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

by Aubrey Malphurs

Book Overview

Emphasizes the importance of ministry's core values, mission, and strategy and shows church planters how to focus on the essential ingredients for success. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801090539
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Length: 425 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 6.3" x 1.0"

Customer Reviews

A Popular Book, And Deservedly So

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.

A Essential Book for Church Planters

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.

Essential reading for every church planter

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.