10 Great Ideas from Church History: A Decision-Maker's Guide to Shaping Your Church, By Mark R. Shaw

10 Great Ideas from Church History

A Decision-Maker's Guide to Shaping Your Church

by Mark R. Shaw

10 Great Ideas from Church History
paperback
  • Length: 237 pages
  • Dimensions: 5.5 × 8.25 in
  • Published: February 27, 1997
  • Imprint: IVP
  • Item Code: 1681
  • ISBN: 9780830816811

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Tired of following the latest church-growth fad? In many churches, building vision means embracing the ideas of the latest guru and jumping from one program to another. Ministry decisions are made according to the crisis of the moment or the pressures of the bottom line. Long-term planning can seem like an impossible dream.

This book offers something different. Here are ideas that have stood the test of time--ideas from the most significant Christian leaders of the last five hundred years. Your church can implement key strategies from the lives and writings of the reformers:

  • Gain a vision for truth.
  • Renew your quest for holiness.
  • See how delighting in God will inspire your worship.
  • Bring renewal with a biblical model of revival.
  • Build leaders with a time-tested plan for discipleship.
  • Energize your vision for missions.
  • Grow together with key principles of Christian community.

And who makes up the panel of expert consultants who will guide your vision for lasting change? None other than Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, William Carey, John Wesley, Richard Baxter, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and more. Each of the ten great ideas found in this book provides a biblically based and historically rooted vision for your church over the long haul.

Do you want to revitalize the work of your church? Here are ten of the best ways in history to make it happen.

CONTENTS

Introduction
1. A Vision for Truth: Luther's Theology of the Cross
2. A Vision for Spirituality: Calvin on the Christian Life
3. A Vision for Unity: Jeremiah Burroughs the Denominational Theory of the Church.
4. A Vision for Assurance: William Perkins's Model of Conversion Assurance
5. A Vision for Worship: Richard Baxter's Directions for Delighting in God
6. A Vision for Renewal: Jonathan Edwards's Theology of Revival
7. A Vision for Growth: John Wesley's Concept of Discipleship
8. A Vision for the Lost: William Carey's Model of Mission
9. A Vision for Justice: William Wilberforce's Model of Christian Social Action
10. A Vision for Fellowship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Principles of Christian Community

Epilogue: From Vision to Decision

Notes

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Mark R. Shaw

Mark Shaw is the director of the world Christianity program at Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya. He has studied world Christianity at the University of Edinburgh (M.Th.) and the history of Christianity at Westminster Theological Seminary (Th.D.). Mark is the author of a number of books, including 10 Great Ideas from Church History (InterVarsity Press) and The Kingdom of God in Africa: A Short History of African Christianity (Baker). He and his wife, Lois, currently reside in Kenya where they have lived and worked for twenty-five years.