Customer Reviews

Biblical Church Growth: How You Can Work with God to Build a Faithful Church

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

McIntosh takes the reader directly to the Word, and bases his complete teaching on what it takes to make a local church grow properly from its pages. It stresses the correct Biblical belief, attitude and teachings are for the long haul superior to simply using popular and various methods alone. I have felt this to be one of the best books on my shelf at this time. We all need to utilize various methods for growth, but need to build the proper Biblical teaching as the right foundation for each one.

Gary McIntosh enters the discussion of church growth at a time when everyone has an idea or knows someone who had an idea that worked. He takes on the premise of formulatic approaches to church growth and posits that it's time for the church to return to the basics. Like so many other things throughout our biblical history, God's Word provides a pattern for church growth. McIntosh walks us through that pattern, giving us tangible processes to employ, while depending on the active, present guidance of the Holy Spirit. A chapter at a time, we are guided through the essential catalytic elements, which when used in consonance with God's plan and His Spirit, will result in Biblical Church Growth. Dr. McIntosh introduces us to the proper or "right" application of the eight "Ps" - premise, priority, process, power, pastor, people, philosophy and plan. The difference between his approach and the multitude of other church growth plans, is that these principles only work when they are properly adjusted for specific settings and are executed in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. McIntosh invites us to find where God is moving and join in His effort. Biblical Church Growth is a clear, concise call to return to the basics of the Great Commission.

Good book arrived on time as promised and the book was in great condition. Thanks for fine service and keep up the work. .

I found this to be a very simple to read book with principles that go beyond the current trends of the day in church growth. I am going to lead a group of people in my church through this book. It has helpful follow through steps at the end of each chapter.

I recommend this book to any pastor who is leading a church that is stagnant or in decline. If you are really truly wanting to right the course and see the Kingdom of God expanded through the work of your church, then this book is a tool that will help.

McIntosh attempts what is sorely needed by some of us in Christ's vineyard in order to get on the Church Growth bandwagon, biblical support.

In much of what is given from the pages of Scripture, McIntosh succeeds, even providing what one doesn't read or hear from CG advocates, temporing of allowing unbiblical, non-God pleasing elements into the church. However, the title in this reviewer's opinion clouds the issue at the very least, and possibly even defeats his warnings, with the subtite of: "How You Can Work with God to Build A Faithful Church." What troubles me is this addition of "you" to God in order to build. Just as on that first Palm Sunday Jesus said that even the rocks will cry out their Hosannas to the Lord if we humans don't. What is being challenged in all of this is the vital question: what does it take to save someone? Does the precious gospel purely preached and the Sacraments rightly administered according to the Lord's mandate need any additon or capabilities or cooperation of man?

This reviewer says the Scriptures clearly teach No! McIntosh honestly and sincerely believes Yes! Let the reader judge.

The book is a vital step in clarifying just what CG sees in the Bible as the basis for their methodology, so in this I commend and thank this articulate Christian writer for this effort. May the dialogue continue based on the Word alone.