowly.Alas,insomecases
theyhavebecomestaticorareactuallydeclining.Notonlymusttheologicalstudentsandtheir
teachersthemselvescarryoutGodscommands,butallpastorsmusttrainchurchmemberstodo
thesame.RipeharvestfieldswhetherofsecularistsorofnominalChristianswillnotbereaped
untilmillionsoflaymenandlaywomencommunicatethegospeleffectivelytoresponsive
segmentsoftheAmericanpopulationthatlieallaboutthemunreaped.Multiplicationof
congregationsmustbecomeapartofthejoyfulobedienceofeverydenomination,every
seminary,everyminister,andeveryChristian.
Toofrequentlytheurgentneedforsuchobedienceisobscuredbyahazyperspectiveof
thepicture.ToomanyChristiansbelievethatfarmorepeoplearepracticingChristiansthanthe
factsindicate.Irecentlyaskedaman,AreyouaChristian? Yes,hereplied,ofcourseI
am.ImanAmerican,amInot?
AboutthirtyyearsagoIwasdoingsomeevangelisticcallinginmyneighborhood.I
knockedonadoorandwasadmittedandsatdownforconversationwithagenialbusinessman.
AftersomepreliminaryconversationIinvitedhimtocometomychurch.
Whatdenominationisit?heasked.
ItistheChristianChurch,Ireplied.

Oh,thankyou,heanswered. Iwouldntbeinterested.Yousee,Ibelongtothe
MethodistChurch.
IswitchedtheconversationimmediatelyandafewmomentslateraskedwhatMethodist
churchhebelongedto.Pleaserememberthatthisconversationwastakingplacein Oregon.
Ah,herepliedeasily. IamamemberoftheFirstMethodistChurchinMiami,
Florida.
SinceIknewthathehadcomefromMiamiatleasttwentyyearsbefore,Iknewthathe
wasnotaMethodistanymorethanIwasaHottentot!Hewasalostsoul.
Alas,itistooeasytoassumethatmostpeopleinAmericaareChristians.Actually,the
figuresarequitedifferent.Aspreviouslystated,perhapsonly50millionpeopleinAmericaare
practicingChristians.Ahundredmillionarenominalormarginal Christians.Manyofthemare
highlysecularandmaterialisticindividualswhoalsobelongtoachurchandattendworshipnow
andthen.About90millionarenotChristiansatall.Manyofthemareconvincedhumanistsor
materialists.Theyneverattendchurchanddonotfeelatallboundbybiblicaldoctrineor
morality.ItisinthiskindofaNorthAmericathatChristiansshouldplantheirownobedienceto
theGreatCommission.Inanationwhereatleast190millionneedtobediscipled,allschoolsof
theologicaleducationmusttrainministerstobecomeeffectivedisciplers.Activeandeffective
evangelismmustbecomeasrealapartoftheChristianlifeashonestconduct,tellingthetruth,
sexualmorality,theworshipofGod,andacorrectunderstandingofallthescriptures.
Effectiveevangelism,i.e.,majorchurchgrowth,isurgentlyneededinallcitiesofthis
greatrepublic.Consequently,effectiveevangelismmustbecomeoneofthemainsubjectstaught
ineveryschooloftheologicaleducation.Thelostcannotbefoundunlesseverycandidateforthe
ministryistaughthowtofindGodslostchildrenandbringthemhometotheirFathershouse.
Hemustalsobetaughthowtomultiplysoundcongregationsinthemultitudinousunchurched
segmentsofAmericansociety.

4
BiblicalSoundness,SpiritualRenewal,andChurchGrowth
Willbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewalautomaticallyreapripeharvestfields?Itis
atthisprecisepointthatmanygoastray.Andsoitisexactlyherethatweneedcarefulthinking.

TheWidespreadEffortsTowardDoctrinalSoundnessandSpiritualRenewal
inNorthAmericaandOtherLands
Thelastquarterofthetwentiethcenturyisseeingmanymovementstowardrenewaland
manyemphasesonbiblicalsoundness.Theseareoccurringinallsixcontinentsamongall

branchesoftheuniversalchurch,boththosewhichweconsiderbiblicallysoundandthosewhich
weconsiderbiblicallyquestionable.Thecharismaticmovement,whichformanydecadeswas
limitedtothePentecostals,hasnowspreadtodenominationsasseparateastheRomanCatholic,
Episcopalian,Methodist,Presbyterian,andBaptist.
Recently,Ireceivedarequestfromtheeditorofanewdenominationaljournalcalled
DiscipleRenewaltowriteanarticleforthatpaper.Theeditorandagroupofministersofthe
millionmemberChristianChurch(DisciplesofChrist)feltthatthedenominationasawhole
neededarenewalmovementineverystateoftheunion.Theirmagazinewasgoingtofurnish
oneofthemeansforinitiating,spreading,andsupportingsuchamovement.
InthegreatUnitedMethodistdenomination,aconsiderablenumberofcongregations,
feelingthattheBoardofGlobalMinistrieswasnotsufficientlybiblicalandSpiritfilled,starteda
newmissionary organizationcalledTheMissionSocietyforUnitedMethodists.Presbyterians
ofboththeformersouthernPresbyterianChurchintheUnitedStatesandnorthernPresbyterian
ChurchintheUnitedStatesofAmericahavepulledoutthosedenominationsandformedthe
PresbyterianChurchinAmerica,whichclaimstobeamuchsounderdenomination.Inthe
1940s,maywithdrewfromtheNorthBaptistChurchtoformtheConservativeBaptist
denomination.
Often,suchmovementsaimingatbiblicalsoundnessandspiritual renewaloccurwithin
anexistingdenominationandintendtoremainso.Often,theysplitofftofoundnewbranchesof
theuniversalchurch,moreorthodoxormoreSpiritfilled.Suchmovementsarenotlimitedto
theUnitedStates.Theygooninallcountriesoftheworld.Dr.DavidBarretttellsusthatthere
arenow20,800denominationsintheworld.8 Manyofthesehavearisenoutofrenewal
movementsthatnolongerfeltcomfortableintheirolddenominations.Wemustnotletthefact
thatsuchmultiplicationofdenominationsseemsquestionablekeepusfromrealizingthatthese
movementsarecontinuallygoingonandareoftenanimatedbythebestmotives.

TheNecessityofBiblicalSoundnessandSpiritualRenewal
Biblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewal arehighlynecessary.Congregationsand
denominationsdounfortunately,insomecasesatleast,growcold.Undertheimpactofsome
newspurtofscholarshiporofworldliness,theybecomebiblicallyunsound.Theybecomeso
respectable,wellorganized,andacademicthattheyattractonlycertainmembersofcertain
sectionsofthegeneralpopulation.Theircongregationsbecomesealedoffandunreproductive.
Whentheoriginalmembersofsuchcongregationsmovetothecityortothesuburbs,the
congregationsdonotattractthesomewhatdifferentkindsofpeoplewhohavenowmovedinto
theirplaces.Frequently,wholedenominations,despitesomegrowingcongregations,become
static.
WhileIwasspeakinginsomeofthelargecitiesofwesternCanada,Ibecameawarethat
thestrongMennonitecongregationsinthefarmingcommunitieswerelosingmanyoftheir
youngermemberstothecities.Theseyoung,welleducatedMennonitemenandwomenwould
movetothecitiesawayfromthefarm,geturbanjobsofonesortandanother,andfind
themselvesmanymilesfromthenearestMennonitecongregations.Oftenstoutlymaintaining,
WeareMennonites,theywouldcontinuetoremainmembersofafaroffcountrychurch.And

oftentheywouldlapseintonominalChristianity.HadtheruralMennonitecongregationsbeen
fullybiblicalandspirituallyrenewed,theywouldhavemadeeveryefforttomultiplyMennonite
congregationsinthecities.Theyhadmanygoodstarts,buttheydidnotdevelopthem.Theynot
onlywouldhaveshepherdedscatteredMennonites,butalsowouldhavewonmanyofthesecular
nominallyChristianandindeedpaganwomenandmenlivinginthecitiesofNorthAmerica,
bringingthemtoferventbeliefintheLord.TheMennoniteswerenotbiblicallysoundenoughor
spirituallyfilledenoughtodothis.Theirexperienceis,alas,acommonexperienceintoomany
denominations.

RenewalOftenConcentratesonExistingChristians
UntilexistingChristiansbecomemuchmorebiblicallysoundandSpiritfilledthanthey
arenow,wemustbeconcernednotwithwinningothersbutwithrevivingthesaints.Believing
thisfirmlyinmanyplaces,renewallimitsitselftoexistingChristians.Thisprocessis
understandable.Existingcongregationsmustbecomesounder,mustknowmoreoftheBible
mustlivemoreardentlyChristianlives.Indeed,someChristiansstridentlymaintainthatuntil
thechurchispurgedofmanyofitsnominalmembers,itcanneitherbethetruechurch,norwin
otherstotrueChristianfaith.Oneof thenotablecriticismsofthechurchgrowthmovementhas
beenthatwhatthechurchneedsisnotgrowth,butaclearingoutofmaymemberswhohaveno
realfaithinChrist.
Wearespeakingofthedualnatureofbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewal.We
certainlydo,andoughtto,motivatecongregationsanddenominationstobringtheirpresent
membershipintoamoreardentanddoctrinallycorrectChristianlife.Thisiswhatmostsermons
aimat.AllPaulslettersarewrittentoexistingChristians,urgingthemtoadeeperandmore
genuineChristianfaith.Oneaspectofbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewalcertainlyrequires
this.
However,wemustlookattheothersideofbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewal.If
anyoneisreallyinChrist,if Christdoesdwellinhisheartthroughfaith,he,likeChrist,willseek
thelost.He,likeChrist,willlookonfieldswhitetoharvestandworktobringinmanysheaves.
Noonecanbefullybiblicallysoundandspirituallyrenewedwithoutbeingtremendously
concernedaboutthemultitudesofunreachedmenandwomenand,indeed,ofunreached
segmentsofsociety.ItisimpossibleforanybodytobereallyinChrist,fulloftheHolySpirit,
withoutdoingwhatthe120didonthedayofPentecost.Theyrushedoutandtoldeveryonethey
metaboutJesus,urgingthemtobecomeHisfollowers.TheyspoketoJewsfrom15different
countrieslivinginJerusalem,inadditiontothoseborninPalestine.Threethousandwereadded
tothechurchinoneday.
WhenanyonegiveshislifeentirelytoChrist,hedoeswhatPauldid.Hedevoteshimself
tomultiplyingchurchesinothersegmentsofthepopulation.Henotesthesegmentsinhis
neighborhoodthatareunchurched.Helooksatthe7580percentoftheAmericanpopulation
thatisnotinChrist.Henotestheyareinmanycaseshighlywinnable.Heliftsuphiseyesand
looksonthefields,andseesthatmanyofthemarewhitetoharvest.Hehurriesofftogethis
sickleandropeinordertobindupsheavesandcarry thembacktotheMastersbarn.Henotes
that4billiontodayand5billiontomorrowoftheworldspopulationarenotChristiansinany
sense,andheresolvestodohisparttobringthemtosalvation.

Menandwomenwhoarebiblicallysoundandspirituallyrenewed,willcertainlylive
genuinelyChristianlives.TheywillalsodemonstratethatthegenuineChristianlifeisalways
concernedwithandworksatbringingGodslostchildrenbacktotheirFathershouse.Thedual
natureofbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewalguaranteesthatvitalChristianswillnotfocus
onthemselvesandnominalChristiansonly.Theyseektobebiblicallysoundaboutbringingin
thesheavesandspirituallyrenewedconcerningmultiplyingchurches.

OnlyaGrowingCongregationisFullySoundandFullyRenewed
BiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewalrequireactivityonbothfrontsChristiansmust
becomemoremoralanddevout,andtheymustbecomemoreeffectiveharvesters.Hereagain,
wemustseewhathappenedontheday ofPentecost.The120hadbeenmeetinginsecret.They
hadbeenafraidthat,liketheirMaster,theywouldbepersecutedandkilledbytheJews.But
whentheHolySpiritcameuponthem,theywentpublicinaverybigway.Theyrushedoutinto
thestreets.TheystartedtellingpeoplethatJesusChristwasnotdead.GodhadraisedHimfrom
thedead,andalloughttobecomeHisfollowers.TheaccountinActs2iscertainlyclearthatall
ofthe120startedspeakingtoeverybodyonthestreetsofJerusalem.Normallyretiringmen
spokeboldlytoanyonetheymet.Modestandeventimidwomenstartedtotellthosetheymet
aboutJesus.Theywereimpartinggreatnews.Theyweretellingothersofthewayofsalvation.
Theyweresharingthemostimportantnewstheyhadeverreceived.Allofthemwomenand
men,leadersandfollowers,extrovertsandintrovertstheyallstoppedanyonetheymetandsaid
excitedlytohimore,Letmetellyouofthemostimportantthingthathashappenedinmany
years.Haveyouheardtheamazinggoodnews?Thisissomethingyouabsolutelymusthear.I
knowyourebusy,butyouwillneverforgiveyourselfifyoudonotstopandlisten.
Indeed,sounusualwasthisexcitedcommunicationthatmanyofthosetowhomthey
spokeexclaimed,Wemustnottakeallthisexcitementtooseriously.Thesepeoplehavesimply
drunktoomuch.Theyaretalkingnonsense.
Whenavastcrowd,perhaps10,000menandwomen,hadgathered,Peterthenspoketo
themthemessagerecordedinActs2.Many ofthecrowdweredeeplytouchedandexclaimed,
Whatmustwethendo?
Peterreplied,believeontheLordJesusChrist.BebaptizedandbecomeHisconfessed
followers.
Itisnotnecessarytobelievethat100percentbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewal
issueinanexactduplicationoftheseevents.Theseeventsweresuitedtothesituationinancient
JerusalemsevenweeksafterthecrucifixionoftheLordJesus.Butbiblicalsoundnessand
spiritualrenewalwillresultinspeakingtomodernmenandwomenaroundusinwayssuitedto
theirsituations.FullbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewalwillneverpermitChristiansto
makenoeffortwhatevertocommunicatethefaithandsaycomfortably,Thatisthebusinessof
thepastorandBillyGraham.
LetmegiveyouanexampleofwhathappenedinfaroffIndiain1933.Inthetownof
Yeotmal,asmallFreeMethodistcongregationhadbeenformed.Itwasbeingaddressedbya
notablepreacher.Hiswordscarriedgreatconviction.ThememberswerefilledwiththeHoly

Spirit.Inadditiontoforgivingeachotherandmanifestinganutterlynewwarmthandrealityof
Christianlife,theyfeltthattheymustcommunicatethegospeltootherpeople.Sothewhole
congregation,menandwomen,everyeveningatfiveoclock,wouldassemblejustoutsidethe
countrycourthouse.Asthehundredswhoworkedtherewereleavingforhome,theysawpeople
singingChristspraisesandtellingabouttheLordJesusandthewayofsalvation.
Theclerks,lawyers,andgovernmentofficialsworkinginthecourthousehadneverheard
anythinglikethisbefore.TheyclusteredaroundeachgroupofChristians,listeningtowhatthey
hadtosay.TheyallagreedthattheseChristianshadhadaveryremarkableexperience.They
wereimpressedbywhattheyheard.After15or20minutes,theChristianssaid,Wewillbe
backtomorrowtotellyoumore. Thesemeetingscontinuedeveryeveningforoveramonth.
ButnoneofthelistenersconfessedChristandbecameChristians.Atthattime,inthatpartof
India,suchastepwastothemunthinkable.
Graduallythecrowdsgrewsmallerandsmaller.TheChristianscametofeeltheyhad
donetheirpart,andtheproclamationonthecourthousestepsceased.Pentecosthadcomeand
gonewithoutany conversions.TherenewedChristianshadspokentoanunresponsiveaudience.
ThenoneoftheChristians,perhapsmoredeeplymovedthantheothers,resolvedtogo
fromvillagetovillageinthecountrydistrictsurroundingthetown.Everynightasthevillagers
gatheredbeforetheywenttobed,hewouldtellthemoftheLordJesus.Theylistenedwithgreat
interest,buttherewerenoconversionsformorethanamonth.Thenhecametoavillagenear
whichcoalhadbeendiscoveredandaminingoperationwasinprogress.Theminerswere
membersofacastewhich,200milestothesouth,hadbecomelargelyChristian.Whenthey
heard,theysaid,ManyofourownpeoplehavebecomeChristian.BecomingChristianshas
beenverygoodforthem.Theyhavebuiltchurchesandlivingrenewedlives.Thisistrulygood
news.We,too,willbecomefollowersoftheLordJesus. Severalnewcongregationswere
established.
Inshort,thosewhowouldproclaimJesusChristmustnotonlyproclaim,butmust
proclaimintelligently.Theymustdistinguishbetweenfieldsripetoharvestandfieldsyet
unplowed.Worldevangelization,ortheeffectivedisciplingofunreachedsegmentsofsociety,
mustbeanintelligentoperation,notablindone.WearetopraytheLordoftheharvesttosend
laborersintoripefields.
Theworldisfullofripefields.Itisalsofullofmanyunripefieldsandmanythathave
notevenbeenplowed.BiblicallysoundandrevivedChristiansmustactintelligently.They
mustseekGodsguidanceandgototheripefields.Itisonlyoutofripefieldsthattheycan
bringinonesheafaminute.
WemustnotlimitrenewalandrevivaltocareofexistingChristians.Thistruthbears
restatement.Itissoeasyforrevivaltoconcernitselfchieflywiththepeoplewhoarealreadyin
thechurchbuilding.Theyformtheclosecommunityinwhicheverybodyknowseverybodyelse.
Itisamongmembersofthiscommunitythatlove,justice,brotherhood,andforgivenessaremost
easilyexercised.Tobesure,revivalmustbeginwithexistingChristians.Renewalstartedinthe
120gatheredintheupperroom,buttherevivaldidnotendthere.Therevivalmustreachoutto

multitudesofotherpeople.Theymustmultiplyworshippingcongregationsintheirownand
othersegmentsofsociety.
WerememberPaulsstrategy,Ihavebecomeallthingstoallmensothatbyallpossible
meansImightsavesome(1Corinthians9:22),andhisexhortation,Followmyexample(1
Corinthians11:1).HewasansweringthequestionsastowhetherChristiansshouldeatmeat
offeredtoidols.TheonlyplacewhereChristianswouldbeofferedthatkindoffoodwouldbein
thehomesofnonChristians.TheChristianswouldbemeetingotherkindsofpeople.Paulsays
thatwhenChristiansareservedmeatatthetable,theyshouldnotaskifithasbeenofferedto
idols.Theyshouldjusteatit.Theydonotknowthatithasbeenofferedtoidols.If,however,
someonesaysthatithasbeenofferedtoidols,thendonoteatit,bothforthesakeoftheman
whotoldyouandforconsciencessaketheothermansconscience,Imean,notyourseven
asItrytopleaseeverybodyineverywaysothattheymaybesaved.Followmyexample(1
Corinthians10:28ff).
Thatcommandneedstobeobeyedbyallfacultiesandstudentbodiesinseminaries.All
ministerialcandidatesneedtobecarefullyinstructedinthemanywaysinwhichtheycanreach
outandbeallthingstoallmeninordertowinsome.Onlywhenpastorsandministersinall
denominationsareeffectivelymultiplyingcongregationsinunreachedsegmentsofthe
population,willGodscommandbecarriedout.OnlythenwillChristiansbecomemore
effectiveevangelists.
AfullinfillingoftheHolySpiritandfullbiblicalobediencewillalwaysbedeeply
concernedthattheunsavedhearandobeythegospel.
Ifwearetobebiblicallysound,wemustreachouttotheunsaved.Wemustdiscernripe
harvestfields.Wemustmotivateourselves,ourstudents,andthemembersofourchurchesto
recognizetheunsaved,tellingthemofthewaytosalvation.Wemustrecognizethatthegreatest
dangerfacingpracticingChristiansistopracticetheirChristianityamongthemselves,totellthe
goodnewsonlytothosewhocometotheirchurch,andtobeunconcernedaboutthosewhodo
not.
ThisdangerfacesBiblecollegesandseminariesalso.Theybelievethatfuturepastors
musthavepreciseknowledgeofcorrectdoctrinesandbespirituallyrenewedthemselves.
Otherwise,theycannotadequatelycarefortheircongregations.Thisiscertainlytrue.However,
ittotallyomitstheequallyimportantfactthattheymustsearchfor,find,andbringbacktoHis
housemultitudesoftheFatherslostchildren.Theologicalseminariescannotrepeat,cannot
betheologicallycorrectunlesstheyrealizethattheologicalcorrectnessandspiritualvitality
requireaconstantconcernfortheunsaved.Pastorsandministersintrainingmustlearnhow
congregationsthathaveneverplantedadaughterchurch,thathavebeenbarren,canmultiply
churchesamongthe4billionunsaved,whichnowformfourfifthsoftheworldspopulation.
Leadersofthechurchmustknowhowtowakesleepingchurchesandmakethemevangelistically
muchmoreeffective.
Someyearsago,whenIwasspeakingatachurchgrowthseminarheldinanOhiotown,
oneoftheinfluentialministersinthetownsaidtome,Ishallattendtheseminary,butIamnot
reallyconvincedthatitisneeded.Surelywehaveplentyofchurchesinthistown,andevery

churchisverycordialtoallthosewhocome.Mostchurcheswillseethatvisitorsarecalledupon
byeithertheministerormembersoftheevangelisticcommittee.Wedonotneedtoincreasethe
numberofcongregationsinthistown.Therearetoomanyalready.
Inpreparationfortheopeningsession,Ispentthenexttwodaysassemblingsomedata
thepopulationofthetown,thenumberofchurches,theseatingcapacityofeach.ATthefirst
sessionoftheseminar,withoutreferringtothisministeratall,Isaid,Inthistownyouhave
30,000residents.Thereare61churches.Lessthan6,000menandwomenaretobefoundin
thesechurchesonSunday24,000willnotbeinchurch.Grantedthatchurchmembersnumber
somewhatmorethan6,000,itneverthelessseemsperfectlyclearthatatleasthalfandpossibly
twothirdsofthepeopleinthistownhaveyettobecomegenuinefollowersofChrist.Thisisthe
reasonwhyyoushouldemphasizechurchgrowth.
Revivalanddoctrinalsoundnessmustnotbelimitedtothe6,000whowillbeinchurch
onSunday.Itmustbeginthere,tobesure,butitmustreachouttothe24,000.TheyareGods
children.

ConversionGrowthEssential
Anotherreasonwhymanytimesbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewaldonotbring
churchgrowthisthatseminaries,ministers,andlayleadersseldomrealizethatnoamountof
biologicalgrowthandtransfergrowthwillcarryouttheGreatCommission.
Allgrowthofthechurchmaybedividedintothreecategoriesbiological,transfer,and
conversion.Bybiologicalchurchgrowth,wemeanthatchildrenofexistingChristianscometo
haveChristianfaithbecausetheyarebornintoChristianfamilies,gototchurchaschildren,
cometobelieveonChristaschildren,arelaterconfirmedorbaptized,andbecomeconfessing
membersoflivingcongregations. TheyyieldthemselvestoChristandcometoknowagreat
dealoftheBible.Butthisisagradualprocess.Sincesuchgrowthplaysnopartinwinningthe4
billionoutsidethechurchtoChrist,weplaceitinaspecialcategorybiologicalgrowth.Tobe
sure,nofollowingofChristcanbestrictlyabiologicalprocess.SomechildrenofChristian
parentsrejectChrist.AllthosewhobecomeChristiansmustthemselvestakeafinalconclusive
stepoffaith andobedience.Nevertheless,thephrasebiologicalchurchgrowthisvaluable
sinceitenablesustoclassifyonekindofChristian.
Inthesecondkindofgrowth,transfergrowth,ChristiansfromNewYorkmovetoFort
Worth.TheyleavetheirNewYorkcongregationsandjoinForthWorthcongregations.TheFort
Worthcongregationsrecordadditionsofperhaps20andperhaps100membersduringagiven
year.However,transfergrowth,whileitaddstoindividualcongregations,addsnothingatallto
totalmembershipofthedenominationconcerned.Indeed,sincemanyChristiansarelostin
transit,transfercausesconsiderableloss.
Thethirdkindofchurchgrowth,conversiongrowth,resultsfromwinningthelost.These
maybenominalorlapsedChristians,secularists,agnostics,oratheists.Theymayalsobe
Muslims,Hindus,Jews,orothernonChristians.Whendoctrinalsoundnessandspiritual
renewalwinthelost,multiplynewcongregationsinunchurchedpopulations,andeffectively

evangelizetheunreached,thentheycarryoutGodscontinuingpurposetofindandfoldlost
sheep.
Toooften,ministersandlayleadersandprofessorsintheologicalschools,aswell,limit
theirexpectationstogrowthfrombiologicalandtransfersources.Theseareimportant.
Nevertheless,untilsubstantialconversiongrowth,asdefinedabove,occurs,theastronomical
numbersoftheunreachedremainverylargelyunreached.
Inshort,doctrinalsoundnessadspiritualrenewalmustalwaysaimatsubstantialnumbers
ofconversionsfortheunreached.Anycongregations,denomination,ortheologicalseminary
thatwouldbetruetothebiblicalimperatives,mustinsistthatfulldoctrinalsoundnessbyitself
impelsChristianstoseekthelost,toevangelizetheunreached,tomultiplycongregationsamong
theunchurched,andtoengagecontinuallyinplanned,prayersupported,andeffectiveworld
evangelization.Allthoseconcernedwithspiritualrenewalshouldmakedoublysurethat
spiritualrenewaldoesnotlimititselftorevivifyingof thealreadysaved.Spiritualrenewalmust
sendwavesoftherenewedouttosearchforthelost.Otherwise,itisonlypartialrenewal.
Anytheologicalschoolaimingtopreparepastors,preachers,orministers,mustinclude
severalfourhourcoursesoneffectiveevangelism.Theenormousnumberofministerswho
obtainlittleconversiongrowthmustbereduced.Graduatesofseminariesmustgooutwell
equippedtomultiplynewcongregationsamongunreached,nonChristiansegmentsofthe
population.AsIwritethesesentences,IhavebeforemealetterfromapastorinHawaiisaying
thathehasjusttakenupnewdutiesinachurchthathasbeentherefor100yearsandhasnever
plantedadaughterchurch.Manygraduatesofmanyseminariesgotojustsuchorganizations.If
theyaretoturntheircongregationsaround,ifthosechurchesaretoceasebeingbarrenandto
becomefruitful,Biblecollegesandseminariesmustmakeeffectiveevangelismoneoftheirmain
emphases.

5
HowCanWeAssureEffectiveEvangelism?
Howcanwemakesurethattheripefieldsineverystateoftheunionandindeedevery
countryoftheworldarereaped?Ilaybeforeyousevenurgentsteps.Beassuredthatmany
morethansevencouldbementioned,butthesearevitallyimportant.

1.

EmphasizetheTremendousEvangelisticPassionoftheNewTestament
Church

TheNewTestamentchurchspreadamazingly.Itmultiplieditselfbeyondbelief.Notonly
diditrunthroughtheJewishpopulation,butitspreadtotheSamaritanpeopleandtotheofficers
oftheoccupyingRomanArmy.Whentheofficialleaders,apostles,deacons,andeldersofthe
existingJewishchurcheswereworkingbusilyinJerusalemandJudea,someveryordinary

Christians,menofCyprusandCyrenewenttoAntiochandbegantospeaktoGreeksalso
(Acts11:20).ThegospelwasalsocarriedtoRomebyunnamedlayChristianslongbeforePaul
arrivedthere.Inshort,NewTestamentChristians,laymenaswellasapostles,weretremendously
concernedthatpeopleoutsidethechurchnonChristians,secularists,materialists,followersof
otherreligionshearabouttheonlytruereligion,cometoknowtheonlySavior,believeupon
Him,andbebaptizedinHisname.
InourpreachingletusmakesurethatthisaspectoftheChristianfaithisrepeatedlyheld
upbeforeourcongregations,Sundayschoolmeetings,andotherassembliesofthesaints.Tobea
truechurchwemustbecomeareproductivechurch.Letusrememberthatfullbiblicalsoundness
andspiritualrenewalcannotlimitthemselvestoexistingcongregations.Theymustmultiply
congregations.TheymustwinnonChristianmenandwomeninmanylocations.Thisteaching
mustbecomeanessentialpartofalltheologicalinstruction.

2.

InEveryCongregationFormaMissionaryGroupIntentonMultiplying
ChurchesAmongtheUnreachedinItsOwnandOtherNations

Inanycongregationtherewillbesomewhoareardentbelieversandotherswhosefaithis
lessglowing.LettheardentChristiansformmissionarygroupsorevangelisticbandsthatwill
meetonceaweekoronceamonthtomakesurethatourcongregationdoeswinthelostinour
communityandgivebirthtodaughtercongregationsathomeandabroad.Everyliving
congregationshouldhaveabandofmemberswhomeetregularlytoplanandcarry out
systematicpropagationofthegospel.TheywillmakesurethatnotonlydotheybelieveinChrist
inregardtothesematters,buttheyobeyHim.TheywillseethattheteachingoftheBibleglows
withevangelisticpassion.
Thisisparticularlynecessarybecause,alas,itispossibletoteachgreatsectionsofthe
BiblewithoutevermentioningeternalGodscommandtomakethegospelknowntoall
segmentsofsociety.Ardentlocalmissionarygroupswillmakesurethatthatdoesnothappenin
theircongregations.Unlesssuchbandsareformed,thereisadangerthatalltheteachingsand
activitiesofthechurchareconcentratedupontheexistingmembersofthechurchandthose
visitorswhoreturntoit.Evangelisticbandsandmissionarymindedmenandwomen willhelp
assurethatthisdoesnothappen.

3.

EmphasizetheTremendousEvangelisticPassionoftheNewTestament
Church

IhavebeengreatlygrievedatthelargenumbersofcongregationsinNorthAmericafrom
whichinthepastthirtyyearsnosonordaughterofthechurchhasbecomealifetimeevangelist
ormissionary.Unfortunately,averylargepercentageofAmericancongregationswouldfallinto
thisclass.Buttheydonotneedto.AsBiblecollegesandseminariesbeginrecognizingthe
deplorablesituationandtrainingprospectiveministers,congregationsandwholedenominations
willbegintosurgeforward.
SupposeanessentialelementofbeingChristianwasheldtobeleadingamemberof
onesowncongregationtobeamissionary.Whatarevolutionwouldtakeplace!Supposethat
everyhundredpracticingEpiscopaliansorPresbyteriansorLutheranswouldsendoutfrom

amongthemselvesonemissionary,eithertotheunchurchedintheirownneighborhoodornation
ortotheunchurchedinsomeothernation.Whatanenormousexpansionofthechurchwould
soonensue!Isthisanimpossibility?Isitfinanciallyunthinkable?Bynomeans.Ahundred
Christianscouldwithoutmuchfinancialstresssendout,fund,andmaintainonelifetimeworker.
Doingthatwouldnotin theleastexhausttheirtithe,andsuchamovewouldmakesurethatthe
churchofJesusChristwouldatlonglasttakeseriouslytheripefieldsstretchingawayonall
sidestothehorizons.

4.

BecomeWellAcquaintedWiththeEthneBeingDiscipled

Kitteldefinesanethnosasagroupoflikeindividuals.Aswarmofbeesisspokenofasan
ethnos.Soisaherdofcattle.Anethnosofmenisasegmentofsociety.TheGreekwordethnos
hasbeencorrectlytranslatedinIndiasfifteenmajorlanguagesasjatior caste.Tribes,castes,
classes,segmentsofsocietythesearetheethneofwhichthepopulationoftheworldconsists.
Everycongregationshouldfocusitsattentionononeormoreethneathomeorabroad.
SomeyearsagoseveraldenominationsinCanadabegantoseetheFrenchCanadiansas
anunreachedethnosandtoplantoevangelizeFrenchCanadians(mostofwhomarevery
nominalCatholics),encouragingthemtoformFrenchspeaking,Biblebelievingcongregations.
ThesewouldbeledbyFrenchspeakingpastors,elders,anddeacons.Insuchcongregations
membersspeakingpoliticallycouldadvocatethatFrenchspeakingCanadaformaseparate
nation.Theycouldadvocatethisandstillremainquiterespectable,welllovedmembersofthe
church.WereFrenchCanadianstobecomemembersofAnglochurches,theycouldnotadvocate
anysuchpoliticalpositionwithoutexcitingsevereantagonismonthepartoftheirfellow
Christians.
TheFrenchCanadiansareanethnosthatmustbereachedinwaysthatfitthatethnos.
TherearesimilarethneinallthecitiesoftheUnitedStatesandindeedintheworld.Inallof
themtherearemanycommunitiesinwhichlargenumbersoftheresidentsarenotpracticing
Christians.Manyamongthesecanbewontodayandtomorrow.

5.

GiveSubstantiallytoThatWorkandPrayContinuouslyforIt

Anyseriousefforttoreapripefieldswillrequirefinancialundergirding.Whenwepray
theLordoftheharvesttosendlaborersintotheharvest,wearealsoprayingthatHewill
motivateexistingChristians,congregations,andconferencestogivesacrificiallytothatend.I
amspeakingtoAmericans,themostfinanciallysecureofanycitizenryintheworld.Our
Christianfaithwillbetestedbythedegreetowhichweundergirdeffectiveevangelismathome
andabroad.Letusmakesurethatatthispointourplansarebothbiblicallycorrectand
financiallyresponsible.

6.

AssembleAccurateInformationastotheDegreeandKindofDiscipling
ActuallyBeingAchievedandConstantlyConveyThisInformationto
theCongregationandDenomination

ThisaspectoftheChristianenterpriseisonethatisfrequentlyoverlooked.Wemustreap
ripeharvestfieldsbutwemustnotworkblindfolded.Wemustfindoutwhicharetheripest
fields,themostreadilyreached,thepathstoandfromthebarnthataremostsuitedtothose
carryingheavysheaves.Wemustnotsendthelargestnumberoflaborersintounripefieldsto
waterorweedthem.Wemustmeasureaccuratelywhatneedstobedone.Wemustmakesure
thatsicklesarekeptsharp.Wemusthavearecordastothenumberofsheaveseachworker
bringsin,andwemustnotstackoatsheavesandwheatsheavesindiscriminatelytogether.
Farmersstoreoats,wheat,barley,andcorninseparatepartsofthebarn.
Thefiguresofspeechjustusedwillillustratethetasksthatmustbedone.Theworldis
fullofreceptiveandresistantpopulations.Whileallmusthearthegospel(Mark16:14),wemust
makesurethattheripefieldsaretheonesthatarereapedtothelastsheaf.Itisatthispointthat
schoolsoftheologicaleducationneedtobeparticularlyalert.Amongthehundredsofsegments
oftheAmericanpeople,whichonesaremostresponsivetothegospel?Amongwhichcan
congregationsbemultipliedmostcertainly?Whatarethemosteffectivemethodsofmultiplying?
Whatmethodsguaranteethatnomultiplicationofcongregationswilltakeplace?Whereisgreat
reapinggoingon?Andwherearetheunsownfieldsfromwhichreapersmustturnandtowhich
plowmenmustbesent?
PaulwantedtogointoBithynia,buttheLordwouldnotpermitit.Whereareour
BithyniasfromwhichtheLordHimselfturnsus?
Inalltheseandkindredmattersweneedlightuponwhatisactuallyhappening,upon
wherethechurchisgrowing,wherecongregationsaremultiplying,andwheretheyarenot.We
needaccurateinformationonwhatkindofseminarygraduatesmultiplycongregations,andwhat
kindofseminarygraduatesdonotmultiplycongregationswhatkindofteachingproducesmen
abletowinothers,andwhatkindofteachingproducesmenwhowilltalklearnedlyonsacred
subjectsbutwillinspirenoonetowinothers.
Accurateportrayalofalltheseessentialpointsenablesintelligentaction.Insteadof
workingblindfolded,wemustknowtheexactsituation.WhenGodspeopleseethetruthin
regardtothesematters,theycanandwillactintelligentlyandresponsibly.Thisisthebasic
reasonwhyresearchintotheseessentialmattersissourgentlyrequiredbyBibleschools,
theologicalseminaries,missionarysocieties,synods,presbyteries,andcongregations.

7.

CreateandSettoWorkLarge,EffectiveLayEvangelisticForces

Intoomanycongregations,denominations,andschoolsoftheologicaleducation
evangelismisthoughttobetheworkofafewardentministerstowhomGodhasgiventhegiftof
evangelismandwhobecomeprofessionalevangelists.Evangelismisthoughttobetheexclusive
workofmensuchasJohnWesley,BillySunday,BillyGraham,andmanyothers.Inmost
congregationstherearefewmembers,ifany,workingatwinningthelostandincorporatingthem
intoChristsbody,thechurch.Itiscommonlybelievedthatthosecongregationsgrowwhose
ministerspreachappealing,interesting,humorous,andpowerfulsermons.Ifyouwantthechurch
togrow,buildanattractivebuilding,makesurethatvisitorsarewelcomed,letthepastorcallon
allnewcomerstothecommunity,andhaveasuperiorchoir.Allthesearegoodactivities,butif

anycongregationlimitsitselftothese,veryfewofitsmembers,ifany,willdevotethemselvesto
effectiveevangelism.
Insharpdistinctiontotheforegoingisthatpatternwhereinlargenumbersofdevoted
Christianwomenandmensystematicallyworkatcommunicatingthegospeltotheirunbelieving
neighbors,friends,andfellowcitizens.Inordertodothistheymust,ofcourse,betrained.Most
ordinaryChristians,nomatterhowearnestlyChristiantheyare,finditembarrassingtotalkto
neighborsaboutacceptingJesusChristasLordandSavior.Theycantalkabouttheweather,
politics,baseball,orfootball,orthelatestcrimes.Butaboutbecomingbelieving,practicing
Christianstheytalkwithdifficulty,ifatall.
ThistremendouslackisremarkableinviewofthebiblicalrecordoftheNewTestament
church.OnthedayofPentecostallthe120womenaswellasmen,ordinaryChristiansaswell
asapostlessurgedouttothestreetstotellpeoplethattheLordhadrisen.Itwasunnamed
laymenwho,oncomingtoAntioch,initiatedabrandnewkindofchurchgrowth.Theyspokenot
onlytotheJewsbutalsototheGreeks.Thosewhoplantedperhapssixormorehousechurches
inRomebeforePaularrivedtherewerenotapostlestheywereordinaryChristians.
EverygreatexpansionofthechurchinallageshasdependedupontheWordbeing
spreadbybelievingChristiansofallranks.Conversely,whenevereffectiveevangelismhasbeen
heldtobetheworksolelyoftrainedevangelistsandpaidpastors,theredenominationshave
grownslowlyorhavebecomestaticordeclined.
Consequently,everyschoolthatpreparespastorsandministersshouldteachallstudents
howtotrainlaywomenandlaymentobeeffectiveevangelists.Thiswillnotbedoneby
professorsorpastorswhohaveneverwonanybodytoChrist.
Everyseminary shouldteacheveryministerialcandidatehowtospeakcourteouslyand
persuasivelytoseveraldifferentsegmentsofsociety.Whenthesecandidatesbecomeministers
themselves,theywillbeabletoteachtheirmembers.Nongrowingcongregationswillrapidly
becomegrowingcongregations.
Somemay,however,object,sayingScripturetellsusthatthegiftofevangelismisgiven
onlytosomepeople.Thisisquitetrue.Thosetowhomthegiftofevangelismisgivenwill
becomemuchmoreeffectiveevangeliststhanothers.Werejoiceinthisfact.However,itdoes
notintheleastcontradictthebiblicalimperativethateveryChristianiscommandedtobea
witness.Furthermore,weneednotsupposethatnothingwillhappenuntilallthemembersofa
congregationgooutandspeaktounbelieversaboutChrist.Quiteonthecontrary,ifonlyoneout
ofteninanycongregationbecomeseffectivelyevangelistic,thatcongregationwillgrow.The
churchofJesusChristwillcertainlytreasuregreatevangelistslikeJohnKnox,BillyGraham,
andothers.Butitwillalsotrainatleast10percentofitsmemberstospeakcourteouslyand
persuasivelytothelostintheirneighborhoods.Thechurchwillnotassumethatmenwhohave
neverhandledasicklecanbeeffectivereapers.It willtrainpeopletousesickleseffectively.
Referringtothepreviouschapteronbiblicalsoundnessandspiritualrenewal,letmeask,
Willtheseautomaticallybringchurchgrowth?Theanswerisbothnoandyes.Ifwemean
biblicalsoundnesswithrespecttodoctrinesthathavelittlebearingonevangelization,theanswer

isno.Ifspiritualrenewalislimitedtothoseinsidechurchbuildings,thentheanswerisno.Butif
biblicalsoundnesscontinuallyemphasizestheoverwhelmingconcernofGodthatHisSonbe
madeknowntoallhumanityandthatHisplanofsalvationbepresentedtoalleverywhereand
thatpantataethnebeincorporatedintoChristsbody,thentheansweriscertainlyyes.Ifspiritual
renewalmeansthatrenewedChristianssurgeoutinthemostenlightenedwaypossible,guided
bythemostexactinformationavailable,tosharethewayoflifewithallmenandwomen
everywhere,thentheansweriscertainlyyes.Letusmakesurethatallbiblicalsoundnessisfully
biblicalandourspiritualrenewaldoessendusouttothefieldsripetoharvest.Letusnotbe
embarrassedinrescuingtheperishingandcaringforthedying.

Conclusion
Byimplementingthesevenmeasureswehavediscussed,everycongregationandevery
denomination,everyminister,andeveryschooloftheologicaleducationcanhelpbringabout
effectiveevangelism.Suchevangelismmustnotsimplybetalkedaboutinspeciallecturesandin
evangelismclasses.Itmustbecarriedoutinthefield.Itwillcostblood,sweat,toil,andtears.
Butitwillalsoevoketheblessedwords,Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant,fromtheLord
oftheharvest.

6
TheRiseoftheChurchGrowthMovement
Theprecedingchaptershaveinsistedthatthedisciplingofallthepeoplesofearthis
commandedbyGodandwillnotbebroughtaboutbywhatcommonlypassesforfulldoctrinal
correctnessandspiritualrenewal.Wehavefacedfranklythefactthatmuchsoundbutpartial
Christianitytodaydoesnotresultinwinningmanyofthelostorbringingmanysheavesofripe
grainintotheLordsbarn.ThischaptertellsofmypersonalpilgrimageasIfacedthesefactsand
triedtodeviseappropriateactions. Somesimilarpilgrimagewillbetheexperienceofallthose
whoturnfromnongrowingconventionalorardentChristianitytocarryingoutthecommandof
theultimateAuthorityintheuniverse. Thechurchgrowthmovementisaddressedtothefactthat
themostpowerfulworldchurchevertoexistis,inmanycases,eitherslowgrowingordeclining.
Itishopedthatthispersonalviewoftheriseofthechurchgrowthmovementwillhelpfocus
attentionontheamazinglyreceptiveworldandtheurgencyofreapingripefieldsandthe
absolutenecessityofmakingtheologicalcurriculasuitedtotodaysopportunities.
MypilgrimageinthetwentiethcenturyresultedfrometernalGodscommand.In
Romans16:25,26Godcommandsthatthegospelbemadeknowntoallpeoples(segmentsof
society),leadingthemtofaithandobedience.Everysegmentofsocietyruralandurban,
literateandilliterate,highincomeandlowincome,factoryworkersanduniversity professors
musthearthegospel.Itmustbeproclaimedwiththepurposeofdisciplingeverypieceofthe
humanmosaic,withtheintentiontomakeitaChristiansegmentofhumanity.Thiscommand
mustbeseenagainsttheenormousnumberofGodslostchildren.Fourfifthsofallhumankind

donotyetbelieveinJesusChristtheyhavenotyetbeensaved.Christiansmust,ofcourse,be
concernedtoleadthoroughlyChristianlives.Theymustalsorealizethatanysuchlifemust
devotealargepartofitsthoughts,labors,andprayerstowinningmenandwomentoChristand
multiplyingchurches.

TheTheologicalRiverofThought
Mypilgrimagewasgreatlyinfluencedbythreeriversofthoughtthatdominatedthe
twentiethcentury.Thefirstwasatheologicalriver.Atthebeginningofthecenturymost
Christiansandmostministersweredistinctlybiblicalintheiremphasis.Asdecadesucceeded
decade,however,historicalandliterarycriticismoftheBibleproducedinmanydenominationsa
sharpdiminutionoftheauthorityofScripture.SinceliterarycriticsheldthattheBiblewasmade
upofmanydifferentstrandswrittenbydifferentauthorsatdifferenttimes(J,E,D,P,Q,andthe
rest),itwasincreasinglyeasyforsomeChristianstoemphasizethosesectionsofScripturethat
appealedtothemandwriteofftherestasnotauthenticandinfalliblerevelation.
Forexample,aprofessorinaneighboringtheologicalseminarytowhomIhadquoted
John14:6replied,Well,McGavran,thatversedoessaythatnoonecomestotheFatherbutby
me,butwemustallrecognizethatatthatpointthelatesteditorofthebookofJohnwaswaxing
somewhatenthusiastic. Againstthisliberalcurrent,Westminster,Trinity,andmanyother
evangelicalschoolsoftheological educationwerefounded.
MypilgrimagewastremendouslyinfluencedbothbyeternalGodscommandandbythe
currentsoftheologicalopinionforandagainstbiblicalauthority,whichhaveebbedandflowed
throughoutthetwentiethcentury.
Themissionarymovementin1900wascarriedonchieflybythegreatmissionary
societiesoftheolderProtestantchurches.Asaresultoftheendoftheimperialeraand
increasingliberalizationandotherforcesthesesocietiesgraduallydiminishedtheirmissionary
labors. Conservativeevangelicalmissionarysocietiesgraduallyincreasedtheirs.MyChristian
faithandministryhavedevelopedthroughtheyearsinthemidstofthesegreattidesof
conviction.
Inthesummerof1919,shortlyafterIhadbeendischargedfrom thearmy,onmyreturn
fromFranceIdecidedthatGodwascallingmetofulltimeChristianservice.InDecemberof
thatyearattheStudentVolunteerConventioninDesMoines,Iowa,Idecidedtobecomea
lifetimemissionary.IwasthenpresidentoftheseniorclassatButlerCollegeinIndianapolis,
Indiana.Immediatelyongraduatinginthesummerof1920IenteredYaleDivinitySchooland
graduatedcumlaudein1922.Whiletheremyprofessors,allofwhomhadstudiedinGermany
andweretheologicalliberalsandmodernscholars,hadconvincedmeofthetruthoftheliberal
position.TheBiblethatIreadforthenextfifteenyearshadthevariousstrands(J,E,D,P,etc.)
underlinedindifferentcolors.
Nevertheless,sincemyworkduringthoseyearslayinIndiaandwascarriedoninthe
Hindilanguage,andsinceIwasquitesurethattheidolworshiperswhomIaddressedneededto
abandontheiridolstoworshipthetrueGodrevealedintheBibleandinJesusChrist,theliberal
positiondidnotgreatlyaffectmythoughts.IusedtheBible,readfromit,andquoteditprecisely

asanyevangelicalChristianwould.Butinthebackofmymindtheologicalliberalismpersisted
asmyunderstandingofthetruth.
Thisliberalpositionwasreemphasizedin1930whenMrs.McGavranandIreturnedto
Americaonourfirstfurlough.IhadbeenawardedaresearchfellowshipatUnionTheological
SeminaryinNewYork,anardentlyliberalinstitution.WhileIwasstudyingthereformyPh.D.,
almosteverythingIheardandreadreflectedtheliberalposition.
OnourreturntoIndiainOctober1932Iwaselectedfieldsecretaryoftheseventy
missionaryIndiaMissionoftheUnitedChristianMissionarySocietyofIndianapolis.This
requiredmuchtraveltoallofourvariousstations.Italsorequiredthat,whenIwasin
Jubbulpore,ourheadquarters,IteachaSundayschoolclassofthemenofthechurch.These
weremostlymenwithanaverageeducationofseventhoreighthgrade.Mypredecessor,Dr.
WilliamMcDougall,hadbeenaflamingliberal,agraduateofChicagoDivinitySchool.Hehad
taughtthisBibleclassfortheprevioussevenyears.
AturningpointinmytheologicalpilgrimagetookplaceoneSundaymorningwhenI
askedtheclassofsomefifteenortwentymen,Whenyoureadabiblicalpassagesuchasweare
studyingthismorning,whatisthefirstquestionyouask?
Oneofthemostintelligentrepliedimmediately,Whatisthereinthispassagethatwe
cannotbelieve? Whathemeant,ofcourse,wasthatwhen wereadthepassageaboutJesus
walkingonthewater,weknowinstantlythatHecouldnothavedonethat.Consequently,we
mustunderstandthepassageasanexaggeratedorpoeticrepresentationofwhathappened.
Ihadneverbeforebeenconfrontedsobluntlywithwhattheliberalpositionmeansto
ordinaryChristiansinmultitudinousinstances.Itshockedme,andIbeganatthatmomentto
sensethatitcouldnotbethetruth.Despiteallthedifficulties,Ibegantofeelmywayback
towardconvictionsconcerningtheBibleasinfalliblerevelation.ItisGodsWord.Itisentirely
dependable.ItistheruleoffaithandpracticeofeverytrueChristian.
Sincemyworkafter1935laychieflywithilliterateidolworshipingpeasantsinthegreat
plainofChhattisgarh,thisconvictionexpresseditselfnotinsermons,dissertations,orarticles
writtenforprofessorsintheologicalschoolsbutratherinmessagestothesegmentofsocietyto
whoseevangelizationGodhadsentme.
Forexample,IfoundthatwhenItoldthestoryofthecrosstomostvillageaudiences,
whetherofnonChristiansorChristians,theywerelikelytorespond:Well,theycaughtupwith
thepoormanandkilledhim.ThatisexactlywhattheHindusdidtosomeofourownreligious
leaders. Consequently,whenIpreparedtheoutlinesoftwelveBibleaccountsthatweretobe
learned(indeed,memorized)byvillagecongregationsandcametotheoutlineofthestoryofthe
cross,Iwrotethefollowingfoursentences,whichthevillagepastorwastousewordforword
andwhichhiscongregationsweretomemorizewordforword.Iftheydidthis,theywouldthink
ofthecrucifixioninitstruesense.Theycouldneveragainsay,Theycaughtupwiththepoor
fellowandkilledhim. Thefoursentencesreadasfollows:
TheLordJesusChristwasGodincarnate.Withonewordhecouldhaveburned
upallthosewhowerecrucifyingHimtheSanhedrin,Pilate,theRomansoldiers,

andalltherest.ButHecamenottodestroypeoplebuttosavethem.SoHedied
inourplacethereonthecross.
Irejectedthemoraltheoryoftheatonement,whichhadbeentaughtatYaleDivinity
School.Iacceptedthesubstitutionaryviewoftheatonement,whichtheBiblesoclearly
expresses.
Myrenewedconvictionconcerningbiblicalauthorityalsomotivatedmyconcepts
concerningmissionarylaborsofallkinds.IsawclearlythatunlesstheBiblewasacceptedas
Godsauthoritative,infalliblerevelation,therewasnoreasonatallformissionarylabors.
Instead,letthepeopleofeachgreatreligionmoveforwardattheirownpace,reformingtheir
ownreligion,andgraduallygrowingintoaunifiedworldsociety.Icametoseethatanyreal
missionarymovementmustdependuponanauthoritativeWordofGodmadeknownintheBible
andmanifestedbyourLordandSaviorJesusChrist.
Thisistheonlytheologicalpositionthatmakesthecommunicationofthegospel,the
disciplingofpantataethne,themultiplicationofcongregationsineverysegmentofallsocieties,
essential. Thisisthetheologicalconvictionunderlyingthechurchgrowthmovement.
Totheextentthatthistheologicalconvictionisweakened,effectiveevangelism
necessarilydeclines.Whyshouldanybodyseektowinhisunbelievingneighborsorgotoa
foreignlandandlearnaforeignlanguageunlessitisindeedtruethatHetowhomallauthorityin
heavenandearthisgivenhascommandedustomatheteusatepantataethne(discipleallthe
peoples)?

TheSecondRiverofThought
Thesecondriverofthoughtinwhichallevangelisticlaborthetwentiethcenturyhasbeen
carriedonconsistsofknowingthereligiousbeliefs,culturalcustoms,physicalresources,and
waysoflivingofthesegmentofsocietybeingevangelized.Inthefirsthalfofthecenturyitwas
consideredessentialfortheevangelisttoknowthereligionofthepopulationheorshe
evangelized.WerethepersongoingtoChina,heorshehadtobecomewellversedinConfucian
andBuddhistthought.InAfrica,IslamoranimismhadtobeknowninIndia,Hinduismor
IslamandinLatinAmerica,RomanCatholicism.
After1950orthereabouts,however,becauseofthetremendouspopularityof
anthropologyinstateuniversities,theneedtoknowotherreligionswaslargelysupplantedbythe
needtoknowanthropology,i.e.,thecultureofthepeoplebeingevangelized.Sincemostofthe
tremendousadvancesoftheChristianfaithinthetwentiethcenturyhadtakenplaceamong
animisttribalpopulations,whichhadfew,ifany,religiousbooksorwellstatedtheological
systems,anthropologydidindeedfurnishgreaterunderstandingofthepeoplesconcerned.
ThefirstprofessorwhomIcalledtothefacultyoftheSchoolofWorldMissionwasDr.
AlanTippett,Ph.D.inanthropologyandfortwentyyearsanardentmissionaryintheFijiIslands.
Ifoneisgoingtodiscipleanyanimistictribe,heshouldcertainlyknowitswayofthinking,
living,andactinginshort,itsculture.Thesameiscertainlytrueofanypastorministering
withinthevariousculturesinanyof ourfiftystates.

ToevangelizeMuslims,Hindus,Buddhists,Communists,oradherentsofanyother
religion,onemustknowtheirreligiousbeliefs.Hemusthavereadtheirbooksandknowtheir
valuesandsystemsoftheologyandphilosophy.
Inthefirsthalfofthetwentiethcentury,partofthepreparationofmycolleaguesinthe
IndiaMissionoftheUnitedChristianMissionarySocietyofIndianapoliswastoreadaHindi
bookcalledShadDarshamDarpan,whichdescribedthesixmostcommonsystemsofHindu
philosophy.Myowndoctoraldissertation(1932)describednineteenmajorbeliefsofHinduism
andtheeffectChristianeducationhadonhighschoolboysholdingthesebeliefs.
Whenin1966theaccreditingcommitteeoftheWesternAssociationofSchoolsand
CollegesvisitedtheFullerSchoolofWorldMission,itwasdispleasedthatitdidnotfindus
teachingcomparativereligions. How,exclaimedoneofitsmembers,canyourunaschoolof
missionsandnotteachcomparativereligions?
Asthechurchgrowthmovementtookshapeinmymindbetween1933and1953,itwas
greatlyinfluencedbythissecondriver.Aneffectivedisciplerofpantataethnemustknowthe
religions,cultures,occupations,andwaysoflivingofthosetowhomhepreachesChrist.Hewill
beformingcongregationsofaspecifickindofpeople.ThoseinFloridawillbesomewhat
differentfromthoseinNorthDakota.Thatiswhythechurchgrowthschoolofthought
constantlyemphasizesthateachsegmentofsocietyasitbecomesChristian willlooksomewhat
differentfromothersegmentsofsocietythatbecomeChristian.Thechurchthebodyof
Christisindeedonebutlikethehumanbodyithasmanydifferentparts.Denominationsmade
upverylargelyofilliteratelandlesslaborersinMalaysiaarenotlikelytolookorsoundlike
denominationsmadeupofcollegegraduatesinuppermiddleclassAmericansociety.
Fingernailsdonolookorfeellikeeyes,buttheyarebothintegralpartsofthebody.Thechurch
growthmovementurgesthatpeoplebecomesincerepracticingChristianswhileremaining
ethnically,culturally,andeconomicallythemselves.InIndiathismeantthatvegetariansocieties
shouldremainvegetarian.Thereisnoneedforaculturalcomponenttobechangedtofitthe
meateatinghabitsofEuropeanpopulations.
AsChristianityistherebyencouragedtoflowintomanydifferentpopulationsathome
andabroadandmenandwomenareenabledtobecomeChristianwhileremainingculturally
themselves,thechurchgrowthmovementbelievesthatmanymorewillbecomedisciplesofthe
LordJesus.Forexample,itisnotnecessaryforAfricanswhobecomeChristianstobecome
Westerners,moderns,orhighlyeducated,aslongastheyputasideallothergods,allother
scriptures,believeonJesusChristasGodandSavior,andaccepttheBibleastheirruleoffaith
andpractice.TheycanbecomegoodChristiansnomatterwhattheirculture,tongue,education,
orpoliticalpowerhappenstobe.
ThisisparticularlyimportantinurbanevangelizationintheUnitedStates.Despitethe
factthatinAmericanweareallonepeople,theurbanpopulationsarecomposedofmany
differentsegments.Theethnicminoritieslivingininnercitiesarequitedifferentfromthe
wealthypopulationsinbeautifulsuburbs.Whatwellpaid,welleducated,comfortablyhoused
AmericanChristianscanaffordbywayofchurchbuildingsoughtnottodeterminetheplacesof
assemblyofChristiancongregationslivingontheedgeofpovertyininnercityghettos.Weall
mustrememberthatNewTestamentchurchesneverbuiltasinglechurchbuilding.Many

congregationsinAmericancitiescannotaffordtoerectbuildings.ThoroughlyChristian
congregationsthatmeetinrentedquarters,inhomes,andthelikemustberegardedasofone
formofthechurchfittingcertaineconomicallydisadvantagedsegmentsofthepopulation.In
short,thephysicalformofthecongregationwillvaryenormouslyasthemultitudinoussegments
oftheworldspopulationsthemultitudinousethnearediscipled.

TheThirdRiverofThought
Athirdriverofthoughtalsogreatlyinfluencedmypilgrimage.Thisriverconsistedofan
accurateaccountofthegrowthrateandpatternsofthenewchurchesbeingmultiplied.
ResponsiblestewardsofGodsgracemustassembleanaccuratepictureofthoseturningto
Christandpassingfromdeathtolife.Theymustknowwhetherthechurchisgrowingat2
percentor200percentadecade.
Astheologicalconvictionsformedinmymindandgrewclearerandmoredefiniteyear
byyear,IsawthatinagreatmajorityofcasesmissionariesinAsia,Africa,andLatinAmerica,
thelandsIknewandinwhichItraveled,wereindeeddoingmanygoodworkseducation,
medicine,literacy,uplift,ruralreconstruction,andthelikebutintoomanyinstancestheywere
notbeingveryeffectiveinwinningpeopletoChrist,e.g.,theywerenotobeyingChrists
command.Theywerenotacutelyconsciousofthenumberofsheavestheywerebringingtothe
Mastersbarn.GraduallyIcametobelievethateverymissionaryandminister,every
congregation,andindeedeverysincereChristianmustbetremendouslyconcernedthatthe
gospelbemadeknowntoandbelievedbymanyofhisnonChristian,secular,agnostic,or
atheisticneighborsandfriends.
In1934IdiscoveredthatinmidIndia,whereIthenlived,manymissionarysocieties
fromtheUnitedStates,Sweden,England,Canada,andthelikewereatworkin145townsand
cities.InonlyelevenofthesewastheChristianpopulationgrowingsatisfactorily.In134cases
theChristianpopulationwasincreasingatlessthan1percentayear!
In1934alsothemidIndiaChristianCouncilinvitedJ.WaskomPickett,aMethodist
missionarywhohadjustpublishedhisbook,ChristianMassMovementsin India,todoasurvey
ofsevenmissionstationsofsevendifferentmissionsoneeachfromtheUnitedChurchof
Canada,theMennonite,theEvangelicalSynod,theChristianChurch,andtheAnglicanChurch,
andtwofromtheMethodistEpiscopalChurch.Thecouncilaskedmetoaccompanyhim.I
observedcarefullywhathefoundoutinfouroftheseareas.Hethenaskedmetocompletethe
surveyusinghismethods.
Allofthiscastagreatdealoflightuponwhythechurchwasgrowinginonlyafew
stations.AsIstudiedmissionsinotherlands,Ifoundthesamethingwastrue.Mostofhisslow
growthwasexplainedonthebasisthatexistingreligionsweretremendouslyopposedtoany
spreadofChristianity.Thiswastrueinsomecases.However,inmanyothersthelackofgrowth
wasduetopreventablecauses.Insomecaseslessthan10percentofthetotalresourcesofthe
missionsanddenominationswasspentoneffectiveevangelism.Inothercaseswhereachurch
hadgrownstronginonesegmentofsociety,becomingaChristiantoothersegmentsofsociety
meantleavingourpeopletojointhatothersegment. Scoresofotherreasonspractically
guaranteedthatsincere,devotedmissionworkledtoverylittlechurchgrowth.

Thechurchgrowthmovement,inconsequence,hasgreatlyemphasizedaccurateresearch
intotheeffectivenessofchurchandmissionlabors.Itinsistsnotonlythattheamountandrateof
growthmustbeaccuratelycharted,butalsothattherealreasonsforgrowthorlackofgrowth
mustbeaccuratelyknown.Inalmosteverynationsomeevangelismisattendedbyrapidchurch
growthbutmuchevangelismisattendedbyverylittle.Christiansmustdescribeandmemorize
thecausesofbothgrowthandnongrowth.ThoseintendingtoobeyeternalGodscommandto
discipleallthepeoplesofearthmustknowwhichofthepeoplesarereadyfordisciplingand
whichareresolutelyopposedtoit,whichfieldsarewhitetoharvestandinwhichmusttheseed
nowbesownforthefirsttime.
Asthescienceofmissions(missiology)hasdeveloped,ithascometoincludealarge
numberofsubjects.Knowledgeofotherreligionsandothercultures,thehistoryofmissionary
effort,thetheologicalfoundationsoftheChristianfaith,expertiseinthelanguagesspoken,and
onandonallthesearerespectablepartsofmissiology.
Thereisgravedanger,however,thatthesewillcometobeconsideredandtaughtasends
inthemselves.Thistheymustneverbe.Asthesesubjectsaretaught,theirstudentsmustbe
urgedtokeeptheireyesfixeduponthedegreeofdisciplingachievedinthespecificpopulation
theyareevangelizing.
Preciselythesamethingmustbeemphasizedineveryseminary,Biblecollege,and
ministerialgatheringintheUnitedStates.Thepastor mustask:Ismycongregationgrowing?
Oughtittobeplantingothercongregations?Theseminaryprofessormustask,Doourseminary
coursesprepareministerswhowillmultiplysoundlyChristiancongregationsineverygreat
urbanization,everyruraldistrict,andeveryethnicminoritybetweentheGulfofMexicoandthe
NorthPole?EveryBibleschoolandseminaryoughttoconductasurveyofitsgraduatesover
thepasttwentyyearsandfindouthowmanyofthemarewinningthelost,plantingnew
congregations,sendingoutmissionaries,andprayingardentlyforthecongregationtobe
effectivelyevangelistic.Everyschooloftheologicaleducationcouldeasilysendoutsucha
questionnairetoitsgraduates.Theologicalschoolswouldthenknowhowsuccessfultheyhad
beenintheirattemptstograduateeffectiveevangelists.
Denominationalexecutivesmustknowthegrowthpatternsofalltheircongregationsand
whichofthemcanbestimulatedintomuchgreatergrowth.Weliveinahighlysecularized
society.Unlesswestartseeingtherealsituationandcarryingouteffectiveevangelismasour
Godgiventask,weshallbestillfurtherinundatedbythesecular,agnostictide.

Conclusion
Thetremendousspreadofthechurchgrowthmovementsince1961,whentheInstituteof
ChurchGrowthwasfoundedinEugene,Oregon,hasbeensurprisingtoeveryone.
Thechurchgrowthmovementontheonehandfacedmanyslowgrowingordeclining
denominations.ItsawthattheChristianfaithwasregardedbymanyasmerelyoneofmany
religionsintheworldtoday.ItobservedwithalarmthatintoomanyChristianquartersthe
conceptofaunified,brotherlyworld,wasconsideredincompatiblewithaprogramofdiscipling

segmentsofsociety.Itobservedtremendousnumbersofstaticcongregationsand
denominations.
Asaccuratepicturesconcerningchurchgrowthwerecollectedfromallovertheworld,it
becameapparentthatonlyinsomeplaceschurchgrowthwasoccurring.Itcouldandshould
occurinmanymore.Ifaccurateknowledgeofchurchgrowthwereobtained,ifschoolsof
theologicaleducationanddenominationsweretotakeofftheblindfoldsandworkinthelightof
facts,ripefieldscouldbereapedtothelastsheaf.
Godhasbeenatworkdoingfarmmorethananyoneexpectedorthoughtpossible.Allof
AfricasouthoftheSaharaisintheprocessofbecomingsubstantiallyChristian.Competent
authoritiestellusthattherewillbe357millionChristiansinAfricabytheyear2000.Since
1970ChristianityinChinahasexpandedamazingly,principallybecauseofthehousechurch
movementthere.VitalChristianityisgrowinginthePhilippines,Guatemala,Brazil,Korea,and
manyotherlands.
Clearlywefacethemostreceptive,responsiveworldevertoexist.IfChristianof all
nationswillnowpressaheadobeyingeternalGodscommand,weshallseetremendouschurch
growth.IftheLordtarries,thenumberofChristiansintheworldwillgrowfromonefifthto
perhapsonehalfinthecomingdecades.
Mypilgrimagehastaken placeinthemidstofthesetremendousdivinemovements.God
hasusedthechurchgrowthmovementfarmorethananyofuslaboringatitdaredtoaskor
think.

7
ChurchGrowth

193365

193336,ManyGoodWorks,StaticMemberships
Thechurchgrowthmovementbeganinthefourthdecadeofthetwentiethcentury.
DuringthoseyearsasfieldsecretaryoftheIndiaMissionIhadtheprivilegetoseenotonlymy
ownmissionbutmanyothermissionaryeffortsinvariouspartsofthesubcontinentofIndia.I
foundthatallmissionswereengagedingoodworks.Butonlyafewmissioneffortswere
resultinginactualdisciplingofanethnos.Toomanynationaldenominationsandcongregations
werebusylookingafterthemselvesandcaringonlyforexistingChristians.Toomanymissions
weremaintainingastheirchieforonlyworkleprosyhomes,feedingfamineorphans,running
missionschools,caringonChristianmedicalworkindispensariesandhospitals,developing
bettermethodsofagriculture,andothersimilargoodworks.Theyweredoingthesemanygood
worksbelievingthatastheseweredone,theChristianfaithwouldspread.

However,theareasinwhichtheChristianfaithwasactuallyspreadingwerefewandfar
between.Oftenninetenthsofamissionsresourceswerespentindoinggoodworks,andless
thanonetenthwenttotheactualspreadoftheChristianfaith.Manycongregationsamongthe
Methodists,Baptist,Presbyterians,Lutherans,Anglicans,andotherscontinuedonforyears
sometimeswithoutaddingasinglenonChristiantothechurch.Itbecameincreasinglyclearthat
somethingverymuchmoreeffectiveoughttobeinstituted.
Justwhatthisotherprogramwas,however,wasnotclear.Worldevangelizationisavery
complexprocess.Itfacesverydifferentopportunitiesanddifficultiesasitevangelizesvery
differentsegmentsofhumanity. AllthosewhowouldobeyeternalGodscommandtoproclaim
thegospeltoallpeoples,leadingthemtofaithandobedience,mustrealizethatmanyprograms
thatachievethatendinonesegmentofsocietywillnotachievethatendinmostothersegments.
ChristianschoolsinmanyofthetribesofAfricahaveresultedinsubstantialChristianization.
However,inmostpartsofvastIndia,China,andmanyotherlands,Christianschoolshave
seldomledtosubstantialChristianization.
DuringthefourthdecadeofthiscenturyasIfacedtheseandsimilarfacts,Iwas
constantlyaskingthequestion,Whatthenmustwedo?WepraytheLordofharvesttosend
laborersintowhitenedfieldsbuthowmusttheyreaptheseverydifferentharvests?Youdonot
reappotatofieldswithasickle.Everycroppresentscertainsignificantdifferences.

193654,EighteenInstructiveYears
In1936mymissionsentmetobetheevangelisticmissionaryintheTakhatpurarea,
somethreehundredvillagesspreadacrosstheplainaroundthesmalltownofTakhatpur.In
manyofthesevillageslivedtentofiftyfamiliesofSatnamisacasteofamillion,whohadshown
someappreciationforthegospel.Mymissionsaidtome,Welikeyourconcernforeffective
evangelism.Wewillbackyoueffortstomultiplychurchesindifferentareas.Wewillaskour
supportingboardtoraise$25,000toundergirdanewandvigorousprogramofevangelism.
Whatthatprogramiswilldependverylargelyuponyou.WehopethatGodwillmakeit
successful.
Thoseeighteenyears,therefore,werespentinanevangelismthatattemptedtowin
enoughfamiliesinagivenvillagetoenabletheestablishmentofnewcongregations.
Hadthisattemptbeenmadein1920insteadof1940,itwouldwithoutquestionhave
broughttenthousandtofiftythousandpeopletoChristianfaith.However,in1940Mahatma
GandhiwasproclaimingthattheendofBritishrulewasathandandthattheUntouchableswere
toberegardedasHarijans,orGodspeople.Consequently,thereceptivityoftheUntouchable
Satnamissharplydeclined.
Alas,Mr.Gandhiskindwordsandsomeattractivepoliticalconcessionsdidnotchange
theoppressiontheSatnamissuffered.
Hiskindwordsdid,however,leadmanyofthemtorefusetobecomeChristian.
Hinduism,they,alas,vainlyimagined,isgoingtotreatusfairly.Whyshouldwebecome
Christians? Nevertheless,theevangelisticeffortdidbringinfifteennewsmallcongregations.

Atthesametime,facedwithseveralhundredChristianchildreninthevillageswhowere
growingupilliterate,IwasburdenedwiththeneedforChristianeducation.Furthermore,the
preventabledeathsofmanyChristiansunderscoredtheneedforbuildingandmaintaininga
ChristianhospitalatTakhatpur.Theverygreatneedforagriculturalimprovementsofvarious
sortsmadeitseemnecessarytostressagriculturaldevelopment.Thus,despiteconvictionstothe
contrary,Ifoundmyselfengaginginmanygoodworkstrue,Igavemoreattentionto
evangelismthanmostmissionaries,butIfoundthattheChristianprogramthesituationneeded
hadtoincludemanyundertakingsthatseemedtobearlittlerelationtothespreadofthechurch.
Nevertheless,theseeighteenyears,193654,duringwhichIfrequentlystudiedother
missionsalsoandwroteamonthlyarticlefortheUnitedChurchReview (aPresbyterian
magazine)didenableachurchgrowthpointofviewtobedeveloped.Convictionsformedinmy
mindastowhathadtobedone.Someoftheseconvictionsgrewoutofmysuccessesothers
werebasedonmyfailures.In1953IwrotethemanuscriptoftheBridgesofGod.Thiswaslater
publishedbyWorldDominionPressinLondonandFriendshipPressinNewYork.According
toDr.FrankPrice,aSouthernPresbyterianmissionarytoChinawhohadbecomethelibrarianat
themissionaryResearchLibraryinNewYork,thisbecamethemostreadmissionarybookin
1956.

195560,AdditionalInsights
In1954Mrs.McGavranandIcompletedourfourthsevenyearterminIndiaandcame
homeonfurlough,intendingtoreturntoIndiain1955.However,myboard,theUnited
ChristianMissionarySociety,impressedbytheneedtoknowitsvariousmissionfieldsmore
accurately,setmetoPuertoRico,Thailand,BelgianCong,thePhilippines,Jamaica,andOrissa,
India.IneachoftheseIwastosurveynotonlytheworkofmysociety,but,asfaraspossible,
theworkofBaptist,Methodists,Presbyterians,andothermissionboards.TheinformationI
receivedfromsurveyingthesemanyboardsinmorecontinentsoftheworldgreatlyhelpedme
developaworldwidechurchgrowthpointofviewthatspoketotherealsituationsinmost
missionfields.
In1958,findingthatmostmissionleaderswereinclinedtothinkthatIspokechiefly
aboutpeoplemovementstoChristandhadstartedcallingmePeopleMovementMcGavran,I
wroteasecondbook,HowChurchesGrow.InitInevermentionedpeoplemovements.This
wasinordertoemphasizethattheessentialtaskofallworldevangelizationwastocarryoutthe
commandsconcerningfindingandfoldingthelost.Thesecommandsmustbeobeyed,especially
intherapidlygrowingandmanyfacetedcitiesoftheworldandtheresponsivepopulations.The
essentialworkwasthespreadoftheChristianfaith.Theabsolutecenterofevangelizationwas
matheteusatepantataethne,incorporationallthesegmentsofsocietyintoChristsbody. How
ChurchesGrow,publishedbyWorldDominionPressandFriendshipPress(1959),enabledthis
viewofmissionstospreadintheEnglishspeakingworld.
However,mostseminariesandBiblecollegesstillpaidverylittleattentiontochurch
growthoreffectiveevangelismandmissionarysocieties. That, theyheld,wastheworkof
professionalevangelist. TraininginevangelismdespiteitsclearcentralitytoNewTestament
theologywasveryseldomtaught.Whenitwas,itwasusuallyanelective.Pastorsand

ministerscarefortheirflocks.Theydonotsearchforlostsheeporreapripefields.This
mistakennotionhasbeenanessentialpartoftherationalebackoftheologicaleducation.
Ispenttheyears195455asaresearchfellowofYaleDivinitySchool.During195657I
continuedtoliveinNewHaven,ConnecticutontheedgeoftheDivinitySchoolcampus.From
1957through 1960theUnitedChristianMissionarySocietyappointedmetoanewposition
professorofmissionsofitsCollegeofMissions.Mydutiesweretoteachoutgoingcandidatesof
theUnitedChristianMissionarySocietyatthesummersessionsoftheCollegeof Missionsand
duringtheotherthreequartersoftheyearbecomeperipateticprofessorofmissionsinthe
seminariesoftheChristianChurch,DisciplesofChrist.Thus,Itaughtinthegraduateseminary
ofPhillipsUniversity,Enid,OklahomatheDivinity SchoolinDesMoines,IowaChristian
TheologicalSeminaryinIndianapolistheCollegeoftheBible,Lexington,KentuckytheSchool
ofReligion,Berkeley,CaliforniaBethanyCollege,WestVirginiaandNorthwestChristian
College,Eugene,Oregon.
Interspersedwiththeseteachingassignmentswerethechurchgrowthresearchesinthe
countriesalreadymentioned.TheseresearchesweretobeofthemajorProtestantmissionsin
thoselands.Forexample,inPuertoRicomyresearchesincludedcarefulstudiesoftheBaptist,
Congregational,Methodist,Pentecostal,andPresbyterianmissionsandchurches,aswellasthose
ofmyowndenomination.
Duringtheseyearsthetheologicalandconceptualbasesofeffectiveevangelism(church
growth)wereenlarged.Mystatementsconcerningchurchgrowthwereframedtofitthegeneral
Protestantmissionpicture.Thefactthatchurchgrowththinkingwassogenerallyacceptable
acrossthespectrumofProtestantdenominationscanbecreditedinlargeparttotheseyears
which combinedfindingthefactsinmanylandsandteachingtheseinfiveseminariesandfive
summercoursesoftheCollegeofMissions.Unrecognizedbyme,Godwaspreparingmeto
speakconvincinglytotheworldwidechurchaboutdisciplingpantataethne.

January1961toSeptember1965
In1959itbecamecleartomethatthechurchgrowthpointofviewshouldnotbelimited
tothecongregations,seminaries,andmissionarysocietiesoftheChristianchurches.All
missionaryeffortofallbranchesoftheuniversalchurchneededtohearandobeyGod
commandingthemtodomoreeffectivemultiplicationofcongregationsoftheredeemedamong
pantataethne.Myresearchesprovedtomethatmostmissionsinmostlandswereobtaining
lessgrowthoften farlessgrowththentheycould.Toooftenmissionariesweresubstituting
carefortheexistingflockforfindinglostsheep.Toooftentheyweresubstitutinggooddeedsfor
effectiveevangelism.Toomanymissionarieswereservingonenongrowingcongregationora
halfdozennongrowingcongregationsinsteadofmultiplyingcongregationsofnewbelievers
amongthevatmultitudesofunbelievers.Toomanymissionaries,freshoutofAmerican
seminaries,wereteachinginthirdworldseminariesandwerepreparingministersforexisting
slowgrowingcongregations.Thetheologicalschoolsinwhichtheytaughthadnotasingle
courseoneffectiveevangelism.
AsIponderedthesethings,itbecamecleartomethatIoughttoresignfromthe
missionarysocietyandstartaninstituteofchurchgrowth.Thiswouldenrollcareermissionaries

frommanydenominations.Itwouldalsovitalizethebeginningchurchesinscoresand
eventuallythousandsofdifferentareasontheglobe.
WhenItoldthistomygoodfired,thechiefexecutiveoftheUnitedChristianMissionary
Society,hereplied,Youreallymustrethinkyourposition.Itwouldbefoolishofyou,nowthat
youaresixtythreeyearsofage,todoanysuchthing.Youhaveasecurepositionnowwithyour
ownmissionarysociety.You wearathirtyfiveyearpin.Youareoneofourhonoredveterans.
Staywithus.
However,feelingstronglythatGodwascallingmetolaborsthatwouldhelpadvance
effectiveevangelizationinmanybranchesofthechurchinmanylands,Iresolvedtoresignasa
missionaryoftheUnitedChristianMissionarySocietyandtofoundaninstituteofchurch
growth.
IapproachedthreeoftheChristianChurchseminariesandaskedthattheystartinstitutes
ofchurchgrowth.Allofthemdeclined,sayingthatitwasagoodidea,buttheydidnothavethe
money.Inthespringof1959,whileservingasprofessorofmissionsinNorthwestChristian
Collegeforaquarter,ImentionedmydreamtoPresidentRossGriffeth.Hereplied,Wewould
behappytohaveyouasamemberofourfaculty.YoucouldbegintheInstituteofChurch
Growthhere.Allthecollegewouldrequirewouldbeforyoutoteachonecourseonmissions
everyquartertoourundergraduates.Therestofyourtimeyoucouldspendteachingthecareer
missionariesfromanydenominationsattendingtheInstituteofChurchGrowth.Furthermore,we
willbegladtogivethree$1,000scholarshipstocareermissionariesofanydenominationwho
wouldcomeheretostudychurchgrowth.
AsmallChristiancollegeinfaroffEugene,Oregon,wasnotthebestplacetostartan
instituteofchurchgrowth.However,sinceitwastheonlypossibleplace,Idecidedtoaccept
PresidentGriffethsoffer.
Intheschoolyear195960theUnitedChristianMissionarySocietysentmetoteach
missionsinBethanyCollege,WestVirginia,andinthefallof1960tobeprofessorofmissions
intheSchoolofReligiononHolyHillinBerkeley,California,rightnexttotheUniversityof
California.TheSchoolofReligiontherehadwrittenoverthedoorwaytoitschapel,Gointoall
theworldandpreachthegospel. TheCongregationalSeminary,whenitbuiltthatchapel,had
beenardentlymissionary,butbythefallof1960ithadbecomecoldtowardmissions,andmy
classesthereweresmall.Themainconcernoftheseminarywasnoteffectiveevangelism.
InmidDecember1960ourtermofserviceattheSchoolofReligionended.Wepacked
ourbelongingsintooursmalltrailer,coveredthemwithatarpaulin,hitchedthetrailertoourcar,
anddrovesixhundredmilesnorthtoEugene,Oregon,toestablishtheInstituteofChurch
Growth.
ThefirstclassesoftheInstituteofChurchGrowthopenedonJanuary2,1961withone
student,theRev.KeithHamiltonoftheMethodistMissioninBolivia.For thenextfivemonths
hewasmysolestudent.Ihadtheunrivaledopportunityofformingthecoursesofinstructionof
theInstituteofChurchGrowthbeforeaverysmallaudience.However,hisresearchesintothe
ChristianizationoftheAymaraandQuechuaIndiantribesofthehighAndesgavemean

opportunitytobecomewellacquaintedwithwhatwashappeninginallthenationsofwestern
SouthernAmericaColombia,Ecuador,Peru,Bolivia,andChile.Itwasamostrewardingfive
months.
Inthefallthenumberofstudentsincreased.ThecoursesofstudythatIhadroughly
outlinedinthespringofthatyearwereexpandedandtaughtagain.Itwascheeringtonotethat
thecareermissionariesallfeltthattheircoursesofstudyweredistinctlyhelpfultothem.Their
researchesalsointowhathadactuallyhappenedinsixdifferentmissionfieldsweremost
illuminating.Theseresearchesabundantlyjustifiedthechurchgrowthpointofview.
Becauseofthesmallenrollment,PresidentGriffethsaidtome,Ratherthantyingupone
ofourclassrooms,Ithinkthatyouhadbetterholdyourclassesinthatpartofthelibrarywhere
westackthebooksyettobecatalogued.Thereinthestacksyouwillfindalargeandbeautiful
oaktable,aroundwhichtenstudentscaneasilysit.Ifyoustandatoneendandlecture,your
classeswillbeheldinaveryquietpartofthecollege. Consequently,forthenextfouranda
halfyearsalltheclassesoftheInstituteofChurchGrowthwereheldaroundthatoaktableinthe
stacks.
TheRev.AlanTippettarrivedinlateDecemberof1961.Hewasatwentyyearveteran
AustralianMethodistmissionarytotheFijiIslands.Ihadgrantedhima$1,000research
fellowship,becauseIlikewhathewroteintheInternationalReviewofMissionsaboutthespread
ofChristianityinthePacificIslands.HelikedtheemphasisoftheclassesintheInstituteof
ChurchGrowth.Inthespringof1962Isaidtohim,Alan,howaboutyourteachingtwotwo
hourcourses,oneonanimism(whichyouknowverywellfromyourtwentyyears workamong
theanimistofFiji)andoneonanthropology?Thecoursesyouaretakinginanthropologyinthe
UniversityofOregonacrossthestreetandyourexperienceamplyqualifyyoutodothis.
Sinceheneededtheadditionalincome,hegladlyaccepted.TheInstituteofChurch
GrowthnowhadtwoteachersAlanTippett,whotaughtfourhoursaweek,andDonald
McGavran,whotaughttwelve.
InthefirstweekofSeptember,1961,theannualmeetingoftheEvangelicalForeign
MissionsAssociation,headedbyDr.ClydeTaylor,washeldinWinonaLake,Indiana.Dr.
Taylorinvitedmetodeliveraseriesoflecturesonchurchgrowthtothatmeeting.Theexecutive
secretariesassembledtherelikewhattheyheard.Theysaid,Thiskindofinstructionshouldbe
giventoallourmissionariesonfurlough.Wouldyoubewillingtocomeherenextyearatthis
sametimeandspeaktoagatheringofpossiblyahundredcareermissionariesonfurlough?We
willpayyourwaytoandfromEugene.EdwinJacques,executivesecretaryfortheConservative
Baptist,willmanagetheseminar.Allyouhavetodoislectureonchurchgrowth.
ThustheannualSeminaronChurchGrowthatWinonaLakewasborn.Everyyearfor
thenextnineyearsEFMAmissionariesandmanyothersonfurloughassembledatWinonaLake
forfourdaysofinstructioninchurchgrowth.WhatlaterwaspublishedasUnderstanding
ChurchGrowthformedthesubjectmatteroftheselectures.Forthefirstfouryearstheonly
lecturerwasDonaldMcGavran.Afterthattimetheprogramwasenrichedbylecturesfrom
RalphWinter,AlanTippett,andothers.

ThisChurchGrowthSeminar,attendedbymorethanonethousandcareermissionaries
overtheyears,hadaconsiderableimpactonmissionthinking.
TheCongressontheChurchsWorldwideMissionatWheaton,Illinois,in1966hada
sectiononchurchgrowth,thefirsttimechurchgrowthasadistincttopichadbeenassignedan
importantplaceinmissiontheory.
Yearbyyearasenrolledcareermissionariesfromallovertheworldstudiedatthe
InstituteofChurchGrowthandresearchedtheactualgrowthofthechurchintheirfields,some
oftheexactinformationneededbyworldevangelizationwasbeinggathered,In196263one
researchfellowcamefromNigeria,onefrombrazil,andanotherfromSouthernKorea.Three
brilliantchurchgrowthresearchesresulted.Forthefirsttime,whatchurchgrowthhadactually
happenedineachofthoseplaceswasdescribed.RoyShearersgraphsshowedthat thedistricts
inthecentralandsouthernpartofKorea,nottheRepublicofKorea,hadshownmoderateor
smallgrowthwhilethetwodistrictsinnorthKorea,nowCommunistNorthKorea,justsouthof
theYaluRiverhadshowntremendousgrowth.AsShearerexploredwhymissionarylaborshad
hadthesedistinctlydifferentresultsindifferentpartsofthecountry,hecastagreatdealofnew
lightonwhathadactuallyhappened.Hisexactthinkingburstthroughthepromotionallanguage
employedbymostexponentsofmission.Abrilliantnewlightwasshedonwhereandhow
evangelismwasbeingeffectiveandwhereandwhyitwasnot.
ThesamewastrueofWilliamReadsworkonchurchgrowthinBrazilandofGordon
RobinsonsandJohnGrimleysworkonchurchgrowthinNigeria.Allthreeoftheseresearches
werelaterpublishedunderthetitles,WildfireChurchGrowthinKorea,NewPatternsof
ChurchGrowthinBrazil,andChurchGrowthinCentralandSouthernNigeria.
Duringthefourandahalfyears,fortythreeresearcheswerecompleted.Dependable
informationonactualchurchgrowthinmanylandswasassembled.Thevictoriesanddefeats
weresetforthinmeaningfuldetail.Whatcauseschurchgrowthandwhatcausesstatic,
nongrowingcongregationsbecameincreasinglyclear.Noneoftheseresearches,however,was
publishedinAmericabefore1966.TheInstituteofChurchGrowthdidnothavethemoneyor
theprestige.However,ChurchGrowthintheHighAndesbyKeithHamiltonandChurch
GrowthinJamaicabyMcGavranwerepublishedinIndiabytheLucknowPressbefore1965.
Theotherswerenotpublisheduntil196667.Indeed,mostofthefortythreewerenever
published.
TheAnnualChurchGrowthLecturesatEugenealsonurturedandfurtheredthechurch
growth movement.Notedmissionexecutivesandmissionarieswereinvitedtoaddressthe
instituteonthesubjectofchurchgrowth.Theirlectureswerethenpublished(after1965).
BishopJ.WaskomPickettgavethefirstlectures.Inthesecondsetoflecturesinthefallof1963,
Dr.EugeneNida(AmericanBibleSociety),Dr.CalGuy(SouthwestBaptistTheological
Seminary),theRev.MelvinHodges(executivesecretaryforLatinAmerica,ForeignMissions
Department,AssembliesofGod,Springfield,Missouri),andIdeliveredthetwelvelectures.The
audienceincludedmorethantwentymissionexecutivesfrommanyofthemissionboardsin
NorthAmerica,aswellasthecareermissionariesattendingtheinstitute.Theseinfluential
lectureswerepublishedin1965by HarperandRowunderthetitleChurchGrowthandChristian
Mission.Thebookhasmadeanotablecontributiontothechurchgrowthmovement.

In1963theWorldCouncilofChurchesassembledalargeworldgatheringinMontreal,
Canada.Onepartoftheirprogram,ledbythecelebratedVictorHayward,Baptistmission
executivefromEngland,wasastudyofthechurchgrowthmovement.Thiswasampleevidence
ofthewideeffectthechurchgrowthmovementwashaving,evenbackin1963.Thechurch
growthconferencewasattendedbyabouttwentyrepresentativeswhocamefromallsix
continents.Iwasinvitedtoexplainanddefendthechurchgrowthposition.Iwrotebackto
VictorHaywardimmediatelyaskingwhetherbewouldalsoincludeBishopJ.WaskomPickettof
theUnitedMethodistChurchandtheRev.AlanTippett,myassociateteacherattheInstituteof
ChurchGrowth.Heansweredwithacordialyes.
ThechurchgrowthconferencewasassembledatIberville,asmalltownnearMontreal.
ThefindingswereknownasTheGrowthoftheChurch,aStatementDrawnupbyaSpecial
ConsultationConvenedbytheWCCDepartmentofMissionaryStudiesatIberville,Quebec,July
31August2,1963
Forthefirsttwodaysoftheconferencechurchgrowthwassubjectedtosustainedattacks
voicedchieflybyVictorHayward.Insteadofansweringthesemyself,IurgedBishopPickett
andMr.Tippetttodefendchurchgrowth.OnoccasionIalsoexplainedanddescribedwhat
churchgrowthreallymeant.ItthreatenednothinginessentialChristianity.Itfurtheredthebasic
concernsofthepropagationofthegospel.AttheendoftheseconddayPickett,Tippett,andI
feltsurethatthefindingsofthisconferencewouldbeacriticalassessmentofthechurchgrowth
movement.
BetweenthesecondandthirddayvictorHaywardtooktheeveningandpossiblemuchof
thenighttowriteupaconsideredstatementonchurchgrowth,whichhereadouttothe
conferencethenextdayfordebateanddecision.Iwasdelighted.Itwasanopen,wellstated,
reasoneddescriptionofthechurchgrowthmovement.Therewaslittledebateafewwords
hereandtherewerechanged.TheconferencecalledbytheWorldCouncilofChurcheshad
enthusiasticallybackedchurchgrowth.
However,insteadofpublishingthisreportintheInternationalReviewofMissions,the
WorldCouncilpublisheditintheEcumenicalReview andneverthereaftermentionedit.
Nevertheless,theInstituteofChurchGrowthandlatertheSchoolofWorldMissionatFuller
TheologicalSeminaryfoundthisstatementanexcellentexpositionofthewholechurchgrowth
position.Wepublishedandrepublisheditmanytimes.Thousandsofcopieswereprintedand
mailedoutwithpersonalletters.Copiesweresenttoallthoseconsideringcomingtoustostudy
missions.TheIbervillereporthadaconsiderableimpact.Itwasnotourstatement.Itwasa
statementofaconferenceoftheWorldCouncilofChurches.Ithadagreatimpactonthe
evangelicalwingoftheuniversalchurch.Theconciliarwing,movingsteadilyawayfrom
evangelismtowardsocialaction,paidlittleattentiontoit.
InJune1964,assoonashehadreceivedhisdoctoraldegreeinanthropologyfromthe
UniversityofOregon,AlanTippettleftfortheSouthPacific.Hehadbeenteachingatthe
InstituteofChurchGrowthfortwoandaquarteryears.SincethefinancialabilityoftheInstitute
ofChurchGrowthtoengageasecondfulltimeteacherwasnonexistent,Ineverexpectedtosee
himagain.Tippettsplaceasteacherofanimism andanthropologywastakenbytheRev.
GeorgeMartindale,aConservativeBaptistmissionarytoJapanonfurlough,andtheprogramof

instructionattheInstituteofChurchGrowthproceededsteadilyonwardfortheacademicyear
196465.HisservicesendedinJuneof1965when,asdescribedinthenextchapter,theInstitute
ofChurchGrowthbecametheSchoolofWorldMissionatFullerTheologicalSeminaryin
southernCalifornia.
Amostsignificantdevelopmentoccurredin1964.TheRev.NormanCummings,the
directorofadministrationforOverseasCrusades,alargemissionarysocietyfoundedabout1950,
hadsentanumberofhismissionariesonfurloughtotheInstituteofChurchGrowth.Inthe
springof1964hehimselfcametostudyforamonth.Towardtheendofthisstayhesaidtome,
Dr.McGavran,thisinstituteshouldhaveapublication.Whatyouaresayingneedstoberead
bythousandsofpeople.
Ireplied,Ithoroughlyagree.Butwedonothavethemoney.
Heresponded,Ifyouwillprovidethecopy,OverseasCrusadeswillprovidethefunds
forprintingandmailing.Wewillalsosecureamailinglistofseveralthousand.
Consequently,inOctoberof1964thefirstissueoftheChurchGrowthBulletincameout.
Ithasbeenpublishedeversincetheneverytwomonths.Ithascalledattentionaroundtheworld
totheimportanceandurgencyofeffectiveevangelism.Ithasinfluencedscoresofmissionary
societiesandhascarriedarticlesbymanyoftheleadersofworldmissiontoday.Intheearly
eightiesitstitlewaschangedtoGlobalChurchgrowth.In1987OverseasCrusadesceased
publishingit,anditspublisherbecametheChurchGrowthCenteratCorunna,Indiana.Dr.Kent
Hunterbecameeditorinchief.
Everyfourorfiveyearsthepublicationshavebeenboundintoasourcefordetailed
descriptionofchurchgrowthineverycontinent.Theworldofmissionsowesagreatdebtto
NormanCummingsandOverseasCrusadesandnowDr.KentHunter.
In1964,asaresultoftheresearchesdonebycareermissionariesfromLatinAmerica,I
cametofeelthatascientific,onthespotresearchintochurchgrowthinalltheLatinAmerican
landswouldbeamajorcontributiontomissionthinkingandplanning.Inconsequence,Iwrote
totwentyfoundationsaskingforgrantstofundtheproposedchurchgrowthsurvey,whichwould
coverallofSouthAmerica.Nineteenofmyproposalsprovedfruitless,butthetwentieth,
addressedtotheEliLillyEndowmentofIndianapolis,borefruit.OnedayinDecemberof1964
Ireceivedacheckfor$54,000,andtheLatinAmericanchurchgrowthprojectwasborn.
Inthespringof1865,aftermuchcorrespondence,threecareermissionaryresearchers
weresecured.WilliamReadofthePresbyterianMissioninBrazil,HarmonJohnsonofthe
AssembliesofGod,andvictorMonterroso,aBaptistministerandseminarylecturerinCosta
Rica,wereselectedasthethreeresearchers.ScheduledtobeginworkinSeptemberof1965,
theyweretoassembleattheInstituteofChurchGrowthinOregonforseveralmonthsofbook
researchbeforefanningouttothevariouslandsinthegreatcontinenttothesouth.SinceinJune
of1965NorthwestChristianCollegedecidedtoterminatetheInstituteofChurchGrowth,I
decidedtoacceptFullerTheologicalSeminarysinvitationtobecomethefoundingdeanofits
newSchoolofWorldMission.

Therefore,inSeptemberof1965thethreemenassembledinPasadena,California,rather
thanEugene,Oregon.Theirresearchesduringthenexttwoyearsresultedinanotable
contributiontothecauseofmissions,thebook LatinAmericanChurchGrowth.Theydid
carefulchurchgrowthresearchesinseventeenLatinAmericannations.Forthefirsttimethose
carryingonmissioninallthosecountriessawfromgraphsofgrowthandcolumnsofstatistics
whatchurchgrowthhadactuallybeenachieved.Pagesofdescriptiontoldwhysomemissionary
effortshadsucceededgreatlyandwhymanyothershadestablishedafewsmallnongrowing
congregations.Thewholeenterprisewasanotablecontributionbothtomissiology,thescience,
andtothecarryingoutoftheGreatCommission.Itcarriedonestepfurthertheseriesofforty
threeresearchesdonebycareermissionarieswhostudiedattheInstituteofChurchGrowth.
Hence,whileitwascarriedoutverylargelybytheSchoolofWorldMissioninPasadena,
theaccountoftheLatinAmericanchurchgrowthprojectisincludedinthesectionofthisbook
describingtheInstituteofChurchGrowth.Suchresearchesneedtobecarriedoutfromdecade
todecadesothatworldevangelizationremainswellinformedastowhatmeasuresandmethods
Godisblessing,tothegrowthofthechurch,andwhatHeisnotblessing.
JimSunday,anAlliancemissionary,studiedattheInstituteofChurchGrowthin 1964.
HedescribedtheveryremarkabledisciplingofthousandsofWestDanisinthewesternhalfof
thegreatislandofNewGuinea.Sincehiswasamostdramaticstoryandawonderfulexample
oflargediscipling,IsenthismanuscripttoIndiatobepublishedbytheLucknowPress.Hiswas
anotablecontributiontothescienceofmissiology.
Allsuchinformationisalsoanessentialpartoftheologicaleducation.Unlesspastorsin
preparationseeanaccuratepictureofthedegreetowhichthepeoplein theircitiesorcounties
arepracticingChristians,nominalChristians,ornonChristians,theycannotwinmanythrough
conversiontoChristianfaith.Unlesstheologicalschoolsalsoseethesethingsaccuratelyfor
theirownandothernations,theycannotknowwhateternalGodscommandtodisciplethe
peoplesofearthmeanstochurchleaderstoday.
Thus,attheInstituteofChurchGrowthbetweenJanuaryof1961andJuneof1965many
notablecontributionstochurchgrowththinkingweremade.Yearbyyearleadersofthe
universalchurchhadimpresseduponthemthattheactualwinningofmenandwomentoChrist
andtheMultiplicationofcongregations,farfrombeingtheconcernonlyofmissionarysocieties
andprofessionalevangelists,weretheconcernoftheentirechurch.Seminaryprofessors,
missionexecutives,andallleadersofalldenominationsneededtoknowwhatwasactually
happeninginregardtothedisciplingoftheunsavedintheirownnationsandinallothernations.
Itwasnotenoughtoshepherdexistingchurchesandproclaimhegospelwidely.Thegoalwas
muchmorethanthat.Thegoalwastomultiplysound,believing,Spiritfilledcongregationsin
everysegmentofsocietyinNorthAmericanandtheotherfivecontinentsaswell.Thedegreeto
whichthisgoalwasbeingachievedneededconstantlytobeaccuratelymeasuredandmadethe
basisforfutureaction. Thisisthecentralbusinessofallmissiology,ofallcourseson
evangelismand,indeed,alalltheologicaleducation. Thebrieffourandahalfyearsofchurch
growththinking,teaching,research,andpublishingoftheInstituteofChurchGrowthat
NorthwestChristianCollegehadbeengreatlyblessedbyGod.

8
ChurchGrowth

196571

EffectiveEvangelismtheHeartofMissiology
CharlesFuller,whosevisionandmoneyhavesogreatlyfurtheredtheevangelical
Christianenterprise,wantedin1944toestablishaschoolofworldmission.Hehimself,inhis
radiobroadcastsof TheOldFashionedRevivalHour,wascarryingouteffectiveradio
evangelizationacrossAmerica.ButhelongedtoobeyChristscommandtoenrollallthepeoples
oftheearthinthechurchofChrist(Matt.28:19).
Ashesoughttoimplementthisvision,heestablishedasafirststepatheological
seminary.FullerTheologicalSeminaryhelditsfirstclassesin1946inPasadena,California.It
soonbecameoneoftheoutstandingevangelicalseminariesinNorthAmerica.By1963,ofits
eighthundredgraduates,twohundredhadgoneabroadasmissionaries.
Inthatyear,whenDavidHubbardwascalledtothepresidencyoftheseminary,heand
CharlesFullerdecidedthatthetimehadcometoestablishasecondgraduateschool.Thiswould
dealwithworldevangelization.ItwouldbecalledtheSchoolofWorldMissionandhavea
facultyofsevenfulltimeacademicallyandexperientiallyqualifiedprofessors.
Asapartofthisvisionandthisplanning,theseminarywrotetoitstwohundredgraduates
whoweremissionariesinmanypartsoftheworldandasked,Whomshouldwecallasdeanof
thisnewschoolofworldmission?Morethanhalfoftheirrepliessuggestedthattheylookintoa
mancalledDonaldMcGavran.He,theysaid,issayingsomeveryimportantandverytimely
thingsaboutChristianmission.Allthiswascompletely unknowntome.
OnedayinFebruaryof1965,asIwasteachingaclassofsixcareermissionariesseated
aroundtheoaktableinthelibrarystacksatNorthwestChristianCollege,acoupleof
distinguishedlookingmenwalkedintotheclassroomandaskedif theycouldjointheclassand
listentotheteaching.Iassuredthemthattheyweremostwelcome.Attheendoftheclassthey
asked,Areyougoingtoteachanotherclassthismorning?
IassuredthemthatIwasandthattheywereverywelcometovisititalso.They
introducedthemselvestomeasDavidHubbard,presidentofFullerTheologicalSeminary,and
C.DavisWeyerhaeuser,chairmanoftheseminaryboard.Atthecloseofthesecondclassthey
said,Wearenowgoingouttolunchbutwouldliketocomebackabouttwooclockandhave
somefurtherconversation.IassuredthemthatIwouldbepleasedtotalkwiththem.Atthetwo
oclockmeetingtheytoldmethattheywerelookingforadeanforthenewschoolofmission
shortlytobeestablishedatFullerTheologicalSeminaryinPasadena.Theywereconsideringme
fortheappointment.WouldIbewillingtocomedownandtalktothefaculty?
Atthesametime,PresidentRossGriffethhadreachedtheageofsixtyeight,andanew
presidentofNorthwestChristianCollegewasbeingcalled.Iwasalsogoingtobesixtyeightin

1965andaskedtheboardwhetheritwouldcontinuemyservicesandtheInstituteofChurch
Growth.Muchconsultationresulted.Thefactthata$54,000granthadbeenreceivedfromthe
Eli LillyEndowmenttocarryontheLatinAmericanChurchGrowthprojectwasapointof
interest.ThenewpresidentofthecollegedidnotfeelthathewantedtocarryontheInstituteof
ChurchGrowth.Amajorityofhisboard,however,wereinfavorofcontinuingit.
Aftermuchdiscussiontheboarddecidedin1965todiscontinuetheInstituteofChurch
GrowthatNorthwestChristianCollege.Consequently,IwenttoFullerTheologicalSeminaryas
thefoundingdeanofitsSchoolofWorldMission.
Thatsummer,by previousarrangement,IspenttwomonthsinBrazilgivingcourseson
churchgrowthatthreePresbyterianseminariesinsouthern,central,andnorthernBrazil.WhenI
returned,IcamenottoEugenebuttoPasadena,where,duringmyabsenceinBrazil,Mrs.
McGavranhadmovedourhouseholdgoodsandbooks.
InJune,1965,PresidentHubbardhadaskedmetosecureasecondmemberofthefaculty
oftheSchoolofWorldMission.HehadagreedwithmyrecommendationthatthismanbeDr.
AlanTippett.HejoinedtheSchoolofWorldMissiononthedayitbeganinlateSeptember.
Thefifteencareermissionarieswhoformedthestudentbodyhadallintendedtocometo
EugeneandwerepleasedthatinsteadtheywerecomingtotheSchoolofWorldMissionoffuller
Theological SeminaryatPasadena.
WhiletheSchoolofWorldMissionwasagraduateinstitutionseparatefromtheSchool
ofTheology,duringthatfirstyearwhenwehadonlytwoteachers(Tippettandmyself),itwas
difficultfortheprofessorsinthetheologicalschooltothinkofusasotherthanadepartmentof
theseminary.Nevertheless,PresidentHubbardstoutlymaintainedthatwewereaseparate
graduateschool.StudentswhoenrolledintheSchoolofWorldMissiontookalltheircoursesin
theSchoolofWorldMissionandworkedtowardagraduatedegreeinmissions.Allthe
administrationoftheSchoolofWorldMissiontookplaceinfacultymeetingsattendedonlyby
TippettandMcGavran.
Thisgavethenewschoolgreatopportunitytodevelopcoursesofstudythatmetthereal
needsofworldevangelizationcarriedonbyhundredsofmissionarysocietiesinAsia,Africa,
LatinAmerica,andtheislandsoftheseas.
Thefollowingcoursesweregivenin196566:theunderlyingprinciplesofchurch
growth,hiddenpsychologicalandculturalfactorsthatarrestgrowth,howpastoraltrainingcan
promote(orprevent)churchgrowth,understandingandmeasuringchurchgrowth,animismand
churchgrowth,theologyandchurchgrowth,andanthropologyandmissions.
TheSchoolofWorldMissionusedthesciencesofman,suchassociologyand
anthropology,toincreaseunderstandingofthecomplexandlittleknownprocessesofchurch
growthoutofnonChristianpopulations.Intrainingmissionariesthesescienceshaveoftenbeen
usedtoreducetheWesternersethnocentrismhissmugsenseofsuperiority.TheSchoolof
WorldMissiondidnotusethesesciencesthatway.Itusedthemtoobtainmoreandbetterchurch
growth,thatmenmaybereconciledtoGod.Casestudiesofspecificyoungerchurchesenabled

ourcareermissionariestoseehowchurchandmissionpolicies,methods,andattitudes
encourageorblockreconcilingmentoGod.
InplanningthecurriculumforthissignificantfirstyearoftheSchoolofWorldMission,I
heldthatthoseresponsibleforcarryingoutChristianmissionandmakingimportantdecisions
concerningitsprocessesshouldtaketraininginchurchgrowth.Failureonthepartofmission
executivesandmissionariesthemselvestomakerightdecisionsmanytimesdefeatsthebasic
purposeofworldevangelization.Ignoranceofchurchgrowthprinciplesmakesleaders
susceptibletowrongdecisionsinplanningandcarryingoutmissions.Thoseinchargeof
carryingouteffectiveworldwideevangelizationshouldbeobeyingeternalGodscommandto
proclaimthegospeltoallpeoples,leadingthemtofaithandobedience.Consequently,theymust
seewinningmenandwomentoChristandmultiplyingchurchesastheonetruepurposeof
mission.Inshort,fielddirectors,districtsuperintendents,churchandmissionexecutives,and
othersinplacesofresponsibilitymustseechurchgrowthastheheartofallChristianmission.
ThiswasthepurposeoftheSchoolofWorldMissionasitbeganitsworkinPasadena,
California.TheSchoolofWorldMissionhadincorporatedtheInstituteofChurchGrowthinto
itsfundamentalbeing.
AsignificantpartoftheworkoftheSchoolofWorldMissionthatfirstyearwasdirecting
theLatinAmericanChurchgrowthresearch.ThisinvolvedtravelbyteammemberstoLatin
America,longdetailedreportsaboutchurchgrowthinitsmanymissions,decisionsastowhat
additionalinformationhadtobeacquired,manysessionsreviewing,editing,andamplifyingthe
findingsofthethreemembersoftheresearchteam,andspecialclassesfortheminadditionto
theclassesforthecareermissionaries.

ChoosingaFaculty
PresidentHubbardhadinstructedmetorecruitonefulltimeprofessorofmissionsin
eachofthefollowingyears.Aconsiderablepartoftheworkwas,therefore,numerousinterviews
withmenwhoIthoughtmightbegoodadditionstoourfaculty.
Wewantedthefacultytobemenwhothoroughlyagreedthattheheartofmissionswas
notmerelydoinggoodworksandpreachingthegospelineverylandandeverycity,butalsoand
mostimportantlyDisciplingsegmentaftersegmentofmankind.Thismeantmultiplyingsound,
Biblebelieving,Spiritfilledcongregationswhosemembersweremadeupofconvertsfrom
Islam,Hinduism,Buddhism,animism,Confucianism,andnominalChristianity.
Theterm Missiologywasnotthencommonlyused.Insteadwetalkedaboutthescience
ofmissions,aboutcoursesthataschoolofworldmissionoughttoteach.Thescienceofmissions
isaverycomplexsubject.Themissionarymustknowandspeakwellthelanguageofthepeople
whomheevangelizes.Hemustbewellawareoftheirreligionandwhattheybelieve.Hemustbe
wellacquaintedwiththeircultureandwhattheyconsiderdesirableandundesirable.Heshould
bewellinstructedinpreviousmissionaryeffortsinthatlandamongthosepeoplestribes,
classes,castes,andothersegmentsofsociety.Heshouldalsohaveathoroughknowledgeofthe
majormissionaryconcernsoftheBible.Heshouldsincerelybelievethatifoneistobea
biblicallysoundChristian,hemustaimateffectiveworldevangelizationathomeandabroad.
ThereisnootherwaytocarryoutChristscommandsthantodiscipleallthepeoplesofthe

world.Stepsmustbetakensothatthedaymayspeedilydawnwhen everykneeshouldbow...
andeverytongueconfessthatJesusChristisLord(Phil.2:1011).Thescienceofmissionsisa
complexscience.
Sinceeverymissionarycancarryonhisworkinafardistantlandonlyasheissupported
byfellowChristiansinhisownnativeland,hemustknowhowtopresenttohissupportersthe
causeofworldevangelizationmosteffectively.Hemustbeabletoraisehissalaryfrompeople
towhomhespeaksformaybethirtyminutes.Inshort,hemustbeanablepromoter. However,he
mustnotcarryonhisworkinthelightofhispromotionaladdresses.Hemustcarryonhiswork
inthelightoftheactualconditionsandtheactualprogressofhisprogramofevangelization.
Everymissionarysitsintwochairsone,thepromotionalchairwhen heis
communicatinghiseffortstohissupportersthesecond,thediagnosticchair.Whensittingonthe
latterchairheisrepresentingtheexactsituationtohisLord.Hemustalwaysplanhisfutureand
determinewhatheactuallydoesfromdaytodayin thelightofhisreportswhilesittingonthe
diagnosticchair.Hemustconstantlyplanhisworkinthelightofwhatisactuallyhappeningby
wayofdisciplingallthatethnos towhichtheLordhassenthim.
Thisseverelylimitedthechoiceofprofessors.Asmissionariesgooutaroundtheworld,
someofthembecomeengagedineducationalwork,andsomeinmedicalworksomeare
teachersintheologicalseminaries,andsomearepreachingthegospelinhighlyresistant
segmentsofthepopulationwheremanyhearbutfewbecomebaptizedfollowersoftheLord
Jesus.Furthermore,someareheavilyinfluencedbycoursesincomparativereligionsand
anthropology.Unfortunately,someofthembelievethatknowingthesesubjectsisimportantto
themissionarywhetherheevermultipliescongregationsornot.
Schoolsofmissionareinconstantdangerofrecruitingfacultiesfrommissionarieswho
havedonelittlebywayofplantingchurchesorwhoholdvigorouslytothepositionthatthe
churchneedsnottobeexpandedbutpurgedthat,farfromdoubling,itmustbehalvedandthat
onlythendoesitbecomepure,holy,consecratedthetruechurch.Suchscholarswerenotgoing
tobeaskedtobecomeourfacultymembers.
ThenexttwomeninvitedtobecomemembersofthefacultywereEdwinOrr,aPh.D.
fromOxfordUniversityinEnglandandnotedevangelist,andRalphWinter,aPh.D.from
CornellUniversity,servingasaPresbyterianmissionaryinGuatemalaamongtheQuiche
Indians.IchoseEdwinOrrbecause,whilehehadnotbeenamissionaryinsomenonChristian
land,hedidhaveapassionforwinningmentoChrist.HewasalsokeenlyawarethattheBible
requiressuchaconcernasapartofthenormalChristianlife.Hewassurethatwinningto
ChristianfaithenormousnumbersofthelostinAmerica,Europe,andeverylandwaspartof
normalChristianlife.
IcalledDr.Wintertothefacultypartlybecauseasinglesentenceinoneofhiswritings
hadattractedmyattention.Hehadwritten,Muchmoreimportantthanallthegimmicksand
gadgetsofmissionarylifeisbringingmenandwomenintoaccountablefellowshipinthelocal
church.Furthermore,hewouldbringtothefacultysomeoneconcernedwiththevastLatin
Americanfield.

ThefacultyobviouslyneededsomeonefromAfrica.Quiteanumberofcareer
missionariesfromAfricahadstudiedattheInstituteofChurchGrowthandtheSchoolofWorld
MissioninPasadenaintheyears196168.Opportunitiesforchurchgrowthinthehugeland
masswhichisAfricasouthoftheSaharaDeserthadbeenborneinonmebytheirresearchesand
bymy1954journeyacrossAfrica.
WhenIhadtraveledacrossAfricain1954fromNairobitoAccra,Ihadformedthe
convictionthatbytheyear2000therewouldbeatleast100millionChristiansinAfricasouthof
theSahara.WhilethisviewhadbeenlaughedatbyAfricanmissionaryauthoritiesinNewYork,
itwasabundantlyconfirmedbyDr.DavidBarrett,whomIinvitedtolectureatourschoolin
1968.Indeed,heinsistedthat100millionwasfartoosmallafigure.Iaskedhimtoelaboratehis
ideas,andhesentmeanarticlefortheChurchGrowthBulletin,whichwaspublishedinMayof
1969.Inithestatedthatbytheyear2000therewouldbeatleast350millionChristiansin
Africa.LaterthisarticlewasrepublishedintheInternationalReviewofMissionsandpartsofit
in Timemagazine.
Obviously,Africawasaveryimportantmissionfield.MorethansixthousandProtestant
missionarieswereworkinginitsvariousnations.Anyschoolofmissionsmusthaveamanfrom
Africa.Furthermore,Dr.Tippettsstrongpointswerehisextensiveknowledgeofanthropology
andanimism.LetDr.Tippettcontinuehiscoursesonanimism,Isaid,whilewegetanew
professorwhoknowsbothAfricaandanthropology.In1969IcalledtothefacultyDr.Charles
Kraft.HisexperienceinmissionshadbeeninNigeria,inthesouthernandcentralpartsofwhich
Christianityhadmadegreatprogress.Inmyestimationthesoutherntwothirdsofthecountry
wouldbecomesolidlyChristianinafewdecades.
ThenextprofessoronthefacultyobviouslyhadtobesomeonefromeastAsia.This
enormouslandmasscomprisingmanynationsJapan,Korea,Taiwan,china,Vietnam,
Cambodia,andThailandhadin1969apopulationofwelloveronebillionsouls.Christianizing
thesevastpopulationswasobviouslyaverylargepartofChristianmission.TheSchoolofWorld
Missionneededsomebodywhoknewthesenationswell.Tothemweregoingandwouldgoa
largenumberofcareermissionaries.AtjustthistimeDr.ArthurGlasser,homesecretaryof
ChinaInlandMission(nowcalledOverseasMissionaryFellowship),wasresigningfromthat
position.IhadheardhimspeakattheWheatonCongressontheChurchsWorldwideMission
andhadbeenimpressed.HisownexperienceinChinain194648hadbeenbrief,butsincethen
hehadtraveledwidelyineastAsiaandotherpartsoftheworldandknewmissionsfromthe
viewpointofamostsuccessfulexecutiveofagreatmissionarysociety.Sincehewasobviously
thebestmanavailableandpersonalconversationconfirmedthathethoroughlyagreedwiththe
SchoolofWorldMissionsbasicconvictionsabouteffectiveevangelism,Iinvitedhimto
becomeamemberofthefaculty,andhecameinSeptemberof1970.Mrs.McGavraninvitedthe
Glasserstobeourguestsat1430MoradaPlaceuntiltheyfoundasuitablehousetorent.
In1970Iturnedseventythreeyearsofageandfeltthatthetimehadcometoappointa
newdeanoftheSchoolofWorldMission.ArthurGlasser,homesecretaryofagreatmissionary
society,wouldobviouslymakeagooddean.However,whenhecame,heaskedthathespendthe
firstyearhereasoneoftheteachers.Consequently,hebecamedeanonJuly1,1971.Onthe
samedateIbecamedeanemeritusandafulltimeprofessorforthenextseveralyears.

OneofthecareermissionariesstudyingattheSchoolofWorldMissioninthelatesixties
hadbeenC.PeterWagner.HewasamissionaryoftheAndesEvangelicalMissioninthegreat
cityofLaPaz.Duringhisyearofstudyhere,Ihadbeenimpressedwithhisgreatabilityand
soundviewsonChristianmission.Furthermore,itbecameincreasinglyclearthatLatinAmerica
southofPanamawasquiteadifferentpartoftheglobethanthecountriesofCentralAmerica
fromPanamatoMexico,whichDr.Winterknewsowell.ThefacultyoftheSchoolofWorld
Missionneededsomeonefromoneofthefollowingcountries:Brazil,Argentina,Paraguay,
Chile,Bolivia,Peru,Colombia,Venezuela.Anumberofpossibilitiespresentedthemselvesto
mymind.Ihadhadmenfrommostofthesecountriesstudyingwithme.Fromamongthemall,
however,IchosePeterWagner,whoseconcernforbringinginthesheaveshadimpressedme.
HedidnothaveadoctoraldegreebutIwassurehecouldeasilyearnoneduringthefirstfew
yearsofhisprofessorship.Icalledhimtothefacultyin1971.Thefacultyofsevenfulltime
memberswasnowcomplete.

AccuratePortrayaloftheDegreeofChurchGrowth
Inadditiontoemphasizingeffectiveevangelismandbuildingupthefaculty,theSchool
ofWorldMissionneededtoassembleaccurateinformationonwhatmissionsandthe
denominationsplantedbytheminmorethanonehundredlandswereactuallyachievingbyway
ofdisciplingpantataethne. Itwastooeasyandmostdangeroustoassumeinpromotional
fashionthattheworldwasnowcoveredbymissionariesandgreatnationalchurches.Itwas
entirelyerroneoustoconcludethattheworkofmissionswasnowsubstantiallycompleted.
Accuratepicturesofthestateofthechurchesinalllandsweredesperatelyneeded.Werethey
growing,orweretheystatic?HadhalformoreofthepopulationbecomeChristian,ordidthe
Christiansnumberontenthofonepercent?Amongthemanysegmentsofwhichthepopulation
ineachnationwascomposed,inhowmanyhadeffectiveevangelismbeencarriedoutandin
howmanyhaditnot?Whichwerethefieldswhitetoharvestandinwhichfieldswasitnecessary
tothrowoutthestonesbeforethelandcouldevenbeplowed,letalonesown?
Themastersanddoctoraltheses,whichallstudentsattheSchoolofWorldMission
completedasanessentialpartoftheirstudies,described,tabulated,andsetforthpreciselythis
typeofinformation.Eachthesiswassupposedtosupplyauthoritativeanswerstothesequestions.
Nothinglikethishadeverbeendoneinschoolsofmissionsbefore.Toomanybooksonmission
spent250pagesdescribingotheraspectsofthemissionarytask.Thentheydevotedonlytwoor
threepagesorperhapstwoorthreeparagraphstothisheartofChristianmission.
Consequently,attheSchoolofWorldMissionyearbyyearthesesdescribingaccurately
theoutcomeofChristianmissionwerecompletedandbound.Thoserelatingtotheoutcomeof
missioninLatinAmericawereboundingreen.Asianresearcheswereboundinred,Africanin
blue,andthosedealingwiththetheologyandtheoreticalaspectsofthesituation,inblack.By
1986fiveshelves,twelvefeetlong,onthenorthwallofthepublichallattheSchoolofWorld
Missionwerefilledwithmorethansixhundredresearchesdoneinthepasttwentyoneyears.A
floodoflighthasbeenpouredontheeffectivenessofthemissionaryenterpriseinhundredsof
missionfields.Itisnolongernecessarytoworkinthedark.Thoseconcernedwithworld
evangelizationcannowknowwhataspectsofeffectiveevangelizationtheyneedtostress.
Asaresultofthesestudiesandthisemphasis,itbecameincreasinglyclearthatdespite
theeightthousandmissionariesandmanystrongnationaldenominationsatworkinAfrica,

considerablenumbersofAfricantribeswereasyetundiscipled.TheChristiansamongthese
animistsweremenandwomenofothertribesthathadbecomeChristianbutwho,forvarious
reasons,werenowlivinginatribenottheirown.
Thesamewastrueofeverycontinent,includingNorthAmerica.TheJewsinNorth
America,forexample,areanunreachedpeople.SoaretheMuslimsandtheHindusinNorth
America.SoarethemillionPortugueseimmigrantslivinglargelybetweenPhiladelphiaand
Boston.
Dr.Winterpreparedanextensiveseriesofmapsshowingtheenormousnumberof
unreachedpeoplesinvariouspartsoftheworld.EdDaytonofWorldVisionpublishedaseries
ofbooksontheunreachedpeoples,segmentsofsociety.Somemissiologistsstatethatthereare
nowseventeenthousandunreachedpeoples.Othersmaintainthatthereareatleastonehundred
thousand.Botharecorrect,dependingonthedefinitionofanunreachedpeople.Thisemphasis
onlocatingtheunreachedpeoplesoftheworldandportrayingaccuratelyhoweachisbeing
discipledisoneofthenotablecontributionsoftheSchoolofWorldMissiontomissiology.
Duringtheyears196572agreatmanyresearcheswerecarriedoutinvariouspartsofthe
worldbymembersoftheSchoolofWorldMissionfaculty.HoweffectiveistheChristian
missioninthissegmentofsociety?Howmanychurcheshaveinfactbeenestablished?Arethey
multiplying?Dosocietiesoftheredeemed,aspartoftheirredemption,establishothersocieties?
Whereareyoungerchurchesgrowing?Wherearetheydisastrouslystatic?Whyaresome
growing?Whyaresomenotgrowing?Researchesinmanylandsbymembersofthefacultyand
studentsconstantlyspoketothesequestions.

OtherSignificantAdvancesinEffectiveEvangelism
TheannualChurchGrowthSeminaratWinonaLakewasduplicatedatBiolaCollegein
southernCaliforniaandcontinuedforseveralyears.Itdrewinhundredswhocouldnothave
gonetofaroffIndiana.
GraduatesoftheSchoolofWorldMissionreturningtotheirfieldsalsocarriedout
effectivechurchgrowthresearchesinthesefields.Spacewillnotpermitanenumerationofthe
manyfieldsthusexplored.Onemustsuffice.Anationwidesurveyofchurchgrowth inthe
Philippineswasinstituted.Inthefallof1968LeonardTuggyoftheConservativeBaptistsand
RalphToliveroftheOverseasMissionaryFellowship,afterstudyingattheSchoolofWorld
Missionforayear,returnedtothePhilippinestocarryoutasurveyofchurchgrowthinthose
beautifulislands.Theirbook,SeetheChurchinthePhilippines,waspublishedin1972.
Avastcuriosityhadbeenarousedbythechurchgrowthmovementastowhatwasreally
happening.Itwasfeltincreasinglyurgentthat thehardrealitiesbehindtheflowerypromotional
presentationmustbeseenifmissionwastobeintelligent,ifGodsplanforthesalvationofthe
worldwastobecarriedout.Anaccuratepictureoftherisingclustersofcongregationsand
denominationsmustbepresented.Atrueaccountofwhetheryoungerchurcheswereinfact
disciplingtheunreachedethneroundaboutthemoraswastoooftentruewerenotdoing
anythingsignificantalongthatline,hadtobecomearegularpartofworldwideevangelism.

Aconcernforchurchgrowtheffectiveevangelismwasbeingarousedin
denominationafterdenomination,inseminaryafterseminary,andinBiblecollegeafterBible
college.Anelectivetwohourcourseonevangelismwasseentobetotallyinadequate.
Books onchurchgrowthstartedtoproliferate.Amongthese,UnderstandingChurch
Growthwasoneofthemostwidelyread.PublishedstudiesonchurchgrowthinKorea,Africa,
thePhilippines,India,andmanyotherlandswereappearingwithincreasingfrequency.

TheAmericanSocietyofMissiology
TheAssociationofProfessorsofMissionshelditsmeetinginScarrittCollege,Nashville,
Tennesseein1972.Ihadbeeninvitedtodeliverfourlecturesonchurchgrowthtothisbody.
Churchgrowthwastobetheprogram.Iacceptedtheinvitation,requestingonlythatmy
contributionbelimitedtotwolecturesandthatDr.Glasser,thenewdeanoftheschool,andDr.
Wagneralsospeak.Consequently,thatmeetingincludedthefollowingfourlectures:
WhatIstheChurchGrowthSchoolofThought?byDonaldMcGavran
ChurchGrowthTheologybyArthurF.Glasser
MissiologicalResearchintheFullerSeminarySchoolofMissionbyC.PeterWagner
TheHomogeneousUnitinMissionTheorybyDonaldMcGavran
Theselecturesonthemodernscienceofmissionsfurtherencouragedthegatheringtouse
thewordmissiologyinsteadof missionsorthescienceofmissions.Justasthescienceof
theearthwasgeology,sothescienceofmissionswasmissiology.TheAmericanSocietyof
Missiology,ASM,wasformed.Itpublishesaninfluentialmagazine,Missiology,andhashada
markedimpactuponthemissionaryenterprise.Dr.AlanTippettbecameitsmostinfluentialfirst
editor,andDr.ArthurGlasseritssecond.
BecausemembersofASMcamefromevangelicalmissionarysocieties,some
evangelicalsquestionedwhethersuchamixturewouldvoicethoroughlybiblicalconvictionson
missiology.Inansweritwasarguedthatsinceevangelicalswouldconstitutethemajorityinthe
society,theycouldassurethatoutcome.However,withthepassingoftheyears,many
evangelicalsfeltitnecessarytoconveneanannualmeetingoftheirownmissiologistsandcalled
themselvestheAssociationofEvangelicalProfessorsofMission.
Theyears196671wereamostsignificantstepinpreparingmenandwomentocarryout
godscommandtoeffectivelyevangelizetheworld.Thischapterhasdealtwithsomeofthe
majormovementsofthosesixyears.Itcannotbegintodescribeallofthem.Thegraduatesofthe
SchoolofWorldMissionduringthosesixyearsinmanycasesbecametheleadersofmissionary
societiesandbeganinfluencingmissionandchurchpoliciesinmanypartsoftheworld.The
drivingforcesthathadcontrolledthemissionaryenterpriseintheearlydaysandhadbeen
diminishingafterWorldWarIIbegantobereactivated.Anewdayforeffectiveevangelism
begantodawn.

9
ChurchGrowth

197185

AmericanChurchGrowthisBorn
Until1971thechurchgrowthmovementhadbeenconcernedverylargelywithoverseas
missions.Myownexperienceasanoverseasmissionaryandthefactthatthemovementwas
developinginaschoolofworldmissionguaranteedthat.True,therehadbeenfrequent
referencestothefactthattheprinciplesofchurchgrowthalsoappliedtoChristianizedlands
liketheUnitedStatesandEurope.In1966and1967theRev.MedfordJones,anotedevangelist,
tried,atmyinvitation,tomaketheWinonaLakeannualChurchGrowthSeminarameeting
placeforministersofmanydenominationswhosecongregationswereintheUnitedStates.They
attendedlecturesbyMr.Jonesandmostofmine.Nevertheless,churchgrowthandtheChurch
GrowthBulletinweredevotedoverwhelminglytotheworkofforeignmissions.
AslongasfourfifthsormoreoftheworldspopulationremainsnonChristian,andAsia
andNorthAfricaremainoverwhelminglynonChristian,allschoolsofmissionwill,beyond
doubt,spendmostoftheirtimeondisciplingthenonChristian ethneofAsia,Africa,andLatin
America.Beginningin1972,however,effectiveevangelismintheUnitedStatesandother
Christianlandsbegantobetakenseriouslybythechurchgrowthmovement.
In1972ProfessorC.PeterWagner,believingthatchurchgrowthneededtobepromoted
inNorthAmerica,toldmehewasplanningtogatheragroupofthirtyministersandlaymenof
congregationsinornearPasadenaforanaccreditedseminarycourseonchurchgrowth.Every
TuesdaymorningtherewouldbeonethreehourclasssessionheldattheLakeAvenue
CongregationalChurchfrom7to10oclock.HeandIwouldsharetheteachingload. Igladly
assentedtohisproposal.
AstheseministerssawwhatchurchgrowthwouldmeaninsouthernCaliforniaandthe
UnitedStatesasawhole,theybecameincreasinglyenthusiastic.Dr.Wagnerresolvedtohave
othersimilaraccreditedclassesforAmericanministers.
OneofthemenenrolledinthiscoursewasDr.WinfieldArn,whowasatthattime
directorofChristianeducationfortheEvangelicalCovenantChurchinCalifornia,Arizona,and
Nevada.AsDr.Arnlistenedwithamazementandunderstandingtothechurchgrowthpointof
view,heresolvedtostarttheInstituteforAmericanChurchGrowth.Whenhecametotellmeof
hisplan,Icautionedhim,saying,Win,atyourageyouhadbetternotresignfromyoursecure
posttostartanewenterprise. Youmayloseyourshirt. Disregardingmyadvice,heresigned
hiswellpayingpositionandbegantheInstituteforAmericanChurchGrowth.Thisinstitutehas
hadanamazingimpactonthecongregationsanddenominationsoftheUnitedStates,Canada,
andotherChristianlands.Everyyearlargenumbersofchurchgrowthseminarsareheldall
acrossthecountry,sometimesonadenominational,sometimesonaninterdenominationalbasis.
TheinstitutehaspublishedmanybooksonAmericanchurchgrowth.Ithasmademorethana

dozenchurchgrowthfilms,manyofwhichareprojectedeachweekoftheyearincongregations
allacrosstheUnitedStates.
WithofficesonColoradoBoulevardinPasadena,theinstitutehasbecomenationally
know.InJanuaryof1987Ispokeatameetingofmorethantwohundreddenominational
executivesinPasadenaconvenedbytheInstituteforAmericanChurchGrowth.
SimilarinfluentialemphasisonNorthAmericanchurchgrowthwasbeingmountedby
Dr.WagnerandhisclassesonchurchgrowthleadingtoaDoctorofMinistriesDegreeinFuller
TheologicalSeminary.AlsoastheexecutivesecretaryfortheFullerEvangelisticAssociationhe
heldchurchgrowthseminarsallacrosstheUnitedStates.ThusbothDr.WagnerandDr.Arn
havehaddistinguishedministriesinwakeningAmericancongregationsanddenominationstothe
imperativeforchurchgrowthandthemanyopportunitiesforaddingtotheirowncongregations
andmultiplyingnewones.ItbecameincreasinglyclearthatAmericanchurchgrowthwasavast
fieldinwhichmanycouldworkeffectively.
Indeed,in1976theUnitedMethodistChurch,observingthatithadlostamillion
membersinthepreviousdecade,turnedtoDr.GeorgeHunter,gavehavehimabudgetofa
quarterofamilliondollarsayear,andaskedhimtoinstructMethodistcongregationsand
conferencesallacrossthelandintheprinciplesandpracticesofchurchgrowth.Hisprogramdid
muchtoturntheUnitedMethodistChurcharoundand,inthatdenomination,greatlyfurthered
thechurchgrowthmovement.
AfterDr.ArthurGlasserbecamedeanoftheSchoolofWorldMissiononJuly1,1971,
theschoolmovedforwardrapidlyunderhisdirection.Moreandmoreattentionwaspaidto
Chineseevangelism.Morenationalsfrommorecountriesweregivenscholarshipstotheschool.
Theenrollmentattheschoolmountedsteadilyyearbyyear.
Aboutthesametimeabusinessexecutive,EdwardDayton,whoafterhisconversion
decidedtobecomeaministerandhadenrolledattheFullerSchoolofTheology,becamedeeply
interestedintheSchoolofWorldMissionandinchurchgrowth.Hetookseveralcoursesinthe
SchoolofWorldMission.Hecontributedtheideaofchartingtheprogressoftheexpansionof
Christianityinanygivenareaof people.Upongraduating,heformedaneworganizationcalled
MARC,MissionsAdvancedResearchandCommunicationsCenter.Thiswasmadeapartofthe
GreatWorldVisionorganization.Amongitsmanycontributionstothecauseisthepublication
ofaseriesofbookstitledUnreachedPeoplesoftheWorld.

TheGreatCommissionAftertheDeathofEuropeanImperialism
Essentialtoanunderstandingofworldmissioninthesixtiesandseventiesisaclear
pictureoftheeffectthattheendingofEuropeanimperialismhashadonthemissionary
enterprise.UpuntiltheendofWorldWarII,mostofAfrica,allofwhatisnowPakistan,India,
Bangladesh,andBurma,allofIndonesia,andthePhilippineIslandsandsundryotherpartsofthe
worldwereruledbyWesternnations.Thepeopleoftheselandsviewedmissionariesasapartof
Westernimperialism.ThisimperialordercollapsedwiththeendofWorldWarII.The
PhilippinesweregrantedindependencesowastheIndiansubcontinent,includingBurma.So
wasIndonesia.DuringthenextfifteenyearssoweremostofthecountriesinAfrica.

Withtheendingoftheimperialera,thenationalchurchesineachoftheseformerlyruled
lands,sometimesstrongbutoftenweak,insistedmorestronglythaneverthattheywere
completelyindependentofWesternchurchesandcouldneitherberuledbynorguidedby
missionariesfromtheWest.Missionschoolsandcollegesthathadbeenbuilt,financed,and
managedbymissionariesspeedilyappointednationalmanagersanddeededthepropertytothe
nationalchurches.Episcopalianchurches,mostofwhosebishopshadbeenWesterners,rapidly
retiredtheseandappointednationalbishops.Theopinionsofthenationalleadersofunions,
conferences,dioceses,andsynodswereincreasingly recognizedasthelastwordinwhatoughtto
bedone.Whilelargeamountsofmissionmoneyandmanymissionariescontinuedtopourinto
manyoftheselands,directionoftheenterpriseswasalmostentirelyinthehandsofthenational
churchesconcerned.
Nationalgovernmentsbegantodenyvisastomissionaries.Whetherthisgovernmental
actionwassuggestedbyleadersofthenationalchurchesorbyenemiesoftheChristianfaithis
notatthepresenttimeclear.Bothcauseshavebeenargued,buttheoutcomewassharplyto
diminishthenumberofmissionariesinmanynations.
AttheverytimewhenmanynationsoftheworldwereopeningtotheChristianfaith,the
numberofmissionarieswhocouldgetpermissiontoworktheresharplydeclined.Thisledmany
denominationsrelatedtotheWorldCouncilofChurchestodecreasetheirmissionarylabors.
Worldevangelization,theysaid,isnowtheworkoftheyoungerchurches.Weshallcontinue
tomakegrantstothem,buttheworkistheirs,notours.Western churcheshavenodesireto
continueimperialism.
Asaresult,themissionbudgesofmanyWesterndenominationssharplydiminished.
Sincetheywerenolongersendingoutlargenumbersoftheirownsonsanddaughters,their
givingtomissionsdecreased. Forexample,theUnitedPresbyterians,whointhefiftieswere
sendingoutmorethansixteenhundredmissionaries,intheseventiesweresendingoutfewer
thanfourhundred.
Manyevangelicaldenominationsandmissionarysocieties,however,continuedtosend
outmissionaries,someevenmorethanbefore.Itwasfarfromsettledwhatworldevangelization
oughttobeinaglobepopulatedbyequalnations,mostofwhomwerenonChristians.
ManyChristiansmaintained,Sinceinthatlandwenowhaveourgreatnationalchurch,
wenolongerneedtoprayfor,giveto,andworkforthatlandsevangelization. Thatthisgreat
churchnumberedlessand1percentofthepopulationofthatcountrydidnotseemtomake
muchdifferencetothosewhoadvancedthisargument.
ItwasinthiskindofaworldwiththesesentimentsthattheSchoolofWorldMissionin
Pasadenawasdevelopingitsconceptsofwhateffectivemissionsshouldbe.Inthevast
enterpriseitwaseasytodomuchgoodworkandachieveverylittle,ifany,churchgrowth,i.e.,
theconversionoflargesegmentsofthepopulations.Itwastooeasyfordenominationstocarry
onworldevangelizationthatconsistedlargelyofaidingslowgrowingorevennongrowing
nationalchurches.

Thathereandtheregreatgrowthwasoccurringdidnotmateriallychangethepicture.
Forexample,whileasmalldenominationknownastheEvangelicalChurchofIndiawas
plantingonenewcongregationaweekinsouthernIndia,andinnortheastIndiatheBaptistswere
addingthousandsfromtheanimistictribeseachyear,mostofthedenominationsestablishedin
therestofPakistan,India,Bangladesh,andBurmaintheprecedingtwocenturieshadbecome
staticorslowgrowing.Someweredeclining.TherapidgrowthofthechurchinTaiwan
between1947and1965hadended.ThenumbersofChristianstherein1985remainedonly
slightlylargerthantheyhadbeenin1965.InJapanonly1percentofthepopulationhadbecome
Christian,andintheMuslimworldgateaftergatehadbeenshutandlockedagainstany
promulgationofthegospel.Intherapidlygrowingcitiesoftheworldalsolittleeffective
evangelismwasbeingcarriedout.Segmentsoftheurbanpopulationsinmanycaseswere
winnable,buttheywerenotbeingwon.
ItwasthiskindofaworldthattheSchoolofWorldMissionfaced.Itwasinthiskindof
aworldthatthenewlynamedscienceofmissiologymadeitspronouncementsastohow
populationsoughttobeandcouldbeChristianized.

AdvancesinChurchGrowthMultiply
TheriseoftheSchoolofWorldMissioninPasadenatriggeredanincreasedemphasison
missionaryeducationinevangelicalseminariesallacrosstheUnitedStates.AtColumbiaBible
collegePresidentRobertsonMcQuilkinstartedagraduatedepartmentspecializinginthe
preparationandeducationofmissionariesofthechurch.AtGordonConwellSeminary,twenty
milesfromthegreatcityofBoston,ProfessorChristyWilsonemphasizedChristianmissionina
greatway.TrinityDivinitySchoolatDeerfield,justnorthofChicago,decidedtoemphasize
missions.Itsentitsnewprofessorofmissions,Dr.DavidHesselgrave,veteranmissionaryto
Japan,totheFullerSchoolofWorldMissionforafulltermtolearnallthathecouldandthento
launchcoursesoneffectiveevangelismatTrinity.TheMissouriSynodLutheransappointeda
professorofchurchgrowthatConcordiaSeminaryinSt.Louis.BiolaUniversity,whichhadhad
amissionsdepartment,strengthenedit,appointedfourfulltimeprofessorsofmissionsand,by
theearlyeighties,haddevelopedaprogramleadingeventuallytoaPh.D.inmissiology.
WestminsterTheologicalSeminarygreatlyincreaseditsemphasisoneffectivemissions.Dr.
RogerGreenwaysandDr.HarvieConnscoursesstressedfindingandfoldingthelostincities
andcountrysides.ManyotherBiblecollegesandseminariesintroducedcoursesemphasizingthe
opportunityandtheneedtoreapfieldswhitetoharvestandtocareforgreenfieldssothatthey
wouldshortlybecomeripe.
Books onmissionhadbeencomparativelyrareinthefiftiesandsixties.Suchaswere
publishedseethebooklistspublishedintheInternationalReviewofMissionsforthose
yearsdealtveryseldomwitheffectiveevangelismorthedisciplingofunreachedsegmentsof
theearthspopulation.Missionstendedtodiscusstheproblemsofnationalchurches.The
churchorJesusChristexistsinmanyformsamongthemanypopulationsofplanetearth.Books
onmissionstendedtodiscusstheseproblemsofexistingcongregationsanddenominations,
seldomfocusingtheirattentiononeffectiveevangelismofnonChristians.Tobesure,
evangelismwasfrequentlyspokenof,butwithnodistinctionsastowhetherthosewho
respondedtothecallwerenominalChristiansofonesowndenomination,nominalChristiansof

anotherdenomination,thechildrenofChristians,ormenandwomenbelongingtosomenon
Christianfaith,suchashumanism,Marxism,Buddhism,Islam,orHinduism.
Insharpcontrast,thebookspublishedbytheFullerSchoolofWorldMissionDealt
continuallywithactualChristianization.WasChristscommandtomatheteusatepantataethne
reallybeingcarriedout?Towhatdegreehadthisethnosortheseethnebeendiscipledand
enrolledinChristsbody,thechurch? ThecareermissionariesattheSchoolofWorldMission
haddonecarefulresearchesintothemultiplicationofcongregationsamongvarioussegmentsof
theworldspopulations.Thesethesesanddissertationswereinmanycasespublished.The
streamofbooksrelatingtoeffectiveevangelismformedaneverwideninganddeepeningstream.
EternalGodscommandthatthegospelbepreachedtopantataethne sothatthesesegmentsof
societywouldbeledtofaithandobediencewasheard,therefore,notmerelybyprofessorsof
missionandstudentsenrolledinmissionarycourses,butalsobythetensofthousands(ormore
likelyhundredsofthousands)whoreadthesebooksinseminaryafterseminaryandlandafter
land.Dr.RalphWintersnewpublishinghouse,calledtheWilliamCareylibrary,playeda
significantpartinthepublicationofthesechurchgrowthbooks.
DuringtheseventiestheimpactoftheSchoolofWorldMissiononthemissionary
thinkingoftheChristianworldwasveryconsiderableamongevangelicals.Amongconciliarsit
tendedtoberuledoutasoldfashioned,speakingtoabygoneage,unawareofthestrong
nationalisticsentimentsoftheyoungerchurches,ornotconcernedwithequalityandjustice.
Nevertheless,bitbybit,hereandthere,theconciliardenominationswereinfluencedandbegan
totakesignificantaction.
Forexample,intheearlyeightiesabishopoftheUnitedMethodistChurchintheUnited
States,notingthathisdenominationhadlostamillionmembersbetween1965and1975and
wakenedbychurchgrowththinking,proposedthatbetween1985andtheyear2000theUnited
MethodistChurchwin10millionAmericanstoardentChristianfaith.WhatJohnWesleyhad
prayedforanddreamedabouttwohundredyearsbeforeinEnglandwasbeingenvisagedinthe
UnitedStates.BishopWilkesdreammaynotbeaccomplished,butthatitwasproposedisvivid
illustrationofanewburdenforchurchgrowth.Manydenominationswereconcludingthatfor
themtoremainstaticinthemidstofanincreasinglyhumanistic,materialistic,andsecular
AmericanpopulationwasnotGodswill.
Biblecollegesandseminariesalso,undertheimpactofthechurchgrowthmovement,
begantorealizethattheircurriculamustincludemanycoursesoneffectiveevangelism.
Americancitiesweregrowingincreasinglypagan,increasinglysecular.Moralityintheurban
complexeswasheldtobewhat51percentofthepopulationconsideredright.Ahomosexual
waselectedmayorofSanFrancisco.ThosewhoregardedtheBiblespronouncementson
immoralityastheonlytruemoralitywereheldtobefanaticsof fundamentalists. Facingthis
newandincreasinglysubChristiansocialorder,seminaryleaderswereconcludingthatmuch
moreattentionmustbepaidtothewinningof modernurbanites.Biblicalcongregationsmustbe
multipliedineverysegmentofthevasturbancomplexes. Wemustspeaktotoday,they
insisted,nottoyesterday.
AsthefinancialresourcesavailabletotheSchoolofWorldMissionincreased,other
memberswereaddedtothefacultyandotheraspectsofthemissionaryenterpriseweretaught.

Forexample,sinceallmissionariesneedtolearnanewlanguageandspeakiteffectively,anew
professorteachinghowtolearnanewlanguagewasaddedtothefaculty.
Inanattempttowinahearingamongthewidestpossiblerangeofdenominations,
ArthurGlasserandDonaldMcGavranstartedteachingacourseoncontemporarytheologiesof
missions.Thisdealtwithevangelicaltheology,conciliartheology,RomanCatholictheology,
andliberationtheology.Whiledescribingfairlyeachofthesebranchesoftheology,thecourse
focusedonwhetheragiventheologyfostersactualobediencetothedivinecommandtowinmen
andwomentoChristandmultiplyChristiancongregations.Thecourselatermaterializedina
bookpublishedbyBakerBookHousecalledContemporaryTheologiesofMission.Itbecame
oneofthemostreadbooksonmissions.
Dr.RalphWinter,themissionarygeniuswholecturedonthehistoryofmissionsatthe
SchoolofWorldMission,learnedthatthePasadenaNazareneCollegehadmovedtoSanDiego
andwassellingitscampusandadjoininglandsfor$15million.In1976hedecidedtoresign
fromhispostastenuredprofessorintheSchoolofWorldMissiontofoundaworldmission
centerontheformerNazarenecampus.TheU.S.CenterforWorldMissionbecameaplace
where,by1985,fortymissionaryorganizations,largeandsmall,establishedtheirheadquarters.
Itspublicationsmultiplied.Itsoughttoarousemissionaryconcerninalldenominationsacross
America.Dr.Winterinsistedthatraisingthe$15millionalwaysbesubordinatedtoraising
evangelisticconcerninthechurchesofNorthAmerica.
TheU.S.CenterforWorldMissionfurtherdevelopedtheconceptofunreachedpeoples
andcalledsharpattentiontothefactthatthesewerenotbeingreachedinanyadequatewaybe
nationalchurchesorbyexistingmissionaryefforts.TheU.S.CenterforWorldMissionandthe
severalotherworldmissioncentersthatstartedinotherplaces,whilenotcallingthemselves
churchgrowthmovements,neverthelesswerebothafruitofitandamongitsmosteffective
promoters.
Timeandspacewillnotpermitanadequateaccountofthechurchgrowthcentersstarted
inothercountriesoftheworld,buttheymustbementioned.Ascareermissionariesandnational
leadersgraduatingfromtheSchoolofWorldMissionwentbacktotheirlandsoflabor,they
oftenstartedchurchgrowthcenters.ThesearoseinTaiwan,thePhilippines,Japan,India,
Singapore,Kenya,Brazil,England,Germany,andAustralia.Theattentionofmissionary
societiesandchurcheswasincreasinglyfocusedoncarryingouteternalGodscommandand
obeyingHimtowhomallauthorityinheavenandearthhadbeengiven.
In1980ArthurGlasserresignedasdeanandcontinuedteaching.Hisplacewastakenby
Dr.PaulPierson,aUnitedPresbyterianmissiontoBrazilformanyyears.Underhisdynamic
leadershiptheschoolincreasedstillmore.Theextensionservicesbegunintheearlyseventies
anddirectedbyDr.AlvinMartininfluencedhundredsoverseas.Nationalsandmissionaries,
whileresidinginotherlands,tookaccreditedcoursesfromtheSchoolofWorldMission.
WhentheSchoolofWorldMissionopenedonSeptember25,1985,277studentsfrom
seventytwodifferentnations,includingwonderofwondersYugoslaviaandNamibia,
registeredoncampus.TwentytwoPh.D.degreesinmissiologyhadbeengiven,151
professionaldoctoratesinmissiology,andverylargenumbersofM.Th.andM.A.degreesin

missiologyhadbeenconferreduponmenandwomenwhohadsuccessfullycompletedstrenuous
coursesonmissiology.Mostofthesehavebeencareermissionariesandnationalleaders,though
someweremissionarycandidates.
Thischapter,coveringtheyears197185,indicatessomeoftheimpactoftheever
wideningchurchgrowththinking.

10
IdeologicalandTheologicalConcerns
Thechurchgrowthmovementthrivesinaverycomplexworld.Indeed,itadvocates
effectiveevangelisminaworldwheremanyothersareadvocatingotherusefulandnecessary
coursesofaction.Thishasoftenproducedvigorousattacksontheideaofchurchgrowth.This
chapterwilldevoteattentiontothreeofthemainareasofclash.

SocialJusticeandChurchGrowth
Socialjusticeisurgentlyneeded.Todaysworldhasshrunkintoaverysmallplace.In
fewerhoursthanitusedtotaketotravelfromNewYorktoPhiladelphiaitisnowpossibleto
travelfromNewYorktoSingapore,Zambia,orArgentina.Oneworldhascomeintobeing.The
conceptofmanyequalnationsisrapidlypushingouttheconceptofcivilizedandbackward
peoples.IfthepopulationofeastAfricaissufferingfromanenormousfamine,itoughtnottobe
so.If fourthousandarekilledinMexicoCitybyagreatearthquake,manynationsrushdoctors
andaidofmanysortstoMexicoCity.ThisiscertainlynottheworldinwhichDavid
LivingstoneandWilliamCareylived.HundredsofthousandsofstudentsfromAsiaandAfrica
floodintoEuropeandAmerica.LargenumbersofEuropeanandAmericanstudentstravelin
othercountriesaspartoftheireducation.ThetidalwaveofsecularismthathassweptWestern
countriesdeclaresthatallreligionshavesometruthin them.Therefore,worldevangelizationby
Christiansisanoutmodedidea.
AsChristianslookoutonthiskindofaworld,theytooarepowerfullymovedtoward
rectifyingthephysicalandsocialconditionsthatproducefamine,illiteracy,anddisease.They
toofeelagreaturgetowipeoutinjusticeandoppression.Althoughthemediaspeakverylittle
aboutthetremendousoppressionscarriedoutbyMarxistgovernmentsscatteredthroughoutthe
world,theyfocusenormousattentiononSouthAfrica.Governmentaftergovernmentbrings
pressureontheSouthAfricangovernmenttochangeitsways.Enthusiastsforsocialjustice
exclaim,OfwhatuseisittomakemenandwomenChristianiftheyarebeingtreatedunfairly
bythepowerfulintheirpopulations? HereinNorthAmericaalsotheneedforChristiansto
takevigorousactionagainsttheoppressionssufferedbyblacksandminoritiesclaimsagreatdeal
ofattention.

Whatdoesthechurchgrowthmovementsaytothispassionforjusticeandbrotherhood?
Itsaysthreethings.First,itrejoicesthatjusticeisbeginningtorolldownlikethewatersandthat
amightystreamofrighteousnessisbeginningtobefeltinmanypartsoftheworld.
Second,thechurchgrowthmovementmaintainsthatthisconcernthatallsegmentsof
society,theonehundredthousandormorepeoplegroups,betreatedfairlyisbasicallya
Christianconcern.WhenthepopulationoftheworldhasbecomemoreChristian,itwillhear
almightyGodscommandtotreatothermenfairlyandtoobeythatcommandmorefaithfully.It
isuselesstoexpectthatnonChristianswillbeasinterestedasChristiansintreatingallmenas
Godschildren.Ifwewantmercy,justice,andrighteousnesstospreadthroughouttheearth,we
cantakenormoreeffectiveactionthattomultiplycongregationsoftheredeemedinevery
segmentofsociety.Noonewillactmorejustlytowardhisorherfellowsthanthosewholivein
ChristandwhoselivesareguidedbytheHolySpirit.
Third,thechurchgrowthmovementinsiststhatwhilethechurchoughtcertainlytocarry
outotheractivities,suchasworship,theinstructionofChristianchildren,thefeedingofthepoor,
andthepromotionofjustice,forexample,itmustdevotealargershareofitsresources,its
prayers,anditspowertoproclaimingthegospel,findingthelost,andbringingthemhometothe
Fathershouse.OnlysowillthekingdomofGodreallycomeonearth.
ThekingdomofGodisoneinwhichtheKingLordJesusisrecognized.Wherethe
Kingisnotrecognized,thekingdomofGodisyettocome.

StructuralUnityandChurchGrowth
Thesecondconceptthathasattractedenormousattentionamongmanydenominationsis
thatofthestructuralunityoftheuniversalchurch.TheLordJesuscertainlysaid,Iwillbuild
mychurch,andthegatesofHellshallnotprevailagainstit. Hedidnotsay churches. The
churchofJesusChristis,therefore,one.
Onthisbiblicalbasismanyhaveinferredthatthechurchisstructurallyone.Ithasone
name,onesetofbishopsoradministrators,oneorganization,oneleader,andonetheology.The
RomanCatholicChurchholdsthispositionveryvigorously.Theideaofthestructuralunityof
thechurchhasbecomeaverypowerfulinfluenceamongmanydenominationstodaymyown,
theDisciplesofChrist,isanotableexample.
OnethinksimmediatelyofCOCU,ChurchesofChristUniting.Whenitwasfirst
launched,itheldtheappealingideathattheunionofsixorsevenofAmericaslargest
denominationswasbothGodswillandfeasible.Onegreatchurchwith35millionmembersor
morewoulddominateNorthAmerica.Structuralunityisheldtobemoreeconomical.The
resultingchurchisheldtobemorepowerful.Itwill,itisargued,beabletodoGodswillmuch
moreeffectivelythanachurchconsistingofmanydenominations.Thisconceptofone
structurallyunitedchurchhasbecomethemaindriveinthelivesofmanyChristiansandmany
congregations.WhethertheywinotherstoChristornot,theyaregoingtounite.Twoweak
churchesaregoingtobecomeonestrongchurch.TheUnitedChurchofChrist,TheUnited
MethodistChurchandthePresbyterianChurchintheU.S.A.arethreenotableillustrationsof
thismovement.

InIndia,wherethismovementhasbeengreatly promotedbytheEpiscopalianChurch,
twogreatunitedchurcheshaveresultedTheChurchofNorthIndiaandthechurchofSouth
India.TheiradherentsnumberlessthantwomillionoftheeightmillionProtestants.Bothof
thesebelieveinapostolicsuccession,i.e.,thehistoricalepiscopate,andbothareardentEpiscopal
churches.
Whatdowesaytothissecondgreatmovementoftodaysdenominations?
First,wegrantthatinmanycircumstancesstructuralunitydoesproduceamoreefficient
organization. Wealsonotethatinmanycasesthestructurallyunitedchurchismuchless
concernedwithworldevangelizationthanitwasinthedaysbeforetheseveraldenominations
united.Wecallattentiontothediminishingeffectivenessofunitedchurchesinalloutreach.
Theyaresoconcernedwithmaintaininginternalunitythattheiroutreacheffortsaresadly
diminished.
Noevidenceindicatesthatauniversalchurchstructurallyunitedismoreeffective
evangelisticallythatauniversalchurchconsistingofmanybranchesordenominations
structurallyseparatebutunitedinregardtobeliefsinChristandtheBible.Eachdenominationis
aseparatebranchoftheoneuniversalchurch.Thisbranchhasfifteenleavesonit,thatonehas
fifteenhundred.Thisonebearswhitegrapes,thatonebearspurplegrapes.Aslongaseach
branchisfirmlyinthevine,aslongaseachbranchbelievesonJesusChristasGodandonly
SaviorandtheBibleastheinspiredandtotallyreliableWordofGod,realdifferencesinregard
tobaptism,ecclesiasticalorganization,andotherlesscentraldoctrinescanbetolerated.
Eachdenominationwillcertainlyfollowitsownconvictions,butitwillnotaffirmthat
thosefollowingotherunderstandingsoftheScripturearenopartofthetruechurch.Lutherans
willcertainlyinterprettheScriptureinwaysdifferentfromBaptistsorPresbyterians.
PentecostalswillemphasizeaspectsoftheScriptureignoredbyCongregationalists.Butaslong
asadenominationbelievesinJesusasGodandSaviorandtheBibleasGodsWord,itisa
branchofthetruechurch.Onedenominationwillcertainlyregretwhatitseesas
misunderstandingsofScriptureheldbyanotherbranch,butitwillnotholdthattheother
denominationisnopartofthetruechurch.Onedenominationwillcertainlyregretwhatitsees
asmisunderstandingsofScriptureheldbyanotherbranch,butitwillnotholdthattheother
denominationisnopartofthetruechurch.Thisbranch,liketheAnglicanChurch,maybelieve
inapostolicsuccession.Thatbranch,liketheSouthernBaptists,maynot.ThebodyofChrist,
thechurch,hasmanypartsasdissimilarashandsandhead.Yettheyareallpartsofthebody.
Wherestructuralunityadvancesthedisciplingofthepeoplesoftheearth,byallmeans
promoteit.Butneversubstituteitforeffectiveevangelism,theworksoclearlycommandedby
God.Structuralunityislikemanyothergoodcauses.Theyshouldbecarriedout,butnoneof
themshouldeverbesubstitutedforthedirectcommandoftheultimateAuthorityintheuniverse,
matheteusatepantataethne. Noneshouldbesubstitutedforfindinglostsonsanddaughtersand
bringingthembacktotheFathershouse.

TheologicalConvictionsandChurchGrowth

Thethirdimportantconceptdealtwithinthischapteristhetheologicalconsiderations
thataffectthechurchgrowthmovement.Thechurchgrowthmovementhasoftenbeencriticized
ontheologicalgrounds,fromboththerightandtheleft.Thoseontherighthavemaintainedthat
itpaystoolittleattentiontocorrectdoctrine,infillingoftheHolySpirit,prayer,revival,andthe
activeChristianLife.Criticsfromthelefthavemaintainedthatthechurchgrowthmovement
seemsunawareofthephysicalhungerintheworld,therankinjusticethatpermeatesallsociety,
theterribleoppressionsthathavekeptwholeracesinanilliterateandscarcelyhumancondition.
Criticsofthelefthavemaintainedthatchurchgrowththeologywhatthereisofitis
concernedwithmerenumbers.
Thechurchgrowthmovement,however,believesitselftobebasicallysoundintheology.
Itisadvocatingchurchgrowthonunassailablebiblicalgrounds.Itassumesthatthechurch
growthwillbecarriedoutchieflybythosewhoarebornagainChristiansfilledwiththeHoly
Spirit.How,then,torespondtothiscriticismfromtherightandfromtheleft?Whatdoesthe
churchgrowthmovementanswertoitscritics?
First,itpointsoutthatthechurchgrowthmovementhasarisenoninterdenominational
grounds.Itsfounderwrotehisfirstbook, TheBridgesofGod,notforhisowndenominationor
missionarysocietybutforalldenominationsandallmissionarysocieties. TheBridgesofGod
dealtwithChristianmissionasitwasbeingcarriedoninallcountriesbyalladvocatesofthe
gospel.Furthermore,asthemovementincorporateditself,firstintheInstituteofChurchGrowth
andthenintheSchoolofWorldMission,thesewereessentiallyinterdenominationalinstitutions.
AttheSchoolofWorldMissioncareermissionariesandotherstudentshavecomefrommore
thanseventydenominations.ThefacultyatboththeInstituteofChurchGrowthandtheSchool
ofWorldMissionwascomposedofmenfrommanybranchesofthechurch.Yettheywereall
basicallyunitedinoneconcern,thatGodscommandtoeffectivelyevangelizethepeoplesofthe
worldbecarriedout.
Howdidthisinterdenominationalsettingaffectthetheologyofthechurchgrowth
movement?Thefirstanswertothisquestionisthatthedataregardingeffectiveevangelismwas
drawnfrommanydifferentactualsituations,manydifferentnationalchurchesfatheredby
denominationsasdistinctasthePentecostalandthePresbyterian,theChristianReformedof
GrandRapids,Michigan,andtheUnitedChurchofChrist.
EvensomeRomanCatholicshavestudiedattheSchoolofWorldMission.Oneman,Dr.
DonaldWodarz,oftheGregorianUniversityinRome,spentayearattheSchoolofWorld
Missionwritinghisdissertationonchurchgrowthmissiology.
Allthishadaninevitabletheologicalresult. Distinctivedoctrinesofdifferent
denominationswereseldommentioned.Theformofbaptismwhetherbyimmersionof
believersorthesprinklingofinfantswasneverdiscussed.Godwasblessingadvocates ofboth
positions.SomefacultymembersoftheSchoolofWorldMissionheldoneviewandsome
another.Todebatethemodeofbaptismwouldnotadvancethecauseofeffectiveevangelism.
Manyothersimilarillustrationscouldbegiven
Thecommonbeliefswerewhatwerestressed,thecommontheologicalfoundationstones.
ThetheologyemphasizedbythechurchgrowthmovementarisingfromtheSchoolofWorld

MissionandInstituteofChurchGrowthhasinevitablybeencriticizedbypeopleofbothright
andleft,whohavenotfoundinitcertaindistinctivedoctrinestheyholddear.
Thesecondcauseforthecriticismofthetheologyofthechurchgrowthmovement
stemmedfromthereluctanceofthosewhowerenotgettingchurchgrowthwhetherinthe
UnitedStatesortheRepublicofZaireorsomeothercountrytobemeasuredbytheir
achievementsinchurchgrowth.Theyweredoingmanyothergoodthings.Theywerestressing
manygooddoctrines.Theywerelivinggoodlives.Theywereengagedinprayer.Whatmatter
ifinthepastdecadetheyhadwonveryfewnonChristianstotheChristianfaith?
Thechurchgrowthmovementacknowledgesthateventhemostardentevangelists,most
concernedtocarryouttheGreatCommission,dooftenfindthemselvesinresistantpopulations
where,nomatterhowwellthegospelisproclaimed,fewarebaptized.Nevertheless,thechurch
growthmovementmaintainsthatthecentralpurposeofallevangelismmustbefindingthelost
andbringingthembacktothefold.Theshepherdmustnotgooutsimplytotourthehillsides
andravinesshoutingthegoodnewsthatthereisasheepfold.Hemustfindthelostandbring
thembacktothefold. Eachdenomination(eachbranchofthetruechurch)oughttoconstructa
theologythatdemandschurchgrowthinkeepingwithitsparticulartheologicalemphasis.As,
forexample,Pentecostalsemphasizespeakingintongues(whichmostwritersonchurchgrowth
havenotdiscussed),theymustnotdosototheneglectofchurchgrowth.Amongvarious
theologicalgroups,whetherPresbyterians,Lutherans,Baptists,orMethodists,churchgrowth
muchbeanintegralpartoftheirtheology,andnotadetachedprincipleorafterthought.
ItisnoaccidentthatDr.GeorgeHunter,deanoftheE.StanleyJonesSchool ofWorld
MissionandEvangelismatAsburySeminary,onreadingcarefullyJohnWesleyswritings,
discoveredthatWesleyusedwhatarenowcalledchurchgrowthprinciples.Inshort,every
denominationcanandmustpresentitschurchgrowthprogramsinthelightofitsownfirmly
heldtheology.
ThesechaptershavelaidgreatemphasisupontheNewTestamentmandateforeffective
discipling.Thoseengaginginchurchgrowtharenotpursuingthelatestfad.Theyare
emphasizingessentialChristianity.Aswetalkaboutthemultitudesofstatic,nongrowing
congregationshereinNorthAmerica,wearetalkingaboutassemblagesofChristianswho
desperatelyneedtohearandobeyeternalGodscommand.WearetalkingtoChristians
standinginthemidstofspirituallystarvingthousands.TheChristianshavetheirhandsonbags
ofbread,securelytied.TodaysChristiansneedtoopentheirbagsanddistributethebread.We
aretalkingaboutchurchmembersandpastorswhoneedtorealizethatanytrulyChristian
congregationwilldevoteaconsiderableportionofitsprayers,finances,conversation,sermons,
andworshiptodisciplingnumbersoftheunreachedathomeandabroad.Thesearedinginthe
midstofaterriblefaminebroughtonbysecularism,agnosticism,humanism,andnonChristian
religions.
AnytrulyChristiantheologyinthemostresponsiveworldevertoexistmustdemand
churchgrowth.AnyfullyChristiantheologyinAmerica,whereatleastfourfifthsofthe
populationiseitherverynominallyChristianortotallynonChristian,mustprayfor,giveto,and
workforsubstantialchurchgrowth.

11
SegmentsofSocietyandChurchGrowth
Humanityisavastmosaicoftensofthousandsofpieces.Whensomeonegoesto
MexicoCityandwalkspastthewalloftheuniversitylibrary,heseesamosaiccoveringthat
wall.Heseesaonehundredyardlongpicturecomposednotofpaintbutofmillionsofpiecesof
coloredglasssomeblue,somered,somepurple,somegray,somewhite,someblack.That
mosaictypifieshumanity.
Isthisviewofhumankindbiblicallysound?Ofcourseitis!TheOldTestamentisfullof
peoples,tribes,andseparatesegmentsofhumanitytheMoabites,Ammonites,Hivites,
Perizzites,Philistines,Syrians,Egyptians,andonandon.EvenisIsraelthereweretwelvetribes,
eachofwhichconsidereditselfquiteseparatefromtheothers.
InourLordsdaytheLeviteswereverycarefultomarryLevites.OnlysuchLevitesas
hadanimpeccableLeviticalancestryonbothsidesofthefamilycouldserveaspriestsinthe
temple.
WhenwecometotheNewTestament,wefindthatthecommandtoproclaimthegospel
toall peoplesemphasizesthissegmentalcharacteristic.Thecommandismatheteusatepanta
ethne.Wearenottoldthematheteusateallthemillionsofmenandwomen.Wearetoldthe
matheteusatepantataethne,alltheethnicunitsallthegroupsofpeople,allthesegmentsof
society,allthepiecesofthevasthumanmosaic.
Todayweareverylikelytothinkintermsofevangelizingnationsstates theUnited
States,China,Japan,Zaire,Argentina,Venezuela,andsoon.NeveronceintheNewTestament
isthereacommandtoevangelizetheRomanEmpire.Thecommandistoevangelizepantata
ethne.TheNewTestamentisveryclearthatthesegmentsofsociety,thepiecesofthemosaic,
aretobeevangelized,discipled,andmadepartsofthebodyofChrist.
InRevelationwereadthattattheendmenandwomenwillbetherefromeverytribeand
tongueandpeopleandnation(Rev.5:9).TheBibleclearlyintendsthatweevangelizeallpieces
ofthemosaicall ethne.
ItisnecessarytodaytoemphasizethisbecauseinAmerica,thisvastnationwhichspreads
fromtheAtlantictothePacific,weareconstantlyemphasizingthatweareonepeople.Wemust
notallowtheCubansfloodingintoFloridaortheMexicansfloodingintoCaliforniatocontinue
tospeakSpanishalone.Englishmustbecometheonenationallanguage.Womenandmenof
everypartofthemosaicmustreceivethesamewagesforthesamework.Equaleducationmust
beavailabletoallofthem.TheyareallAmericans.Facingthisoverwhelmingconviction,
Christianradiohascometotheconclusionthatthegospelmustbebroadcasttoall,andthose
whomGodchoosesfromeverysegmentof societywilljoinourchurch.Whenonebecomesa
Christian,aSpiritfilledfolloweroftheLordJesus,aBibleobeyingperson,heorsheisthenpart

ofaneworderofsocietyinwhichthereisnoJew,noGreek,noslave,nofree,nomale,no
female.
However,despiteboththesecularnationalisticthrustforunityandtheChristian
convictionthatmaintainsthatallChristiansasequallysaved,thevariousbranchesofthechurch
havegathereduntothemselveslikemindedpeople.Forexample,RayBakkeahsapertinent
paragraphin AnUrbanWorld:ChurchesFacingtheFuture,inwhichhesays:Chicago
formerlyanethnicEuropeancity israpidlyAsianizing.Houstonpublicschoolsarenow80%
Black,Hispanic,andAsianBoatpeoplefromSouthAsiahithertounaccessibletothe
gospel,arefindingChristinChicago.9
Urbanhumanityisamosaicmadeupofthousandsofpieces.Menandwomenofeach
pieceliketojoincongregationsmadeupofpeoplelikethemselves,speakingthesamelanguage,
receivingthesameincomes,havingthesameamountofeducation,andthinkingverymuch
alike.
Thelatterhalfofthetwentiethcenturyisseeingtremendousurbanization.Itisestimated
thatbytheyear2000morethanhalfofthepopulationoftheworldwillliveingreatcities.
MexicoCityisonlyoneexample.Calcutta,Delhi,Bombay,andmanyothercitiesinIndia
togetherwithHongKong,Singapore,Manila,Tokyo,Seoul,andanevergreaternumberin
EuropeandtheAmericasfurnishotherexamples.
AsProfessorJamesWestgatehassowellsaid:
Thebirthandgrowthofworldclasscitiesisanewfrontierfortheevangelistand
churchplanter.Theworldspopulationhasmigratedtothecitiesandthis
migrationhasgivenbirthtocitieslargerthaneverexisted. Theyarecalledworld
classcitiesbecausetheyaretiedtechnologicallyandeconomicallytoothermajor
urbancitiesaroundtheworld...demographers[say]thatbytheyear2000,we
willseetheemergenceofsixtycitiesoverfivemillionpeople,twentyfivecities
overthenmillionpeople,andfivecitiesovertwentymillionpeople.10
Dr.RogerGreenway,inhismagazineUrbanMission,hasdoneagreatservicetoChrists
causeinemphasizingeffectiveevangelizationofthisgreaturbanpopulation,whichbytheyear
2000willincludemorethanhalfofallthepeopleintheworld.
AstheGreatCommissioniscarriedout,asalltheethnicunits,allsegmentsofsociety,
arediscipled,thechurchofJesusChristwillcontinuetobemadeupofavastnumberof
Christianizedsegments.BecausetheyareChristianized,theywillgrowincreasinglylikeeach
otherincertainrespects.However,thedifferencesoflanguage,culture,income,andplaceof
residencewillcontinue. Congregationsoughttobemultipliedineachpieceofthemosaic.
Themoderncityisnotmadeupofonekindofpersonsbutofmany,manydifferentkings
businessexecutives,governmentofficers,dailylaborers,universityprofessors,ditchdiggers,
illiterates,semiliterates,andmany,manyothers.InsomesegmentsofAmericatheaverage
incomeis$50,000ayearinothersitis$5,000.

Statedinethnicterms,urbanpopulationsinAmericatodayarecomposedofmany
differentethnicstrainsAnglos,blacks,Hispanics,Vietnamese,Chinese,Filipinos,Samoans,
FrenchCanadians,andmanyothers.Eachofthesemajordivisionsagainisdividedinto
subsections.RecentarrivalsfromMexicoaredifferentfromthirdandfourthgeneration
Hispanics.PuertoRicoHispanicsconsiderthemselvessuperiortoMexicanHispanics.And
ArgentineanHispanicsholdthemselvessuperiortoPuertoRicans.Themosaicofhumanityis
wonderfullydisplayedinAmericancitiestoday.
EachsegmentmustbewontoChristonitsownlevel.Ifitisinvitedtojoinachurch
composedofpeoplelivingonadifferentlevel,itwillrejectChristverylargelybecausethe
SaviorisobscuredbyHiscongregation.Letmegiveyousomeexamplestodrivehomethis
essentialtruth.
InthemidsixtiesIwasconductingachurchgrowthseminarintheTenthPresbyterian
ChurchofPhiladelphia.AfteroneofthesessionsIfellintoconversationwithDr.C.Everett
Koop,wholaterbecameasurgeongeneraloftheUnitedStates.Hesaidtome,Ablacktidehas
sweptuparoundthisoldchurchonthreesides.Largenumbersofmenandwomenfromthedeep
southnowliveasourcloseneighbors.Theydonothowever,attendourchurch.Whatoughtwe
dotowinthemtoChrist?
Ireplied,Youmustbecomeanintegratedchurch.
Weareanintegratedchurch,heresponded.Wehaveatleastfifteenblackfamiliesas
membersofourcongregation.
Whatthenisyourproblem?Iaskedinamazement.
Ourblackfamiliesdriveinfromthesuburbs.Theyincludenoneoftheblackslivingin
theimmediateneighborhood.
Immediatelyapictureoftheexactsituationformedinmymind.Theblackslivinginthe
suburbswereaffluentblacks,collegegraduateswhoheldgoodpositions.Theblacksfromthe
deepsouthwholivedaroundthechurchwereofaverydifferentculture,incomeandeducation.
HadtheyattendedtheTenthPresbyterianChurch,theywouldnothavefullyunderstoodthe
sermonsorthehymns.
IftheTenthPresbyterianChurchistowinyourcloseneighborstoChristianfaith,I
replied,itmuststartmany housechurchesamongthem,withinletussay amileortwoof
thechurchbuildings.Thesenewcongregationswouldbeledbyblackministersofeighthgrade
educationorless.
Dr.McGavran!exclaimedDr.Koop.Presbyteriansneverhaveanyministersof
eighthgradeeducationorless!
ThesecondillustrationofthefragmentednatureofAmericansocietypresentsoneofthe
manysegmentsofwhitesociety.Americansaredividednotmerelyintowhitesandblacksbut
intomanykindsofChinese,Portuguese,FrenchCanadians,secularists,andhumanists.Someof
thesecan,ofcourse,besuccessfullyincorporatedintoexistingcongregationsordiscipledinto

newcongregations.InthecongregationinPhilippi,weremember,therewerebothLydia,acloth
merchant,andanunnamedjailer,whowassociallyandeconomicallyalongdistanceremoved
fromher.
Nevertheless,untilChristiansseethesedistinctionsandplantomultiplyChristian
congregations(housechurchesorcells)ineachunreachedsegmentofsociety,weshallnotsee
thekindofchurchgrowththatGoddesiresandisnowquitepossible.
ImustmentionheretheexperienceoftheSouthGatePresbyterianChurchinDenver,
Colorado.In1975itnotedthatitsmembershiphaddecreasedfromovertwelvehundredtounder
sevenhundredandwassinkingeveryyear.ItspastordecidedtocallDr.WinArn,thefounderof
theInstituteforAmericanChurchGrowth,andmetoholdachurchgrowthseminary,atwhich
85percentoftheattendantsweremembersofhischurch.AsDr.ArnandIpreparedforthis
seminary,wemadeacarefulstudyofwhathadactuallyhappened.Thepicturewasquiteclear.
Nearlyhalfofthemembersofthatcongregationhadmovedfromasectionofthecityaroundthe
churchouttothemoreattractivesuburbsofDenver.AnothergroupofAngloshadmovedinbut
hadnotjoinedthechurch.SurroundingthechurchwasadifferentsegmentoftheAnglo
population.Itcouldhavebeenwon,hadtheSouthGatePresbyteriansbeenpassionately
concernedwithchurchgrowth.HadtheybeenPentecostalsfilledwiththeHolySpirit,they
wouldhaveprayedforthesepeople,startednewgroupsoftheredeemedamongthem,and
wooedthemintothechurch.Hereeffectiveevangelismcouldhavewonthem.Butthe
evangelismwouldhavebeenconsiderablywarmerandmoreeffectivethanthosePresbyterians
wereemploying.
Consequently,Dr.ArnandIspokeoftwoneeds.First,theSouthGatePresbyterian
ChurchshouldmakeadefiniteefforttowintoChristscoresofmenandwomenintheir
neighborhood.Second,thosewonshouldbeorganizedintoSundayschoolclasses,prayer
groups,andchurchcommitteeswherethenewcomersformedamajority.Ifthisweredone,the
SouthGatePresbyterianChurchwouldbeseenbythenewcomersasachurchwherewefeelat
home.
Themosaicofhumanityisasocialactuality,whichallthosewhoobeyeternalGods
commandmusttakeintoaccount.Itmustnotbesupposedthatsocietyismadeupofaonekind
ofpeople.Everysegmentofhumankindandespeciallyofurbanhumanitymustfundmultiplying
withinitcongregationsoftheredeemed.Asthisoccurs,thesewillbringaboutanewsenseof
brotherhood,equality,andhumanoneness.
Thisnewhumanity,however,willnotbesecular,humanistic,andimmoral.Itwillnot
believethatallpeople,nomatterwhattheirreligionorlackofreligionmaybe,areessentially
one.Thathumanisticview,whichissweepingtheWesternworldatthepresenttime,istaking
increasinglylargenumbersinAmericaintoanimmoralsocialorder.CommittedChristian,
however,insistthatwhilethedifferentsegmentsofhumanitymustbetreatedwithlove,justice,
kindness,andrighteousness,theChristianmovementenrollsonlysuchasdeterminedtolivein
Christ.Thetensofthousandsofhousechurches,Sundayschoolclasses,evangelisticBible
studies,andthelikewilldotwothings.TheywillwinunbelieverstoChristandwillworkto
bringabouttheruleofbrotherhood,love,andjusticeinallpiecesofthemosaic.

Brotherhoodwillnotdestroythepiecesofthemosaic.Theywillcontinueon.Wereadin
Revelation7:0thatattheendbeforethethroneandtheLambtherewillbeagreatmultitude...
fromevery ethne,tribe,people,andlanguage.AllthesewillbeChristians.Allthesewilllove
allotherChristians.Allthesewillpromotebrotherhoodandjusticeandkindnessand
righteousness.Buttheywillnotwipeoutthesocial,linguistic,andeconomicdistinctions.The
segmentsofhumanitywillcontinueuntiltheend.Thevasthumanmosaicwillstillbethere.But
itssinfulaspectswillhavebeeneliminated.Thatisclear.
Churchgrowthardentlymaintainsthatwemustcontinuetorecognizethathumanityisa
mosaic.IntoeverypiecemustflowtheredeemingpowerofJesusChrist.Thegrowthofthe
churchwillnotmeldgreen,white,black,yellow,purple,andredpiecesofthemosaicintoone
darkgreypiece.No,theredwillremainred,thewhitewillremainwhite,thepurplewillremain
purple.Butineachofthethousandsofethnicunitssocietiesoftheredeemedwillmultiply.
Notonlywillsocietiesoftheredeemedmultiplybuttheywillalsobreakdownandwash
awaythehates,oppressions,pridesandpersecutionsthatintheunredeemedworldalwaysmar
themosaic.Itwillremain,butitwillbearedeemedmosaic.
Asschoolsoftheologicaleducationcometorealizethisaspectofhumanityandmultiply
coursesineffectiveevangelism,Godwillusethemmuchmorepotentlyfordisciplingallthe
ethneintheworld.
Dr.Greenwayhasstatedthisemphatically:
...wemustholdtenaciouslythegoalofvitalChristianchurchestablishedandgrowing
ineachandeverypeoplegroupinthecity,glorifyingGodintheirownlanguageandculture
form,advancingChristskingdomtotheotherlimitsoftheircommunity(UrbanMission)
[May,1985],p.5).

12
SeeingtheActualFacts
AreWeWorkingBlindfoldedinOurChurches?
Inmanycongregations,denominations,Bibleschools,andseminariesgoodChristians
layandclericsareengagedinmanygoodworksanddonotreallyseethechurchgrowth
situation.Theyarenotvividlyconsciousofwheretheirnewmembersarecomingfrom.Theydo
notknowwhichsegmentsofsocietyareresponsive.Theologicalschoolsareresignedto
whateverdegreeofgrowthordeclinetheministerstheytrainaresecuring.Theydonotbelieve
thateverychurchshouldbegivingbirthtonewcongregations.Inshort,theygointothewhite
fieldsblindfolded.Theyaretheologicallysoundinregardtomanydoctrines,butinregardto
eternalGodscommandtoproclaimthegospeltoallsegmentsofsocietythroughouttheentire
world,leadingpeopletofaithandobedience,theyarequiteunsound.Theyknowagreatdeal
abouttheBible,livegoodmorallives,butneitherseetheripefieldsnorbringinmanysheaves.

TheministerofalargecongregationinVancouver,Washington,someyearsagotoldme
contentedly,Wewinsomefiftyorsixtynewmemberseveryyear.Thatkeepsthischurchquite
healthyandvigorous. Iaskedhimhowmanyofthesenewmembersaretheresultofbiological
growth,transfergrowth,orconversiongrowth.Hereplied,Idontknowwhatyoumean.I
explained.Hereplied,Thatisveryinteresting.Idontknow,butIllfindout.
Adaylaterhecalledmesaying,Sixteenofthefiftymembersweaddedlastyearwere
childrenofourmembersbiologicalgrowth.ThirtywereChristianswhohadmovedto
Vancouverfromothercitiestransfergrowth.Onlyfour,Ifear,wereconvertsfromtheworld
conversiongrowth.Headded,Iamamazedatthesmallnumberofconverts.
Hisowncitychurchmightbegrowingalittle,buthisdenominationinthatpartofthe
worldwasstandingstill.Itwasnotwinningmanyofthe70percentofthepopulationthathad
littleornochurchallegiance.
IcarefullystudiedtwogreatmissionstationsintheheartofAfrica.Intheprevious
seventeenyearstheChristiansinstationDombehadincreasedfromthreethousandtothirty
threethousand.InstationYekatheChristianshaddecreasedfromseventhousandtothree
thousand.Eachofthesestationswasmannedbyeightmissionariesandcostthehomeboard
aboutthesamenumberofdollars.
WhenIstatedthisfindingtothehomeboardintheUnitedStates,IwasassuredthatI
mustbewrong.Suchathingcouldnotbe.TheexecutiveforAfricasaidemphatically,WhileI
donotknowtheactualfacts,Iamsurethatyourreportiswrong.Butwhenfurtherinvestigation
provedthatmyreportwascorrect,herealizedthatthemissionboardhadbeencarryingon
missionsblindfolded.Whiletheyspentmuchmoneydoingmanygoodworksevangelism,
education,medicine,andleprosyworktheyhadnotspentasingledimeinassemblingthefacts
astowhatgrowthwastakingplace,whereitwascomingfrom,andwhatneededtobedoneto
assureevengreatergrowthinthefuture.Hundredsofsimilarillustrationscouldbegiven.
IntheearlyseventiestheSchoolofWorldEvangelisminPasadenaheldaseminarfor
pastorsofHispaniccongregationsofmanydenominations.Forthreedaystheystudiedchurch
growth.OnthethirddayIwastalkingtoapastorofaHispaniccongregationofsomethree
hundredmembers.Iaskedhimwhowerethemostresponsiveofthe25millionHispanicsnowin
theUnitedStates.
Herepliedquickly,Oh,therecentarrivals.
Iaskedhim,Ifyouweretoseektowintheseintoyourcongregation,couldyou
succeed?
Withoutamomentshesitationhereplied,Man,theywouldswampus!
Hiscongregationwasmadeupofrespectable,welltodo,second,thirdandfourth
generationHispanicsanddidnotwantalotofrecentimmigrants.Theywouldbringintoomany
problems.Furthermore,theywouldnotunderstandhiscarefullypreparedsermons.They
wouldntknowthatmuchEnglish.NorwouldtheyspeakhistypeofSpanish.

IfwearetocarryoutChristscommandtodiscipleallthepeoplesoftheworld,wemust
takeofftheblindfolds.Seminariesanddenominationsmustdowhateverresearchisnecessaryto
findouttheactualfacts.WemustdiscoverwhichwaysofproclaimingthegospelGodis
blessingtotheincreaseofHischurchandwhichwaysHeisnot.Believeme,manywaysof
carryingontheworkofthechurcharesoundinregardtomanyaspectsoftheologyand
academicallyquiteimpressive.Yettheytrytobringbackveryfewlostsheep.Atthatpointthey
aretheologicallyquiteunsound.
Schoolsoftheologicaleducationmustknowandteachwhicharetheripefieldsandwhat
methodsofreapingineacharebeingblessedbyGod.Church growthresearchonathoroughly
reliablebasismusthaveahighpriorityineveryBiblecollegeandseminaryprogram.Onlyas
pastorsandministersintrainingseeexactlywhichofthemanycongregationsoftheir
denominationsaregrowingandwhicharenot,howmuchtheyaregrowing,andfromwhat
segmentsofsocietytheyaregrowingwillpastorsbeablebothtomaintaintheirpresent
congregationsandtobeevangelisticallyeffective.OnlysowilltheysaveAmericafrom
becominganevermoresecularandpagansociety.

DoubleYourDenominationinTenYears
Goalsettingisimportant.Soisresearchthattellsushowfarthegoalsarebeingachieved.
In1976anardentdenomination,theChristianandMissionaryAlliance,decided
prayerfullytosetagoalofdoublingitsmembershipinthenexttenyears,sothatby1987bothin
NorthAmericaandaroundtheworlditwouldhavetwiceasmanymembers.In1984Iwroteto
thechiefexecutiveofthatdenominationinNyack,NewYork.Herepliedthatthe
denominationsworldwidemembershipwouldmorethandoublebutthatinNorthAmericathey
mightlagalittlebehindtheirgoal.TheAlliancenotonlysetthatgoalbutinsistedthatinallthe
countrieswhereAlliancechurcheswerefoundcarefulrecordsastogrowthshouldbekept.Every
ministerandeverymissionary,therefore,foundouthowfasthischurchwasgrowing,fromwhat
segmentsofsocietyitwasgrowing,andwhatwaysofevangelismGodwasblessing.
Goalsettingandcarefulresearchastothedegreeofgrowth achievedaresomethingthat
everyseminary,denomination,andcongregationcaneasilyinaugurate.AsBiblecollegesand
seminariestrainfuturepastors,preachers,andmissionaries,theymustgivethemanaccurate
pictureastohowtheethneintheirpartsoftheworldarebeingdisciplined.Theymustteach
whatpartsofthetaskhavebeencompletedandwhatpartsyetneedtobegin.Acorrecttheology
willbemosteffectiveonlyasitisunitedwithanaccuratepictureofwhatcorrecttheologymeans
inthemosaicthatsurroundsus.Everytheologicalschooloughttohaveafulltimeprofessor
constantlydrawingandredrawingaccuratepicturesofthedegreetowhich pantataethneare
beingaddedtothebodyofChristincongregationspasturedbytheirgraduates.Atpresentthe
typicaldenominationexecutive,minister,orIamsorrytosaytheologicalprofessorisnotkeenly
awareofthegrowthordeclinepatternsthatmarkhiscongregationsanddenomination.Itremains
truethatamongthemostorthodoxandbiblicaldenominationsinAmericaarealsofoundsomeof
theleastgrowing.Thiswoefulsituationoughttobeandcanbecorrected.
OneofmystudentsdidaverycarefulsurveyoftheConservativeBaptistdenomination.
Hefoundthatduringthefortiesandearlyfiftiesitgrewrapidly.Butafterthatissloweddown

andwasindangerofbecomingstatic.Healsofoundthatthisearlyrapidgrowthcameas
congregationsoftheNorthernBaptistChurch,displeasedwiththeliberalismofmanyoftheir
leadersandseminaries,decidedtojointheConservativeBaptistdenomination.Growthwas
takingplacenotfromtheworldbuttheexistingChristians.Whenallthosewhowishedtoleave
theNorthernBaptistshaddoneso,growthalmoststopped.
ThisresearchalsorevealedthatwhiletheConservativeBaptistsasawholehadslowed
down,hereandthereindividualcongregationsweregrowingrapidly.Afewwereplantingnew
congregations.Evidentlygrowthwastobehadifpastorswantedit.Thosecongregationswhose
ministersandlaymenwereobeyingChristscommandsweregrowing.Thosewhowerenot
obeyingwerenotgrowing.Theywere,tobesure,doingmanygoodworks,preachingbiblical
sermons,andconductingimpressiveworship.Buttheywerenotfindingmanyofthelost.
Thisresearch,whilefactuallycorrect,wasnotwelcomedbytheleadersofthe
ConservativeBaptistdenomination.Itdid,however,playaconsiderablepartinarousingthemto
thesituation.TheConservativeBaptists,likeallotherdenominations,cangrowintheUnited
Statestoday,providedtheydetermineto.IftheywillbutpraytheLordofharvesttosendforth
laborersintotheharvestandseetheactualfactsaboutchurchgrowth,Godwillblessthemwith
muchchurchgrowth.Iftheywillmakefivecoursesineffectiveevangelismrequiredinalltheir
theologicaltrainingschools,theywillexperienceatremendousburstofgrowth.

MultiplyingNewCongregationsIsImportant
Dr.GeorgeHunterIII,deanoftheE.StanleyJonesSchoolofWorldMissionsand
EvangelisminAsburyTheologicalSeminary,isaspecialistineffectiveevangelism.His
significantbook ToSpreadthePowerisavailablefromAbingdonPress.Thebookisfullof
importantinformationabouthowcongregationsanddenominationstodaycanbetheologically
soundinregardtocarryingoutGodsrepeatedcommandstospreadthegospelandthepower.
IllustrationsaregivenfromtheUnitedStatesandotherlands.
Inchapter5wefindthefollowingfiguresaboutthegrowthofsixdenominationsinthe
Philippinesin197181.TheChristianandMissionaryAlliancegrewfrom22,000membersto
70,000.Thatissignificantdecadalgrowthindeed.TheWesleyanChurchgrewfrom2,400
membersto7,000members,theNazarenesfrom937to6,000,theConventionBaptistsfrom
34,000to56,000,theSouthernBaptistsfrom15,000to61,000,andtheConservativeBaptists
from1,600to10,000.
TurningtotheUnitedStates,Dr.Huntersays,IntheU.S.A.today,inmostyears,the
denominationsthataregrowingarestartingmorechurchesthattheyareclosing([1987],111).
Theentirevolumeiswellworthreading.Itcastsmuchlightonhowcongregationsand
denominationscangrow.Mostimportantlyitarousestheologicalschoolstotheessentialtaskof
preparingministerswhoknowtheessentialfactsandarethereforeeffectiveinfindingGodslost
sonsanddaughtersandbringingthemhome.

ExactKnowledgeAboutNewEthne

IfbranchesoftheuniversalchurcharetoobeyeternalGodscommand,theymust
frequentlygivebirth tonewcongregationsinnewsegmentsofthepopulation.Inadditionthey
mustknowwhereandtowhatdegreetheyaredoingthis.Theprincipleisusuallynotseen.Yetit
hasaneasilyobservablerelationshiptoreapingripefields.Thosecongregationsand
denominationsgrowwhichdiscoverunharvestedripefieldsandmultiplynewcongregations
amongthem.Thosecongregationsanddenominationswhichdonotgrowasaruleareconfining
themselvestotheirownpartiallydiscipledsegmentofthepopulation.
Coursesdealingwiththisaspectofthetaskinthemodernworldmustbetaughtinevery
schooloftheologicaleducation.Anexactpictureofthetruesituationineachdenomination
concernedandofhowthesituationcanbeimprovedmustbetaught.Exactfactsmustbe
compiledforthemanypiecesoftheAmericanmosaic.Thesituationvariesfromstatetostate
and,indeed,countytocounty.Atruepictureofthehundredsofdifferentopportunitiesand
difficultiesinthiscomplicatedgrowthpatternisanecessarypartoftheeducationoffuture
pastors.
AsplendidillustrationofthispointisthecitywideresearchdoneinPhiladelphiaby
WestminsterTheologicalSeminaryunderthedirectionofProfessorsRogerGreenwayand
HarvieConn.ItwasdiscoveredthatinPhiladelphiatherelivefiftyonedifferentminoritygroups
andthatmostofthesearewoefullyunderchurched.Thewomenandmeninthesegroupsare
eagerlytryingtobecomebetterAmericans.Theresultingopportunitiesforproclaimingthe
gospelandmultiplyingchurchesineachminorityaregreat.
WestminsterTheologicalSeminaryhasabranchinanelegantoldhouseneartheheartof
thecity.Herestudentssomeofthemarepastorscomefromvariousminorities.New
congregationsarebeingstartedbythesestudentsintheircommunities.Consequently,
WestminsterSeminaryisvividlyawareoftheopportunitiesofferedbythevariouspiecesofthe
Philadelphiamosaic.IfeveryseminaryandBiblecollegeintheUnitedStatesandCanadawere
toconductsimilarresearchesintotheactualevangelisticopportunitiesinitsownurban
communityandweretoteachthistrueandaccuratepictureofthecontemporarysituation,the
commandoftheultimateAuthorityintheuniverse(Matt.28:18)wouldbemuchmore
effectivelycarriedout.
Forexample,in1983itwasmyprivilegetospeaktotheChurchExtensionDepartment
oftheSouthernBaptistsinTexas.Theexecutivesecretaryofthisstateorganizationsaid,In
Texaswehave4,000Baptistchurches.Wehavedeterminedtoplant2,000morebytheyear
1990.Thismeansthatwewillbeplantingabout300newcongregationsayear.Ofthesenew
churches,45percentwillbeamongAnglos,40percentamongHispanics,and15percentamong
otherethnicgroups.
LaterIwastalkingtothepastorofalargeBaptistchurchineastHouston.Hesaid,Near
whereIworkisasectionofthecityinwhichtherelivefifteenthousandpeople.Wearestarting
fournewBaptistcongregationsthere.
Iremarked,IamsurprisedthatinHoustonthereisanysectionofthecitywitha
populationoffifteenthousandinwhichtherearenotalreadyseveralBaptistchurches.

Oh,hereplied,wedohavetwoBaptistchurchesthere,buttheyaremorethanfifty
yearsold,andtheirmembersarewelltodomiddleclasspeople.Mostoftheotherpeopleinthis
sectionofthecityareworkingclassAnglos.Sincetheydonotasarulejoinmiddleclass
churches,weareplanningtostartfourcongregationsofworkingclasspeople.Wealreadyhave
sevenhousegatheringsoftwoorthreefamiliesandfourhousechurchesofsixoreightfamilies.
WithinayearortwowewillhaveatleasttwonewBaptistcongregationsthrivinginthatpartof
thecity,andby1990wewillhaveatleastfour.
BoththeChurchExtensionDepartmentandthisonepastorineastHoustonwereacting
withexactknowledgeofthemultitudinoussegmentsofsocietythatcomposethepopulationof
Texas.
Asalreadystated,Kitteldefinesan ethnosasagroupofsimilarindividualsaswarmof
beesoraherdofcattleisan ethnos.InasimilarfashionmiddleclassAnglosareoneethnos,and
bluecollarAnglosareanotherethnos.Eachmustbediscipled,thatis,incorporatedintothebody
ofChrist.Inshort,congregationsofbaptizedbelieversmustbemultipliedineach ethnos.Only
socanany ethnosbediscipled.IfwearetocarryouttheclearcommandofHimtowhomall
authorityinheavenandearthhasbeengiven,wemustdiscipleethnosafterethnos,bothinthe
UnitedStatesandaroundtheworld.
IntheUnitedStatesthemultitudinousethne(segmentsofthepopulation)arenothighly
visible.WeareallAmericancitizens.WeallspeakEnglish.Weallarefree.Thereisno
apartheidhere.Yetaswehaveseenagainandagainmanysuchsegmentsofthepopulationdo
existintheUnitedStates. Andweneedexactinformationabouthoweachisbeingdiscipled.
Inmanycountriesoftheworld,notablyIndiaandAfrica,casteandtribedivisionsare
verymuchmoreclearlymarked.MenbelongingtotheNarmadiyaBrahminswillnever
intermarrywithKankubjBrahmins.Both,tobesure,areBrahmins.Buteachiskeenlyconscious
ofitsexistenceasaseparateunitofsociety.Itintendstoremainseparate.Thereareatleastthree
thousandsuchcastesinIndia.
EachAfricannationisfullofnotAfricansbuttribes.InthegreatcountryofZairethere
are127tribes.Eachnotonlyintermarriesverylargelywithinitselfbutspeaksadifferent
languageordialectandthinksofitselfasanentirelyseparatepeople,justasseparateasthe
Amorites,Perizzites,andIsraeliteswerefifteenhundredyearsbeforeChrist.
Itisessential,therefore,notonlyintheUnitedStatesbutaroundtheworldtorealizethat
carryingouteternalGodscommandcanbedoneonlyby exactknowledgeastothesedifferent
segments,theirresponsivenessorresistancetothegospel,andotherfactorsrelatedtotheir
discipling.Exactknowledgeisessential.

HowManyofthe340,000CongregationsintheUnitedStatesAreGrowing?
Thenumberofcongregationsthataregrowing,static,ordecliningisnotknown.
Furthermore,whyeachisgrowing,static,ordecliningisnotknown.

Thisinformationisreadilyavailable.Itcanbediscovered.Itcanbeexactlystated.But
thisisseldomdone.Manyexcellentcongregations,pastoredbydevotedministers,remainstatic
ordeclining.Thisissocommonthatmostministersandseminaryprofessorstendtoviewthe
wholedutyoftheministeraspreachingtheologicallysoundandwellexpressedsermons,caring
forandlovingtheflock,andleadinganexemplarylife.IfhedoesthisandGodwills,his
congregationwillgrow.Heshouldnotbeconcernedwithincreasingmerenumbers.
Letmeemphasizeagainthatnooneisadvocatingmultiplyingunconverted,nominal
Christians.Nooneisadvocatingaddingmerenumbers.Effectiveevangelismneverbringsin
merelyanadditionalwarmbody.ChurchgrowthisasmuchconcernedwithsoundlyChristian
lifeaswithfindingthelost.Beassuredthatthelostarenevertrulyfounduntiltheyare
incorporatedintheflock,obeytheShepherd,walkinHisway,andarefilledwiththeHoly
Spirit.
Wenowcometoamostimportantquestion.Everyschooloftheologicaleducationserves
aspecificdenominationorclusterofdenominations.Itissupportedbydonorsfromthese.Each
facultyshouldask:Whateffectdoesstudyherehaveonthegrowthofthecongregationsand
denominationsourgraduateswillserveandfromwhichourfacultyhavecome?Whatarethe
growthpatternsthatmarkthecongregationstowhichourgraduateswillgo?Tobespecific,let
professorsineachseminaryandBiblecollegeask,Howareourcongregationsatfindingthelost
andreapingwhiteharvestfields?Havewesecuredexactknowledgeconcerningeachofthe
manydifferentkindsofwhiteharvestfieldsthatsurroundthistheologicalschool?
Suchquestionsbringsharplytotheforetheneedforaccurateinformation.Ineachofthe
manyclustersofcongregationstheremaybefifteenormorecongregations.Each oneofthem
facesdifferentopportunitiesforeffectiveevangelism.Eachonehasadifferentawarenessofhow
greatlyGoddesiresindeedcommandsthatparticularethnostobediscipled.Thisonewillregard
churchgrowthasofnoimportance.Thatoneisworkinghardatit.Thispastorhopesthathis
sermonsandhisserviceswillbringmanytohischurchbutdoesnotknowhowmanyunsaved
thereareinhiscommunityandhowbesttofindlostmenandwomenofthemanydifferent
segmentsofsociety.
WhatwaysofobeyingeternalGodscommandisGodblessing?Inwhatsegmentsof
societywithinafewmilesofthechurchbuildinglivemultitudesofwinnablesheep?Manymore
suchquestionsneedtobeaskedandansweredaccurately.Leadersoftheologicaleducationand
ofdenominationsmustnotcarryoutGodscommandsblindfoldedastothemanysituationsthey
face.
Accurateaccountsofthemultitudinouspartsofthehumanmosaicsurroundingusandof
thedegreetowhicheachpartiswinnableandhasbeenwoncanbeobtained.Obtainingthese
willrequiretheadditiontomostfacultiesofspecialistsineffectiveevangelismandwillcost
someeffort,prayer,andmoney.Onlywhenwehavethepictureclearlyinfrontofuscan
progressbemade.
SomeyearsagoIwasspeakingonchurchgrowthtoagatheringofministersin
Winnipeg,Manitoba.OneofthemwasthepastorofabilingualNorthAmericanBaptist
congregation.In1970thecongregationhadbeensolidlyGermanspeaking.Itwaslosingits

childrenandgrandchildrenwhodidnotspeakGerman.In1970thenewpastor,therefore,
institutedanEnglishservice.By1973,thedateofthechurchgrowthseminar,twohundred
attendedtheGermanserviceandonehundredtheEnglishservice.
Thepastorwasdeeplytouchedbythechurchgrowthseminar.Hecametobelievethat
notonlycouldthechildrenandgrandchildrenoftheGermanspeakingBaptistsbewonintoan
Englishspeakingchurchbutalsothatmanyfromtwogreatundiscipledsegmentsofthe
populationinWinnipegcouldalsobewon.Withinamileofthechurchwasanursingschool.
Studentnurseswerelargelyunchurched.Therewasalsoauniversitycommunityfromwhichfew
attendedanychurch.Noneofeithergroupwasamemberofhischurch.After1973hebegana
programofeffectiveevangelisminboththesesegmentsofsociety.By1978,26percentofthe
congregationcamefromtheGermanspeakingcommunity,51percentfromtheuniversityand
nursingcommunities,and23percentfromothersintheneighborhood.
OnceanyministerorprofessoroftheologyreallybelievesthatGodwantsHislostsons
anddaughtersfoundandsecuresaccurateinformationabouttheindividualsandtheethne
surroundinghim,surgesofgrowthmaybeexpectedtofollow.Eachexpansionwillbedifferent
fromtheothers,buteachwillbringsheavesintotheMastersbarn.Informationastotheexact
situationishighlyessentialinthisprocess.

WhatCausesNongrowth,ModerateGrowth,andGreatGrowth?
Essentialtoourthinkingatthispointistorealizethatknowledgeconcerningnumbersof
existingChristiansandcongregationsisonlyonepartoftheinformationneeded.Suchapicture
isagoodbeginning.Itmustbefollowedbyknowledgeastowhatcausesnongrowth,moderate
growth,andgreatgrowth.Therewillbescoresofanswerstoeachofthesequestions.What
causesnongrowthintheinnercitywillnotbethesameaswhatcausesnongrowthinthesuburbs
oraminingcommunity.OnceGodscommandtopreachthegospeltoall ethneleadingthese
ethnetofaithandobediencehasbeenheard,thecoursesofactionrequiredwillvarywithevery
situation.Whatwillworkforonepersonwillnotnecessarilyworkforothers.Whatwillworkin
onesegmentofthepopulationmaynotbenearlysoeffectiveinothersegments.Thedegreeof
educationneededbyeffectivepastorsandchurchplantersinapopulationofgradeschool
graduateswilldifferfromthatneededinapopulationofcollegegraduates.Convincedhumanists
willneedastatementoftheunchanginggospel differentfromtheoneneededbynominal
Christians.
Exactinformationonallofthesetopicsmustbecontinuallysoughtandtaught.Thisis
whyfivecoursesoneffectiveevangelismneedtobeinstituted.Thisiswhywelltrained
specialistsineffectiveevangelismneedtobeapartofeverytheologicalfaculty.Ihopetoseethe
Biblebelieving,SpiritfilleddenominationsinNorthAmericasurgeahead.Theyallhavethe
power.Theyallholdthegreattheologicalconvictions.AssoonaseachofthemhearsGods
commandsandenlistsinHisunswervingpurpose,eachofthemwillstartgrowingrapidly.
Thehundredsofvarietiesofchurchgrowth(effectiveevangelism)presentdifferent
situations.ThedegreeofChristianizationineachisdifferent.Thereceptivitytothegospelin
eachisdifferent.Theproblemsthatmustbesolvedineacharedifferent.Theabilityand
dedicationoftheworkersineacharedifferent.IfwearetocarryouteternalGodscommand

effectively,wemusthaveaccurateinformationaboutalltheseaspectsofeachsegmentofthe
population.
Sincetheologicalschoolsarepreparingpastorswhowillbeabletoassembleandusethe
manykindsofexactinformationofwhichIhavebeenspeaking,itisobviousthatmuchmore
thanonefourhourelectiveonevangelismisneeded.Ifthepastorsandministersfromseminaries
oftheworldaretooperateinthelightofexactknowledgeconcerningthemultitudinous
segmentsofthepopulationtobewon,severalfourhourcourseswillbeneeded.Theserequired
coursesoneffectiveevangelismmustverysoonbecomeapartofthecurriculaofallschoolsof
theologicaleducation.

13
ChurchGrowthbyClergyorLaity?
IseffectiveevangelismofnonChristianstheworkofclergyorlaity?Doestheminister
alonedeterminewhetherhiscongregationfindsandfoldsthelostinitsvicinity?Ishistasktodo
thejobhimselfortotrainhismemberstodoit?Shouldthisbookbereadonlybytheclergyor
alsobythelaity?ThesearemostimportantquestionsforeveryBiblecollege,seminary,and
denomination.Letmelaybeforeyousomestrikingillustrations.

PastorPaulYonggiChoin1958
ThemostdramaticillustrationofchurchgrowthintheworldtodaycomesfromtheFull
GospelChurchonYoidoIsland,asuburbofSeoul,Korea.UndertheableleadershipofDr.Paul
YonggiCho,itsminister,thisAssembliesofGodcongregationhasgrownfromtwothousandin
1958tofourhundredthousandtoday.Thetwothousandmetinalargetentinthebombedand
flattenedheartofthegreatcityofSeoul.Thefourhundredthousandmeetinaverylargeand
beautifulchurchinthousandofhousechurchesscatteredacrosstheentireurbanarea.Godused
PastorYonggiChoalonetogatherthefirsttwothousand.Histirelesswork,hisSpiritfilled
dynamism,andhisunceasingprayerbroughttogetheracongregationthatgrewfromacoupleof
hundredtoacoupleofthousandinthreeyears.ThenPastorChosufferednervousexhaustion.
Hisphysicianassuredhimhewouldneverpreachagain.Hewasconfinedtohisbed.
Nevertheless,hecalledinahundredofhismostdevoutmembers.Theyfilledtheroom
wherehelayonacot.Hesaidtothem Thecareofthiscongregationnowrestsonyou.Eachone
ofyoumustgatherthetwentyorsomembersofthischurchwholiveinhisorherimmediate
neighborhoodforameetingofprayerandBiblestudyeveryweekandmustseethattheycometo
thistentforSundayworship.
Thehundredmembersinstantlyprotestedthattheywereveryordinarypeopleandhad
neithertheabilitynorthebiblicalknowledgetodothis.Hereplied,Godwillgiveyouthe
ability.Youcanlovethetwentypeoplewhoforyourcongregation,yourhousechurch.The

membersofyourhousechurchliveinintimatecontactwithmanynonChristiansinthisvast
urbancomplex.Yourmemberscandemonstratethenewlove,justice,andkindwayoflifeyou
nowpracticeandcanwinmayofthenonChristianstoChrist.
GodhealedYonggiCho,andhewasbackinhispulpitwithinamonth.Thehundred
housechurchesprospered.Theysoonbecametwohundred,thenfourhundred,thensixhundred.
YonggiCho,withsomehelpfromtheAmericanAssembliesofGod,builtthelargestchurch
buildinginKorea.Itsmainauditoriumseatedeightthousandworshippers.Atelevisionplacedon
theenormouspulpitshowedhimanotherthousandgatheredinthegreathallbelowthe
auditorium.Thesethousandalsosawandheardthepreacherviaclosedcircuittelevision.This
everySundayYonggiChospoketoninethousandpeople.Hesoonfoundthathehadtohave
fourservicesat9,10:30and4oclock.
In1974IaddressedninethousandpeopleatthesecondserviceonthatSunday.There
weretwomoresuchservices.Inall,thirtysixthousandmembersattendedchurchthatday.
Aftertheservice,Iwasgreatlyimpressedwithfivelargeofficesbelowtheauditorium.
Eachwasfilledwithfilingcabinets,whichcontainedacardforeachofthethirtysixthousand
baptizedbelieversofthechurch.Inthefilingcabinetsthemembersweregroupedaccordingto
theeighteenhundredhousechurchestheninexistence.Everyoneoftheeighteenhundredhouse
churchesorcellssentitsleadertomeeteveryWednesdaynightwithYonggiChoandhishelpers
foracoupleofhours.IaskedPastorChowhotheselayleaderswere.Weretheydoctors,
lawyers,teachers,andothersuchpeople?
Onno,repliedPastorCho, thosepeoplearefartoobusy.Theeighteenhundredwho
gatherhereareveryordinarycitizens,buttheyloveandcarefortheirsmallhousechurches.
Theyknoweachmemberindividually,andtheyleadtheminprayerandBiblestudy.
IthoughtimmediatelyofthetremendousgrowthoftheNewTestamentchurchlednotby
rabbis,scribes,anddoctorsofthelaw,butbyfishermen,taxgatherers,andmanyunnamedand
ordinarymeninhundredsofsmallgatheringsmeetingathouses,patios,gardens,andafewyears
laterincatacombs.Thefirstanswertothequestionposedbythetitleofthischapteristhat
effectiveevangelizationiscarriedonbyajointeffortbypastorandpeople.Initthepastor
performsasmallandveryimportantpercentageofthetotalwork.Thepeopleperformalarge
andimportantpercentage.Ifanydenominationorcongregationtodaywishestobecomeeffective
initsproclamationofthegospel,itmustinspireandorganizeasubstantialnumberofitsmenand
womentobecomeardentandwelltrainedlayevangelists.

JohnWesleyandClassMeetings
WhathappenedinKoreabetween1958and1985,twentysevenyears,hashappened
againandagainthroughouthistory.AmostdramaticillustrationisprovidedbyJohnWesley,an
Anglicanclergymentwohundredyearsago.Ashesoughttorevivethemillionsofnominal
ChristiansinEngland,Scotland,Ireland,andWales,hecametotheconclusionthatitcouldbe
doneonlybyorganizingclassmeetingsledbycommittedChristianmen.Fewifanyofthesehad
theologicaltrainingorwereseminarygraduates.All,however,werecommittedChristians.He

providedforthemtheguidelinesaccordingtowhichtheyweretoreachouttothesaved,winthe
unsaved,teachtheunsaved,andleadthemintocommitted,prayerfulChristianlife.
Inhisbook,ToSpreadthePower,Dr.GeorgeHuntertellsinconsiderabledetailof
Wesleysmethods.HeemphasizesthatWesleyoperatedaccordingtotheprinciplesthatthe
churchgrowthmovementisemphasizingtoday.Wesleydidnotcallthesechurchgrowth
principles,butthatiswhattheywere.Ifhehadnotemphasizedthesemethods,hismovement
wouldnothavegrownandgrownuntiltodaytherearemorethan40millionMethodistsscattered
aroundtheworld.
ThetrainingofcommittedChristianstofindandnurturetheirunsavedbrothersand
sisters,neighborsandfriends,isakeytogrowthneededbyeveryordainedpastor.Thefactthat
sofewpastorsusethiskeyisverylargelyresponsibleforthestaticconditionofmany
denominations.Howtotrainlaymen,ofcourse,variesfromcongregationtocongregation.
Consequently,Biblecollegesandseminariesmustteach afourhourcoursedetailingthemany
differentwaysofinstructingthelaity.ThiskeytoobeyingeternalGodscommandcanbeseized
bytheordainedleadersofallcongregationsinallpartsoftheglobe.Whatatremendousand
effectivearmywillbefound,organized,trained,andsettoworkasleadersofthechurchgrasp
thistruthandactuponit!

IlliteratePreachersandBaptistMultiplication
Ofconsiderablesignificanceisthefactthat,whileatthetimeoftheRevolutionaryWar
thelargedenominationsintheUnitedStateswereEpiscopalian,Presbyterian,and
Congregational,by1976(twohundredyearslater)thelargedenominationsweretheMethodists
andtheBaptists.TheEpiscopalians,Presbyterians,Congregationalists,andLutheranshad,of
course,grownbutnotnearlysomuchastheMethodistsandBaptists.
Whywasthisso?Therearemanyreasons.Butone,concerningwhichtherecanbelittle
doubt,isthattheslowgrowingdenominationsrelyfortheirgrowthverylargelyuponwell
trainedministers,whereastheMethodists,withtheirclassmeetings,whichsoonbecome
congregations,andtheBaptistsfrequentlyusedSpiritfilledpeoplewhohadrelativelylittle
formaleducation.AsonereadsthehistoryoftherapidexpansionofBaptistchurches,heruns
acrossinstancesofmenofverylittleformaleducation.These,filledwiththeHolySpiritand
readingtheBiblethroughfromcovertocover,becameeffectiveproclaimersoftheWordto
thosefrontierpeople,amongwhichweremanyactuallyilliteratemenandwomen.Indeed,Iread
ofmorethanoneBaptistwhowasilliteratewhenhemarried.Hiswifetaughthimtoread.Later
afterhisconversionhebecameanablepreacher.
BeassuredthatIamnotadvocatingscanttrainingforministers.FullerTheological
SeminaryandtheSchoolofWorldMissionemphasizetheneedforabundantinstructionand
educationofprospectiveministersandmissionaries.Itdoesneedtobesaid,however,thatthere
isadangerthathighlyeducatedmenwillnotbeheardbylargesegmentsofthepopulation.If
effectiveevangelismisleftsolelytothehighlyeducated,millionsofthewomenandmenliving
arounduswillnotlistentowhatwehavetosay.Thisisonereasonwhyordainedministersmust
enlistandtrainatleast10percentoftheirmemberstobecomeeffectiveevangelist.These
membersoftheirchurcheswillspeaktotheirneighborsandfriendsinwaysthatvaryfrom

neighborhoodtoneighborhood.Theywillbeheardexactlyasweretheunlearnedapostlesinthe
early church.

EvangelisticHomeBibleStudiesinBoston
AgoodillustrationcomesfromthecityofBoston.ThereaChurchofChristminister,Kip
McKean,in1978cametoasmallcongregationofaboutfiftymembers.By1983,fiveyearslater,
thishadgrowntoacongregationoffourteenhundredbaptizedbelievers.AsIcorrespondedwith
PastorMcKean,hegaveseveralreasonsforthisamazinggrowth.Amongthemwasthefactthat
congregationoffourteenhundredmembersassembledin150repeat,150evangelistichome
Biblestudies.Thesemetin150partsofthegreatcityofBoston.
Tobecountedasan evangelistichomeBiblestudy,eachhadtohaveasmany
nonmembersattendedasChristians.IfjustthesaintsofGodgathertostudytheBible,wrote
PastorMcKean,themeetinghasverylittleevangelisticpotency.If,however,believersand
nonbelievers,membersandnonmembersmeet,faithflowsfrombelieverstononbelieversina
remarkablefashion.Tobesure,theBiblestudycoursethatallthesegroupsemployedwas
carefullydesignedtomeettheconditionsofmodernlifeinagreatcityandtopresentthe
Christianalternatives.ThepastornevervisitedtheseevangelistichomeBiblestudies.Therethe
faithwascommunicatedbytheHolySpiritthroughthelaity.
Anotherillustrationcomesfromarecentchurchgrowthseminaryheldinagreatsouthern
city.AnEpiscopalrectoratthecloseofoneofthesessionssaid,Thiscityisdividedbythe
railwaywhichrunsthroughit.Onthissidelivethewhites.Onthatsidelivetheblacksandother
minorities.OnthatsideofthetracksthereisnotasingleEpiscopalchurch.Ihaverecentlyhad
closecontactwithawonderfulChristianfromthatsideofthetracks.Heisnotaseminary
graduate.IamgoingtoencourageandhelphimtostartanEpiscopalchurchonthatsideofthe
tracks.WeoughttohaveseveralEpiscopalchurchesdownthere.

CreatingaCoreofEffectiveEvangelistsinYourCongregation
IneveryseminaryandBiblecollegearegatheredstudentsandprofessorswhoevery
Sundaywillplayleadingpartsinmanycongregations.Allthesefaceageneralpopulationin
whicharemultitudesofhumanists,secularists,materialists,andnominalandlapsedChristiansof
manydenominationsfromRomanCatholictoPentecostal.Mostofthecongregationswillbe
eitherlittlegrowingornongrowingsomewillbedeclining.Therecordoftheirgrowthoverthe
pasttwentyyearswillabundantlyprovethis.Couldthesecongregationsbeturnedaround?Could
theybecomelikePastorYonggiChosgreatcongregationinKoreaorlikePastorMcKeans
congregationinBoston?
Theanswertothisquestionmustbecarefullyframed.Ifweweretoselecttheright
peopleineachcongregation,trainthem,workwiththem,encouragethem,praywith them,and
helpthem,wewouldbeyonddoubtbeabletoturnmanynongrowingchurchesaround.We
wouldbeyondquestionstartmanyvigorousSpritfilledhousechurches.Ontheotherhand,in
somecongregations,nomatterhowmuchwetried,wecouldnotfindtherightpeople.Possibly
thiswouldbeduetothewaywewentaboutit.Possiblythiswouldbeduetodecadesofbelief
thatallsuchworkistheworkofthepastor.Heispaidtodoit.Whyshouldwedoit?

Nevertheless,ItrustthatasBiblecollegesandseminariesestablishmanyrequired
coursesoneffectiveevangelism,manyoftheirgraduateswillcreatebandsoflaymenor
laywomenwhowillbeeffectiveevangelists.ThesewillstartevangelistichomeBiblestudies.
Theywilllearnhowtospeakwinninglyandeffectivelytotheirneighborsandfriends.Allacross
Americacongregationsaftercongregation,presbyteryafterpresbytery,unionafterunionare
wakeningtothemultitudesoftheunreachedandtoeternalGodscommandtodisciplethem.
Thewaysin whichtheyobeythiscommandwillbemultitudinous.Theeffectivenessofeachunit
willvary.Butthatthetotalwillbeimpressiveishardtodoubt.

14
TheHeartofTodaysOpportunity
Theologicalseminaries,divinityschools,andBibleschoolscan unquestionablyplaya
significantpartintheevangelizationoftheUnitedStatesandallothernations.
Astheologicaltrainingschoolsbegintoseethetheologicalnecessitythatall
congregationscarryoneffectiveevangelism,greatgrowthwillcertainlyfollow.Astheological
trainingschoolsseetheenormousnumbersoftheunreachedintodaysandtomorrowsworld,
theywilleducatedtheirstudentsineffectiveevangelism.
Theywillrecognizethevastnominalitythatcharacterizessomanyoftodayschurch
members.Theywillnotclosetheireyestothetidalwaveofsecularism,materialism,and
nominalismthathassweptovertheWesternworldandallthebranchesofitschurch.Theneed
forrevivalandrenewalwithinthechurch,resultinginagreatmultiplicationofliving,Spirit
filledcongregations,willdominatetheirthinking.Churchgrowthathomeandabroadwill
becomeoneoftheirprincipalemphases.
FacultiesintheologicalschoolsoughttotakemostseriouslythoseGreekwordstaethne
foundsofrequentlyintheNewTestament.Facultieswillincreasinglyrealizethattheyare
surroundedathomeandabroadbythousandsoftheseethnicunits,segmentsofsociety,
unreachedpeoplespiecesofthevasturbanandruralmosaics. Matheteusatepantataethne
(Matt.28:19)willbeheardasthecommandnotthesuggestionorrequestoftheultimate
Authorityoftheuniverse.
SeminarieswillrecoilfromtheconceptthatreallyChristiancongregationscanbe
satisfiedmerelytomaintainthemselves,paytheirpastorswell,worshipinbeautifulbuildings,
andhearinterestingsermons.
AgreeingthateverytrulyChristiancongregationcontrolledbytheHolySpiritwillsurge
outtoseeGodslostchildrenwhetherthesearenonChristiansornominalChristiansand
bringthemhome,seminariesandBiblecollegeswilldevelopatleastfivefourhourcourses
teachingeffectiveevangelizationofeverysegmentoftheexceedinglycomplexmodernsociety.

Theywillrequirethatallstudentstakethesecourses.Theywillrecruitfacultymemberswho
haveaburdenforeffectiveevangelization.TheywillinaugurateatrulyChristianresponsetothe
mostreceptiveworldevertoexist.TheywillbeginamightymultiplicationofsoundlyChristian,
increasinglyjust,andbrotherlycongregationsineveryethnos,tribe,tongue,andpeopleintheir
ownnationandeveryothernation.
Theywilldoallthisasanessentialpartofadequateandeffectiveministerialeducation.

Afterword
PastorEvangelists:NeedoftheHourEverywhere
RogerS.Greenway,formerProfessorofMissionsandGospelCommunicationsat
WestminsterTheologicalSeminaryandnowExecutiveDirectorofChristianReformedWorld
Ministries,haseditedamostbook,ThePastorEvangelist.Initheandtwelvecoauthorshave
fascinatinglydescribedthemanyevangelisticopportunitiesfacingallpastorsinallbranchesof
theuniversalchurch.Dr.Greenwayandhiscollaboratorsportrayinamostinterestingwaythe
incidentsandprinciplesthatunderlieeverypastorslife.Manyquotationsfromthegreat
leadersofthechurchmakedelightfulreading.
Dr.Greenwaydoesnotarguethattheologicalseminariesshouldrequireeveryministerial
candidatetotakefivecoursesonevangelism.Hedoes,however,presenttruthfullythe
evangelisticchallengesandopportunitieseverypastorfaces.Readerswillseethetremendous
needforstudentsintheologicalseminariestobecomecapableofpresentingChristeffectivelyin
hundredsofeverydaysituations.
ThefollowingchapterbyDr.Greenwayisexcerptedfrom ThePastorEvangelist,Pages
182200,andisreprintedbypermission.Readthisdelightfulchapterandwalkinitslight.
AtthemeetingsoftheConsultationonWorldEvangelizationheldinThailandin1980,
George Peters,whoformanyyearstaughtMissionsatDallasTheologicalSeminary,made
severalpointedcommentsaboutpastorsandevangelism.Hetalkedaboutthechurchesin
Europe,whereinhisretirementPetersmadeannualvisitsaddressingpastorsandfurloughing
missionaries.Peterstoldusthathehadrecentlyaddressedagatheringof350Europeanpastors,
allofthemconservativeintheirtheology.Heaskedthemhowmanyhadeverstudied
evangelism.Onlyfivesaidthattheyhadtakenacourseinthesubject.Twentyhadattendedat
leastaonedayworkshopinevangelism.Thevastmajorityhadneverreceivedanyformal
instructiononhowtodoororganizeevangelism.
Wasthereanyconnection,Petersasked,betweenthislackoftrainingandthemajor
complaintthroughoutEuropethatthechurcheswerentgrowing?Hisownanalysiswasthatthe
Europeanchurchesandtheirleadershaveneverseentheconnectionbetweenevangelismhave
neverseentheconnectionbetweenevangelismandpastoralministry.

MyownobservationsinotherpartsoftheworldbearoutwhatGeorgePeterssaid.When
churchesfailtopresenttheclaimsofChristevangelisticallytotheunsavedworld,aseriesof
thingshappen.ThegospelofGodssavinggracenolongerglowsinpulpitandpewasit
formerlydid,andmembersslipaway.Amongtheremnant,religiousenergiesaredirected
towardotherthings,usuallysocialissuesandhumandevelopment.Theologiansaddtothe
processbyprovidingaconceptualframeworkof soteriologicaluniversalism thatdoesnotrequire
personalconversionandtherebyexcludesbiblicalevangelism.Evangelism,infact,isredefined
associalaction.Asfarasthechurchesareconcerned,itisadownwardspiralasunevangelistic
leadersproduceunevangelisticinstitutions,whichinturnproduceabodyofpeoplewhose
religiousimpulsesgoinmanydirections,carryingsomeofthemeventodistantpartsofthe
world,doingmanycommendablethingsbutlackingevangelisticmotivationandpower.Such
workerscannotproducegrowingchurches.Thoughpastorsarenotthewholeproblem,they
certainlyareakeypartofit.And,Iwouldadd,theycanalsobethecatalystswhoturnthespiral
around.
GeorgePetersmadeasecondstatementaboutthestrategymissionagenciesfollow
aroundtheworld: Ivejustcomebackfromaroundtheworldtourofmissionfieldsonbehalf
ofseveralmajorboards,andImdisgusted.Iveseenathousandsmall,stagnantchurchesthat
arentgoinganywhere.Itoldthemissionexecutivestheyhadbetterstopemphasizingchurch
plantinguntiltheyvelearnedtomakechurchesgrow.Thepastorsdontknowhowto
evangelizeandthechurchesjusthangonwithahandfulofmembers.
Oneofthedismalrealitieswedonttalkaboutinmissionliterature,particularlyliterature
ofapromotionalkind,isthatwehaveplantedalotofchurchesthatareasevangelisticallysterile
asmanyofourolderchurchesintheWest.Nongrowingchurchesinplaceswherereceptivityto
thegospelisgenerallyhighisanunresolveddilemma,andIbelieveGodhasraisedupthe
Pentecostalchurchespartlyasanindictmentoftheolderdenominations.Theevangelistic
sterilityofmainlinechurches,includingsomethatremainorthodoxintheirdoctrine,isaterrible
witnesstoChristianityandinmyopinionstandsatthetopofthelistoftheproblemswefacein
worldevangelization.
Mythesisisthatthesolutionbeginswiththepastorswholeadthecongregationsandthe
trainingtheyreceiveforministry.Manyyearsago,thegreatmissionarystatesmanJohnR.Mott
expressedthistruthsuccinctly:
ThesecretofenablingthechurchtopressforwardinthenonChristianworldisoneof
leadership.Thepeopledonotgobeyondtheirleadersinknowledgeandzeal,norsurpassthem
inconsecrationandsacrifice.TheChristianpastor.holdsthedivinelyappointedofficefor
inspiringandguidingthethoughtandactivitiesofthechurch.Byvirtueofhispositionhecanbe
amightyforceintheworldsevangelization.
InthefirstchapterofthisbookIsaidthatthepastorsresponsibilityinregardto
evangelismisthreefold.Hemustmodelevangelisminhisownlifeandministry,teachingby
exampleandguidingothersintheprocess.Finally,thepastormustmobilizethemembershipin
waysthatputfeettodoctrineandtheory.Hisroleisthatoforganizer,equipper,andcatalyst.
Underhisleadershipthemembersexplorenewpossibilitiesforreachingtheircommunityand
incorporateevangelismintoeverydepartmentofchurchlife.

Muchofthebookhasdealtwithwaysthiscanbedone,andmypurposeinthisfinal
chapteristohighlightcertainissuesandreviewthegeneralframeworkofpastoralevangelism.I
includeanumberofillustrationsofpastoralevangelisminaction,buildingaroundthethree
pivotalareasofmodeling,teaching,andorganizing.InresponsetothepossibleaccusationthatI
havebeenundulyhardonpastors,Ibeginwithsomethoughtsintheirdefense,thingsthatneed
tobesaidthoughtheyimplyadegreeofadmonishment.

InDefenseoftheAveragePastor
First,somethingneedstobesaidaboutparachurchorganizationsthatspecializein
evangelismandwhoserecordingainingconvertsfrequentlyexceedsthatoftheestablished
church.AttheConsultationinThailand,Iheardpastorsfromvariouspartsoftheworld
complainthattheyfelttheywerebeingvictimizedintheeyesoftheirpeople.Pastor,they
complainedalwaysgettheblamewhenthechurchcomparespoorlywithhighlychargedefforts
ofparachurchmissionagencies.Oftenthemembersthemselves,orthecircumstancesinwhich
thechurchislocatedandworking,inhibitthekindofgrowthpeopledemand.Thepastors
gatheredinThailandpointedoutalsothatparachurchorganizationsgenerallyarestructured
differentlyfromthechurch.Theirmainintentismissionaryserviceandoutreach,whereas
pastorsandchurcheshaveahostofadditionalresponsibilitiesbesidesevangelism.Workersin
parachurchmissionagenciesgenerallydonthavetocounseltroubledfamilies,conductfuneral,
teachsocieties,andcomfortthesickandelderly.Theycanfocusonthepurposeforwhichthey
areorganizedandmaintained,evangelism.Iftheirsuccessinthatdepartmentseemstoexceed
that oftheaveragepastorandtheinstitutionalchurch,thereasonsareobvious.
Thepastors complaintislegitimateandcriticsofthechurchneedtoberemindedthatthe
ministriesofthechurchgofarbeyondthespecializedconcernsofparachurchorganizations.
Theymustremember,too,thatthetaskofevangelismisnotcompletedwhenpeoplebecome
believers.Discipleshipisalongongoingprocess,involvingyearsofinstruction,guidance,and
discipline. Withoutchurchestodothis,whatwouldbecomeofthefruitsofthepararchurch
activities?Theneed,asIseeit,isforchurchandparachurchinstitutionstoworktogethermore
closely,tointegratetheireffortsandavoidallsemblanceofcompetitionandleadershipstealing.
Imaintaintheconvictionthat,whenthelocalchurchenjoystheleadershipofpastorscommitted
toevangelism,ittakesabackseattonototherorganizationindrawingsinnerstoChristand
nurturingthemoverthelonghaultofaithfulandresponsiblediscipleship.
Second,Idefendthosepastorswhoserveindifficultlocations.Therearerural
communitieswheremanyresidentshavedepartedandfewyoungpeoplestayaround.Pastorsin
decliningcommunitiesseemanyofthetalentedpeopleleaving,andtheyeasilybecome
frustratedanddiscouragedbecausealltheexcitingplacesofministryseemtobesomewhere
else.Thenthereareinnercityneighborhoodswherepeopleslivesare,invaryingdegrees,
shatteredandtornapartbysinanditsconsequences.Numericalgrowthisslow,andpastors
spendmuchoftheirtimehealingwoundsandholdingmemberstogetheragainstawithering
barrageofnegativeforces.Somechurchesarelocatedinplaceswheretheyarecutofffromthe
mainstreambecauseoflanguageorculturaldifferences,andyettheremnantisthereandrequires
pastoralcare.

Highlyfavorablelocationscanalsobedeceptive.Therearecommunitiessofavorable
thatalmostanychurchwillgrow,evenwithoutevangelism.InNorthAmericaandEuropethese
usuallyaresuburbanlocationswherelargenumbersofmiddleclassfamiliesaremovinginand
canbecountedontojoinanevangelicalchurch.Churchplantersrelyheavilyondemographic
studiestodeterminewherethesehighpotentiallocationsarelikelytodevelop,andtheyshape
theirstrategyaccordingly.Fromapracticalstandpointthismakessense,andmanyofthehighly
acclaimedchurchesinAmericaarebuiltinthisway.Butthestrategy,especiallyifitisfollowed
totheexclusionofallothers,hassomeseriousdrawbacks.Itmayrepresenttheplannedneglect
ofurbanneighborhoodswherelargenumbersofpeopleneedtobeevangelizedandpastured.It
tendstofocusentirelyonourkindofpeople,totheneglectofsocialandethnicminorities.It
maysayineffectthattheonlychurchesworthplantingandpastoringarethosewhichpromise,in
businessmensfashion,ahighreturnontheinvestment.Therefore,indefenseofsomelow
yieldpastoratesIraisethiswordofcaution. Godspeoplearefoundinmanydifferentlocations
andcircumstances,andallofthemneedmissionheartedpastors.Heavenwillrewardmany
whoreceivenolaurelsonearth.Letusnotlookdownonthoselessfertilefields,buthonorthe
laborersfortheirperseverance.
Third,indefenseofpastorswhofeelfrustratedoverevangelismsomethingneedstobe
saidabouttheChristiancollegesandseminariesthatfailtoprovideadequatetraininginthisarea.
WhatGeorgePetersobservedinthecaseofEuropeaneducatedpastorsisalsotrueofschooling
onthissideoftheAtlanticandinmanyThirdWorldinstitutions.Mostcoursesinmissionsand
evangelismareheavyontheorybutterriblylightonpractice,andsomegraduateshavenever
studiedevangelismatall.Coursesinthedepartmentofpracticaltheologytraditionallyare
orientedtowardtheinternalneedsofcongregationsandnottowardtheevangelizationofthe
unsavedoutside.Itisnowonder,therefore,thatpastorsfeelfrustratedwhenchurchesdecline
andevangelismmindedlaypeoplelookelsewherefordirection. Evangelismtendstohavethe
sameimportanceandplaceinthechurchesthatithasintheseminaries,andforthatreasonour
concernforevangelismthroughlocalchurchescarriesustotheschoolswherechurch
leadershipisformed.
Fewpeoplehaveknownmoreaboutseminariesaroundtheworldandhowwellthey
succeedinproducingpastorevangeliststhanJamesF.Hopewell,associatedashewaswiththe
TheologicalEducationFundfromitsbeginningin1958,longbeforeithadformalconnection
withtheWorldCouncilofChurchesanditsviewpoint.Hopewellvisitedhundredsoftheological
institutionsaroundtheworldwiththespecificpurposeofcuttingthroughtheouter,superficial
appearancesandgettingatthecoreoftheirmissionandministry.Definingmissionasthe
witnessChristiansmakeoutsidethenormalfrontiersofthechurch,andcandidateastheperson
beingpreparedbysometheologicalinstitutionfroacareerinChristianservice,Hopewellsadthe
following:
Theproblemisthatsurprisinglyfewcandidatesarepreparedtoengageinthatmission
withanyconsistencyoraccuracy.Andwhilethisfaultmaybeattributedtomostanyaspectof
modernchurchstructure,itseemsparticularlyencouragedbythepatternoftheologicaleducation
nowpracticedinmostseminariesaroundtheworld
NowIwouldliketocontendthatmostofthesefactorsthatcompriseourunderstanding
oftypicaltheologicaleducationhavebeenunconsciouslydesignedtoavoid,andthereforeto

hinder,thebasicChristianintentionofmission.AndIdonotmeantobeattheantiintellectual
drumagainsthigherlearning.Whatratherconcernsanincreasingnumberofcriticsisthatthe
verytoolofhigherlearninghasbeenmisappropriatedtoperformadthirdratejobforasecond
ratechurchstructure.Inatimewhenourunderstandingoftheministrymoreandmoreimplies
itsdynamic,missionaryfunction,wecontinuetorelyuponasystemofpreparationwhichatits
rootsisessentiallystaticandisolationist.11
Inviewoftheincreasedpressurebuildinguptodayforleadershipthatknowshowto
evangelize,IpredictthatChristiancollegesandseminarieswillhavetorevamptheirprogramsor
facedecline.Therealitiesofaworldinwhichthepercentageofunchurchedandunsavedpeople
riseseveryyeardemandthatchurchleadershipbetrainedinnewwaystomeetthechallenge.
Evangelismmustbereturnedtoitsrightfulplaceintheclassroomandinthechurch,orthetrend
towardparachurchismwillbecomeastampede.
Certainreadersmaywanttochallengethis,andthereforeIinvitethemtoreflectonthe
following.Awellknownevangelicalseminarythathasalwaysstoodforscholarshipand
doctrinalconservatismrecently sentaquestionnairetoitsalumniaskingthemtorankthecourses
theyfelthadbeenthemosthelpfulinpreparingthemforpastoralministry.Asreportedbythe
pastors,thetopfivewerechurchhistory,Greek,Hebrew,systematics,andbiblicaltheology.At
ornearthebottomwerepreaching,evangelism,andchurchgrowth.Anotherquestionnairewas
senttotheeldersandlayleadersofthechurchesbeingservedbytheseminarysgraduates.They
wereaskedtoindicatethechiefweaknessestheyobservedinpastors.Surprise!Thetopthree
weaknesseswereincommunication,preaching,andevangelism,areasthatlieattheexact
oppositeofthemosthelpfulcoursesidentifiedbythepastor4s.Thatseminary,andmany
similarinstitutions,reallyhassomethingtothinkabout.Thediscrepancyinresponsesmay
reflectthequalityoftheteachingintherespectivedepartments.Inaddition,itreflectsa
profounddifferenceofperceptionbetweenscholarsandchurchmembersastowhatpeopleinthe
pewarelookingforintheirleaders.Certainlythemembershaddetectedcertaindeficienciesin
thetrainingreceivedbytheirpastors,andtheywereoutspokenintheirdesiretoseethegaps
filled.Thatparticularseminaryistakingseriousstepstoshoreupitsweaknesses,andIhopeall
pastortraininginstitutionswilltakewarning.

AreasinWhichPastorsPreachandTeachEvangelism
Responsibilityforequippingmembersforkingdomserviceandevangelismlieswiththe
pastors,thespiritualleadersofGodspeople.Thebiblicalpatternisteaching,modeling,and
organizing.InteachingIincludeSundaypreaching,whichinmostchurchesisthechiefdidactic
instrument.Unlessthepastorsteachingpreachingsoundsforththegospelandcreatesthe
atmosphereofevangelisminthechurch,itisunlikelythatthechurchwillbecomemobilizedfor
effectiveoutreach.
Membersmustbeabletoexpectthatineveryworshipservicethegoodnewsofhopeand
salvationthroughChristwillbeheardinsuchamannerthatchildren,youth,andthecasual
visitorwillbeabletograspsomethingofitsmeaning.Unfortunatelythisisnotthecaseinevery
church.SometimeagoIwastalkingwithanelderfromalargeReformedcongregation.Iknow
thatpastorofthatchurch well,andheisagiftedspeakeranddeeplycommittedtotheorthodox
expressionofthefaith.Theelder,amanoflongstandingleadershipinthechurch,relatedtome

howheandhiswifehadwitnessedbywordanddeedformanyyearstohisunchurched
neighbors.Repeatedlytheyhadinvitedthecoupletoattendchurch,butheyhadalwaysrefused.
Finally,theyagreedtogojustonce. MywifeandItookthemtothePentecostalchurch,said
theelder.Surprised,Iaskedhimwhytheyhadnottakentemtotheirownchurch. Well,you
knowhowitisinourchurch,hereplied. Ourpreacherisgreat,buthesusuallyverydeep,and
wewereafraidtheywouldnthearthegospel.
Thatwasanawfulindictmentontheelderschurchanditspulpitministry. Itshedslight
alsoonthefactthatthatparticularchurchahssentscoresofmembersintoparachurch
ministries,allofthemperfectlylegitimateinthemselvesbutnotcontributinginanydirectwayto
thegrowthofthecongregation.Variousattemptsovertheyearsweremadebythechurchto
developaneffectiveoutreachprogram,butnothingseemedtowork.Thechurchkeptnourishing
thefaithofitsmembers,manyofwhomwentofftoengageinevangelisticministriesthough
outsideorganizations,whilethechurchhardlydrewanewmemberexceptthroughitsown
children,occasionaltransfersandafewmarriages.
Thepreachingofsounddoctrinewithoutaburningheartforevangelismisasunbiblical
asitisdangerous.Likewisearepastoralprayerswithouttearsforlostsouls.Theevangelistic
toneofthecongregationissetonSundaywherethepassionofthepastorsheartbecomes
evidentandistransmittedtothemembers.Inasermonentitled12WithoutChristNothing
CharlesH.Spurgeonsaidthefollowing:
Youmayhavesounddoctrine,andyetdonothingunlessyouhaveChristinyourspirit.I
haveknownallthedoctrinesofgracetobeunmistakablypreached,andyettherehavebeenno
conversionsforthisreason,thattheywerenotexpectedandscarcelydesired.Informeryears
manyorthodoxpreachersthoughtittobetheirsoledutytocomfortandconfirmthegodlyfew
whobydintofgreatperseverancefoundouttheholesandcornersinwhichtheyprophesied.
ThesebrethrenspokeofsinnersasofpeoplewhomGodmightpossiblygatherinifhethoughtfit
todosobuttheydidnotcaremuchwhetherhedidsoornot.Astoweepingoversinnersas
ChristweptoverJerusalemastoventuringtoinvitethemtoChristastheLorddidwhenhe
stretchedouthishandsallthedaylongastolamentingwithJeremiahoveraperishingpeople,
theyhadnosympathywithsuchemotionsandfearedthattheysavouredofArminianism.Both
preacherandcongregationwerecasedinahardshell,andlivedasiftheirownsalvationwasthe
soledesignoftheirexistence.Ifanybodydidgrowzealousandseekconversions,straightway
theysaidhewasindiscreet,orconceited.Whenachurchfallsintothisconditionsitis,astoit
spirit,withoutChrist. Whatcomesofit?Someofyouknowbyyourownobservationwhat
doescomeofit.Thecomfortablecorporationsexistsandgrowsforalittlewhile,butitcomesto
nothingthelongrunandsoitmust:therecanbenofruitbearingwherethereisnotthespiritof
ChristaswellasthedoctrineofChrist.ExceptthespiritoftheLordrestuponyou,causingyou
toagonizeforthesalvationofmenevenasJesusdid,yecandonothing.2
Spurgeonspokedirectlytothepoint,andtheonlycorrectiveforthecomfortable
corporationistobeledbypastorswhohavetheheartoftheGreatPastor,Jesus.Hisheartmust
increasinglybecomeourssothatHisministrymayshinethroughus.Preachersandchurches
withoutChristsspiritofcompassionforthelosthavealwaysbeenaround.Theydisplaycertain
strengthsforawhile,evenalongwhile,buteventuallytheydivide,dwindle,andclosedown
unlesstheyrepentandreturntothespiritoftheLord.Inourdayweseehowthousandsof

renewedChristiansspendtheirenergiesonministriesapartfromtheorganizedchurchesmainly
becauseofthiscondition.
Worshipandpreachingstandatthecoreofcongregationallife.Wheneverchurcheshave
growthproblems,youcanbecertainsomethingiswrongwiththeirworshiplife.Ontheother
hand,preachingthatisbiblical,intelligible,winsome,anddeliveredinthepoweroftheHoly
Spiritsetschurchesonfireandsendsmembersintothestreetschargedwithenthusiasmtodraw
othersin.
LyleE.Schaller,whosewritingsaboutthechurchandtheministryeverypastorshould
devour,hasgivenwhathecallstheSevenEarmarksofGrowingChurches, Inanarticlethat
appearedin SecondMonday,May1981,Schallersaysthatchurchesthatgrowsuccessfully
throughevangelismarecharacterizedbythefollowingelements,whichIhaveslightlyrecast:
1. BiblicalPreaching.Tothesurpriseofmanychurchmembers,saysSchaller,more
peopleontheoutsidearelookingforgoodbiblicalpreachingthanwegenerallyassume.They
willcometoachurchwherethepreacherdeliversanauthenticwordfromtheLordandapplies
Scripturetotherealneedsoftoday.Iwillsaymoreaboutthispointlater.
2. EmphasisonEvangelism.Ingrowingchurches,evangelismisnotleftforthepastor
orafewmissionenthusiasts. Suchchurcheshaveacadreofunpaidlayevangelistswhoare
motivatedbywhattheyhearfromthepulpittogooutandwinotherstoChrist.
3. StrongEmphasisonFellowship.Whereasinmosttraditionalchurchesthe
membershipcircleislargerthanthefellowshipcirclebecauseapercentageofmembersdonot
getinvolvedandneverbecomeactive,thegrowingchurcheshaveafellowshipcirclethatis
largerthemembershipcircle.OutsidersarecontinuallybeingdrawntowardChristandHis
churchbytheservicesandactivitiesofthecongregation.
4. OpportunitiestoExpressCommitment.Schallersaysthatgrowingchurches
recognizethatdifferentpeoplehavedifferentgiftsanddifferentneeds,andthesechurches
intentionallypresentawidevarietyofopportunitiesformemberstoaffirmtheirfaith,eveninits
earlystages,andexpresstheircommitmentthroughthechurch.Whenchurcheshaveonly
narrowprogramsandstiflecreativeexpression,thegiftsandtalentsofmanymembersremain
unused,orpeoplegoelsewheretoexpresstheircommitment.Suchchurchesneithermeetneeds
norgrow.
5. OpennesstoNewLeadership.Growingchurchestakeadvantageofnewleadersthat
comeintothefellowshipfromoutsidetheoriginal churchfamily. Nongrowingchurches,
however,keepthekeyleadershippositionsforpeoplebelongingtothemainlinefamiliesthat
haverunthechurchforagenerationormore.Ahighpercentageofchurchesfallintothis
category.
6. SpecialtiesinMinistry.Churchesthatcontinuetodrawnewcomersintotheir
fellowshiparechurchesthat,inadditiontothebasicministriesfoundinallcongregations,focus
onspecialministriesforwhichtheybecomewellknown.Theseministriesarepersoncentered,
aredesignedtomeetparticularneeds,intentionallyincludeanevangelisticdimension,andoffer
churchmembersfreshopportunitiestoexpresstheirgiftsandinterests.

7.APastorWhoLikesPeople.Surprisinglyenough,notallpastorslikepeople,andit
shows.Somepastorspreferbooksandthesolitudeoftheirprivatestudiestothetopsyturvy
worldofinterpersonalrelationshipsandbleedingpeople.Theymaybehighlytrainedandskilled
inprofessionalways,buttheylacktheessential ingredientofloveforpeople.
IwascalledinoncebythepastorofalargePresbyterianchurchinMexicoCitytohelp
himassesswhatwaswrongintheSundayschool.TheSundayschooldirectorwashighly
educated,aprofessorinthedenominationalseminary,andheseemedtohaveeverything
organizedverywell.Infact,hetookhispositionintheSundayschoolveryseriouslyandchose
thebestcurriculum.Afteralongtalkwithhim,however,Idiscoveredwhattheproblemwas.
Herealizedithimself,andadmitted,IloveorganizinganddirectingtheSundayschool,butI
hatekids. Thepupilsfeltit,theteacherschafedunderhisleadership,andthewholeprogram
suffered.Iwonderhowmanystagnantchurchessufferfromthesameproblem.
ReturningtopointoneofSchallerslistofgrowthcharacteristics,wenotthatquality
biblicalpreachingisabsolutelyessential.PreachingandSundayworshipsetthetoneforthe
wholelifeofthecongregation.WhathappensonSundayisthekey.Herethecharacterofthe
churchisformed,directionsareset,visionsaresheared,andtheSpiritthroughtheWordmoves
thechurchinonedirectionoranother.Romans10:17,atextthatyearsagoIchoseasthetheme
textofmypastoralandmissionaryministry,isthecluetoitall: Faithcomesfromhearingthe
message,andthemessageisheardthroughthewordofChrist. Goodbiblicalpreachingbuilds
Christiansandmakeschurchesgrow,andthisisthepastorsforemosttask.EdgarWhitaker
Workexpresseditthisway:
Courageintheministryisacontagiousspiritfeltbyothers.Whenmenpreachinthis
spirittheirpreachinghasapowerofappealthatgripssouls.Youcatchitinthewaytheyusethe
Bible.Youfeelthestrongwordoftruthcomingtoyouasyoulistentosermonsofthiskind.
Circumlocutionsgiveway.Direct,positivewaysofspeechtaketheirplace.Plain,simple,
straightforwardutteranceintheGospelwinsattention.Menfeeltheribsandstructureinthe
Gospelwinsattention.Again andagainthepreacherwhoisboldandoutspokenintheseways
makesirresistibleuseofhistext.Hethrustsit,asitwere,beyondthemind,intotheheart.He
givesitimperativeforcewithhishearers.Theymusthear,hewillnotletthemclosetheirears.13

ModelingTestofthePreachersGritandIntegrity
Goodpreaching,however,doesnotstandalone.Itmustbeincombinationwiththe
wholeministryofthepastorandthelifeofthechurch.Thisprinciplehasbeenreiteratedin
variouswaysthroughoutthebook.
VincentTayloroncesaidthatthetestofanytheologianis,Canhewriteatract?Taylor
wasnotinterestedinanykindoftheologythatdidnothelptoevangelize.Iwouldaddanother
question:Canthetitaninthepulpitleadonesoul,inprivate,toChrist?Itisonethingtodeliver
afinesermon,andstillanothertotakethemessagetothestreet,thesickroom,andthehouseof
mourning.Theseoccasionsoccuroverandoveragaininthenormalroutineofpastoring,andit

isinthesedaybydaysituationsthatthepastorbecomesthemodelforthecongregation.The
memberscanbedependedontotakenotice.
Pastoralvisitation,particularlyinhomesandhospitals,isakeytosuccessinministryand
evangelism.Whenchurchesbecomestagnantandmembershipdropsoff,itisusuallythecase
thatthepastorsandtheeldershavenotbeencallingonthepeople.Whenitcomestovisitation,
thereislittledifferencebetweentheworkofthelocalpastorandtheworkofthehomeor foreign
missionary.Bothrequireaggressivepursuitofpeople.APresbyterianpastorinCanadatoldme
recentlywhathadhappenedinoneofthelargechurchesinToronto. Thepastorsdidntthink
visitingwaspartoftheirjob,hesaid. TheydidntevenvisitthefamiliesoftheKirksession,
andasaresulttheeldersdidntvisiteither.Theministershadtheideathatifmembersneeded
help,theydcomeontheirown,andtheministerdidnthavetogooutlookingforthem. The
churchhewasdescribingwasonceoneofTorontosfinest,buttodayitstandsalmostempty.
Visitationevangelismisoneofthegreatneedsofthehour.Somesixtymillionpeoplein
thiscountryareclassifiedasunchurched. Thatis,theyarenotmembersofachurch,norhave
theyattendedreligiousservicesforasixmonthperiodexceptforreligiousholidays.Manyof
themarenothostiletotheChristianreligion,andtheyshowinterestinreligioussubjects.They
buymanyreligiousbooks,includingtheBible.Whatkeepsthemfromjoiningthecommunityof
activebelievers?Onebasicreasonisthattheyhavenotbeenpersonallyinvitedtodoso.Many
pastorsandcongregationsareneglectingthefundamentalstepofgoingoutafterpeopleand
invitingthemtoattend theplace.Coupledwiththisistheneedforevidenceofpastoralconcern
andavailability.Unchurchedpeoplegenerallyhavenotionsaboutorganizedreligionandabout
clergymeninparticular,whichcanonlybedismissedthroughpastoralvisitation.Pastorsneedto
seekouteverypossibleopportunitytotalktounchruchedpeopleaboutspiritualmattersand
dispelbypersonalwordandexamplethefalsenotionsoutsidershaveaboutchurches.In
actuality,pastorsbyvirtueoftheirofficeandtherespectinwhichtheyareheldinthe
community,havetremendousadvantageswhenmakingcalls.Pastorsarethelastprofessionals
tomakehomevisits,andseldomdotheyhaveadoorslammedintheirfaces.Andiftheydo,so
what?Theyaretheningoodcompany,forJesuswasdespisedandrejectedofmenfortheir
salvation.
IusedtotellmystudentsintheJuanCalvinoSeminaryinMexicoCitythattherewere
twopiecesofleathertheymustexpecttowearoutiftheywantedtoplantchurchesandseethem
growtheleatheraroundtheirBiblesandonthesolesoftheirshoes.Onestudenttookthis
adviceseriously,andwhenhetoldmethatthechurchtowhichhehadbeenassignedover
summerbreakhaddoubledinsize,headded,Amaestro,Iworeoutthreepairsofshoes? He
hardlyneededtotellme,becausechurchesseldomgrowwithoutagreatdealofvisitation.The
concernthepastorshowsinthetimehespendscallingbecomesthemodelforthemembersof
thecongregationintheirconcernforoneanotherandforoutsides.Thereissimplynosubstitute
forthepastorsvisits,inthehome,thehospital,andwhereverpeoplearefound.
Furthermore,itisexcellenttherapyforpastorstoengageregularlyindirectevangelism
onstrangeandunfriendlyturf.They needtofacethesameworldordinarychurchmembers
confrontdayafterday.Awayfromthesecurityofthepulpitandchurchbuildingpastorsshould
exposethemselvestohostileridicule,barbedquestions,andinstantrejection.Jesusexposed
Himselfin thatway,andweshouldnotavoidit.

Intheroughandtumbleoftheworldtheevangelizingpastorgainsfreshinsightsintothe
nonChristianmind.Whenhecklersinaprisonblock,acampusgathering,ortheopenstreet
challengehisreligiousassertions,helearnsnewthingsabouthumandepravityandtheharsh
realitiesofevangelism.Hefindswhatittakestoprepareandpreachevangelisticmessages
withouttheuseoffamiliarclichsandthereligiousbackgroundwetendtotakeforgrantedin
thechurch.Inmyownministry,someofthehardestmessagesIeverpreachedwereintheopen
airbeforeamixedaudienceofBuddhistsandHindus,whereanything,includingviolence,might
beexpected.AndIneverfeltclosertotheministryofJesus,whoseldom enjoyedsafeturfand
wasastreetpreacherwhomadeHimselfvulnerabletohostilelisteners.
Moreimportantthanformalstudyisprayer.Ittakesalotforateacherofhomileticsto
saythat,butIdo.Whenthepastorhasapassionforsouls,itshinesthroughineverythinghe
doesandsays,especiallyhisprayersinprivateandbeforethecongregation.Parishionerswho
breatheranatmospherechargedbyevangelisticpassionconveyedthroughthepastorssermons
andprayer,andattestedbyhisministry amongthemandtheirneighbors,eventuallypartakeof
thesamespirit.Itgrowsonthem,andtheytouchothers.Theirprayersechohis,andhis
ministrycarriesoverintotheirs.AsEdgarWhitakerWorkstatedit,Theministersown
practiceofprayerwillhavemuchtodowiththeevangelisticforceofhissermons.Ifhissermon
isbasedinprayerinthemakingofit,ifherisesfromhiskneestogotothepulpit,apowergoes
withthesermonthatopensthewaytotheheartsofmen.Prayerasabackgroundtopreachingis
aconditionthatwecanlittleunderstand,andcertainlycannotmeasure.Menofpowerinprayer
cannotpreachasermon,nomatterwhatthesubject,withoutmakingitevangelistic.14 Prayer
makesthepreacher,andprayermakesthepastor.Menofgreatprayerforthelostandstraying
turnchurchesintopowerhousesofevangelism.

OrganizingtheChurchforEvangelism
Somepastorshavespecialgiftsinevangelism.Manydonot.Butallpastorshavethe
responsibilitytofacilitateevangelisminandthroughtheircongregations.Pastoralleadershipin
evangelismextendsfromthepulpitandclassroomtothepeopleinthepewwhoaremovedto
actionbytheWordandtheSpiritandencouragedbythepastorsinterestandexample.Thereis
onestepmore,anditextendstothestructuresandprogramsofthechurch,includingnewones
createdintentionallywithoutreachinmind.
Inthisareaitisespeciallyhelpfultodefineclearlythetargetpeople.InonechurchI
pasturedwespelledoutrepeatedlytothecongregationthatinthegeographicalareaaroundthe
churchwewereaimingourevangelismprogramtowardtheunsaved,unchurched,anduncared
for. Therewereplentyofpeopleinallthreecategories.Somehadaflimsychurchconnection
butknewnothingofpersonalsalvationthroughChrist.WeworkedthroughtheSundayschool,
youthorganizations,andachainofmidweekevangelistichomeBiblestudiestoreachthem.
Someofourneighborshadneverbeenconnectedtoanychurch.Wefoundthatamidweek
womensprogramheldatchurchandfocusedonfellowshipandBiblestudyprovedtobeoneof
themostfruitfulthingswedidtoreachtheunchurched.Thephysicallyandspirituallyuncared
forwereallaroundus,andthedeaconsweremobilizedtorespondtoappealsforhelp,especially
food,andtotieintheirministrywiththeoverallevangelisticthrustofthechurch.

Physicalandemotionalneedsareseldomfoundinisolationfromspiritualneeds,and
evangelisticdeaconsareachurchsvitallinktoaneighborhoodwheretherepoor,troubled,and
unsavedpeople.Pastorsshouldhavenofearofsocialministriessolongastheyarenotgivena
higherprioritythanthespiritual.Inthepast,mainlinedenominationswentwrongatthepoint
whensocialservicewasgivenahigherprioritythanevangelism.Churchesstoppedtheirformer
activitiesinevangelismandspiritualoutreachandshiftedtosocialserviceastheirmainconcern.
Thatshiftprecipitatedthedownwardspiralofthosechurchesanddenominations.
Inorganizingachurchforevangelism,therefore,thekeyfactoristoworkoutwhatyou
believetobethebiblicalprioritiesandthenhangontothemtenaciouslyasyoudevelopthe
program. Therelationoftheministriesof evangelismandsocialserviceiscrucial,andina
biblicallydirectedchurchitwillnotbeaquestionof either...or,butof bothand. Evangelical
churchescangrowandkeepgrowingwhentheyemphasizesoulsaving,lifetransforming
evangelism,andthepromotionjusticeandcareofthepoor.Prioritiesmustbedeterminedand
maintained,butonewithouttheotherfallsshortofbiblicalprinciplesandexample.AsHarvie
M.Connhasforcefullypointedout,evangelisminthebiblicalsensemeansdoingjusticewhileat
thesametimepreachinggrace.OnlythendoestheHolySpiritwhoinformeragesmovedthe
prophetsintheirringingdefenseofthepoor,andwhoshonethroughthehealing,feeding
ministryofJesusandledtheearlychurchtoestablishdiaconalministriescommunicatethrough
themodernchurchthemessageoftheforgivingandcompassionateGod.

APastorEvangelistinLima,Peru
PastoringanevangelicalchurchintheSouthAmericancountryofPerucanbea
dangerousoccupation.ViolentattackshavebeenmadeinrecentyearsagainstProtestant
churches,andmanypastorshavebeenkilled.Indefenseoftheirpeople,churchleadershave
daredtospeakoutagainsttheterrorists,someofwhomhavedirectgovernmentconnections,and
pastorsliveindailyfearofreprisalsfortheirdefenseoftheinnocent.Evangelicalchurcheshave
plungedintoreliefministries,gatheringfood,money,medicine,andclothingforthehundredsof
widowsandorphansleftasvictimsoftheviolence.
PastorPedroAranaleadsaPresbyteriancongregationinLima,andheisactively
involvedinchurchplantinginotherareas.Heisdeeplycommittedtotheorganizedchurch,
pastoralcareofthemembers,leadershipdevelopmentinthencongregations,andvigorous
evangelism ofakindthatmultipliesbelieversandchurches.Heblendsministrytothesouland
bodyandtrainshismembersinthesamewayHislettersarefilledwithevidenceofpastoral
ministryofthehighestorder,combingcareanddevelopmentofbelieverswithevangelistic
outreachandcompassionateministriesamongthepoor.Whatfollowsistakenformoneof
PastorAranasrecentletters:
Ihaveapastoralpurposeinmentioningthesevereweatherwehavebeenhaving,
becausetheweatherhasbeenaffectingtheshapeofourministry.Lastweekwe
receivedavisitfromtowexconvictsaskinghelptobuymedicineandclothing.
Bothwerereleasedfromprisonfivemonthsago.Theyhavenodocuments,
house,job,noranymeanstogetwork.Oneofthemsleepsinabandonedcars,

despitethecoldweather.Wheat,theyaskedus,couldweofferthem?Ofcourse
weofferedthegospelofsalvation.Wealsoofferedmedicalcare.Oneofour
deaconstookthemforamealatarestaurantclosetoourchurch.Iwasreminded
ofthewords,Youdidituntome. Butastimepasses,amorestrikingverseis
sinkingin: Whenyouhavedoneallthatyouweretold,say,Uselessservants
arewe,becausewehaveonlydoneallthatwhichweshouldhavedone.
Awidowwiththreechildren,agestwelve,ten,andfour,alloftheminjuredin
somewaybythefloodsinthenorth,madecontactwithourchurch.They
currentlyresideinadesertlikesectionofthecityofLima,withoutwater,
electricityortoilet.Theyliveinasmall roommadeofwoodwithastrawmatas
theirroof.Thisdoesnotprotectthemfromthenightlydewwhichinturnhas
causedthechildrentobesickforseveralweeks.Wesuppliedthemwithfoodand
blankets,butwhattheyreallyneedisaroommadeofdurablematerialstobebuilt
ondonatedland.Thedeaconsofthechurchhavetakenaction,andweareinthe
midstofcarryingoutplans.
Ineachofthesecasesthechurchhasprovidedimmediatesolutions.Butthemost
effectivekindofrelief,thatofcreatingsourcesofemployment,hasbeenleft
uncompleted.Wehavenotbeenabletotakethenextsteptowarddevelopment.
Thebrethrenwhoearlieraccompaniedmeinbothevangelismandsocialwork
nowthinkthatweshouldnottakeonmoreprojectsandprograms.Butisseems
tomethatsocialtransformationwillthenremainonlyadream.
Therearebasicneedsthataregrowinginsizeandnumbereachday,suchasfood,
housing,clothing,health,educationandjobs.IbelieveweshouldasktheLordto
stimulateourimaginationinordertocreatenewsourcesofworkhereintownand
intheruralareas.Itwillbedifficult,butnotimpossible.Thereareseveral
brethrenwhoaretaxidriversandmechanics,butunemployed.Wecouldstart
withtwoprojects,thefirstonebeingataxiservice.Otherbrethrenintheinterior
ofthecountryhavefarmsproducingcoffee,cocoaandwood,andtheyarebeing
exploitedbythemiddlemen. Iftheyhadatruck,itwouldsolvetheirproblem.
Wehavetoorganizetheunemployedpeopleortheirneedswillcontinuetogo
unmet.
ShouldIstartthistask?Aworklikethisisalottohandleforalocal
congregation.IfindmyselflookingforGodsdirectionjustlikeIdidintheearly
yearsofmyministry.Howtocarryoutanurbanpastoralministrywithsomany
spiritual,emotional,moralandmaterialneedsallaround?Howdoesoneknow
howtostart?
PastorAranahasmademanygoodstarts,asthecorrespondencebetweenusreveals.He
preachersandteachesregularlyinfourlocations,developingyoungcongregationsineachplace.
Heisbusytrainingeldersanddeaconsforeachchurchandisinvolvedinnumerousprogramsof
hisdenomination.Andhehasputhislifeonthelinebyidentifyingwithotherpastorsintheir
protestagainstviolencefromterroristandgovernmentforces.Heis,inshort,apastor
evangelist,declaringtheWordofGod,caringforbelievers,organizingthechurchforbiblical

ministries,andactivelyseekingthelostandwounded,bringingthemhome.Insuchpeoplethe
Christianapostolateliveson.

ENDNOTES
Chapter1
1

HarvieM.Conn,ed., ReachingtheUnreached,TheOldNewChallenge(Phillipsburg,NJ:Presbyterian
andReformed,1984),p.viii.
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid.
4
Ibid.,p.152
5
Ibid.,p.153
6
PaulBenjamin,TheVisionSplendid:Believing(Washington,D.C.:AmericanPress,1986),preface.
Chapter2
7
PersonallettertoDonaldMcGavranJanuary10,1986,fromKevinPerrotta,AssociateDirectorofthe
CenterforPastoralRenewal,AnnArbor,Mich.
8

WorldChristianEncyclopedia(London:OxfordUniversityPress,1982),p.v.

Chapter11
9
RayBakke,AnUrbanWorld:ChurchesFacingtheFuture (Nashville:BroadmanPress,1984),pp.7879
10
JamesWestgate,EmergingChurchPlantingStrategiesforWorldClassCities, TrinityWorldForum,
10,3(Summer1985):34.
Afterword
11

JamesF.Hopewell,PreparingtheCandidateforMission, InternationalReviewofMissions 56:15863.

CharlesH.Spurgeon, SermonsonRevival (GrandRapids:Zondervan,1958),pp.18788.
13
EdgarWhitakerWork, EveryMinisterHisOwnEvangelist (Fleming,1927),p.125.
14
Work,pp.4143.
12

Index
Accurateinformation. SeealsoAccuratepicture
Accuratepicture. SeealsoAccurateinformation
Actualconditions.Actualfacts See alsoActualsituations
Actualfacts. Seealso ActualconditionsActualsituations
Actualgrowth
Actualobedience
Actualsituations. Seealso ActualconditionsActualfacts
Africa
Agnostic
Americanchurchgrowth
AmericanSocietyofMissiology
Animism
Anthropology
Arn,Winfield

Asia
AssociationofEvangelicalProfessorsofMissions
Atheist
Atonement
Aymara
Bakke,Ray
Barrett,David
Benjamin,Paul
Biblecolleges,
Biblicalimperatives. Seealso Command
Biblicalmandate.SeeCommand
Biblicalsoundness.SeealsoCorrectdoctrines
Doctrinalcorrectness
Biologicalgrowth
Blindfolded
Bluecollar
Branch(ofthechurch)
Brazil
BridgesofGod,The
Brotherhood
Buddhism
Carey,William
Cho,PaulYonggi
Christensen,Mark
Christianization
Christianize
ChurchGrowthBulletin
Cities
Command. SeealsoBiblicalimperative
Communicate
Communicator
Comparativereligion
Conciliar
Confucianism
CongressontheChurchsWorldwideMission
Conn,Harvie
ContemporaryTheologies ofMission
Conversiongrowth
Convert
Correctdoctrine. Seealso BiblicalsoundnessDoctrinal
correctness
Culture,cultures
Cummings,Norman
Curriculum
Daughterchurch,daughter
Congregrations
Dayton,Edward
Decline
Diagnostic
Disciple,discipling
Divinityschools
Doctrinalcorrectness.
Seealso BiblicalsoundnessCorrect
doctrine
EastAsia

Effectiveevangelism
Ethne. SeealsoEthnos
Ethnocentrism
Ethnos. SeealsoEthne
Evangelisticpassion
Foldingthelost
Fourhourcourse
FreeMethodist
Fuller,Charles
FullerTheologicalSeminary
Gandhi,Mahatma
Ghettos
Glasser,Arthur
GlobalChurchGrowth
Goalsetting
Goodworks
Graham,Billy
Greatchurch
Greenway,Roger
Griffeth,Ross
Grimley,John
Growthrate
Guy,Cal
Hamilton,Keith
Hayward,Victor
HeartofChristianmission
Hesselgrave,David
Hinduism
Hodges,Melvin
HomeBiblestudies
Homogeneousunit
Hubbard,David
Humanist,humanistic
Hunter,George
Hunter,Kent
Iberville
Ideologicalconcerns
Ignorance
Imperialorder
Imperialism
Infalliblerevelation
Infallibleruleoffaith
Innercity
InstituteforAmericanChurchGrowth
InstituteofChurchGrowth
Interdenominational
Islam
Jacques,Edwin
Johnson,Harmon
Jones,Medford
Justice
KingdomofGod
Kittel
Knox,John
Koop,C.Everett

Kraft,Charles
Laity. Seealso Laypeople,
Laymen,laywomen
Laymen,laywomen. Seealso LaityLaypeople
Liberia
LillyEndowment
Livingstone,David
LowviewoftheBible
Maintenancementality
Martin,Alvin
Martindale,George
Matheteusate
McDougall,William
McKean,Kip
McQuilkin,Robertson
Mennonite
Missiology
Missionterritories
Missionaryeducation
Monterroso,Victor
Mosaicofmankind
Mott,John
Multiplyingchurches.SeealsoMultiplyingcongregations
Multiplyingcongregations. See
also Multiplyingchurches
Nida, Eugene
Nigeria
NominalCatholics
NominalChristians
NorthwestChristianCollege
Oneworld
Orr,Edwin
OverseasCrusades
Pasadena
Pentecost
Pentecostals
Perrotta,Kevin
Pickett,J.Waskom
Pierson,Paul
Pilgrimage
PracticingChristians
Presbyterianseminaries
Price,Frank
Promotional
Quechua
Read,William
Receptive
Reformation
Requiredcourses
Research
Resistant
Revival. SeealsoSpiritualRenewal
Ripefields
Riverofthought
Robinson,Gordon

Scienceofmission. Seealso Missiology

Scientism
Secular,secularism
Segmentofsociety
Shearer,Roy
Shepherd
Socialjustice. SeeJustice
Socialorder
Soltau,Addison
Speer,Robert
Spiritualrenewal. Seealso Revival
Structuralunity
StudentVolunteerMovement
Substitutionaryatonement. See tonement
Sunda,Jim
Sunday,Billy
SundaySchoolclass
Taylor,Clyde
Theologicaleducation
Theologyofevangelism
Theses
Tidalwave
Tippett,Alan
Toliver,Ralph
Transfergrowth
TrinityDivinitySchool
Tuggy,Leonard
Twohourcourse
U.S.CenterforWorldMission
Unbelievers
UnderstandingChurchGrowth
Universalchurch
Unreached. Seealso
UnreachedpeoplesUnreached
Populations
Unreachedpeoples. Seealso Unreached
Unreachedpopulations
Unreachedpopulations. See
also UnreachedUnreached
peoplesUnwonpopulations
Unwonpopulations
Urbanevangelization
Wagner,C.Peter
Wesley,John
Westernchurches
Westernimperialism. See
Imperialism
Westernnations
Westernworld
Westgate,James
WestminsterTheologicalSeminary
Weyerhaeuser,C.Davis
Whitecollar
Wilder,Robert
Wilke

WilliamCareyLibrary
Wilson,Christy
WinonaLake
WinonaLakeSeminar
Winter,Ralph
Witness
Wodarz,Donald
WorldCouncilofChurches
Worldwidechurch
Yeotmal