I wish to know if there is a church membership growth strategy / guidleines or approcah ? Or any literature I can be refered to which will indicate how best the growth of membership and retention thereof can be maintained or approcahed, particularly in the A.M.E C. context.

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2000

Answers

There are several resources in the public domain that deal with church growth. Some that have received favorable reviews are:

1. Purpose-Driven Church, The by Rick Warren (Hardcover - October 1995)
2. Understanding Church Growth by Donald Anderson McGavran, et al (Paperback - July 1990)
3. The Cell Church by Larry Stockstill (Paperback - June 1998)
4. 44 Questions for Congregational Self-Appraisal by Lyle E. Schaller. Paperback (February 1998)
5. 44 Ways to Increase Church Attendance by Lyle E. Schaller, Edward L. Tucker (Illustrator). Paperback (January 1988)
6. African American Church Growth : 12 Principles of Prophetic Ministry by Carlyle Fielding Stewart III. Paperback (February 1994)
7. The Antioch Effect : 8 Characteristics of Highly Effective Churches by Ken Hemphill. Paperback (May 1999)
8. `Ashamed of the Gospel/When the Church Becomes Like the World' by John F. MacArthur. Paperback (April 1999)
9. Becoming a New Church : Reflections on Faith and Calling by Malcolm L. Warford. Paperback (April 2000)
10. Biblical Eldership : An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership by Alexander Strauch. Paperback (September 1995)
11. The Bonsai Theory of Church Growth by Kenneth S. Hemphill, Ken Hemphill. Paperback (April 1991)
12. Breaking Down Walls : Amodel for Reconciliation in an Age of Racial Strife by Raleigh Washington, Glen Kehrein. Paperback (June 1996)
13. Called to Care : A Training Manual for Small Group Leaders by Palmer Becker. Paperback (May 1993)
14. The Christian Family by Frederick K. C. Price. Hardcover
15. Holy Spirit : The Missing Ingredient by Frederick K. C. Price. Paperback (May 1988)

AME Resources from very successful pastors in our Zion include:

• The Way of the Bootstrapper : Nine Action Steps for Achieving Your Dreams by Donna Marie Williams, Floyd H. Flake, Maxine Waters
• Restoring the House of God by Frank Madison, III Reid. Paperback (May 20, 2000)
• The Nehemiah Plan : Preparing the Church to Rebuild Broken Lives by Frank M. Reid. Paperback (October 1994)
• Not Without a Struggle : Leadership Development for African American Women in Ministry by Vashti M. McKenzie. Paperback (July 1996)

Web resources available to you include:

• http://www.ministrytoolbox.com/
• http://www.churchresources.org/

Churches within the connection that are respected for their church growth include Allen Cathedral, Jamaica, Ebenezer, Ft. Washington (Md), First, Los Angeles, Reid Temple, Lanham, Md, Greater Mt. Nebo, Upper Marlboro, Md. and Oak Grove, Detroit, MI. Links to many of these may be found at http://www.ghg.net/jlpayne/churches.html .

-- Anonymous, September 12, 2000

I would also like to suggest : Equipping the saints for Service by Rev Gregory G.M. Ingram, now Bishop of the 15th

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2000