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.

Keywords

Evangelical Missions Church Growth Cultural Engagement Ghanaian Context Missiological Strategies

Article Details

How to Cite
Fosu Kusi, I. B., & Agyarko, R. (2024). Empirical and Theological Approaches in Evangelical Missions: A Comparative Analysis of Donald McGavran and Leslie Newbigin’s Strategies in the Ghanaian Context. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies and Innovative Research, 12(4), 45–54. https://doi.org/10.53075/Ijmsirq/09843254353

References

  1. 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
  2. Bediako, K. (1995). Christianity in Africa: The renewal of a non-Western religion. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693930103500205
  3. 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
  4. Beyerhaus, P. (2001). Shaken foundations: Theological foundations for mission. Evangelical Missions Quarterly, 37(2), 234-241. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700203
  5. Bosch, D. J. (1991). Transforming mission: Paradigm shifts in theology of mission. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1093/missiology/mni102
  6. Escobar, S. (2003). The new global mission: The gospel from everywhere to everyone. InterVarsity Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcs/ccq019
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Goheen, M. W. (2011). A light to the nations: The missional church and the biblical story. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.2307/23487185
  10. 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
  11. Hesselgrave, D. J. (2005). Paradigms in conflict: 10 key questions in Christian missions today. Kregel Publications.
  12. Hiebert, P. G. (2008). Transforming worldviews: An anthropological understanding of how people change. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700305
  13. Hiebert, P. G. (2009). The gospel in human contexts: Anthropological explorations for contemporary missions. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcs/cst107
  14. Jenkins, P. (2002). The next Christendom: The coming of global Christianity. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700704-12341309
  15. Kraft, C. H. (2005). Christianity in culture: A study in biblical theologizing in cross-cultural perspective. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693938502900304
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. McGavran, D. A. (1955). The bridges of God: A study in the strategy of missions. World Dominion Press.
  19. McGavran, D. A. (1959). How churches grow: The new frontiers of mission. Friendship Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004323810
  20. McGavran, D. A. (1959). How churches grow: The new frontiers of mission. Friendship Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254303X00147
  21. McGavran, D. A. (1970). Understanding church growth. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254303X00148
  22. 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
  23. McGavran, D. A. (1980). The eye of the storm: The autobiography of Donald McGavran. Word Publishing.
  24. McGavran, D. A. (1990). Effective evangelism: A theological mandate. Baker Books. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254303X00149
  25. McGavran, D. A. (1990). Effective evangelism: A theological mandate. Phillipsburg.
  26. Newbigin, L. (1986). Foolishness to the Greeks: The gospel and Western culture. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254302X00097
  27. Newbigin, L. (1986). Foolishness to the Greeks: The gospel and Western culture. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182968901700114
  28. Newbigin, L. (1989). The gospel in a pluralist society. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781501330507
  29. Newbigin, L. (1989). The gospel in a pluralist society. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199601688.013.003
  30. Newbigin, L. (1994). Proper confidence: Faith, doubt, and certainty in Christian discipleship. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1177/009182960103700403
  31. Sanneh, L. (2003). Whose religion is Christianity?: The gospel beyond the West. Eerdmans. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0166268000002268
  32. Shenk, W. R. (1983). Write the vision: The church renewed. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.2307/1501330518
  33. Shenk, W. R. (1996). Write the vision: The church renewed. Trinity Press International.
  34. Shenk, W. R. (2005). Changing frontiers of mission. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.2307/23488146
  35. 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
  36. Smith, J. K. A. (2003). Desiring the kingdom: Worship, worldview, and cultural formation. Baker Academic. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410210135283
  37. 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
  38. Tennent, T. C. (2010). Invitation to world missions: A trinitarian missiology for the twenty-first century. Kregel Publications. https://doi.org/10.1177/239693938502900304
  39. Volf, M. (2011). A public faith: How followers of Christ should serve the common good. Brazos Press. https://doi.org/10.1163/157254302X00099
  40. Walls, A. F. (1996). The missionary movement in Christian history: Studies in the transmission of faith. Orbis Books. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0036930600038289
  41. 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
  42. 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
  43. Winter, R. D., & Hawthorne, S. C. (2009). Perspectives on the world Christian movement: A reader. William Carey Library.
  44. 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
  45. Wright, N. T. (2006). Simply Christian: Why Christianity makes sense. HarperOne. https://doi.org/10.1177/004057360707400415
  46. Yohannan, K. P. (2011). Revolution in world missions. GFA Books. https://doi.org/10.1080/00263206.2011.562560