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.

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.

The Strategies & Insights for Church Growth will help pastors to build a discipleship system as well as how to keep them. This anointed book has been compiled to change the mindset of how church growth is not about numbers but about transformed lives and making them disciples.

Has the church growth movement failed to stress the social dimensions of the Christian faith? Dr. Peter Wagner, a leading exponent of church growth, argues that Christians can evangelize and churches can grow strongly, while at the same time participating in the global struggle on behalf of the poor and oppressed - for justice and peace, for brotherhood and liberation, and for the alleviation of human suffering.

Built By The Owner's Design invites you into the drawing room of the Master Designer to examine His blueprints for evangelism and church growth. Employing the plumb line of God's Word, this book makes it clear that God's way of growth and outreach is most effective. Danny Von Kanel draws on a careful analysis of more than 50 churches in three denominations to offer a proven framework that can support lasting growth in diverse situations. Several checklists are included to help you systematically evaluate your situation and develop a tailor-made growth plan. Grounded in solid research and Von Kanel's own experience in several growing ministries, this immensely practical resource belongs in every pastor's library.

In an age obsessed with physical and psychological health the author emphasizes the importance of spiritual well-being as an essential element of holistic health for the individual Christian and for Christian communities. This work constitutes a template for a spiritual audit of the local church. It offers an appointment with the Great Physician that no Christian can afford to ignore. Developing Healthy Churches: A Case-Study in Revelation begins with a well-researched outline of the origins and development of the church health movement. With that background in mind the author, aware that throughout the history of the church there have been a number of diverse views about how Revelation ought to be interpreted, presents the reader with four distinct interpretive models. These are the idealist, preterist, historicist, and futurist. Beville explains these interpretive approaches simply and critiques them fairly. Revelation is a complex but intriguing book which presents seven letters to the churches of Asia Minor. However, this easy-to-read work will take readers to the heart of the matter by taking them to the heart of Jesus. The historical and cultural background provides fascinating insights to the meaning of Christ’s words to those churches then and to all churches now. The author elicits essential application for the church today. He presents timeless and timely truths in a fresh and forthright manner. The reader is informed about issues of particular historical significance in a way that has contemporary resonance. Here is a work that cautions about complacency, confronts compromise and challenges the carnality of Christians in contemporary culture. Beville tells us not only what Jesus desires from his disciples but also what He demands. Thus, this work presents uncomfortable truth for comfortable churches because it allows the voice of Jesus to be heard with clarity amongst the clamor of church activity. Christians who want to restore their vision and vigor will find this book immensely profitable.

McIntosh explores the biblical basis for church growth, giving leaders eternal principles rather than temporary models for growth.