The Church Growth Movement has divided devout Christians. Even though Rainer is an advocate, his aim here is to present an objective view of the movement--its history, the theology associated with it, and the principles which seem to separate churches that grow from those that don't.

The story of Christianity from apostolic times to the present reveals that in virtually every country of the world a Bible-reading laity was an important factor in the growth of the church, both numerically and spiritually. The importance of the Bible in actual history is a challenge to the church today.

Dea. Willard S. Burke Sr., DM, PhD-Th: Is the father of four, two girls and two boys: Marnita, Sabrina, Willard Jr., and Michael. Born in Western Pennsylvania Area, 18 miles northeast of, Pittsburgh, in the small town of New Kensington of Westmoreland County in 1938, August 28. Graduated from New Ken Hi-School in 1957 and joined the US Army soon after. After 13 years and six months got out of the Army with rank of SFC, E-7 and started in business of selling bicycles. After six years, jumped to a new limb and went into the US Postal Service for 15 years and then retired in 1992. Dr. Burke is a Disabled Vietnam Veteran (80%) due to Agent Orange which he received for in 2003. In 1983 I got saved and filled with the Holy Ghost which started my real life in the Lord. I moved to Fort Worth from Dallas after retirement from the US Post Office. Joined a church I had been prophesied into, Mt. Zion C.H.S.C. and Pastor Robert L. Crochett Sr. and Pastor Emeritus C. Jimmerson. I met my 2nd wife Johnnie Ruth and married in 1997. Dea. Burke went back to Bible College in 2003 and earns a Bachelor and Master’s in Theology, a Doctorate in Ministry, plus a PhD in Theology from VIU. He is on the Board of Governors on DFW Bible Institute & Seminary with campuses in Fort Worth & Dallas. Dr. Burke is an ordained Deacon in Christ Holy Sanctified Churches and the Sunday School Superintendent at a local church, Mt. Zion C.H.S.C. He resides in Fort Worth, Texas where he is retired except for the work of God’s Kingdom as Matt. 28: 19-20 commands. This book is a testimony to this work as learned over 16 years as a church member, Sunday-School teacher, and an assistant superintendent and superintendent of a Sunday-School the last 10 years. Hopefully this book and testimony will help you as it has me to be all the more I can be in the Lord, AMEN!

Building Blocks for Sunday School Growth are at your fingertips. These six building blocks: Vision, Balance, Leadership, Relevant Teaching, Receptivity and Inclusion, and Outreach and Inreach, will help you develop an intentional vision and plan for spiritual and numerical growth. The authors contend that failure to pay attention to the infrastructure in these six areas can lead to a decline in the quality of your Sunday school. However, by focusing on these six building blocks, you will re-energize your leaders and allow your Sunday school to grow and develop. As you gain a renewed perspective on the potential of Sunday school, you will notice an increase in energy, both spiritual and numerical. The critics are wrong--Sunday school is not dead! Strengthening these six areas of your organization can lead to a renewed Bible Teaching Ministry. Your Sunday school can grow, and as the Sunday school grows, so, too, will the church.

For many churches the Sunday school can be one of the best vehicles to apply the principles of effective evangelism and assimilation. But also in many churches, the Sunday school must undergo a significant paradigm shift before this occurs. Danny Von Kanel's book is a helpful resource to begin making this shift in your church. Charles "Chip" Arn President, Church Growth Inc. Monrovia, California A strong Sunday school program is a key component of any flourishing church -- and Building Sunday School By The Owner's Design provides a comprehensive toolbox jam-packed with 100 ideas for improving every aspect of your religious education program. Building on the framework of his book Built By The Owner's Design, Danny Von Kanel demonstrates how God's Word offers a proven blueprint for effective outreach and growth -- and he offers you a wide array of practical approaches for making Sunday school the vital centerpiece of a spiritually thriving ministry. Von Kanel discusses the strengths and shortcomings of both traditional and contemporary "church growth movement" approaches to Sunday school, then points out how following God's design offers a better method for igniting exciting growth. Convenient "Tool Time" and "Tool Resource" sections offer specific steps for implementing these ideas in your church. Building Sunday School By The Owner's Design is an essential resource for pastors, teachers, and other religious professionals -- it offers everything you need to develop a life-changing Sunday school program that produces enthusiastic, deeply committed followers of Christ. Danny Von Kanel has been involved in ministry, freelance writing, and church growth consulting for more than twenty years. He has served congregations in Mississippi, Alabama, and Illinois, and is currently the Minister of Music and Education at First Baptist Church in Franklinton, Louisiana. Von Kanel is the author of Built By The Owner's Design (CSS), and his articles have appeared in numerous church leadership magazines, including Journal of the American Society for Church Growth, Growing Churches, Church Administration, Rev., Ministries Today, Today's Christian Preacher, and many others. He is a graduate of William Carey College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

There has been substantial church growth in Britain between 1980 and 2010. This is the controversial conclusion from the international team of scholars, who have drawn on interdisciplinary studies and the latest research from across the UK. Such church growth is seen to be on a large scale, is multi-ethnic and can be found across a wide range of social and geographical contexts. It is happening inside mainline denominations but especially in specific regions such as London, in newer churches and amongst ethnic minorities. Church Growth in Britain provides a forceful critique of the notion of secularisation which dominates much of academia and the media - and which conditions the thinking of many churches and church leaders. This book demonstrates that, whilst decline is happening in some parts of the church, this needs to be balanced by recognition of the vitality of large swathes of the Christian church in Britain. Rebalancing the debate in this way requires wholesale change in our understanding of contemporary British Christianity.

Explores a variety of growing churches to identify what is making the difference between them and churches which are static or declining. In addition to numerical growth, it asks how we measure spiritual growth and identifies the signs of spiritual vitality, laying a practical and theological foundation for continued growth into the future.

What exactly is the Church Growth movement? This timely volume in the Counterpoints series addresses the history of the movement that has become such an enormous shaping force on the Western church today, and it explores--in a roundtable forum of leading voices--five main perspectives on the classic Church Growth movement: Effective Evangelism View - presented by Elmer Towns Gospel in Our Culture View - presented by Craig Van Gelder Centrist View - presented by Charles Van Engen Reformist View - presented by Gailyn Van Rheenan Renewal View - presented by Howard Snyder Each view is first presented by its proponent, then critiqued by the co-contributors. The interactive and fair-minded format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions. Evaluating the Church Growth Movement concludes with reflections by three seasoned pastors who have grappled with the practical implications of Church Growth. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.