The purpose of this study is to examine the growth process of the Korean Baptist Church from a historical perspective, focusing particularly on the practical impact of discipleship training and multi-church models on church growth since the 1990s. Cha...
The purpose of this study is to examine the growth process of the Korean Baptist Church from a historical perspective, focusing particularly on the practical impact of discipleship training and multi-church models on church growth since the 1990s. Chapter 1 reviews previous studies on discipleship training and multi-church models within other denominations and the Korean Baptist Church during the 1970s and 1980s.
Chapter 2 analyzes growth models prior to the introduction of discipleship training and multi-church models, comparing the growth of the Korean Baptist Church before and after its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1990s.
Chapter 3 explains the contribution of discipleship training to church growth by defining its concept through etymological and biblical foundations. Case studies, including Yeouido Baptist Church, Global Mission Church, Multi-Dream Church, Didimdol Church, and Yeongan Baptist Church, provide concrete examples of how discipleship training effectively contributed to growth.
Chapter 4 examines the impact of multi-church models on church growth by exploring their etymology and biblical significance. It presents principles from the Old Testament and historical evidence from the New Testament, emphasizing the role of multi-church models in expanding church influence and resources. Multi-church models are categorized into two types for analysis:
First, the integrated model where finances, administration, and leadership are unified, with the main church supporting branch churches. Examples include Sky Vision Church and Together Community Church.
Second, the decentralized model where churches share the same vision and mission but operate with separate finances and leadership. Examples include Saenuri Church and Multi-Dream Church. Each church's specific cases and missional characteristics are examined to demonstrate the impact of multi-church models on local communities and congregations.
In conclusion, this study provides a historical understanding and practical analysis of discipleship training and multi-church models, proposing directions for the growth and missional expansion of the Korean Baptist Church since the 1990s.