What do you think?
Rate this book
Gospel DNA: Five Markers of a Flourishing Church
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
13 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Michael W. Newman
19 books6 followersMichael 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 7, 2026
This isn’t a very Lutheran book—a little about Word, less about Sacrament, and no effort whatsoever to identify with the Lutheran Confessions. Lines are blurred between the laity and the Office of the Holy Ministry to the point where one begins to wonder if the author is trying to persuade people to put him out of his calling.
As a matter of historical fact, this book is a head-scratcher. Walther left pietism; this book would have you believe he was its greatest champion. But perhaps the most outrageous theme is the “inclusiveness” of the LCMS. Apparently the author missed the fact that our present “English District” was once its own synod, the LCMS operating in German and denying them entry.
Whereas, as a matter of practical fact, we have either a surplus of churches, shortage of pastors to serve them, or some combination of the two. We cannot plant churches when our existing churches are declining.
Here is the real problem. The author doesn’t connect the dots between church decline and wishy-washy doctrine, watered-down liturgy, or any of the other nonsense adopted to be more “inclusive”. The author’s Lutheran church grows by dying—by becoming un-Lutheran.
As a matter of historical fact, this book is a head-scratcher. Walther left pietism; this book would have you believe he was its greatest champion. But perhaps the most outrageous theme is the “inclusiveness” of the LCMS. Apparently the author missed the fact that our present “English District” was once its own synod, the LCMS operating in German and denying them entry.
Whereas, as a matter of practical fact, we have either a surplus of churches, shortage of pastors to serve them, or some combination of the two. We cannot plant churches when our existing churches are declining.
Here is the real problem. The author doesn’t connect the dots between church decline and wishy-washy doctrine, watered-down liturgy, or any of the other nonsense adopted to be more “inclusive”. The author’s Lutheran church grows by dying—by becoming un-Lutheran.
February 22, 2022
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.
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.
February 17, 2018
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!
February 23, 2020
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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews