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Growing God’s Church: How People Are Actually Coming to Faith Today

It’s no secret that the evangelism methods of yesterday are not yielding the kinds of results they did in the 1970s and 1980s. So how are new Christians hearing the Gospel today? How are they finding churches? And what makes them stay at a church? The answers to these questions have the power to dramatically alter the way we do outreach. And Dr. McIntosh has them. Based on ten years of scientific research, Growing God’s Church shows pastors and church leaders how people are actually coming to faith in the 21st century. It covers factors such as our motive for ministry, the priorities churches set for themselves, the reality of churchless Christians, generational and gender-based differences in evangelism effectiveness, the name of your church, the influence of pastors, and much more. The appendix includes a copy of the survey that provides the basis for McIntosh’s arguments and an overview of the study is provided in the first chapter.

Paperback, eBook 190 Baker Books 2016
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Meet The Author

Gary McIntosh

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Did you ever see the animals, the animals big and small? God created them, created them one and all. Did You Ever See An Eagle? is perfect to read at home to your children or in a group setting. Your toddler will enjoy this beautifully illustrated board book about animals and how they move. Your beginning reader will enjoy being able to read the words about each animal featured in the book.

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Donald A. McGavran: A Biography of the Twentieth Centurys Premier Missiologist

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Meet the man who sparked the entire modern church growth movement. In this first full biography of Donald A. McGavran, Gary L. McIntosh tells the complete story of one of the twentieth century’s greatest church leaders and influential thinkers. Now, for the first time, discover the roots of the modern Church Growth Movement during the 1950s to understand what is applicable to ministry today.

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The Solo Pastor: Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Leading a Church Alone – Audiobook

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Being a pastor is a complex and demanding role, especially for someone leading alone. The majority of pastors find themselves in this position, leading their smaller church with no additional professional assistance. The challenges are many, including loneliness, isolation, self-doubt, overwhelm, feelings of inadequacy, and a constant search for additional resources and volunteers. Where does a solo pastor turn for help and encouragement? With compassion and plenty of proven, practical strategies, church consultant and former solo pastor Gary L. McIntosh steps in to fill the void. God has placed you in your position for a reason. This book will equip you with the tools you need to lead your church successfully.

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The Solo Pastor: Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Leading a Church Alone

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Being a pastor is a complex and demanding role, especially for someone leading alone. The majority of pastors find themselves in this position, leading their smaller church with no additional professional assistance. The challenges are many, including loneliness, isolation, self-doubt, overwhelm, feelings of inadequacy, and a constant search for additional resources and volunteers. Where does a solo pastor turn for help and encouragement? With compassion and plenty of proven, practical strategies, church consultant and former solo pastor Gary L. McIntosh steps in to fill the void. God has placed you in your position for a reason. This book will equip you with the tools you need to lead your church successfully.

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Building the Body: 12 Characteristics of a Fit Church – Audiobook

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Is your church performing at its highest level? Just as a physically healthy person might not actually be fit enough to run a 5K, so churches can appear healthy–with no obvious issues, maintaining a healthy size–but not exhibit fitness. A fit church is one that is not satisfied with merely coasting along with no problems. A fit church is actively making disciples, maturing in faith, developing strong leaders, reaching out to the community, and more. Building the Body unveils the twelve characteristics of fit churches and shows pastors and church leaders how to move their church through five levels of fitness, from beginner all the way to elite.

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Reaching a changing world with the unchanging gospel

God does not change–but people do. The ways people are hearing the gospel and connecting with churches today are not the same as they were even twenty years ago. It stands to reason, then, that if we want our churches to grow–if we want the kingdom to grow–it’s time to reevaluate the way we do outreach.

Based on ten years of comprehensive research, Growing God’s Church unveils how people are actually coming to faith in the 21st century. Church growth expert Gary L. McIntosh answers questions like

  • How are new Christians hearing the gospel today?
  • How are they finding churches?
  • What makes them stay at a church?

He helps you evaluate your motives for ministry, your church’s priorities, the reality of churchless Christians, the name of your church, and much more in light of the Great Commission and the changing face of our modern world.

Editorial Reviews

Gary McIntosh is one of the leaders in research on growing churches. Anyone who is interested in knowing about growing churches should read this book. Everyone who is interested in actually working in a growing church needs to read this book.
Elmer L. Towns, cofounder and vice president, Liberty University

A true gift to the kingdom. Every leader with a desire to fulfill the Great Commission should read Growing God’s Church as soon as possible. The takeaways are revolutionary for the way we do outreach today.
Nelson Searcy, lead pastor of The Journey Church, New York City, founder of www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com, and author of The Renegade Pastor

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