Dr.
Hemphill is the president of SWBTS and a recognized authority on church growth.
He is a frequent conference speaker, a regular contributor to "Growing
Churches" and "Mission USA" and has written six previous books.
Dr.
Hemphill is the president of SWBTS and a recognized authority on church growth.
He is a frequent conference speaker, a regular contributor to "Growing
Churches" and "Mission USA" and has written six previous books.
The
book begins with a prologue that issues the topic in general terms, regarding
growth statistics, the necessity for denominationalism, symptoms and solutions,
and defining church grown on the commission of Acts 1:8. Chapter 1 is entitled
"Supernatural Power," and addresses the need to build the character of the
church. The promise of the Lord is based on a few confessions--His own and
Peter's--and define authentic church growth as a promised divine activity for
the church rightly related to Christ. Chapter 2, titled "Christ-Exalting
Worship," talks about the church in Antioch (hence the title of the book):
fasting and prayer were emphasized, as was ministering to the Lord. This was
the biblical pattern as established by Nehemiah as well. Worship is defined as
the wellspring of church growth; it is the believer's response with all that he
is--mind, emotions, will, and body--to all that God is and says and does. Chapter
3 is about "God-Connecting Prayer," the fuel for all church growth. The
biblical pattern indicates that God wants to answer prayer, and we can be
confident our prayers are in His will when we pray about evangelism. We are to
pray for church growth, teach our people how to pray, and organize the church
to do so. Chapter 4, "Servant Leaders," stipulates that leadership is the
master key issue for church growth. The biblical concept is based on: 1) God
works through human instrumentation; 2) leadership is based on relationship and
function; and 3) parenting the church. Chapter 5 is entitled "Kingdom Family
Relationships," first outlines biblical fundamentals based on the Antioch
model, the sayings of Jesus, the pattern established in Acts, and the teachings
of Paul. He encourages us to teach theological basics and model family living,
and discusses what is entailed in family living. Chapter 6, titled "God-Sized
Vision," argues that vision does not refer to the ability to formulate goals
and work towards them, but rather to the work of the prophet. There are nine
characteristics: 1) it originates with God; 2) God's vision will be centered in
and supported by His Word; 3) supernatural empowering brings a vision to
reality; 4) vision from God is founded in the Great Commission; 5) it will lead
the church to exalt Christ; 6) it requires radical obedience; 7) it leads to
natural growth; 8) id demands a willingness to change; and 9) it requires
family unity. Chapter 7 says that a failure of "Passion for the Lost," not
failure of programming, is the issue. To develop a sound theological
foundation: 1) we must understand the condition of the lost; 2) we must believe
that Christ provides the only access to the Father; 3) we must believe the
fields are ripe for the harvest; 4) the Great Commission is not a divine
suggestion; 5) every Christian is called to be a witness; 6) the Holy Spirit
empowers us to witness; 7) God gives the results through us; and 8) believers
must obey and accept ownership. Chapter 8, "Maturation of Believers," argues
that healthy churches place a high priority on promoting the growth of people
toward Christlikeness, which is the fundamental issue of the discipling
ministry of the church. He suggests a family model for discipling, from infancy
(the formative stage), early childhood (the developmental stage), and
adolescence to adulthood (the reproductive ministry). He ends with an epilogue
titled "Growth: a Ten-Step Process." 1) Anticipate supernatural awakening and
empowering; 2) prioritize prayer and praise; 3) focus on the mission of the
church; 4) model Kingdom living; 5) train laity for leadership; 6) do an
environmental study 7) base your plans on a God-sized vision; 8) develop a plan
for growth; 9) design a strategy for growth; and 10) implement a ministry plan.
An
excellent manual for church growth, this book provides great material for
individual application as well. He effectively addresses proper motivation and
source of strength (the Spirit), message (the Gospel), and purpose (the Great
Commission). He makes excellent use of anecdote and statistical information to
apply his principles, and is always careful to corroborate his philosophy and
practicality with Scripture.