Donald McGavran and the Church Growth Movement
Donald McGavran, known as the Father of the Church Growth Movement, embarked on a remarkable journey of faith and mission. Born to missionary parents in India, he overcame materialism, answered the call to ministry, and served as a missionary administrator in challenging environments. His strategic approach to church growth focused on effectiveness over mere financial investment, inspiring impactful results. Explore the life of this visionary leader and his enduring legacy in Christian mission.
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Donald McGavran and the Church Growth Movement for Church Health/Growth and Christian Mission Howard Culbertson Southern Nazarene University 17 February 2025 1
Donald McGavran Father of the Church Growth movement Born in India in 1897 Parents and grandparents were missionaries to India 17 February 2025 2
Captured by materialism As a student at Butler University . . . My father has done enough for the Lord. It is time for me to strike out for myself and earn some money. 17 February 2025 3
A change of direction Gave life to Christ, felt call to ministry Impact of Student Volunteer Movement Ph.D. dissertation on Hinduism and Christianity 17 February 2025 4
Back to India 1923: Returned to India as a missionary with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 17 February 2025 5
Missionary administrator Director of religious education Superintendent of leprosy home and hospital Translated Gospels into Chattisgarhi dialect 17 February 2025 6
It wasnt all office work Fought off a wounded tiger and a wild boar Ended a cholera epidemic Climbed the Himalayas 17 February 2025 7
1932-- became the head of mission Under him: 80 missionaries, 5 hospitals, high schools, primary schools, home for lepers 20-30 small churches growing at 1% per year 17 February 2025 8
McGavrans conclusion Large amounts of money producing small results It offended my Scottish nature. So, what to do now? 17 February 2025 9
Taking stock 1933 McGravan s mission had 2,000 believers. Like many organizations in India, they had been growing 1% a year for decades. Some, however, were growing at 50% and 100% per decade. McGavran: I have to find out what these people are doing that other people are not! 17 February 2025 10
Enter: J. Waskom Pickett McGavran said: I lit my candle at his fire. Who was this man? 17 February 2025 11
1936 Pickett was studying the validity of mass movements to Christ McGavran traveled with him 17 February 2025 12
Picketts legacy Pragmatic, research-based orientation Keen awareness of social networks Burden for reaching the masses Study of reasons why people become Christians Seeing discipling and perfection as integral parts of evangelism 17 February 2025 13
1936 McGavran left administrative position; spent next 18 years in church planting (15 churches/ 1000 converts) "Service is good, but it must never be substituted for finding the lost and organizing them into communities of faith. 17 February 2025 14
1955 wrote book: Bridges of God Importance of family/friendship networks Hint of Homogeneous Unit Principle People like to become Christians without feeling they have to cross racial, linguistic, social or class boundaries. 17 February 2025 15
1961 Church Growth Institute in Oregon; 1965 moved to Fuller Seminary Plan: educate furloughed missionaries Eventually, Americans would come to dominate the church growth movement 17 February 2025 16
Students first publications "New patterns of church growth in Brazil" by William R. Read (1965) "Wildfire: church growth in Korea" by Roy E. Shearer (1966) New Testament Fire in the Philippines by Jim Montgomery (1972) 17 February 2025 17
1970 Published Understanding Church Growth Book Cover 17 February 2025 18
McGavrans use of scientific method Gather data Construct hypothesis (potential solution) Test hypothesis Establish principle 17 February 2025 19
McGavrans 3 questions When a church is growing, why is it growing? What barriers, obstructions or sicknesses prevent the natural life, vitality and growth of churches? What reproducible principles operative in growing churches can be used elsewhere? 17 February 2025 20
God wants His lost sheep found How can we do the most effective job in serving Him to accomplish that task? 17 February 2025 21
McGavran and the modern Church Growth Movement 17 February 2025 22
This PowerPoint presentation is available along with related materials and other PowerPoint presentations at http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/ppt.htm 17 February 2025 23
