"In the light of church growth principles as they are promulgated in many mission schools these days, the question naturally arises as to whether or not our approach to world mission work is in need of reassessment or improvement."
Ernst H. Wendland, "Church Growth Theology," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly,
April, 1981, 78, p. 108.
"Recently we had opportunity to read a book written by Dr. George W. Peters, Professor of World Missions at Dallas Theological Seminary, who is also a leading spokesman for the Evangelicals."
[Note: Peters is Who's Who in Church Growth]
Ernst H. Wendland, "Missiology--and the Two Billion," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly,
January, 1974, 71, p. 14.
"THIS QUESTIONNAIRE WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED AS A RESEARCH INSTRUMENT, PART OF REV. DAVID LUECKE'S INVESTIGATION INTO THE NEED FOR PASTOR DEVELOPMENT. HIS HYPOTHESIS, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY THE RESEARCH FINDINGS, WAS THAT PASTORAL EFFECTIVENESS RELATIVE TO CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH WAS PREDICTABLE FROM THE
ATTITUDES OF THE MINISTERS...THIS TOOL HAS BEEN PREPARED AS A CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING DEVICE TO HELP MINISTERS ASSESS THEIR OWN NEEDS FOR CONTINUED TRAINING IN CHURCH GROWTH AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVELY FOCUSED AREAS.
Fuller Evangelistic Association, Copyright, 1981, MINISTERIAL ATTITUDES DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE, Sent to congregations using the Spiritual Renewal Consultant program, headed by Rev. Paul Kelm, 1990, p. 1.
(The consultants were trained at Fuller Seminary, which may surprise no one. David Luecke was the LCMS pastor who was a dean at Fuller Seminary, then took a CG congregation in the Cleveland area.)
"Marketing churches to reach people is consistent with biblical principles and doesn't mean the message needs to be watered down or compromised, according to researcher George Barna...Church growth is primarily accomplished by word of mouth. Barna advised clergy to see themselves as cheerleaders rather than leaders, as laypeople carry out the practical marketing of the church."
News From Around the World, The Northwestern Lutheran, November 15, 1991, p. 395. (George Barna is a favorite of CG types.)
"Types of Groups...This table relies on information from Eddie Gibbs. I Believe in Church Growth, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982, pp. 275-279."
School of Outreach IV, Notebook, WELS Evangelism Commission, p. 51.
Eddie Gibbs is Who's Who in Church Growth
"How do we get there (Resources)...1. Book (3 ring binder): Facing the Facts for Church Growth by Diane Barber and Kent R. Hunter, a step by step manual for understanding 'all you ever wanted to know and more' about the nature of graphs...This is a very good resource...Order from the Church Growth Center."
School of Outreach IV, Notebook, WELS Evangelism Commission p. B-5.
Kent Hunter is (Who's Who in Church Growth
"PRINCIPLES OF GROWING CHURCHES - APPLIED TO THE LARGE CHURCH. 1. Church growth begins with a desire, commitment, and expectation for growth on the part of the pastor and lay leadership. The pastor and congregation must want to grow and be willing to sacrifice for growth. The congregation has a mission statement."
School of Outreach IV, Notebook, The Large Church, WELS Evangelism Commission
p. 45.
"Every congregation of the WELS was provided a TRACT CATALOG reviewing tracts from CTM, ATS, ACTS and IBS at the 'Getting Everyone Involved' District Evangelism Worships held in '89." [Note: George Barna, Who's Who in Church Growth, is on the board of ACTS. Faith, Prayer and Tract League, recommended on
the same page, offers decision theology: Grand Rapids, 1-616-453-7695]
WELS, Notebook, School of Outreach IV, p. 223.
"RESOURCES AVAILABLE...CALLING IN LOVE; A HANDBOOK FOR THE TELEPHONE OUTREACH. Order from Church Growth, Inc...Monrovia, CA, 1-800-423-4844...Evaluation: It offers almost everything you will need to know when it comes to using the telephone for outreach."
WELS Evangelism Workshop IV, LOCATING THE LOST, p. 53.
"THE EXPANDED PHONE'S FOR YOU! by Norman W. Whan. Order from Church Growth Development International...Cost $229."
[The original version, which was copied verbatim by WELS mission congregations,
had a deceptive dialogue script for phoning and brochures which suggested joining the church "to meet new friends, develop self-confidence..."]
WELS Evangelism Workshop IV, LOCATING THE LOST, p. 55.
"The role of worship seen by the Church Growth movement is not the same role of worship understood by the Lutheran Confessions. This must be said from the beginning in order to be fair to both the Lutheran Confessions and the modern Church Growth movement. My paper is indebted to Dr. David Leucke on this point and I am confident that his Evangelical Style and Lutheran Substance will be an invaluable aid to this discussion. Leucke has offered an indepth review of what principles can be identified in the newer, faster growing churches which have been studied by the Church Growth movement."
WELS Evangelism Workshop IV, LOCATING THE LOST, Larry A. Peters, "Lutheran Worship and Church Growth," LCMS Commission on Worship, p. E-1.
"Some in the Church Growth movement have challenged Lutherans to give up their 'style' while keeping their 'substance.'...How can we utilize the Church Growth movement to help us reach out with the Gospel without changing the basic definition of what it means to be Lutheran?"
WELS Evangelism Workshop IV, LOCATING THE LOST, Larry A. Peters, "Lutheran Worship and Church Growth," LCMS Commission on Worship, p. E-2.
"Neither things I shared with you nor any of my writings, published or not, substantiate the implications that I am an advocate of Church Growth theology. I did attend a Pasadena forum on Church Growth featuring Win Arn and others...I therefore request a public apology from you for making an unfounded accusation against me based on the fact that I attended a Church Growth conference. My attendance is no greater proof (by association) of my alleged Church Growth advocacy than your attendace at and degree from Notre Dame is proof of your acceptance of Roman Catholic heresy!"
Rev. Norman W. Berg, WELS, former mission board chairman, Letter to Gregory L. Jackson, 3-27-96. GJ - So why was Berg promoting Felt Needs and associating with TELL, which was started specifically to promote the Church Growth Movement?
"What do people mean when they talk about effective church growth principles? Do we make God's kingdom come? 'God's kingdom certainly comes by itself,' Luther wrote. Ours is to sow the seed. We hamper the kingdom if we sow carelessly or if we do not sow at all. But we do not make it grow."
Mark Braun, The Growing Seed, What Do People Mean When They Talk about Effective Church Growth Principles? The Northwestern Lutheran, September 1, 1991, p. 300. Mark 4:26-29. GJ - Braun's article repudiated Biblical doctrine, especially the parable he pretended to teach.
"Types of Home Groups, by Karen Hurston (Church Growth Assoc.), from material by Bob Fulton."
WELS Campus Pastors, Small Group Training Conference, Jan. 7-9, 1991, Madison. p. 10.
GJ - Yes, they were promoting Pietistic Cell Groups.
"Incidentally, during my mission counselor days in California during the 80's, I did take a course at Fuller from Carl George and Peter Wagner. I am grateful for the opportunity to have done so because it helped me to see through the lousy theology espoused by David Luecke in "Evangelical Style and Lutheran Substance" a book, by the way, which has been roundly criticized in WELS circles as your own columns have noted." no date
Rev. Joel C. Gerlach (WELS) to Pastor Herman Otten. GJ - Gerlach hated Fuller theology so much that he constantly promoted Manufacturing Disciples Who Manufacture Disciples Who Manufacture Disciples. .
[Gerlach taught at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Like Wayne Mueller, he left the faculty.]
"TELL has served the church faithfully for 15 years. Three editors have served; Ronald Roth (1977-84), Paul Kelm (1985-88), and the undersigned since 1989...The lead article in the first issue of TELL was titled 'Church Growth - Worthwhile for WELS.'...The author of this article in April 1988 issue of TELL concludes, 'It's obvious by now that I believe we in WELS can profit greatly from the writings of the church-growth leaders.' ... TELL as a separate publication ends with this issue. Nevertheless, the focus of The Evangelism Life Line will continue for years to come as an integral part of the new Board for Parish Services journal - PARISH LEADERSHIP.
Rev. Robert Hartman, TELL (WELS Evangelism) Summer, 1992.
"'Church growth.' I've seen people cringe when they hear those words. I think I know why. They react negatively because they feel 'church growth' implies an obsessive fixation with numbers and statistics."
Pastor James Huebner, Spiritual Renewal Consultant, Notebook, School of Outreach IV,
Seventeen Ways to Keep Your Church from Growing, p. 178.
GJ - #18. Hire a CG consultant trained at Fuller. Hey, that one really worked well!
Huebner's Reformed Doctrine - Now He's a WELS VP
"We can't do a thing to make his Word more effective. But surely we can detract from its effectiveness by careless errors and poor judgment. It just makes good sense to utilize all of our God-given talents, to scour the field for
appropriate ideas, concepts, and material (sic), to implement programs, methods,
and techniques so that we do not detract from the effectiveness of the gospel we
proclaim. Church growth articles, books, seminars, and conferences can offer
such ideas and programs."
Pastor James Huebner, Spiritual Renewal Consultant, Notebook, School of Outreach IV,
Seventeen Ways to Keep Your Church from Growing, p. 178.
"Church growth theory suggests the need for seven fellowship groups for every 100 members."
Pastor Paul E. Kelm, The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Winter, 1985, p. 4.
"Non-Christians usually become good prospects for personal reasons or as I like to say: 'They come for sociological reasons and stay for theological reasons.'"
[Note: this is the felt needs approach of Fuller, also endorsed by Pastor
Forrest Bivens, now a professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary: "I went to
Fuller Seminary and I happen to believe we can use sociological methods to bring
people to church so we can apply the Means of Grace." Midland circuit get together, attended by Pastor - now DP - John Seifert.]
Rev. Paul Kelm, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects,"
p. 4.
"In an article on the small group movement, J. A. Gorman notes that 'both the Church Growth Institute of Fuller Seminary and the American Institute of Church Growth became centers for influencing the use of this means for evangelizing." (Christian Education, Moody Press, 1991, pp. 509, 510)
Prof. David Kuske, "Home Bible Study Groups in the 1990s," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, Spring, 1994. p. 126.
"Several of our brothers have been warning us to be careful about the leaven of The Church Growth Movement and the insidious Reformed doctrine contained within. Not a few of us have heard their warning and have thought to counter the danger by saying we will weed out the erroneous material and use only that which is proper and beneficial to the Lord's work in our congregations. Fellow-shepherds, there is some evidence to show that that is exactly what the devils wants us to think. That seems to be used to lull us and our members into sleep, and without our intending it, the soul-harming false doctrines creep in undetected, under the guise of religious printed materials and programs."
Michigan District President Robert Mueller, (WELS),
"President's Report to the Conferences, Spring, 1991, p. 2.
"There is no Church Growth Movement Program in our synod. Our church body is opposed to the false theology of the Church Growth Movement. We have no programs inside or outside the budget with that name. Nor do we have any programs with a different name which utilize Church Growth theology."
Wayne D. Mueller, Administrator for the BPS, WELS, "A Response to 'Saving Souls vs. New Programs,'"
The Northwestern Lutheran, November 1, 1991, February 1, 1992 p. 50.
"There may be pastors or congregations which use methodology which church growth people use. This does not mean they have adopted the theology of the Church Growth Movement. Our Lutheran Confessions allow complete freedom among our churches in methodology that does not conflict with the gospel."
Wayne D. Mueller, Administrator, Parish Services, "A Response to 'Saving Souls' vs.'New Programs,'" The Northwestern Lutheran, February 1, 1992, p. 50.
"...and in the process we got a look at the inside of his study. [WELS pastor David Reichel, Mandan, ND] He's got all the standard reference works you'd expect to find in a confessional Lutheran pastor's office. But the handiest shelf, right at chest level, was reserved for a long row of binders from annual seminars at Fuller."
Source: Pastor Paul Naumann, CLC. April 1, 1996, e-mail.
"Please stop exaggerating the amount of study that I have done at Fuller. After four years of study at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, which involved sixty-two different courses and a year of vicarage, I graduated in 1983. From 1987 to 1989 I took four courses where I was in a classroom with a Fuller instructor. That is the extent of my Fuller coursework...In addition, I have taken two courses at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and one at the University of Wisconsin--Madison. Because of Fuller's liberal (would you expect anything else?) policy on transfer of credit, and because of two independent studies I undertook, I could complete the degree by simply writing a dissertation."
Lawrence Otto Olson, D. Min., Fuller Seminary, "A Response to Gregory L. Jackson, Ph.D.," Christian News, 3-28-94, p. 23
"You may reply that by 'Fuller-trained' you mean anyone who has attended a worshop presented by the Charles E. Fuller Institute of Evangelism and Church Growth, an agency which is independent of the Seminary. If that is the case, your attribution of 'Fuller-trained' is still simply not true. It would surprise me if even half of the two dozen people on your 'WELS/ELS Who's Who' list have attended a Fuller workshop; I personally know of only five who have."
Lawrence Otto Olson, D. Min., Fuller Seminary, "A Response to Gregory L. Jackson, Ph.D.," Christian News, 3-28-94, p. 23.
"Donald C. McGavran died at home home in Altadena, California, on July 10, 1990. He was 92 years old. Dr. McGavran is widely recognized as the founder of the church growth movement, a movement which has sought to put the social sciences at the service of theology in order to foster the growth of the church. In August of 1989 I borrowed a bicycle and pedaled several miles uphill up from Pasadena to Altadena. I found Dr. McGavran in his front yard with a hose in hand, watering flowers."
Lawrence Otto Olson, D. Min., Fuller Seminary, "See How It Grows: Perspectives on Growthand the Church,"
EVANGELISM, February, 1991, Professor, Martin Luther College (WELS), p. 1.
This Explains WELS and Missouri BMs
"The church growth movement has made inroads into nearly every denomination in America. Once considered only the turf of conservative evangelicals, you will now find church growth practioners in the United Methodist Church, in the Presbyterian Church in the USA, and among the Episcopalians. The LCMS has more pastors enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary, the seedbed of the movement, than are enrolled in the graduate programs at their Fort Wayne and St. Louis seminaries combined, and most of them include church growth as part of their studies."
Lawrence Otto Olson, D. Min., Fuller Seminary, "See How It Grows: Perspectives on Growth and the Church," EVANGELISM, February, 1991, Parish Consultant for the WELS Board of Parish Services and his district's Coordinator of Evangelism. p. 1.
"When Frederick Horn faced that situation, the Holy Spirit moved him to accept the call, and for the last few years he has served as the [lay] Minister of Discipleship for Grace Lutheran in downtown Milwaukee." (Pastor James Huebner Fuller alumnus)
Lawrence Otto Olson, D. Min., Fuller Seminary,, "Another Kind of Minister, There's a lot to do in a church, and a staff minister can do a lot of it,"
The Northwestern Lutheran, March, 1994, p. 9. Olson is director of staff ministry at MLC.
"In the autumn of 1985 and the winter of 1985-1986, a truly momentous step was taken by the five Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) congregations in the metropolitan area of Columbus, Ohio. The five pastors and lay representatives of those churches organized and incorporated Lutheran Parish Resources, Inc., the first Church Growth institute in the WELS."
David G. Peters, "Lutheran Parish Resources: Pilot Program in Church Growth,"
Mequon: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, April 27, 1987, p. 1.
"Lutheran Parish Resources, Inc. (LPR) is dedicated to the concepts of the Church Growth movement only insofar as they agree with the Scriptures and as taught by the WELS--that is, Church Growth with Lutheran theology rather than Evangelical, and without the typical Church Growth emphasis on quantitative measurement of growth. Kent R. Hunter's definition of 'Church Growth' justifies the use of this term in describing LPR: 'Church Growth: That science which investigates the nature, function and health of Christian churches as they relate specifically to the effective implementation of God's commission to make disciples of all peoples (Matt.
28:19). Church Growth is simultaneously a theological conviction and an applied
science,....' Foundations for Church Growth, p. 187.
David G. Peters, "Lutheran Parish Resources: Pilot Program in Church Growth,"
Mequon: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, April 27, 1987 p. 1.
"Please display this [Team Evangelism, Church Growth] prominently. The WELS is more committed to the church growth movement than LCMS."
Note from Robert Preus to Herman Otten, Church Growth Institute, P. O. Box 4404, Lynchburg, VA 24502, 1-800-553-GROW
"Resources mentioned in this 'Bulletin' are available from CHURCH GROWTH,
709 E. Colorado Blvd. #150, Pasadena, CA 91101. Or call 1-800-423-4844."
Pastor Jim Radloff, Mission Counsellor Newsletter, Austin, Texas, May, 1988
"Types of Home Groups, by Karen Hurston (Church Growth Assoc.), from material by Bob Fulton. Copied with the permission of Charles Arn."
Pastor Jim Radloff, editor, WELS Mission Counselors' Newsletter, Oct., '91,
2929 Mayfair Road, Milwaukee, WI 53222, p. 11.
"The dynamics of assimilation into active church membership have very little to do with theological issues. Rather, a new members' class should focus primarily on relational issues of involvement and belonging." (Defining an Assimilated Member, by Charles Arn, copied with permission from EVANGELISM, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI, 53092. Annual subscription rate for EVANGELISM is $12...Charles Arn is Vice President of Church Growth, Inc. in Monrovia, Ca.)
Pastor Jim Radloff, editor, WELS Mission Counselors' Newsletter, Oct., '91, 2929 Mayfair Road, Milwaukee, WI 53222, p. 150.
Mocking Word and Sacrament, the Means of Grace
"Not that Word and Sacrament are ineffective in incorporating new souls into our fellowship. Not at all! But according to some serious Church Growth studies, as many as one-third of the people gained for protestant church
membership today do not feel they really belong."
David N. Rutschow, The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Winter, 1985, p. 3.
"A number of experts on church growth principles added muscle to the conference. Among the experts were George Barna, George Gallup Jr., Lyle Schaller, and Tom Sine--icons in the church growth movement...Of the four church growth experts mentioned above, I have heard three of them speak at some length." [On opposing page, letter about Church Growth which Wayne Mueller answered]
James P. Schaefer, The Northwestern Lutheran, October 15, 1991, p. 363. GJ - Why do these things happen on my birthday?
"I share the judgment of Prof. David Valleskey that one 'can probably pick up a few helpful hints' from the church growth folks."
[On opposing page, letter which Wayne Mueller answered]
James P. Schaefer, The Northwestern Lutheran, October 15, 1991, p. 363.
e May 15, 1991 NWL Valleskey article
"For several years I've been a Pete Wagner fan. Although I don't see eye to eye with him on many important theological points (he approves of faith healing and speaking in tongues as long as it promotes church growth and he comes from a Billy Graham decision for conversion doctrinal background), he is the most eloquent spokesman of the Church Growth Movement. A prolific author on mission/evangelism/church growth subjects, Wagner is also an excellent teacher and a crystal clear writer."
Reuel J. Schulz, The Evangelism Life Line (WELS) Winter, 1980,
"We have discovered that the Early Church was an institution that unknowingly saw its world through Church Growth eyes. We have some benefits they did not have in that we can look back today and analyze their successes and failures."
Floyd L. Stolzenburg, "Church Growth - the Acts of the Apostles,"
Taught at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio
"As you read, pick out the principles of Church Growth in this "FOCUS ON
A GREAT CHURCH" (Acts 11:19-30)...11:26 tells us this studies the Word 'in great
numbers.' How can we improve our numbers?"
Floyd L. Stolzenburg, "Church Growth - the Acts of the Apostles," Taught at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio, January, 1986
"CHURCH GROWTH. This program was basically the beginning of L.P.R. at St. Paul's. Certainly a church growth consciousness exists in all of the congregations which was not there four years ago. It is also evident that most of the congregations are not really willing to make church growth a major priority of their ministry. Some new people who visit our churches are turned off by the comments of church members. It would seem that many members will 'tolerate' growth if it does not upset the church's traditions."
Floyd Stolzenburg, Consultant's Annual Report, 1-12-89.
Lutheran Parish Resources
"This downplaying of the importance of the means of grace on the part of many in the Church Growth Movement would seem to stem from several factors."
[That is like saying that many Lutherans downplay the infallibility of the
pope.]
David J. Valleskey, "The Church Growth Movement: An (Enthusiastic) Evaluation," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, Spring, 1991 88, p. 105. Holidaysburg, 10-15-90.
"Yet this writer is confident we won't go astray in adopting a 'spoiling the Egyptians' approach to the various Church Growth Movement sociological principles and the research that produced them."
David J. Valleskey, "The Church Growth Movement: An Evaluation," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, Spring, 1991, 88, p. 116. Exodus 12:36.
"Useful Ideas for My Ministry from the Church Growth Movement...The Church Growth Movement--Strengths and Weaknesses...The Church Growth Movement--An Evaluation...Church Growth Sounds Good, But...Dangers of the Church Growth Movement...Friendship Evangelism...Rationale for Friendship Evangelism..."
Prof. David J. Valleskey, Class Notes, The Theology and Practice of Evangelism, PT 358A.
"Assignments:...2. Prepare a term paper on the subject of evangelism and/or church growth."
Prof. David J. Valleskey, Class Notes, The Theology and Practice of Evangelism, PT 358A, p. 3.
"David Hubbard, president Fuller Seminary: 'Not all of us have the gift of evangelism. I admire people who can lead others to Jesus Christ right on the spot...."
Prof. David J. Valleskey, Class Notes, The Theology and Practice of Evangelism, PT 358A, p. 52.
"Introduction to the Church Growth Movement by Lutheran authors, Hunter, Kent R., Foundations for Church Growth (New Haven, MO: Leader Publishing Co.,
1983) - the author, an LC-MS clergyman who has now set up his own church growth
consulting service, performs the valuable service in this 204 page book of
presenting an introduction to church growth goals and terminology. Werning,
Waldo, Vision and Strategy for Church Growth, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1977) - Werning, active for years in LC-MS stewardship work, explains the foundations, presuppositions and principles of church growth and then shows how a
congregation can benefit from making use of certain church growth principles -
of the two books listed in this category, Werning's is the more practical."
Prof. David J. Valleskey, Class Notes, The Theology and Practice of Evangelism, PT 358A, p. 6.
Bob: "..I'd like to share with you a book I came across the other day. It's interesting, easy to read, and may be the answer to our problem..." [Could this be the Bible, The Book of Concord, What Luther Says?] "Its title is Your Church Can Grow, and it's filled with all sorts of practical hints that could help us turn things around here."
Author: "Bob didn't realize it at the time, but in his browsing he had stumbled upon one of many similar books written from the perspective of the church growth movement, books with such titles as How to Grow a Church, Ten Steps for Church Growth, Church Growth: Strategies that Work, and Leading Your Church to Growth."
Prof. David Valleskey, "The Church Growth Movement, Just Gathering People or Building the Church?" The Northwestern Lutheran, May 5, 1991, p. 184.
Lutheran members of the North American Society for Church Growth: Harold S. Drageger, Grace Lutheran, Visalia, CA; Bradley Hoefs, King of Kings Lutheran,
Omaha, NE; Kent Hunter, Church Growth Center, Corunna, IN; Elmer Matthias,
Emeritus Concordia St. Louis, MO; Dale Olson, Cross of Hope Lutheran, Ramsey,
MN; Waldo J. Werning, Stewardship Growth Center, Ft. Wayne, IN; Gregory L.
Jackson, Columbus, OH.
Doris M. Wagner, Fuller Theological Seminary, December 10, 1991. GJ - I joined to get the list. Otherwise it was TOP SECRET!
"A half-hour film entitled 'See You Sunday' shows the problem and solution in a credible case history. Anguish and humor accompany the efforts of Church and Diane Bradley to keep their newly-won friends from dropping out of the church. This is one film in a series of six available from:
Church Growth
709 E. Colorado Blvd. #150
Pasadena, CA 91101.
It rents for $42.00.
"On the Subject of Incorporating Members,"
The Evangelism Life Line (WELS), Winter, 1985, p. 8.
"For the Love of Pete is an excellent overview of the entire friendship witnessing process and is recommended for use with the workshop or as a follow-up too...from Church Growth, Pasadena, California."
School of Outreach IV,
Notebook, WELS Evangelism Commission, p. B-5.
Lutheran Worship a Downer
"Some active in the Church Growth movement have allowed that Lutheran worship is at best a neutral factor; and more often, a hindrance to the growth and outreach of a Lutheran congregation."
WELS Evangelism Workshop IV, LOCATING THE LOST, Larry A. Peters, "Lutheran Worship and Church Growth," LCMS Commission on Worship, p. E-4.
"The publication TELL ('The Evangelism Life Line') has been inaugurated to promote the cause of church growth."
Ernst H. Wendland, "Church Growth Theology," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, April, 1981, 78, p. 105.
"There are other church growth programs which have been developed along more conservative lines. Here we are thinking of adaptations of McGavran's principles such as developed by Waldo J. Werning of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. In his study entitled "Vision and Strategy for Church Growth" Werning has modified some of McGavran's extreme positions. Using some of his own adaptations Werning has conducted many seminars and workshops in applying church growth principles to a local congregational setting in America."
[Werning is Who's Who in Church Growth]
Ernst H. Wendland, "Church Growth Theology," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, April, 1981, 78, p. 117.
"Dr. Donald McGavran, Dean Emeritus and Senior Professor of Mission at the Institute of Church Growth, Pasadena, California, is very much concerned about the Two Billion. He severely censures the leaders of the World Council of Churches as having 'betrayed the Two Billion.'
Ernst H. Wendland, "Missiology--and the Two Billion," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly,
January, 1974, 71, p. 9.
"I would not say this publicly, but I will tell privately that I received a phone call from a WELS pastor who said that some claim that there are several WELS pastors in your Circuit who are into church management and some kind of church growth (and possibly even funded by some agencies) and that some believe that you are trying to get at them and a few others in WELS, and that is why you are writing the articles. Whatever the facts are, your entering into this fray, it seems to me, will not open up channels for God to use your very good talents in WELS in profitable ways."
Waldo J. Werning, Letter to Gregory Jackson, August 23, 1989, (Letter stamped in red: CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL)
"In the light of church growth principles as they are promulgated in many mission schools these days, the question naturally arises as to whether or not our approach to world mission work is in need of reassessment or improvement."
Ernst H. Wendland, "Church Growth Theology," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, April, 1981, 78, p. 108.
"The publication TELL ('The Evangelism Life Line') has been inaugurated to promote the cause of church growth."
Ernst H. Wendland, "Church Growth Theology," Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, April, 1981, 78, p. 105.
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A. Nony Mouse has left a new comment on your post "McGavran Influence on the Synodical Conference":
Greg, this is the same kind of crap you plastered the pages of Christian News with. Look at the dates--this is all old news. What are you trying to prove? Some of these quotes go back to the 70's. So what? The CGM was just getting started, and guys like Wendland were simply trying to figure out what it was all about. And the way you write about Valleskey is simply absurd. For those who really know him (obviously you don't) he is not some sort of CG demon with horns. He is an Evangelical Lutheran confessional pastor and professor who wants to share the gospel with others. All I see you do is tear down, criticize, mock, and slander. I would much rather emulate Valleskey as my role model than you.
GJ - Don't you emulate Valleskey already? - striking in stealth mode? Here's a clue, Mouse. Church and Change just got done meeting. Remember, the group that was dissolved, over, finished? All the quotations posted show how it was beginning 30 years ago. Your mentor, Paul Kelm, is an example of your kind of Lutheran leadership.
Mouse, you have established your low level of reading comprehension. This is the only blog with a vast collection of orthodox Lutheran quotations. You may recall from seminary classes--or was that you sleeping?--that one must have rejection statements as well as positive statements. Read the post below. He signs his name.
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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "McGavran Influence on the Synodical Conference":
My response to Wayne Mueller's official denial of CG programs in the WELS: Liar, liar, pants on fire, nose as long as a telephone wire. The nose length reference in this childhood limerick may be a reference to Pinnochio, whose nose increased in length with every lie told.
To paraphrase the Great Oz: "Pay no attention to that Church Growth Guru behing the curtain".
It seems like many of the apologies for CG in the WELS are always those conditional statements - the "yeah, buts". Their meanings come through like, "yeah we know the Word is effective, but we can hinder the Word with improper methods". Another one could be translated as, "yeah we know that the CG comes from the heterodox Reformed, but we can Lutheranize it".
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Greg Jackson = Space Waster has left a new comment on your post "McGavran Influence on the Synodical Conference":
If that isn't the biggest waste of space, filled with out of context quotes, I don't know what is. For a professor and pastor, you sure have a lot of time on your hands.
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GJ - Another way of expressing yourself, Pixel Waster, would be, "Greg, you sure have worked hard to get information past the synod minders and into the hands of laity and pastors." Perhaps I make enough money to give me free time to post and publish books. Maybe I stay up late and get up early.
I get appreciative emails (signed) from laity every day. They know how the CG gurus have destroyed WELS and Missouri. If the facts are so unpleasant, go back to your BMs (Becoming Missional).
Leonard Sweet-hearts are a nasty bunch, repetitive too.
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Greg Jackson's a Liar has left a new comment on your post "McGavran Influence on the Synodical Conference":
GJ wrote:
"Perhaps I make enough money to give me free time to post and publish books. Maybe I stay up late and get up early. I get appreciative emails (signed) from laity every day."
Please, don't make me laugh.
