LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER TRAINING MODEL FOR CHURCH GROWTH: CENTERED ON WANGSUNG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTH KOREA A Thesis Project Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By GeunBae Hwang Lynchburg, Virginia May 2013 Copyright © 2013 by GeunBae Hwang All Rights Reserved LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROVAL SHEET A _________________________ GRADE ___Dr. Charlie N. Davidson___ MENTOR _______Dr. Kevin King_______ READER ABSTRACT AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER TRAINING MODEL FOR CHURCH GROWTH: CENTERED ON WANGSUNG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTH KOREA GeunBae Hwang Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2013 Mentor: Dr. Charlie N. Davidson The purpose of this project is to investigate biblical church growth, specifically studying South Korean pastors roles concerning the healthy church and spiritual reinforcement, with a limited focus and application to WangSung Presbyterian Church and other churches in South Korea. This project primarily utilizes the New Testament, as well as literature on church growth and healthy spirituality. In addition, references specifically regarding church growth and statistical information from Korean church ministries will also be used. This project shares a new alternative way for the growth of churches: A prayer-training model as the most effective method for church growth. A healthy and true growth can only be achieved through prayer. The definition and concept of prayer will be examined in depth. It is the intention of this project to provide new insight to pastors who are longing for church growth and desiring to constantly transmit truth to other believers regarding the subjects of spirituality, prayer, and the role of the pastor within the Christian community. Abstract length: 164words ACKNOWLDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to give thanks and glory to my Lord for the opportunity to prepare this thesis project. I deeply appreciate my research mentor, Charlie N. Davidson, D. Min. With warm concern and thoughtful consideration, he has led me to complete this research project. I also want to give thanks to my reader, Kevin King, Ph.D. I can never fully give thanks to all of my family in South Korea. I would like thank my parents Ik Soon, Hwang (father) and EunJa, Hur (mother), as well as my three sisters (DongIm , DongOk and Dongwoo). I also thank my father in law Suck Saeng Jang, my mother in law YoungSoon Shin, and my wife’s sister (Misook Jang) and wife’s elder brother (GeunSoo Jang). Especially I would like to thank Rev. JaYeon Kil, retire pastor of the Wangsung Presbyterian Church, who has been my eternal prayer partner and supporter. He has supported me spiritually, emotionally, and financially. I am also thankful to Dr. SeungSam Kang, the president of The KWMA (Korea World Mission Association), Dr. IlWoong Chung, the president of Chongshin University, Dr. ByungMoon Kang, professor of Chongshin University, Rev. SeYoung Han, the senior pastor of the Messiah Presbyterian Church of Washington and all my friends who I have met in South Korea. I also want to give thanks to my spiritual father, Daniel C. Kim and spiritual teacher, Chong David Hyun and all of the friends whom I have met at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. My appreciation also goes to Shirley Cox, Delores Coleman Bobbie and Sharon Koelsch who are my American “mothers” and pray for me to write this project. EunYoung Jang, my wife, has been a tremendous source of impetus, prayer, patience, encouragement, and emotional and spiritual support. My loving child ChangHee has endured till the completion of this dissertation. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ vi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................1 The Statement of the Problem..........................................................................................................2 The Statement of Scope and Limitation...........................................................................................5 The Biblical Basis ............................................................................................................................6 Biblical Definitions of Prayer ..............................................................................................6 Old Testament Definition of Prayer .........................................................................6 Prayer in the New Testament ...................................................................................7 The Theological Basis....................................................................................................................13 Prayer of Gratitude and Praise ...........................................................................................13 Prayer of Repentance .........................................................................................................14 Prayer of Entreaty ..............................................................................................................15 Prayer of Intercession ........................................................................................................15 The Statement of Methodology .....................................................................................................16 The Reviews of Selected Literature ...............................................................................................17 Survey of Questionnaires ...............................................................................................................21 CHAPTER TWO: CONSIDERATION OF CHRUCH GROWTH ..............................................23 Understanding Church Growth ......................................................................................................23 The Definition of Church Growth .................................................................................................27 Growth of Church in the USA .......................................................................................................29 The Evaluation and Theory of Church Growth Principles ............................................................32 Donald McGavran ..............................................................................................................32 C. Peter Wagner .................................................................................................................36 i ii Christian A. Schwarz .........................................................................................................39 Summary ........................................................................................................................................42 CHAPTER THREE: CONSIDERATION OF PRAYER ..............................................................44 The Definition of Prayer ................................................................................................................44 The General Definition of Prayer ......................................................................................44 Prayer of Gratitude and Praise ...........................................................................................46 Prayer of Repentance .........................................................................................................47 Prayer of Entreaty ..............................................................................................................48 Prayer of Intercession ........................................................................................................48 The Content and Ordering of Prayer ..............................................................................................49 Praise and Worship ............................................................................................................49 Thanksgiving......................................................................................................................50 Confession..........................................................................................................................51 Entreaty ..............................................................................................................................52 Intercession ........................................................................................................................52 The Attitude of Prayer ...................................................................................................................53 Fear of God ........................................................................................................................53 Sincerity and Passion .........................................................................................................54 Humanity............................................................................................................................54 The Rewards of Prayer...................................................................................................................54 Pathway of Grace ...............................................................................................................54 Maturity of Faith ................................................................................................................55 God’s