Growing True Disciples. By George Barna. Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, 2001. ![]() George Barna is the president of Barna Research Group, a marketing and research firm for churches, industry, and nonprofit organizations. Barna states that the evangelism efforts of churches are well-intentioned but ineffective because the church has lost its cultural influence. He proposes substituting a methodology that involves letting people discover their passion and then getting out of their way. In order to do this, pastors and congregations must be willing to commit to grow into a discipling church that focuses on a reliance upon God rather than on a we-can-do-it-ourselves attitude, a commitment to personal growth, and the recognition that the church is not an individual private endeavor. However, there will be casualties along the way among those who see the church as their private place open only to those they are willing to let in, those who are uncomfortable with change, and those who do not want to buy into the vision of discipleship. Barna offers five working models, each of which requires the support of the pastor and an evaluative component to ensure that the vision, mission, and goals of the church are being met. He covers each model's emphasis as well as its strengths and weaknesses: Competencies Model (personal assessment and integration), Missional Model(the church's mission), Worldview Model (biblical transformation leading to personal transformation), Lecture-Lab Model (learning through sermons and small groups to build faith-based relationships), and Neighborhood Model (combines elements of Worldview, Competencies, and Missional Models concentrating on having small groups from the same geographic area). This work is a solid, practical guide for one's church to have a mission and vision for discipleship. Christ’s command to the church is clear: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” It is in building disciples--helping others to embrace Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, mature in him, and then lead others to do the same--that the Kingdom grows. And when the Kingdom grows, churches do, too. In Growing True Disciples, respected author and researcher George Barna helps pastors and leaders assess how their churches are doing in fulfilling their role as disciplemakers. And he reveals models and examples that will equip churches to dramatically increase their effectiveness. As a result, your church can begin to see more involved members who want to live out their faith in submission to God, and joyfully share their resources to fulfill Christ’s commission. I've read several of George Barna's books, and have great respect for him as an author. He brings integrity and fresh insight into all he writes. Having made those statements, Barna has had much better showings than he makes in this volume.Barna shines when he gathers statistical data regarding the church in America and presents it in eye-opening fashion. In this work, he tells us what we already know -- the church needs to do a better job at making disciples. He does offer some helpful insights regarding Christian nurture and development, insights that are described better in other titles.I give this book a 'three' because it is Barna. If you're a Barna fan, read it and you won't be disappointed. If you are wanting a volume that is truly more 'how to' rather than 'this is the way things are', your money would be better invested elsewhere. Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ (Barna Reports) eBook: George Barna: Amazon.in: Kindle Store. In Growing True Disciples, Barna examines and assesses several discipleship models various churches are using today. Barna’s aim is to provide church leaders with a tool that will aid them in assessing and maximizing their church’s effectiveness in discipleship, and to exhort church leaders to become serious about pursuing a culture. Growing True Disciples has 152 ratings and 6 reviews. Josh said: Really enjoyed this book! Have never read an entire book devoted to the subject of disci. Get this from a library! Growing true disciples: new strategies for producing genuine followers of Christ. [George Barna]. ![]() ![]() ![]()
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