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Assimilation and Building Community in the Local Church
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Non-Credit: C2
MA credit: PM -728
DMin credit: PM - 816 |
Facilitator: Dr. Gary McIntosh
This course examines biblical principles and contemporary procedures for successfully welcoming newcomers into the local church and for successfully integrating them fully into the life of the church body. The class will also develop a biblical basis for local church community and present practical means and models that churches are using to cultivate and advance the christian community within a local church.
GOALS:
- To understand what contemporary church literature means by assimilation and the challenges local churches face in accomplishing it.
- To understand the biblical rationale or call for both assimilation and community building in the local church.
- To become familiar with various models and methods for church assimilation.
WHO WILL BENEFIT:
- Every pastor desiring to develop a welcoming atmosphere toward visitors in his local church, as well as develop the kind of christian community that nurtures greater support and growth for participating believers.
- Young men preparing for ministry who need to become aware of issues surrounding these two focuses.
- Any lay persons wanting to work with church leadership to pursue greater depth in these two arenas within their local churches.
Important note about this class: This course can be taken not-for-credit or for credit from Grace Seminary. If taken for credit, it can be used either for Doctoral credit or for Masters credit in the seminary. Class time for MA and DMin are the same, however pre and post course requirements will differ. Download this prospectus to learn about course requirements.
DR. GARY L. McINTOSH has 22 years of experience in the field of church growth consultation, coaching of church leaders, and workshop presentations. As president of the McIntosh Church Growth Network, Gary has analyzed more than 500 churches representing some 55 denominations throughout the United States and Canada. He is Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, teaching courses in the field of Pastoral Theology. Dr. McIntosh has received the Faculty Excellence Award from Biola University, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Colorado Christian University, and the Donald McGavran Award from the American Society for Church Growth. Listed in Who’s Who in Church Growth, his educational background and experience as a youth pastor, Christian education director, and senior pastor give added insight to his writings, seminars, and counsel. He is editor of the Church Growth Network newsletter and the Journal of the American Society for Church Growth. He has written or coauthored thirteen books and conducts approximately 25 workshops and seminars yearly. Dr. McIntosh and his wife Carol reside in Temecula, CA.
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