Planting and Growing Urban Churches
From Dream to Reality
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- Format
- E-Book
- ISBN
- 9781441205988
- Pub. Date
- Jul 1997
- SRP
- $30.00
About
Eighteen urban church specialists from around the world offer keen insights for ministering in metropolitan areas.
Establishing vital churches in metropolitan areas represents a formidable challenge, and church planters need the wise counsel of experienced practitioners to guide them through the process. Planting and Growing Urban Churches: From Dream to Reality provides such sage advice.
Harvie M. Conn pulls together selected articles from the quarterly journal Urban Mission that treat various aspects of planting and growing churches in the city. Contributors include urban specialists such as Ray Bakke, Craig Ellison, Viv Grigg, Robert Linthicum, and Ralph Neighbor Jr. This multiperspective approach results in a book brimming with insights and strategies for students, urban ministers, church planters, and missionaries.
The work is divided into four parts that trace the challenging but rewarding process of church planting in the city from initial stages to establishment--from dream to reality. Part 1 explores the use of research. In part 2 Bakke, Ellison, and Neighbor describe how to develop a strategy for urban ministry. Part 3 looks at the role of targeting in church planting, while part 4 contains seven models of success. Each part includes a substantive introduction by the editor and a list of resources for further study.
According to Conn these chapters reflect a growing global dedication . . . to the advancement of Christ's church and kingdom in cities throughout the world. The book motivates readers to expect great things from God for the city and attempt great things for God in the city.
The Author
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Harvie M. Conn
Harvie M. Conn is professor of missions at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, where he has served since 1972. He was a missionary in Korea from 1960 to 1972. His numerous books and articles include The American City and the Evangelical Church and Eternal...
Continue reading about Harvie M. Conn
Reviews
"A handy introductory book on reaching urban centers. . . . The essays are concise and well-documented, providing the reader with valuable material. . . . This is an excellent text to introduce students to this field."--NAPCE Newletter, Winter 1999
"This valuable text provides for Christian workers ministering in cities around the world, particularly church planters, the helpful insights of 17 researchers and practitioners in the field. They do not promote urban ministry as better than other ministries, but rather as necessary in light of present realities and biblical examples. . . . Urban church growth and church planting dreams can be brought closer to reality with the help of this comprehensive book."--Missiology
"[A] marvelous resource. If you have not read this book, don't miss it."--Strategies for Today's Leader (Winter 2000)
"Ready for yet another urban church handbook? You need to be. Urban ministry is one of the most ripe and fruitful fields for the labors of the church in the world today. . . . You'll understand the research and how to research, then strategic planning, targeting, and finally examples of successful urban ministry. The wealth of resources for uban ministry that the editor has compiled and listed is worth the price of the book."--Congregational Leadership Resources
"Planting and Growing Urban Churches is not a quick-read, but it is an important contribution to urban-church planting. I recommend it to anyone seriously interested in establishing God's kingdom in the city."--Paul Drost, Enrichment