Church for the Unchurched

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Summary: Rodboomboom never read the book!!!
Review: As a professor of Religion, I have used this book to teach many classes. Dr. Hunter just came to my school to lecture on some of his methods. Dr. Hunter has been noted as the number one Church Growth and Evangelism lecturer in the United States. This book is very helpful...but challenging to read. Many of my students have found some parts hard to understand because of the language he uses. Definitely worth the read....(Oh and Trust me the Theology is Right on Target with the scripture)

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Summary: Opens ones eyes to our church culture
Review: I found this book in our church library that had been left from a previous pastor. Being familiar with George Hunter and his work at Asbury Seminary, I was anxious to read what he had to say.

This book offers some solid insights to why people may be reluctant to go to ones church. The book in my estimation tries to take the reader outside of ones church culture and give them insight as to why some may find going to your church difficult.

I found the beginning of the book very helpful as it tried to address culture and reaching those who are part of the unchurched culture. However, the second part of the book which dealt with differing programs and functions in reaching the unchurched was very similar to a lot of the church growth books I have read. However, for one just picking up this book, they should find this section helpful.

Overall, this book is an excellent resource in trying to get the church to think about how it should respond and reach out to the world. While being somewhat dated, it still can be of good use.

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Summary: Oxymoron title gives away the author's unbiblical view
Review: In typical church growth fashion, Hunter hastily claims that doctrine is pure and met by these modern apostolic churches and then moves on to the important apostolic qualification in his mind, they are growing by reaching out to the unchurched.

The church can only be defined as the believers, as Luther said any seven year old will answer if asked where is the church? The church is where believers in Christ is! So the unchurched are not part of this believing group and they cannot participate in the church's worship since it is only possible for a believer to worship God. Without faith in the true God, it is impossible to do anything pleasing to Him.

This unmasks the severe decline of Biblical sensitivity and discernment in Christianity today, to follow one as Hunter who puts forward congregations which do not confess the doctrines of the apostles, but in Hunter's mind, evangelize in the apostles' way. This is not true either, e.g. see Galatians 1:6-10, and chapter 2, or John 6:52-68. The early church believed that only those churches which followed the apostles' teachings, not just building number of followers was holding to the apostles'.

For those serious about this, research "Eucharist and Church Fellowship in the first four centuries" by W. Elert. Hunter's book, although meaning well to grow the church, does not adhere to letting the whole counsel of God's Word be taught, believed and confess in its purity and entirety. A false teacher.