Rekindling the Mainline: New Life Through New ChurchesNot only do new church starts in significant numbers bring systemic change and renewal to mainline denominations, but new church development brings similar change to individual aging congregations in their vicinity. Author Stephen Compton argues that a decline in new church starts in the last half of the 20th century was the major contributor to the decline of mainline church groups-not liberalism or lack of faith, as is often cited. He shows in this book how introducing considerable numbers of new congregations into these old denominations can cause these venerable institutions to revisit the meaning of "church" and "congregation," develop a clearer vision of their collective mission, and grow in their ability to bring about positive change in the world. In effect, he contends, new churches in an aging organization do not merely make it grow. They make it change in ways that make it more effective in its mission and ministries. This book will appeal to leaders across denominational lines, including those not ordinarily called "mainline," and especially to pastors and leaders of older congregations. |
Contents
Are New Churches Better Than | 33 |
Franchise or Faith Community? | 65 |
Mainstreaming the Mainline | 89 |
Copyright | |
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African American agencies Alban Institute Albert Murray asked average become begin new churches believe bers called Camille challenge chaos Christ Christendom church building church development church leaders church today churches started clergy Compton congregation congregation's create creative denomination's Duke Divinity School Edward Lorenz effective experience funds God's gospel grow growth Hauerwas Ibid improvisation increasingly innovative jazz Jesus judicatory leaders Kirk Hadaway large numbers lead leadership live mainline church mainline denominations mainline's Max DePree membership Michael Dell ministry mission nearby neighborhood new-church development new-church pastor North Carolina Conference old churches older organization Ornette Coleman pastor percent Presbyterian Church U.S.A. programs renewal residents role rural serve Soapstone Southern Baptist Convention spiritual Stanley Hauerwas strategy successful new-church leader Sunday survival goals task things tion traditions unchurched United Methodist Church vision vital Wheatley Willimon worship attendance worship service Yorkey