Background
III, George Gill Hunter, was born on June 25, 1938 in Louisville. Son of George Gill Junior and Barbara Deborah (Craig) H.
( Provides six proven successful "mega-strategies" for br...)
Provides six proven successful "mega-strategies" for bringing more people into the church. Explains why John Wesley's writings still hold valuable insights for church growth. "In reading the manuscript, I was inspired by the constant swing between theory and practice. Here is a valid principle, writes Hunter; here is how it works in Tampa, Florida, or Wilmington, Delaware. I was also enthused, as you will be, to observe how McGavran and Wesley targeted 'responsive' people, how they both used indigenous music and language and culture, how they identified needs and met them, and how determined both were to have supportive fellowship groups, lest converts die 'aborning'."--Richard Wilke, from the foreword.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0687422590/?tag=2022091-20
(Celtic Christianity–the form of Christian faith that flou...)
Celtic Christianity–the form of Christian faith that flourished among the people of Ireland during the Middle Ages– has gained a great deal of attention lately. George G. Hunter III points out that while the attention paid to the Celtic Christians is well deserved, much of it fails to recognize the true genius of this ancient form of Christianity. What many contemporary Christians do not realize is that Celtic Christianity was one of the most successfully evangelistic branches of the church in history. The Celtic church converted Ireland from paganism to Christianity in a remarkably short period, and then proceeded to send missionaries throughout Europe. North America is today in the same situation as the environment in which the early Celtic preachers found their mission fields: unfamiliar with the Christian message, yet spiritually seeking and open to a vibrant new faith. If we are to spread the gospel in this culture of secular seekers, we would do well to learn from the Celts. Their ability to work with the beliefs of those they evangelized, to adapt worship and church life to the indigenous patterns they encountered, remains unparalleled in Christian history. If we are to succeed in reaching the West . . . again, then we must begin by learning from these powerful witnesses to the saving love of Jesus Christ. This classic book on the power of indigenous evangelism has been thoroughly revised and updated, proving once again how much these ancient Christians have to teach anyone who seeks to spread the word of the gospel.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426711379/?tag=2022091-20
( Most pastors are comfortable with the role of leader. I...)
Most pastors are comfortable with the role of leader. Inspiring people and helping them discover and make use of their own gifts are tasks to which ministers generally feel called. Too many pastors and church leaders, however, forget that along with skills at leadership must come at least some acquaintance with the work of managing staff (whether it be paid or voluntary) and resources. What are the chief qualities and functions of a leader? Why are management skills necessary for an effective leader? Most important, how can pastors and other church leaders adapt these insights to their particular work as servants of the church? In Leading & Managing a Growing Church, George Hunter brings together insights from the best writers and thinkers on leadership and management, and presents them in a brief, accessible introduction. With the clarity and style that is his trademark, he explores the most important ideas to emerge from leadership and management studies, and demonstrates how they can be put in the service of congregational vitality and growth. Key Features: • Brings together insights from the best thinkers on leadership and management, and shows how these insights can be put in the service of congregational vitality and growth • Written by a well-known and highly respected author Key Benefits: • Provides readers quick access to the best and most relevant insights of recent studies in leadership and management • Helps readers understand the need of church leaders to possess certain crucial management and leadership skills • Shows readers how to put these skills and insights into practice in the service of the church GEORGE G. HUNTER III is Dean of the E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism and Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. A sought-after preacher and lecturer, he is the author of the bestselling Church for the Unchurched, How to Reach Secular People, and The Celtic Way of Evangelism, all published by Abingdon Press.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0687024250/?tag=2022091-20
( Hunter discusses the rebirth of the apostolic congregat...)
Hunter discusses the rebirth of the apostolic congregation, Christianity's vision of what people can become, how small groups shape an apostolic people, how lay ministry advances the Christian movement, and how apostolic churches reach secular people. This work shows that there is an apostolic way for a congregation to live out the gospel, and here is why church leaders think so: "George Hunter hits the nail on the head with this practical and encouraging guide to church-based evangelism."-Steve Sjogren, Senior Pastor, Vineyard Community Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. "This is a groundbreaking book. What sets it apart from all the others is that it is based on hard data and real life examples...If you want to know what is really happening in the so-called Seeker churches, this book is a must read." --Rick Warren, Senior Pastor, Saddleback Community Church, Mission Viejo, California "George Hunter hits a home run with this book." --Walt Kallestad, Community Church of Joy, Phoenix, Arizona "Our commitment to the rebirth of apostolic congregations will be greatly enhanced by this book." --John Ed Mathison, Frazier Memorial United Methodist Church, Montgomery, Alabama "Apostolic churches present a tremendous challenge to stagnant traditional churches. It is required reading for all who yearn to see the growth of the church." --Sir Alan Walker, Australia
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0687277329/?tag=2022091-20
III, George Gill Hunter, was born on June 25, 1938 in Louisville. Son of George Gill Junior and Barbara Deborah (Craig) H.
Bachelor, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, 1960. Bachelor's Degree, Emory University, Atlanta, 1963. Master of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1964.
Doctor of Philosophy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1972.
Pastor First Methodist Church, Dade City, Florida, 1964-1965. Staff Methodist Board Evangelism, Nashville, 1965-1972. Assistant professor Perkins School Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, 1972-1977.
Assistant general secretary for evangelism United Methodist Board of Discipleship, Nashville, 1977-1983. Dean School of World Mission and Evangelism Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, 1983—2001, Distinguished professor, since 2001. Founder Academy for Evangelism, since 1975, president, 1995-1997.
( Hunter discusses the rebirth of the apostolic congregat...)
(Celtic Christianity–the form of Christian faith that flou...)
( Provides six proven successful "mega-strategies" for br...)
(The Celtic Way of Evangelism: How Christianity Can Reach ...)
( Most pastors are comfortable with the role of leader. I...)
Member American Society for Church Growth (co-founder, president 1989, McGavran award 1996), Academy for Evangelism (Finney award 2002), Mission Society for United Methodists, International Sports Science Association.
Married Charlotte Sooter Swor, June 12, 1967 (divorced January 1973). 1 child, Gill; married Ella Fay Hunter, January 6, 1975. Children: Monica, Donald.