Passionate about church growth, Michael Fletcher understands the obstacles pastors and church leaders face as they reach 100/200 and 700/800-member barriers. In clear language he lays out practical steps churches can follow to achieve the growth they desire. His strategies have proved effective not only in his church, which has grown dramatically, but also in the churches of Grace Churches International, a worldwide network of 315-plus churches that he leads.

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.

A growing church is a living church, but much of the attention in church growth today is focused on making big churches bigger. This encouraging new book shows members of small and medium-sized congregations how to revive and expand their ministries as well. Churches of every size tend to plateau in attendance and never break free of their self-imposed limitations or 'growth barriers'. This book gives detailed, practical instructions for breaking through those barriers to new levels of impact and service in the community. The EveryChurch Guide to Growth rallies church leaders and members to develop plans for strength and solid growth in the future.

Some churches grow rapidly, only to hit a ceiling. Other churches have experienced declining or static attendance--many of them for decades. Frustrated pastors and church leaders want growth methods that work, but without adding to pastoral fatigue. How to Break Growth Barriers argues that growth comes when effective leadership and lay-empowerment skills work hand in hand. This requires a shift of focus from the shepherd as the primary caregiver to shepherd as developer and coach of many caregivers. The authors show pastors how to communicate a vision for the future and then how to lead the congregation into the paradigms necessary for potentially limitless growth. The strategies found in this book are not only tried and true, and taken from a biblical perspective of a "harvest" vision. They're also newly updated to reflect our changing culture, including helpful charts and checklists for self-evaluation.

Part research project, part detective story, this book presents results from the most comprehensive study of successful churches in history. These 586 churches across America all excel in winning new souls for Christ, and have a remarkable range of things in common. Some stereotypes are shattered, some results are astonishing, and everything is written in a readable, non-technical style.-- Includes churches with at least one baptism per 19 members annually-- Churches range from 60 to 6,000 in membership; more than 2/3 claim 100-499 members-- Reveals the seven evangelism tools most important to successful churches-- Discusses popular misconceptions about church location, size, event evangelism and more

Contains techniques for growing an evangelistic Sunday school.

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!

Product contains Sunday School That Really Works, Sunday School That Really Responds, and Sunday School That Really Excels by Steve R. Parr.