To Spread the Power

by Hunter, George G., III

• ISBN13: 9780687422593
• ISBN10: 0687422590
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1987-04-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

Provides six proven successful "mega-strategies" for bringing more people into the church. Explains why John Wesley's writings still hold valuable insights for church growth."In reading the manuscript, I was inspired by the constant swing between theory and practice. Here is a valid principle, writes Hunter; here is how it works in Tampa, Florida, or Wilmington, Delaware. I was also enthused, as you will be, to observe how McGavran and Wesley targeted 'responsive' people, how they both used indigenous music and language and culture, how they identified needs and met them, and how determined both were to have supportive fellowship groups, lest converts die 'aborning'."--Richard Wilke, from the foreword.

Table of Contents

Introductory	13	(6)
The Recovery of Apostolic Confidence	19	(20)
Donald McGavran's Life Quest	21	(4)
Church Growth's Mixed Company	25	(3)
On the Validity of the Church Growth Approach	28	(3)
The Church Growth ``Package''	31	(3)
Six ``Mega-strategies''	34	(5)
John Wesley As Church Growth Strategist	39	(24)
To Spread the Power	40	(3)
Sanctified Pragmatism	43	(2)
Strategy from Research	45	(3)
On Growth and Quality	48	(3)
To Receptive People	51	(2)
Indigenous Ministries	53	(3)
Multiplication of Units	56	(3)
Frontiers	59	(4)
Identifying Receptive People	63	(28)
People ``Ripe for the Gospel''	65	(4)
Theological Achievements	69	(3)
Seed Planting	72	(4)
Thirteen ``Indicators'' of Receptivity	76	(10)
A Challenge to the Theory	86	(5)
Reaching Out Across Social Networks	91	(18)
How the Faith Spreads	92	(4)
Toward Social Network Strategy	96	(3)
Human Relations in Faith's Spread	99	(10)
Multiplying Recruiting Units	109	(22)
Sunday School Class Multiplication	112	(6)
Wesley's Multiplying ``Classes''	118	(9)
Multiplying Units Today	127	(4)
Ministering to People's Needs	131	(20)
Theological Rationale	135	(3)
The Marketing Approach	138	(4)
Steps in a Marketing Strategy	142	(2)
Case Studies in Compassionate Marketing	144	(7)
``Indigenizing'' the Church's Ministries	151	(32)
Crash Course in Missionary Anthropology	155	(2)
Human Experience Across Cultures	157	(1)
Toward an Indigenous Strategy	158	(4)
The Problem of ``Nominal'' Christians	162	(3)
Reaching Across Subcultural Barriers	165	(4)
Guidelines for Indigenizing	169	(3)
Test Questions	172	(1)
On ``Homogeneous Units'' and Church Growth	173	(6)
Meanwhile, Back in Texas	179	(4)
Strategic Planning for a Church's Future	183	(28)
Why Rethink Our Planning?	185	(3)
What Kind of Planning?	188	(1)
A Strategic Planning Process	189	(18)
Questions About Strategic Planning for Churches	207	(4)
Postscript: The Limits of Church Growth	211	(2)
Bibliography	213	(6)
Index	219