CHURCH GROWTH I: SPIRITUAL FACTORS OF CHURCH GROWTH

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1 EVAN 500 CHURCH GROWTH I: SPIRITUAL FACTORS OF CHURCH GROWTH *Note: All content provided in the professor s notes, course chart and course syllabus are based on the professor s opinion and may vary from professor to professor & student to student. All content may be changed without notice. This information is for the purpose to provide analysis but is not binding in any form. Course Syllabi Course Charts Professor s Notes

2 EVAN 500 Spiritual Factors of Church Growth Professor s Notes for Online Courses Updated September 8, 2008* *Note: ratings and comments are based on the opinion of the professor who created the course, and may vary from opinions of fellow professors or adjunct professors, and from those of students taking the course. If the course content changes the opinions will require updating. This information is intended to provide analysis only and is not binding in any form. Overall rating of course: 7 Course could be taken along with one or two other courses in an 8-week period Reading requirements for course: 8 There are several books involved in the course which require a major reading report as part of the final grade for course; reading report is 30% of final grade Level of lecture requirements for course: 6 Videotape/DVD lectures by Elmer Towns, but no exams; rather extensive discussion board expectations Difficulty of online exams for course: N/A There are no exams for the course Level of discussion board requirements for course: 8 Discussion boards are worth 35% of final grade; form a major part of the course activity Level of written requirements for course: 7 Major project is primarily a reflective exercise drawing from reading and discussion activities of course; worth 35% of final grade

3 Additional comments: An intensive spiritual exercise that can have a powerful impact on the student

4 Syllabus LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY EVAN 500 CHURCH GROWTH I: SPIRITUAL FACTORS OF CHURCH GROWTH REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS Towns, Elmer. Spiritual Foundations of Church Growth. Mason, OH: Thomson Custom Publishing, 2002.* This workbook is necessary for note taking while viewing the video lessons.. Biblical Meditation for Spiritual Breakthrough. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1996.*. Praying the Lord s Prayer for Spiritual Breakthrough. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1997.*. Putting an End to Worship Wars. Out of Print. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, This book is only available on Dr. Towns web page at Understanding the Deeper Life. Old Tappan, NJ: Flemming H. Revell Co., This book is only available on Dr. Towns web page at Towns, Elmer and Douglas Porter. The Ten Greatest Revivals Ever. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publication, *These items are required, and available through MBS Direct. Other items may be bought through s used book search and would be good to have as supplemental texts.. Your course chart will list readings in these alternate books in case you secure them. Note that some books are available on /07 Page 1 of 6 6/29/2005

5 COURSE DESCRIPTION An examination of spiritual factors of church growth such as prayer, fasting, revival, anointed preaching, and worship. The student will analyze and develop programs to produce balanced growth in evangelism and discipleship. I. RATIONALE Recognizing that students come from various church backgrounds, this course is designed to expose students to biblical and practical Christian experiences and their influence on Christian ministry and church growth. Therefore, a student must first grasp the philosophy, principles, and spirit of different ministries. He will want to capture the zeal and philosophy of both Church Growth and Christian experiences with a view to incorporating it into his own ministry and life style. II. III. PREREQUISITES This is a required course in the MAR degree Church Growth concentration. COURSE OBJECTIVES A. General aims 1. The learning material of the course is theological, biblical, biographical, and experiential oriented, based on the latest in research and reported journalism. 2. The course is motivational to give the student a love for the church, church growth, and the Christian experiences. 3. The course will include a number of occasions where observing small group activity will allow the student to personally reflect on the issues that are being presented. B. Specific cognitive objectives 1. To understand the biblical motives and expression of the various Christian experiences is essential. 2. Through examining the biblical nature of the New Testament gifts (abilities), the students will determine what gifts he possesses and how he may employ them through the church. 3. One must gain an understanding of the biblical nature of the church. The student will evaluate his experiences in light of the life style of various churches. 4. One must gain an understanding of the aims and programs of church growth. The student will first gain the ability to determine what church growth is. He will be motivated to become involved in a church /07 Page 2 of 6 6/29/2005

6 5. The student must examine a correlation between the various life styles taught in the various types of churches to determine what influence Christian experiences have on church growth. 6. The student will examine the various expressions of evangelism as they exist today. The student will determine how to do the work of evangelism and what relationship various expressions of Christian experiences have on evangelism. 7. The student will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Church Growth movement in relationship to various reflections of Christian experiences. 8. The student must comprehend the church scene in today s changing world. 9. The student must realize what expectations different churches make on their members and how these expectations are changing. The student will also determine how he can broaden his understanding of those different from him. Then he will determine his relationship to Christian experiences after he leaves the class. IV. MATERIALS A. Internet access and Microsoft Word B. TV and VCR/DVD C. Video lessons (22) D. Course documents from BLACKBOARD E. Textbooks (6) V. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES A. Lecture B. Video presentation C. Demonstration of certain aspects of Church Growth D. Presentation by film, slides, and transparencies of certain aspects of Church ministries. E. Analysis by students of case studies. F. Each lecture will be supported by a representation of the outline and illustrations on an overhead projector. VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS A. The student will read 1,500 pages. The required textbooks apply to this reading assignment and you may use appropriate books on tape (see COURSE CONTENT/ Books on Tape). This Reading Report is to be submitted as one assignment and is due prior to course end date (see COURSE CONTENT for details) /07 Page 3 of 6 6/29/2005

7 B. Regular tests delivered through BLACKBOARD will serve as check-points to help the student assess his progress in the course. The test materials will come from the lectures. C. The student will prepare a term project that evaluates the Christian experience of praying for a local church and reflects on what influence their own particular prayer life has on the growth of a church. This project will also address significant spiritual dynamics in the life of the student as discussed in the lecture material. This term paper will be submitted via BLACKBOARD. VII. EVALUATION AND GRADING A. Weight B. Scale TEST 1 Lessons % TEST 2 Lessons 5-7B 10% TEST 3 Lessons 7C-8; % TEST 4 Comprehensive 10% Collateral Reading 25% Term Project: Evaluating Your Spiritual Experience 35% A = B = C = D = F = 0 67 VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY Anderson, Neil T. Victory Over The Darkness. Ventura: Regal Books, Barna, George. The Power of Vision. Ventura: Regal Books, Bryant, Christopher Rex. The Heart in Pilgrimage. New York: Seabury Press, Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim s Progress. Wheaton, IL and Whitby, Ontario: Victor Books, Cho, P. Y. Praying with Jesus. Altamonte Springs, Fl.: Creation House, 1987 Cummings, C. Spirituality and the Desert Experience. Denville, NJ: Dimension Books, Dieter, Melvin Easterday et al. Five Views on Sanctification. Grand Rapids: Academic Books, Evdokimov, P. The Struggle with God. New York: St. Paulist, Finney, Charles Grandison. Lectures on Revivals of Religion. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Principles of Holiness: Selected Messages on Biblical Holiness. (Compiled and edited by Louis G. Parkhurst, Jr.). Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, /07 Page 4 of 6 6/29/2005

8 . Principles of Sanctification. (Compiled and edited by Louis G. Parkhurt, Jr.). Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. San Francisco: Harper, Fowler, James W. et al. Life Maps: Conversations on the Journey of Faith. Edited by Jerome W. Berryman. Waco: Word Books, Stages of Faith: the Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning. San Francisco, Harper & Row, Graham, Billy. Peace with God. New York: Pocket Books, Gratton, Carolyn. Guidelines for Spiritual Direction. (From the series: Studies in Formation Spirituality, Vol. 3). Denville, NJ: Dimension Books, 1980 Grigor, Jean C. Grow to Love: Developing Caring Relationships: Resource Book for Groups. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press, Guibert, Joseph de. The Theology of the Spiritual Life. New York: Sheed & Ward, Hawkins, O. S. Revive Us Again: New Testament Keys to Personal and Church Growth. Nashville: Broadman Press, Hayford, Jack W. Worship His Majesty. Waco: Word Books, 1987 Huegel, Frederick Julius. Bone of His Bone. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, Hull, Bill. Jesus Christ Disciple Maker: Rediscovering Jesus Strategy for Building His Church. Cambridge, MA: Crossway Books, The Disciple Making Pastor: The Key to Building Healthy Christians in Today s Church. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., Jones, Cheslyn; Geoffrey Wainwright; and Edward Yarnold, ed. The Study of Spirituality. New York, Oxford University Press: Kuhn, Isobel. By Searching. Chicago: Moody Press, Leech, Kenneth. True Prayer: An Introduction to Christian Spirituality. London: Sheldon Press, Lovelace, Richard F. Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, MacArthur, John Jr. Jesus Pattern of Prayer. Chicago: Moody Press, Masters, Peter. The Healing Epidemic. London: Wakeman Trust, Maxwell, L. E. Crowded to Christ. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Moody, Dwight Lyman. Secret Power. Ventura: Regal Books, /07 Page 5 of 6 6/29/2005

9 Murray, Andrew. Abide in Christ. Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, Rice, John R. PRAYER Asking and Receiving. Wheaton: Sword of the Lord Publishers, Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. Balancing the Christian Life. Chicago: Moody Press, Smith, Hannah Whitall. The Christian s Secret of a Happy Life. Waco: Word Books, Snyder, Howard A. The Radical Wesley and Patterns for Church Renewal. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, Thomas, Major W. Ian. The Saving Life of Christ. (Introduction and Built In Study Guide by Elisabeth Elliot.) Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, Tozer, Aiden Wilson. That Incredible Christian. Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., The Pursuit of God. Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., Wagner, C. Peter. Engaging the Enemy. Ventura: Regal Books, How to Have a Healing Ministry in any Church. Ventura: Regal Books, Wardle, T. H. Exalt Him: Designing Dynamic Worship Services. Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Wemp, C. Sumner. How on Earth Can I Be Spiritual? Nashville: Action Press, Wesley, John. The Nature of Spiritual Growth. Minneapolis: Bethany Houses Publishers, /07 Page 6 of 6 6/29/2005

10 EVAN 500 Bb Course Chart Course Chart MODULE WEEKS VIDEO LESSONS SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS WORKBOOK TEXTBOOK READINGS LEARNING ACTIVITIES POINTS Greatest Revivals, Chs. 1 5 TEST 1 (Lessons 1 4) B Greatest Revivals, Chs. 6 7 Worship Wars, Chs Fasting, Chs TEST 2 (Lessons 5 7B) C 8; Fasting, Chs Greatest Revivals, Chs Biblical Meditation, Chs TEST 3 (Lessons 7C-8; 13-14) A 12B Lord s Prayer, Chs Deeper Life, Chs TEST 4 (Comprehensive) Collateral Reading Report Term Project TOTAL POINTS 100 Page 1 of 1