Gospel DNA: Five Markers of a Flourishing Church

by Michael W. Newman

Millions of new believers in Jesus. Thousands of new churches. Communities rallying around the Gospel. Innovative efforts to send workers into the harvest fields. A Gospel movement sweeping a nation. This isn’t merely a description of what God is doing in the global south today. It is a picture of God’s work in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. The church was flourishing. Faith was being shared. New congregations were being started. People were receiving the hope of eternal life. Can it happen again? Is it possible for the Christian church in the United States to become vibrant and relevant once more? The answer may surprise you. Looking at a uniquely American Gospel movement as a case study, Gospel DNA traces five markers that lead to a flourishing church. Hope is closer than you may think. It’s time to reconnect with Gospel DNA.

232 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2016

About the author

Michael Newman has experienced and witnessed the wonder of God's grace woven into life that is filled with highs and lows, dreams and dashed hopes, unexpected twists and breathtaking surprises. He is husband to Cindy, father to two beautiful daughters, and grandpa to a sweet little granddaughter.

Mike has served in pastoral ministry for over twenty-five years and currently works in Texas to help develop new missions and ministries that bring people the gift of the life they crave.

Reviews

[Timothy Koch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newman does an excellent job of sifting through source material and showing that the early Missouri Synod had a deep concern and commitment to reaching the lost. It weighed on them heavily and directed their steps. This is unassailable and in my humble estimation the greatest strength of his book.

I didn’t like the DNA metaphor. It was clunky. It highlights that this is what the gospel is, but then it falls flat as a metaphor when things don’t go well. You can’t, after all, change your DNA.

At the risk of being borderline vindictive, I docked a star from the review for the failure to use the Oxford comma. It’s absence made some sentences almost impossible to understand.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a passionate battle-cry for the LCMS to be who we have been historically - a mission- and outreach-driven church body. Why have we not done this for several decades? Who knows? But we can go back to our historic roots, the DNA of this church body and once again do whatever it takes to have a great heart for lost and hurting people in our communities who need to hear about Jesus. And we do not have to sacrifice doctrine to do it. This book will get your heart pumping!

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read, very informative.

I really enjoyed reading this book as it went along with a sermon series our pastor was doing. Very informative about the history of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.