An Evaluation of the Growing Healthy Churches Program As a Method for Producing Healthy, Growing, and Reproducing Southern Baptist Congregations
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LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AN EVALUATION OF THE GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES PROGRAM AS A METHOD FOR PRODUCING HEALTHY, GROWING, AND REPRODUCING SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONGREGATIONS A Thesis Project Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Donald Lynn Hardaway Lynchburg, Virginia November 2012 Copyright © 2012 Donald Lynn Hardaway All Rights Reserved ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am grateful to our gracious God, Who has faithfully led me to this unexpected place of favor. He has been true to His Word from the day I stepped across the line to serve Him. To Lee Gibson, who introduced me to the Liberty Baptist Fellowship Scholarship for pastors: you became a catalyst for God’s plan to be accomplished in my life; thank you. To the Liberty Baptist Fellowship: thank you for making it financially possible for pastors to attend Liberty University. To the people of Central Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA, and Temple Baptist Church, Newport News, VA: thank you for patiently enduring while I improved my level of education. To Dr. Paul Borden, Roy Smith and Joe Flegal: thank you for your willingness to assist me in completing the research for this project. To Drs. Charlie Davidson and David Hirschman: thank you for your expertise and encouragement in the completion of this project. To my girls at home, Emma, Madison, Lily and Katie: thanks for giving some of your time with me so I could pursue these degrees. To the woman who has taught me how to love unconditionally, my wife Maureen: thank you for being my cheerleader through the whole process. I dedicate this project to my mother and grandmother, who are both in heaven. My mother taught me to be a lifelong learner; my grandmother taught me how to love God. LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET ______________________________ GRADE ______________________________ MENTOR, Dr. Charlie N. Davidson Director of Doctor of Ministry Program Liberty University/ Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary ______________________________ READER, Dr. David W. Hirschman Associate Dean Liberty University/ Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary ABSTRACT AN EVALUATION OF THE GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES PROGRAM AS A METHOD FOR PRODUCING HEALTHY, GROWING, AND REPRODUCING SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONGREGATIONS Donald Lynn Hardaway Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2012 Mentor: Dr. Charlie N. Davidson The current status of Southern Baptist churches in the United States necessitates the development of a strategy for renewal toward health and multiplication. The purpose of this project is to suggest a proven model for local church revitalization through the “Growing Healthy Churches” program developed by Dr. Paul Borden. Based on responses from churches participating in the Growing Healthy Churches program and pastors who have led their churches through the strategies presented by Borden, the project explains the revitalization process, reviews the results, and makes a recommended plan of action for local church renewal through association-led programming. Abstract length: 97 words CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. iii ABTRACT .......................................................................................................................................v CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................... vi ILLUSTRATIONS ....................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem .....................................................................................................2 Statement of Importance and Purpose .................................................................................4 Special Terminology ............................................................................................................5 Statement of Limitations ......................................................................................................6 Biblical and Theoretical Basis .............................................................................................7 Major Assumptions ............................................................................................................10 Statement of Methodology .................................................................................................11 Review of Literature ..........................................................................................................12 Biblical Review ..................................................................................................................15 Thesis Construction ...........................................................................................................19 CHAPTER II: RESEARCH AND FINDINGS .............................................................................20 General Factors ..................................................................................................................21 Significant Factors .............................................................................................................28 The Strengths and Weaknesses of the GHC Process .........................................................29 CHAPTER III: SEVEN CORE VALUES OF GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES ................35 Laser Focus on the Great Commission ..............................................................................36 Congregational Health Produces Growth ..........................................................................39 vi vii Ruthless Accountability .....................................................................................................41 God Expects Shepherds to Lead .......................................................................................44 God Expects Congregations to Influence Their Communities ..........................................47 The Church of Jesus Christ is a Missional Entity ..............................................................49 The Bottom Line is Reproduction......................................................................................53 CHAPTER IV: THE MONTHLY PASTORS’ CLUSTER MEETING .......................................55 The Mentor.........................................................................................................................57 Selecting and Recruiting Pastors .......................................................................................59 The Covenant .....................................................................................................................62 The Cluster Meeting ..........................................................................................................64 CHAPTER V: THE WEEKEND CONSULTATION ...................................................................68 The Congregational Self-Study ..........................................................................................68 Exercise on Congregational Conditions.............................................................................73 The Weekend: Interviews ..................................................................................................76 Saturday Training Session .................................................................................................77 The Report ........................................................................................................................90 Situational Coaches ............................................................................................................98 Congregational Coaches ..................................................................................................100 CHAPTER VI: LAY TRAINING EVENTS ...............................................................................102 The First Lay Training Event ...........................................................................................102 The Second Lay Training Event ......................................................................................109 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................112 APPENDIX A: SURVEY QUESTIONS.....................................................................................117 viii APPENDIX B: QUESTIONS FOR INTERVIEW WITH PAUL BORDEN .............................120 BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................................................121 VITA ............................................................................................................................................131 IRB APPROVAL .........................................................................................................................132 ix ILLUSTRATIONS TABLES Covenant Commitment by Great Commission Breakthrough Cluster ..............................63 Norfolk Cluster Books Assigned .......................................................................................65 Church Historical Data ......................................................................................................70 Church Documents.............................................................................................................72