Evaluating the Church Growth Movement

But what exactly is Church Growth? In what ways has the movement actually brought growth to the church, and how effective has it been in doing so? What are its strengths and weaknesses? This timely book addresses such questions. After providing a richly informative history and overview, it explores -- in a first-ever roundtable of their leading voices -- five main perspectives, both pro and con, on the classic Church Growth movement:

• Effective Evangelism View (Elmer Towns)


• Gospel and Our Culture View (Craig VanGelder)


• Centrist View (Charles VanEngen)


• Reformist View (Gailyn VanRheenan)


• Renewal View (Howard Snyder)

As in other Counterpoints books, each view is first presented by its proponent, then critiqued by his co-contributors. The book concludes with reflections by three seasoned pastors who have grappled with the practical implications of Church Growth. The interactive and fair-minded nature of the Counterpoints format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions.