Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Guide for New Churches and Those Desiring Renewal (Paperback)

by Aubrey Malphurs (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Aubrey Malphurs fervently believes that the church will awaken and thrive in the twenty-first century - but in nothing like its twentieth-century form. Revised and updated, this second edition emphasizes the importance of ministry's core values, mission, and strategy. Sixteen accompanying worksheets are included, and new chapter-end checklists aid in review. This creative handbook shows church planters how to focus on the essential ingredients for success: a Great Commission vision, strong servant-leadership, a mobilized lay army, culturally relevant ministry and evangelism, authentic worship, and a robust network of small groups.

From the Back Cover
It's not about numbers Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century is not about how many people you can get through the church doors on Sunday morning, but about planting and growing spiritually healthy churches that are equipped to reach today's unchurched generation. With vision, purpose, and practical advice, Aubrey Malphurs carefully leads you through the six stages of a new church, including funding, creating a strong servant leadership, and establishing values. The church planters workbook will help you implement the book's contents into your own unique ministry situation, showing you how to develop a focus group, recruit a leadership team, and implement small groups. This third edition of a popular and practical hands-on guide will inspire, encourage, and equip ministry leaders. "Perhaps one of the most comprehensive, instructive, and inspiring books on the subject of American church planting written to date."--Missiology --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 425 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books; 2nd edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801090539
• ISBN-13: 978-0801090530
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #884,462 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Essential Book for Church Planters, July 13, 2000

By A Customer

Malphours lays out the key steps in planting a new church and guides the reader through each step with proven advice. Examples are given of different styles of church plants and questions for a planter to think through end each chapter.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for every church planter, May 5, 1999

By	Tim Armstrong ([e-mail]) (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Aubrey captures the essentials information along with detailed "how-to" for church planting and church revitalizations. This book is essential reading for all who wish to plant successful churches in America.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Popular Book, And Deservedly So, April 29, 2006

By	Rev. Thomas Scarborough (Cape Town, South Africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This has been a popular book, and deservedly so. It is now in its seventh printing. Not only is it about Church planting. As the subtitle suggests, it also has much to offer "those desiring renewal".

The author illustrates the problem in America by quoting Win Arn: "Between 80% and 85% of all churches in America are either plateaued or are declining." What to do? "While some established churches will renew themselves and successfully make the transition, this will be too painful and too difficult for the bulk of them." In short, "the future lies with church planting". However, this having been said, the author again quotes Win Arn, that "many" planted Churches "begin a plateau and/or slow decline around their 15th-18th year". That is, they may well become what they set out to replace. I have the uneasy sense that, until one should discover the key to the renewal of established Churches, one might miss the real reasons for stagnation and decline.

The book has more than one-thousand headings through well over four hundred pages. Nevertheless, I shall try to give some brief impression. It begins on a note of excitement -- that "God is capable of doing extraordinary things". It continues by discussing "financial sources" and "financial principles". It summarises the strengths, weaknesses, and giftings that a person may bring to Church planting -- together with appropriate assessment tools and pointers. The author enters upon the importance of developing "a single, clear vision". He emphasises the role both of the leader and the congregation in ministry. He surveys important issues of culture, and outlines "the importance of worship". A highlight of the book is a section on "pursuing lost people with a passion". This represents a superb resource on evangelism.

However, the book is plainly written by Americans for Americans. It reveals an "enclosed" American (respectively Western) view. For instance, the author writes that small groups "are not limited by location". One wonders whether he considered (for example) the absence of personal transport, the danger of being out of doors, or restrictions on movement or hospitality. The use of computers is mentioned as though computers should populate every Church, not to speak of electrical outlets. The book's views on leadership would seem a classic representation of the American "can do" attitude. One misses almost any reference to weakness, dependence, or faith in this section. Finally, perspectives on evangelicalism tend to reflect the American view. Evangelicalism is often, it seems, what the West would define it to be.

However, these comments should in no way detract from the overall value of the book. Despite the criticisms, I would not consider that they significantly reduce the value of an outstanding volume. In fact I found it an inspiration -- a motivation.