Growing God's Church - by Gary L McIntosh (Paperback)

About the Book

Drawing on ten years of original research, author and church growth expert provides fresh insight into twenty-first-century evangelism and practical, simple ways churches can reach new people for Christ and involve them in church life.

Book Synopsis

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.

From the Back Cover

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.

"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


Gary L. McIntosh (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is president of the Church Growth Network and professor of Christian ministry and leadership at Talbot School of Theology. He is an internationally known speaker and church consultant who has written twenty-four books, including Biblical Church Growth, Beyond the First Visit, and What Every Pastor Should Know.

About the Author

Gary L. McIntosh (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is president of the Church Growth Network and professor of Christian ministry and leadership at Talbot School of Theology. He is an internationally known speaker and church consultant who has written twenty-four books, including Biblical Church Growth, Beyond the First Visit, and What Every Pastor Should Know. He lives in California.