PFR Partner: Church Growth, Inc. | Presbyterians For Renewal - Missional Leadership for Presbyterian Congregations

PFR Partner: Church Growth, Inc.

In many minds, the “church growth” movement has been replaced by the “missional” movement — shifting the focus from growing congregations to participating in the mission of God. If that’s the case, why is PFR partnering with a group called Church Growth Inc. (CGI)?

“The interest in how to be a ‘missional church,’” says Dr. Charles (Chip) Arn, President of CGI, “shows that people are realizing that the church’s call is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. And that ministry is primarily in the world; not the church.” Chip calls himself a “Great Commission thinker” and CGI’s goal is to help churches fulfill that commission without resorting to gimmicks.

“While some church leaders accurately understand that the primary focus of church growth is the fulfillment of the great commission,” he says, “a common misperception is that church growth is all about techniques, methods, and models.”

Church Growth, Inc. (CGI) is a 23-year old ministry organization dedicated to the research and dissemination of how local churches grow.

In the most basic understanding, churches grow in one of a combination of three methods: biological growth, transfer growth, and conversion growth. CGI believes, and operates under the assumption, that while all kinds of growth are desirable growth, the primary call of Christ to his church is the pursuit of conversion growth — the reaching out to, winning, and assimilating of previously un-reached people into the local congregation.

CGI holds to the underlying conviction that "It’s God’s will that His church grow,, and His lost children are found." CGI is dedicated to resourcing and helping local churches who share this conviction that Christ is calling them to continue his own purpose: "... to seek and to save those who are lost." (Luke 19:10)

PFR has enthusiastically endorsed this strategic partnership with CGI, believing that this tried-and-true ministry fits perfectly with our mission to mobilize [and equip] leaders of congregations within the PC(USA) to be biblically faithful and missionally minded in their service to Jesus Christ.

Visit Church Growth, Inc.

Hold a One-Day Seminar with PFR and CGI!

How to Reach Unchurched People in Your Community
Download the Brochure (2.4mb)
Download the Powerpoint Presentation (4.6mb)

Welcome to the Family: How to Involve Newcomers in Your Congregation
Download the Brochure (1mb)

Testimonies

“This was the best attended and most helpful seminar we have sponsored”
[in cooperation with the Chicago Presbytery]

Rev. Jerry Andrews
First Presbyterian Church, Glen Ellyn, IL

The seminar in Nampa, Idaho [sponsored by the Presbytery of Boise] was very inspirational and sent me home to my church on Sunday with tons of enthusiasm. Thank you for a wonderful seminar.

Gracia Bare
Chairperson, Church Health Team
First Presbyterian Church Pocatello, ID

Dr. Arn was great. Filled with years of wisdom and knowledge, he was able to give our participants some useful tools and ideas that they can put to use immediately in their congregations.

Wendy Bailey
Associate General Presbyter for Evangelism & Renewal
New Covenant Presbytery Houston, TX

I recently attended the one day seminar on "How to Reach Unchurched People in Your Community" sponsored by the Blackhawk Presbytery. Our Elder Delegate made a presentation to our Session this week based on the seminar. It stirred some very productive thinking. The seminar was one of the most helpful continuing ed. events I have ever attended in 25 years of ordained ministry. It took a lot of scattered information I knew and put it into a system I can practice.

Rev. Jeff Borgerson
Oswego Presbyterian Church Oswego, IL

Our people are raving about their experience on Saturday; they learned so much and they are excited about thinking up new ways to connect people to our church family. We loved your presentations and your humor. Thanks again for all you did to make this an effective and important day for our church.

Kathy Morgan
Director of Equipping Ministry
Glenkirk Presbyterian Church, Glendora, CA

"This seminar offers Presbyterian churches a wealth of practical and effective ideas for connecting with people in their community. The model for outreach is based on solid research of how mainline churches grow...and Presbyterian churches need to grow!"

Becce Bettridge
Director, Network of Presbyterian Women in Leadership

I took four of my elders and they were really energized by what they took away from the seminar! We are looking forward to sharing this with the rest of our two boards. Thank you very much.

Rev. Kit Stanich
Faith Presbyterian Church McHenry, IL

From the anonymous seminar evaluation form from the "How to Reach Unchurched People" One-Day Seminar:

“Great day!” Benefits far outweighed the costs (even though we drove over an hour to get here).”

“There were so many ideas generated on how to encourage us to evangelize without feeling insecure about being required to do cold calls.”

“Very thought-provoking.”

“Careful compiling of good marketing theory in the context of the Christian gospel.”

“Very informative and helpful to understand why unchurched join a church, and how to identify with them.”

“Helped me see we are on the right path and gain knowledge on how to continue building.”

“This is my first time attending a religious seminar. I found everything enlightening and helpful.”

“The snacks were very good!”

“Well organized. Presents a good plan for action.”

“Good presentation by speaker and interactive learning techniques. Good use of PowerPoint software.”

“I received many new ideas from the seminar. Thanks.”

“I wish it had been two days long.”

“Enjoyed it and feel I learned some things that will make a difference in our church.”

“Helpful seminar with good information for evaluating my current situation. It helped me to better evaluate and define our current outreach activities and think about future ones.”

“Good pace and visuals. Well-balanced.”

“The workbook was most helpful.”

“Excellent job. Thanks!!”

“Learned a lot. Grateful for the ‘how-to’s.”

“This is the first seminar I have attended which delivered more than promised.”

“Held my attention. Provided useful info for small as well as large churches.”

“The statistics and data confirm what I have ‘felt’ but couldn’t prove as helpful or not helpful. Many practical strategies on how to get started. Non-threatening.”

“It’s harvest time!”