Understanding Church Growth

by Donald A. McGavran

In this missionary classic, first published in 1970, Donald A. McGavran skillfully combines theological convictions, empirical research, sociological principles, and spiritual insights to mold a paradigm for effective evangelism strategy both at home and abroad. This third edition, revised and edited by C. Peter Wagner, retains the book's original aim and essence while modernizing the language and streamlining the flow of ideas, reducing the book's bulk by 35 percent. Other features of this edition include an additional chapter on divine healing and an expanded, updated, and annotated reading list.

Genres: Church, Christian

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Adam Johnson]

slow read. not a good writer, and you probably wont agree with everything either.

[Spencer]

fascinating book that offers a somewhat controversial perspective on missions. McGavran is known for being numbers-driven and focused on the “homogeneous unit.” He is dissatisfied with works that are not growing numerically, which he regards as ineffective.

One weakness of his work is a that as a consequence of his his view that “growth is good” he tends to accept any mission work that is growing and Christian as a positive thing. The problem is that that particular growth is based around heretical, non-biblical doctrine. McGavran makes no effort to explain this more clearly.

[Peter]

A somewhat dense and dated read. Yet it contains the number of good thoughts and truths. The churches are suffering today from decline and a visible loss of mission and it is easy to see why. Those that object the author's pov maybe quick to accuse but the author also pointed out that all works are to be balanced and homogeneous unit principle may start the work, but it cannot be continued ad infinitum lest to growth halts due to "redemption and lift problems".

[James Creasman]

Foundational in shaping my ecclesiology and understanding the sociological barriers to the Gospel. I read the version by McGavran (who was a missionary in India) in the '80s, before it was edited by Peter Wagner to emphasize church growth in an American context.

[Stephen]

READ NOV 2012

Originally published in 1970, the third edition (1990) makes this a current resource for any church leader (full time minister or lay leader) who wants to understand church growth.

[Ted]

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