he principal teachers of the Church Growth Movement, Wagner is, perhaps, more correctly labeled an observer than a practitioner. Through his experience on the missions field prior to joining McGavran at Fuller, Wagner has been able to introduce American pastors, theologians, and other Christian leaders to many of the concepts which are guiding vibrant churches, such as Thomas Road Baptist Church, into the twenty-first century.
Wagner writes only the first two "chapters" in Church Growth. The first is a brief biography and tribute to his mentor, Donald A. McGavran; the second is an observation of the achievements of the Church Growth Movement over some thirty years, and recommendations for its future. By his observation of both growing and declining churches, he has been able to define four areas which will play a major role in the expansion of church growth in the immediate future: 1) the systematization and standardization of research methodology; 2) the development, clarification, and communication of church growth theological methodology; 3) the development of accurate measures of church quality and membership growth; and, 4) a biblical balance between evangelism and missions.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the Church Growth Movement, according to Wagner, has been the shift of its focus from the Third World (particularly Asia, Africa, and Latin America) to the Western world. In its rush to evangelize the world, the American Christian church nearly lost sight of the lost in whose midst it was established. Wagner believes the renewed interest in reaching the poor and oppressed in America can, in a significant way, be attributed to the Church Growth Movement. Various individuals interested in implementing church growth strategies began to assemble practical resources for church leaders to use, and independent church growth consultants also emerged in the 1970s in response to the demand for their services. M...