African American Church Growth

by Stewart, Carlyle Fielding

• ISBN13: 9780687165414
• ISBN10: 0687165415
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-02-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

Filling a need not previously addressed, African American Church Growth contends that it is the prophetic consciousness which appeals to many blacks of the post-civil rights era, and that emphasis on the prophetic will help bring the black church out of the disillusionment of a "post-civil rights malaise".Carlyle Fielding Stewart defines prophetic ministry as a concern for wholeness of the individual and community. Going beyond a simple call for social justice, the author addresses both spiritual and social tyrannies, within and without the church, that preclude church growth in our center cities and rural communities. Dr. Stewart demonstrates with practical examples how tyranny can be overcome in thriving black churches.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. 15
Introduction	p. 17
Four Tenets of Prophetic Engagement	p. 21
Prophetic Passion	p. 22
Prophetic Conviction	p. 27
Prophetic Investment	p. 33
Prophetic Vision	p. 35
Prophetic Attributes of Ministry: The Positive Norms of African American Culture	p. 39
Valuing the Truth of One's Existence	p. 40
Developing Positive Relationships	p. 44
Improvisation, Spontaneity, Innovation	p. 47
Spirit-centered Reality	p. 52
Three Principles of Prophetic Worship	p. 55
Celebration	p. 56
The Four Movements of Celebrative Worship	p. 58
Inspiration	p. 58
Valuation	p. 60
Consecration	p. 61
Motivation	p. 62
Invitation	p. 63
Information	p. 68
Three Principles of Prophetic Pastoral Care	p. 79
The Pastor as Prophetic Clarifier	p. 80
The Pastor as Creative Confronter	p. 85
The Pastor as Prophetic Restorer and Comforter	p. 89
Three Principles of Prophetic Education	p. 95
Investigation	p. 95
Biblical Inquiry	p. 96
Existential Inquiry	p. 100
The Sunday Sermon	p. 102
Interpretation	p. 103
Innovation	p. 104
Evaluation	p. 108
Application	p. 109
Three Principles of Prophetic Evangelism	p. 115
Proclamation	p. 115
International Relationships	p. 117
Community Outreach and Congregational Inreach	p. 119
The Sunday Sermon	p. 121
Propagation/Communication	p. 124
Participation	p. 131
Remove the Barriers	p. 131
Beyond the B.S. (Bureaucratic Syndrome)	p. 140
Economic Empowerment Through Programs of Self-reliance	p. 141
Let's Get It On!	p. 145
Appendix: The Principles Simply Cited	p. 151
Bibliography	p. 153
Notes	p. 157
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