Shepherding Movement (Journal Of Pentecostal Theology Supplement) [Paperback]

David S. Moore (Author)

Book Description

Series: Journal Of Pentecostal Theology Supplement | Publication Date: April 8, 2004

An engaging history of the Shepherding Movement, an influential and controversial expression of the charismatic renewal in the 1970s and 1980s. This neopentecostal movement, led by popular Bible teachers Ern Baxter, Don Basham, Bob Mumford, Derek Prince and Charles Simpson, became a house church movement in the United States. The Shepherding Movement is a case study of an attempt at renewing church structures. Many critics accused the movement of being authoritarian because of its emphasis on submission to a personal pastor or "shepherd" as they termed it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“His writing style is accessible and with the sensitivity of a former member who has not left with bitterness, yet the requisite dispassion of a scholar-historian, Moore has indeed provided anyone interested in an examination of the Charismatic movement with a vital source. His academic ‘testimony’ can provide us all with insight.” –RRT (Reviews in Religion and Theology), 12.1, 2/05

"This is a timely book that needs to be read by those who are serious about ecclesiological matters, Pentecostal ecumenism, and, most important, theological reflection on the various types of house church/ cell/ emerging church movements. Moore shows us how the individuals who may be driven by the best intentions may end up doing things that harm the witness and the mission of the church.... Moore succeeds in providing his readers with the story of a movement intended to renew the church."- PNEUMA, Spring 2005, Vol. 27, No. 1

(Pneuma: A Journal Of The Society For Pentecostal Studies )

"This is the first scholarly study to appear of the Discipling/Shepherding movement which flourished in the 1970's and 1980's. David Moore has undertaken thorough research and has produced a book which is both historically incisive and highly readable. For those readers who want an account of the way in which the American movement advanced, stirred up intense controversy and then disintegrated, this book is superb." -Ecclesiastical History, Vol 56/3 July 2005

"...David Moore's The Shepherding Movement is a timely work and a source for reflection on the short history of an ecclesiastical movement, showing the pitfalls, successes and lessons to be learned from it.... The text is clear and to the point, providing a concise presentation of information. The book is not laden with burdensome or obscure theological language that would hinder the reader's full comprehension of its contents, thus The Shepherding Movement could easily be recommended reading for students of Pentecostal/Charismatic church history and pastors serving in that tradition."- Raymond Reid, Encounter

"This is a timely book that needs to be read by those who are serious about ecclesiological matters, Pentecostal ecumenism, and, most important, theological reflection on the various types of house church/ cell/ emerging church movements. Moore shows us how the individuals who may be driven by the best intentions may end up doing things that harm the witness and the mission of the church…. Moore succeeds in providing his readers with the story of a movement intended to renew the church."- PNEUMA, Spring 2005, Vol. 27, No. 1

(Pneuma: A Journal Of The Society For Pentecostal Studies )

“This is the first scholarly study to appear of the Discipling/Shepherding movement which flourished in the 1970’s and 1980’s. David Moore has undertaken thorough research and has produced a book which is both historically incisive and highly readable. For those readers who want an account of the way in which the American movement advanced, stirred up intense controversy and then disintegrated, this book is superb.” -Ecclesiastical History, Vol 56/3 July 2005

“…David Moore’s The Shepherding Movement is a timely work and a source for reflection on the short history of an ecclesiastical movement, showing the pitfalls, successes and lessons to be learned from it…. The text is clear and to the point, providing a concise presentation of information. The book is not laden with burdensome or obscure theological language that would hinder the reader’s full comprehension of its contents, thus The Shepherding Movement could easily be recommended reading for students of Pentecostal/Charismatic church history and pastors serving in that tradition.”- Raymond Reid, Encounter

About the Author

S.David Moore is Associate Professor at the LIFE Pacific College;Founding Pastor of the New Hope Church, Manteca and teaching Fellow at the Regent University,Virginia Beach.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (April 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826471609
• ISBN-13: 978-0826471604
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,299,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A snapshot of 'the doctrine of the Nicolaitans', July 10, 2004

By 

Mr. IT (The OC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Shepherding Movement (Journal Of Pentecostal Theology Supplement) (Paperback)

This book offers a well researched (David Moore personally interviewed all of the living principle players and many of the secondary players) snapshot of how "the doctrine of the Nicolaitans" challenged, leavened, edified, and damaged large segments of the Charismatic Movement of the 1970's and 1980's. Good, bad, ugly, and everything in between - it's all here! In addition to reading this book I have purchased and listened to the audio tape edition (available directly from David Moore or from Charles Simpson Ministries at http://www.csmpublishing.org). I found the content and the author's findings in the audio edition of this book to be the perfect companion to this edition - which is scholarly, objective, balanced, and fair.

On a personal note, I entered the Shepherding/Discipleship movement in as a result of the 1977 San Francisco Men's Seminar. In fact, I discovered in this book that the seminar that I attended was the last of it's kind. (It is amusing to consider that these "gender specific" seminars were controversial at the time since they are now common place. This books helps one gain insight into how the Shepherding Movement broke ground in areas like this)

Was I hurt during the Shepherding/Discipleship movement? Sure, just about everyone involved in the Shepherding Movement was to some degree - especially the leaders. I left the movement angry, bitter, and muttering, "Never again!" However, by doing personal research, reading, prayer, and a few "Matthew 18's" I consider myself healed, sealed and congealed. And, friends, there was a lot to be healed from due to the imbalances and errors of this movement! Candidly, there were personalities back then that are still alive and, in my opinion, that one would be wise to be avoid. Why? Some have learned and moved beyond the lessons from Discipleship and some have not.

That is why this book is SO important. It is primarily a work of scholastic history. As the cliche' goes, "Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." And, yes folks there are churches repeating the errors of this movement even as you are reading this review - I can guarantee it!

I say this from personal experience. You see, after I exited the Shepherding Movement (around 1990 or so) I noticed that several of the churches that we went to were practicing Discipleship - one even taught it from the pulpit - but all were in denial.

One church leadership group, in particular, was brutally traumatized when I brought this fact to their attention. I was rebuked for even suggested that they were "like them!" This told me that the errors of Discipleship weren't exclusive to, "the big four or five" or even a particular movement at a particular moment in time but were simply a formalized, doctrinized form of widespread pastoral, pastoral staff, and cult-like control issues. These errors and imbalances are common to the Church universal past, present and (probably) future. Jesus referred to it as "the doctrine of the Nicolaitans" (Revelation 2:6) the word "Nicolaitan" transliterated, I was told by David Rose (who is not mentioned in the book because he was one of Derek Prince's men - the book focuses mainly on the Mumford and Simpson "branches"), to mean "one who gains victory over the people". I think that you will find this "doctrine of the Nicolaitans" in whole or in part just about everywhere there are churches filled with those sinful creatures called, "the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve" (to borrow from C.S. Lewis). If you are one such creature, you will learn much about yourself (and maybe your church) from this book.

There is also much positive to learn from the Shepherding Movement. Integrity Music was a direct by-product of the Shepherding Movement (our worship back then was legendary). Some base concepts and doctrines of Promise Keepers and the men's movement of the early 1990's were directly or indirectly influenced by the Shepherding Movement as well - whether they will admit it or not is another thing!

Yes, we made a lot of mistakes but we got a lot right as well. To this day I believe that our ecclesiology was dead right but our application of those truths was dead wrong! Hey man, if you can get a bunch ex-hippies interested in Theology and historic, credal, normative Christianity THAT alone must be divine, can you dig it?

At the end of it all I think that we all came to realize what depraved sinners we really are. I know what I am capable of without God and daily reliance on the Holy Spirit - and it's NOT pretty!

So in the end, perhaps the BEST by-product of the Shepherding Movement was humility based on heightened self-awareness of our frailties and flaws. After THAT epiphany there ain't much to be arrogant about! As Bob Mumford said, "I walked in a way that is embarrassing to me now!" In my case I can only say, "Ditto!"

Just to show you that one CAN come home again, I have returned to one of the "remnant churches" (as the author calls them) and I am very, very, very happy and content with where our local church is and where I am at. As they say, "Always learn from experience - preferably someone else's!"

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review Clips from Respected Christians, July 10, 2004

By 

Mr. IT (The OC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Shepherding Movement (Journal Of Pentecostal Theology Supplement) (Paperback)

After I wrote my original review of this book I found this summary and these quotes from some familiar and respected Christian leaders:

Summary:
==========
(from T & T Clark, back cover of book) This is an engaging history of the Shepherding Movement, an influential and controversial expression of the charismatic renewel in the 1970s and 1980s. This neopentecostal movement, led by Bible teachers Ern Baxter, Don Basham, Bob Mumford, Derek Prince, and Charles Simpson, became a house/cell church movement in the United States. The Shepherding Movement is an ecclesiological case study of an attempt at renewing church structures. Its emphasis on submission to a personal pastor, or "shepherd" as the movement termed it, brought accusations of authoritarianism. The Shepherding Movement's story provides a unique perspective on the history of the charismatic renewal in the United States and its struggle to handle a controversy that forever changed the Renewal's ecumenical character.

About the author: S. David Moore is Associate Professor at the Life Pacific College in San Dimas, California.

"The Shepherding Movement" Book Reviews

"The major authentic and scholarly study of the Discipleship/Shepherding movememt...Moore has given us a well-written book that is a significant contribution to our understanding of the period."
-Vinson Synan, Dean of the School of Divinity at Regent University

"David Moore offers a scholarly, yet warmly pastoral look at more than a piece of history, for he also gives us an insightful, prophetic resource for study and growth."
-Dr. Jack Hayford, Founding Pastor of the Church on the Way in Van Nuys, CA and Chancellor of the Kings College and Seminary

"This is a cerful, objective account of a highly charged issue...an authentic insight of great importance. S. David Moore has performed a valuable service also for the Roman Catholic Charismatic Renewal, where similar issues arose."
-Kilian McDonnell, President, Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, Collegeville, MN

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Was there, Did that, Survived, September 7, 2009

By 

Michael Hiestand "scumblebum" (Gold Country, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shepherding Movement (Journal Of Pentecostal Theology Supplement) (Paperback)

I recommend this non biased book to any one who was part of the shepherding movement. The author lays out the history of the movement from it's excited beginings to it's devastating end. I was in the movement from the early teachings at the World Map confrence in Santa Cruze Ca. in 1969-1970 to the end in Ft. Lauderdale Fl.in the 1980's. The author has answered so many of my unanswered questions of why the movement came to an end. Anyone who suffered abuses while they were apart of this movement will find this book most helpful in understanding their unanswered questions.