The god of the Church Growth Movement

The god of the Church Growth Movement

By Martin Murphy, published by CreateSpace

ISBN: 978-1448655243, Non-fiction, Religion, Christian Church, History

Reviewed by Michael Woodhead

Along with two other books I've reviewed (Crazy for God by Frank Schaeffer; A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church by Warren Cole Smith) This one will add to the argument against the modern evangelical movement.

As can be gleaned from the title, the book deals in particular with the Church Growth Movement (CGM) and its 'god' (please note the small 'g' instead of a capital). The author begins with a look at the beginnings of the evangelical church in the sixteenth century and goes on to discuss the nature, purpose, mission, and ministry of the church.

He then explores what modernity is, followed by a fresh look at the Beatitudes as the essence of Christianity.  Next, the author shows how modernity has influenced the church, particularly in the areas of 'power' and 'popularity'.  Following this, Martin introduces some of the originators of the CGM, and what its basic goals are, as well as what its philosophy is.  Marketing strategies to make the church numbers bigger now seem more important than the growth of the individual Christians.  The church is a business instead of a caring church.  A short chapter looks at the types of sermons preached by the CGM pastors.  Then the author offers the argument tha the CGM is an unbiblical movement, and goes on to show how this is so.

The god of the Church Growth Movement is another excellent resource of Warren Cole Smith's 'recovering evangelicals', and those troubled by the apparent loss of theology in the church growth movement.