Main Article Content
Abstract
This comparative analysis examines the missiological approaches of Donald McGavran and Leslie Newbigin within the Ghanaian evangelical context, emphasizing their divergent strategies for church growth and societal engagement. McGavran, known as the architect of the Church Growth Movement, advocates for a results-oriented approach, emphasizing the importance of strategic evangelism targeted at homogeneous groups to facilitate numerical church expansion. His methodology, grounded in empirical data and sociological insights, focuses on measurable outcomes, offering a structured framework for mission work. Conversely, Newbigin's missiology presents a theologically rich approach that emphasizes cultural engagement and societal transformation. Influenced by his missionary work in India and Europe, Newbigin argues for the church’s role in challenging societal norms and presenting the gospel as a public truth that addresses broader societal issues. This analysis explores the strengths and limitations of both approaches, highlighting the relevance of McGavran’s strategic focus and Newbigin’s call for cultural engagement in the dynamic and culturally complex Ghanaian context. By synthesizing these perspectives, the study proposes a comprehensive mission strategy that balances the need for numerical church growth with the imperative of societal transformation. This integrated approach enhances the effectiveness of evangelical missions in Ghana and ensures that the church contributes meaningfully to social development. The analysis underscores the importance of a missiological framework that is both contextually aware and theologically grounded, providing valuable insights for contemporary mission strategies in multicultural and pluralistic societies.
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References
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- Bediako, K. (1995). Christianity in Africa: The renewal of a non-Western religion. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693930103500205
- Bevans, S. B., & Schroeder, R. P. (2004). Constants in context: A theology of mission for today. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1080/00141844.2011.596250
- Beyerhaus, P. (2001). Shaken foundations: Theological foundations for mission. Evangelical Missions Quarterly, 37(2), 234-241. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700203
- Bosch, D. J. (1991). Transforming mission: Paradigm shifts in theology of mission. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1093/missiology/mni102
- Escobar, S. (2003). The new global mission: The gospel from everywhere to everyone. InterVarsity Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcs/ccq019
- Flett, J. G. (2010). The witness of God: The Trinity, Missio Dei, Karl Barth, and the nature of Christian community. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0036930610000485
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- Guder, D. L. (Ed.). (1998). Missional church: A vision for the sending of the church in North America. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1086/490510
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- Hiebert, P. G. (2008). Transforming worldviews: An anthropological understanding of how people change. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700305
- Hiebert, P. G. (2009). The gospel in human contexts: Anthropological explorations for contemporary missions. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcs/cst107
- Jenkins, P. (2002). The next Christendom: The coming of global Christianity. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700704-12341309
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- Larkin, B. (2013). The church in Africa and the church growth movement: Missiological implications. International Review of Mission, 102(1), 47-65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-6631.2013.00092.x
- McGavran, D. A. (1955). The bridges of God: A study in the strategy of missions. World Dominion Press.
- McGavran, D. A. (1959). How churches grow: The new frontiers of mission. Friendship Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004323810
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- McGavran, D. A. (1970). Understanding church growth. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254303X00148
- McGavran, D. A. (1970). The bridges of God: A study in the strategy of missions. World Dominion Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/missiology/mnj002
- McGavran, D. A. (1980). The eye of the storm: The autobiography of Donald McGavran. Word Publishing.
- McGavran, D. A. (1990). Effective evangelism: A theological mandate. Baker Books. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254303X00149
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- Sanneh, L. (2003). Whose religion is Christianity?: The gospel beyond the West. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0166268000002268
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- Shenk, W. R. (1996). Write the vision: The church renewed. Trinity Press International.
- Shenk, W. R. (2005). Changing frontiers of mission. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.2307/23488146
- Smith, C., & Emerson, M. O. (2017). Divided by faith: Evangelical religion and the problem of race in America. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof/9780195152429.001.0001
- Smith, J. K. A. (2003). Desiring the kingdom: Worship, worldview, and cultural formation. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410210135283
- Stetzer, E., & Putman, D. (2006). Breaking the missional code: Your church can become a missionary in your community. Broadman & Holman Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1080/15342263.2007.9929713
- Tennent, T. C. (2010). Invitation to world missions: A trinitarian missiology for the twenty-first century. Kregel Publications. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693938502900304
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- Walls, A. F. (1996). The missionary movement in Christian history: Studies in the transmission of faith. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0036930600038289
- Walls, A. F. (2002). The cross-cultural process in Christian history: Studies in the transmission and appropriation of faith. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410210135284
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References
Allen, R., & Winter, R. (2000). The spontaneous expansion of the Church and the causes which hinder it. Wipf & Stock. https://doi.org/10.2307/1501330507
Bediako, K. (1995). Christianity in Africa: The renewal of a non-Western religion. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693930103500205
Bevans, S. B., & Schroeder, R. P. (2004). Constants in context: A theology of mission for today. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1080/00141844.2011.596250
Beyerhaus, P. (2001). Shaken foundations: Theological foundations for mission. Evangelical Missions Quarterly, 37(2), 234-241. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700203
Bosch, D. J. (1991). Transforming mission: Paradigm shifts in theology of mission. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1093/missiology/mni102
Escobar, S. (2003). The new global mission: The gospel from everywhere to everyone. InterVarsity Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcs/ccq019
Flett, J. G. (2010). The witness of God: The Trinity, Missio Dei, Karl Barth, and the nature of Christian community. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0036930610000485
Goheen, M. W. (2000). As the Father has sent me, I am sending you: J.E. Lesslie Newbigin's missionary ecclesiology. International Bulletin of Missionary Research, 24(4), 154-158. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693930002400404
Goheen, M. W. (2011). A light to the nations: The missional church and the biblical story. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.2307/23487185
Guder, D. L. (Ed.). (1998). Missional church: A vision for the sending of the church in North America. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1086/490510
Hesselgrave, D. J. (2005). Paradigms in conflict: 10 key questions in Christian missions today. Kregel Publications.
Hiebert, P. G. (2008). Transforming worldviews: An anthropological understanding of how people change. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700305
Hiebert, P. G. (2009). The gospel in human contexts: Anthropological explorations for contemporary missions. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcs/cst107
Jenkins, P. (2002). The next Christendom: The coming of global Christianity. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700704-12341309
Kraft, C. H. (2005). Christianity in culture: A study in biblical theologizing in cross-cultural perspective. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693938502900304
Kraybill, D. B., & Shenk, W. R. (2000). On the pilgrimage of mission: Missionary witness in a globalized world. InterVarsity Press. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700306
Larkin, B. (2013). The church in Africa and the church growth movement: Missiological implications. International Review of Mission, 102(1), 47-65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-6631.2013.00092.x
McGavran, D. A. (1955). The bridges of God: A study in the strategy of missions. World Dominion Press.
McGavran, D. A. (1959). How churches grow: The new frontiers of mission. Friendship Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004323810
McGavran, D. A. (1959). How churches grow: The new frontiers of mission. Friendship Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254303X00147
McGavran, D. A. (1970). Understanding church growth. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254303X00148
McGavran, D. A. (1970). The bridges of God: A study in the strategy of missions. World Dominion Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/missiology/mnj002
McGavran, D. A. (1980). The eye of the storm: The autobiography of Donald McGavran. Word Publishing.
McGavran, D. A. (1990). Effective evangelism: A theological mandate. Baker Books. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254303X00149
McGavran, D. A. (1990). Effective evangelism: A theological mandate. Phillipsburg.
Newbigin, L. (1986). Foolishness to the Greeks: The gospel and Western culture. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254302X00097
Newbigin, L. (1986). Foolishness to the Greeks: The gospel and Western culture. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182968901700114
Newbigin, L. (1989). The gospel in a pluralist society. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781501330507
Newbigin, L. (1989). The gospel in a pluralist society. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199601688.013.003
Newbigin, L. (1994). Proper confidence: Faith, doubt, and certainty in Christian discipleship. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700403
Sanneh, L. (2003). Whose religion is Christianity?: The gospel beyond the West. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0166268000002268
Shenk, W. R. (1983). Write the vision: The church renewed. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.2307/1501330518
Shenk, W. R. (1996). Write the vision: The church renewed. Trinity Press International.
Shenk, W. R. (2005). Changing frontiers of mission. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.2307/23488146
Smith, C., & Emerson, M. O. (2017). Divided by faith: Evangelical religion and the problem of race in America. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof/9780195152429.001.0001
Smith, J. K. A. (2003). Desiring the kingdom: Worship, worldview, and cultural formation. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410210135283
Stetzer, E., & Putman, D. (2006). Breaking the missional code: Your church can become a missionary in your community. Broadman & Holman Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1080/15342263.2007.9929713
Tennent, T. C. (2010). Invitation to world missions: A trinitarian missiology for the twenty-first century. Kregel Publications. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693938502900304
Volf, M. (2011). A public faith: How followers of Christ should serve the common good. Brazos Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254302X00099
Walls, A. F. (1996). The missionary movement in Christian history: Studies in the transmission of faith. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0036930600038289
Walls, A. F. (2002). The cross-cultural process in Christian history: Studies in the transmission and appropriation of faith. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410210135284
Walls, A. F. (2002). The cross-cultural process in Christian history: Studies in the transmission and appropriation of faith. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022046903692551
Winter, R. D., & Hawthorne, S. C. (2009). Perspectives on the world Christian movement: A reader. William Carey Library.
Wright, C. J. H. (2006). The mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's grand narrative. InterVarsity Press. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6200.2007.00109.x
Wright, N. T. (2006). Simply Christian: Why Christianity makes sense. HarperOne. https://doi.org/10.1177/004057360707400415
Yohannan, K. P. (2011). Revolution in world missions. GFA Books. https://doi.org/10.1080/00263206.2011.562560