What is genuine church growth? Is it, at heart, the numerical growth of regular congregations or are there other dimensions and, if so, what are they? How can we learn from other contexts in order to properly inform our understanding of what we mean by church growth? Mara is one of the most marginalised regions in Tanzania, which in turn is a country in the most marginalised continent on the planet, and yet, Spencer argues, the church in the region has exhibited remarkable growth. Looking beyond the usual dimensions of church growth discourse, Stephen Spencer weaves in his own experience in Tanzania, finding in that wholly different context an approach to church growth which might entirely change the discourse in the global north.

About the Author
Stephen Spencer is Director for Theological Education in the Anglican Communion, based in London, and author of books on William Temple, Anglicanism and Christian mission.

Reviews
"Careful and encouraging, provocative and challenging, this book is much needed. Spencer shows effectively how the Church in the West can learn from distant cultures, and bears the fruit of strong international partnership links." -- The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines
"Theological education is assumed to flow "from the West to the rest" - but does it really? This ground-breaking book gives a concrete example of how the learning of churches in Tanzania is instructive for church growth in Britain. Stephen Spencer has been a leader in Anglican theological education for many years and has already made important contributions to mission studies. This book demonstrates how the global connections forged by missions of the past facilitate mutual learning and new pathways in mission today." -- Professor Kirsteen Kim



Book Information
ISBN 9780334057345
Author Stephen Spencer
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint SCM Press
Publisher SCM Press