The Bible and Church Growth: Globally and Locally

Abstract

The Bible and mission have been linked in a symbiotic relationship since the beginnings of the church in the first century. This paper draws on examples of this relationship from different periods in Church history to illustrate a variety of initiatives and their role in the life and growth of the church. The Roman Catholic Verbum Domini document and the Lausanne Movement Cape Town Covenant illustrate contemporary approaches, while examples of Scripture engagement programmes in Latin America and the UK speak to the creative use of the Bible in mission today. As with the church in all ages, challenges remain--some of which are touched on in the appendix.

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