Martin Murphy wrote this closely reasoned critique of the modern evangelical church. The argument set forth is that although modernity has shaped the character of the evangelical church, the church growth movement is the driving force to implement the tools of modernity in the evangelical church.
This work includes a brief explanation of modernity and its effect on church growth. It is a critical analysis of the church growth movement found in every branch of the Protestant church.
The potential threat of modernity to the evangelical church is probably greater than ever, but the opportunity for reformation is also greater than any time in recent history. The children of modernity have attempted to secularize Christianity. Modernity has produced a progeny by its power and persuasion and now poses a threat to the church.
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The church growth movement has fascinated me since my days as a student at Columbia International University formally known as Columbia Bible College and Seminary. It is the kind of concept that leaves you charmed by its frills, thrills, and entertainment. It has captured the attention of churchmen around the world. "Marketing the church" has replaced the biblical concept of "making disciples." The Mega-church has replaced the biblical concept of a shepherd and the flock. Some church growth movement entrepreneurs believe that the day of the churched culture is over. It is important to realize that the church growth movement finds its most faithful followers referring to “contemporary worship” or talking about the “emerging church.” These recent inventions spring forth from the church growth movement. My inquiry into the mechanics of the church growth movement began years ago and I continue to trace its development. This book is the result of my observation, research, and inquiry into the church growth movement. This is my critique of the movement and I hope to publish another work to present a biblical model for church growth, D. V.
My purpose in the first part of this book is to explain how modernity is inseparably related to the church growth movement. Although this work includes a brief explanation of modernity, the primary focus is on the church growth movement which is found in the last half of the book.
I hope Christians everywhere will take a serious look at the Christian landscape and ask the question: Has truth lost its savor in the church, particularly the evangelical church? Has the modern evangelical church moved from truth to compromise, confusion and contradiction? I argue that it has so what will we leave the next generation? Will it be the wood, hay, and straw of the church growth movement or will it be the gold, silver, and precious stones of God's eternal truth?
The god of the Church Growth Movement By Martin Murphy, published by CreateSpace ISBN: 978-1448655243, Non-fiction, Religion, Christian Church, History Reviewed by Michael Woodhead Along with two other books I've reviewed (Crazy for God by Frank Schaeffer; A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church by Warren Cole Smith) This one will add to the argument against the modern evangelical movement.As can be gleaned from the title, the book deals in particular with the Church Growth Movement (CGM) and its 'god' (please note the small 'g' instead of a capital). The author begins with a look at the beginnings of the evangelical church in the sixteenth century and goes on to discuss the nature, purpose, mission, and ministry of the church. He then explores what modernity is, followed by a fresh look at the Beatitudes as the essence of Christianity. Next, the author shows how modernity has influenced the church, particularly in the areas of 'power' and 'popularity'. Following this, Martin introduces some of the originators of the CGM, and what its basic goals are, as well as what its philosophy is. Marketing strategies to make the church numbers bigger now seem more important than the growth of the individual Christians. The church is a business instead of a caring church. A short chapter looks at the types of sermons preached by the CGM pastors. Then the author offers the argument tha the CGM is an unbiblical movement, and goes on to show how this is so. The god of the Church Growth Movement is another excellent resource of Warren Cole Smith's 'recovering evangelicals', and those troubled by the apparent loss of theology in the church growth movement.