17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Picture of Healthy, Apostolic Churches, March 9, 1999
This review is from: Church for the Unchurched (Paperback)
With so many thoughts on church growth and health, Hunter's book provides an excellent summary of the common practices of nine churches that exemplify the Biblical model of health and growth. Hunter's analysis is grounded in the Great Commission and the characteristics of the Apostolic church of early Christianity. I found this book highly engaging and inspiring, as well as informative. As a church planter, I believe that this book is the best treatment of church growth and health from a Biblical perspective. The chapter on cultural relavence is especially good, and should be required reading for every church leader today! Thanks to the author for this great book.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A challenging examination of why we do church the way we do, April 23, 2005
This review is from: Church for the Unchurched (Paperback)
George Hunter examined the differences between churches in American that are in serious decline and those experiencing vibrant growth. With the overwhelming majority of American churches either plateaued or declining, Hunter wanted to know what made the difference. His thesis was that changes in the American culture have caused the role and influence of the church to diminish. Traditional church programs, structures, and symbols, which arose and flourished in the nineteenth century, no longer appeal to the culture of today. America has experienced a forty-yearlong cultural paradigm shift from modernity to postmodernism. Those churches that have adapted better to this cultural shift have exhibited tremendous success. Hunter calls these "apostolic" churches. These apostolic churches employ a ministry model consistent with the incipient church of the first century A.D. Just as the first century church was able to exegete its culture and provide culturally sensitive ministry, successful churches of the twenty-first century must understand their unique cultural dynamics and develop a ministry model consistent with its ministry context. Thriving churches take their culture seriously and adapt to their target audience. Hunter profiled nine apostolic churches that have effectively done this.
Hunter also concluded that not only had traditional churches failed to adapt their ministry approach to the changing cultural milieu, their goals violate the original apostolic mission. Traditional churches desire to conform the beliefs, behavior, and characteristics of non-Christians to reflect those of their current membership. Their goal is to perpetuate the institution of the church in its present traditional form (e.g., pulpits, pews, and pipe organs). Non-Christians largely reject this effort as an unwarranted attempt to alter their cultural identity. Apostolic churches have the goal of transforming people into kingdom citizens equipped and energized to reach family and friends with the gospel message while respecting their culture. The aim of apostolic churches is to help people build loving relationships with God, fellow believers, and potential believers. Apostolic churches do a good job of adapting their expression of gospel truths in culturally appealing ways without compromising the essentials of the faith. Apostolic churches will even designed worship services to be non-threatening and culturally appealing.
A key aspect of most apostolic churches is that they seek to connect believers and seekers with small groups. Hunter noted the biblical and historical precedent for small groups. Apostolic churches enable people to connect with several types of groups: nurture, discipleship, support, recovery, and ministry. Within these small groups, believers and seekers alike experience a community of caring and compassion dedicated to mutual support and spiritual growth. Members of the group share a common affinity and mutual accountability that binds them to the church and its Savior.
Finally, apostolic churches have shattered the traditional dichotomy between clergy and laity. Hunter noted that the rise of the professional clergy class was an extra-biblical development that robbed church members of their God-given ministries and violated the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.
Critical Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses
Hunter's title, Church for the Unchurched, is disturbing on its face. One must ask, For whom does the church exist? Such a question goes to the heart of ecclesiastical theology. Hunter and the nine churches he profiled have answered that question by saying that the church exists for those yet to believe. Traditionalists will disagree. The church is the community of faith and the faithful. If a traditional church adopted Hunter's thesis and implemented the requisite changes, most church members would no longer recognize "their" church. What can a pastor say to long-term members who no longer recognize the songs, structures, and systems that were so formative in their spiritual maturation?
If non-Christians feel like outsiders, it is because they are. The church is a worshipping community. Non-Christians cannot worship because they are ignorant of who it is Christians worship. The church is a witnessing community. Again, non-Christians cannot share a faith they do not possess. They can experience ministry in Christ's name, but they cannot engage in Christian ministry. The best the non-Christian can expect from his or her exposure to the church is fellowship--thus the clarion call for small groups.
Hunter made his greatest contribution with his discussion of the importance of affinity groups. Through exposure to Christians living out the call of Christ, non-Christians can see the claims of Christ validated. Hunter is correct that North American culture has changed. One of the elements of this new culture centers on the desire for intimate relationships and authentic lifestyles. Christians, who are growing in their faith and have a passion to see others come to Christ, can demonstrate authenticity while building relationships with lost people in a non-threatening atmosphere. Unfortunately, many Christians are not growing in their faith; or if they are, they feel ill equipped for the demands of apostolic ministry. Pastors of traditional church cannot get enough volunteers to staff the nursery on Sunday mornings. How can they motivate those same people to open their homes for a weekly care group?
While the principle of affinity groups is sound on its face, one must ask how the children are being reached and discipled. Hunter noted how important in-home care groups are for the developing of authentic relationships, but where are the children while the adults are bonding? Non-Christians, the reader is told, are not likely to attend a formal Bible study in the intimidating environment of the church building. However, it is through the graded Sunday school program that their children can hear the same Gospel truths.
Evaluation of Author's Success
Hunter achieved his objective. He profiled churches that make attracting and keep non-Christians a priority. He thoroughly reviewed their structure and systems. He gave sound biblical and theological reasons supporting his thesis. He profiled new church starts and traditional churches that made the transition to seeker-friendliness. His book would have been more valuable had he detailed the strategy for successfully transitioning a traditional church to an apostolic church. This reviewer kept wondering how an established church overcame the myriad of obstacles posed by traditional churches. Additionally, the bullet statements on the back cover would have meant more if they did not come from the pastors of the churches profiled in the book.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
READ THIS if your mission field is here at home!, July 10, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Church for the Unchurched (Paperback)
Hunter is a Dean of Missions. This book is a great survey of churches who approach their communities as mission fields. It covers the practices of over 6 growing and vigorous churches. Hunter makes a strong case for fully-involved congregations rooted in the Word but adopting a culturally relevant presentation. Because it is about many churches and not just one, the reader gets to see many approaches to Bible teaching, small groups, pastoring, ministry involvement, etc. making it easier to both see the bigger picture as well as find approaches that can be adapted in your own local church. An extensive list of resources is included as an appendix.
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