A Spirit-Empowered Church: An Acts 2 Ministry Model

by Alton Garrison

Publisher:

Influence Resources

, 2015

Overview

It’s not a mystery why some churches grow, some remain stagnant, and others decline. The biblical principles for spiritual multiplication are evident in the pages of the Scriptures… if we’ll only notice them.

In A Spirit-Empowered Church, Alton Garrison points us to the heart of dynamic church growth: creating Spirit-empowered disciples who are involved in five activities—connect, grow, serve, go, and worship—to change individuals, families, and communities with the love and power of God’s mighty Spirit. Combining a strong biblical approach with inspirational insights and personal stories, Garrison shares the Acts 2 church model that can renew the spiritual vitality of your congregation.

The church of Acts 2 turned the first-century world upside down for Jesus. God wants to use your church to do the same today.

Key Features

• Explores the Spirit-empowered potential of ministry
• Focuses on the distinctives of Acts 2
• Combines a strong biblical approach with inspirational insights and personal stories

Contents

• Our Challenge
• Finding His Heart
• Becoming an Acts 2 Church
• Hope Found

Top Highlights

“We must each be willing to admit we need help, create a community of leaders committed to helping one another succeed, and brave one of the most frightening words in the church: change. This is the second critical element: equipping church leaders and pastors to thrive and grow—to change. We fear getting the people to change, but in reality, change starts with the leadership.” (Page 40)

“In this passage, the Holy Spirit began to explain the process of how to move from a temple model to a church model.” (Page 23)

“Undeniably, sound doctrine is foundational to the strength and effectiveness of the church, and it’s impossible to have sound disciples without sound doctrine. The truth of God shapes and molds the people of God for life and service.” (Page 80)

“Spirit-empowered disciples who are encountering Jesus, experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit, learning Scripture, and engaging with God’s people. In fact, the primary objective of the entire Acts 2 process is to see unbelievers transformed into fully developed followers of Christ who are able to reproduce believers.” (Page 79)

“Modern priests have responsibilities as well—inviting friends and co-workers to church, greeting visitors warmly, serving the next generation in children’s programs, and doing whatever else it takes to do the Lord’s work.” (Page 49)

Praise for the Print Edition

Alton Garrison is the real deal—he’s not just a theorist, but he’s effectively led churches and movements to greater effectiveness. Now, he’s taking the wisdom that’s benefitted thousands of Pentecostal churches and putting it down in a practical and accessible book that will benefit countless more

—Ed Stetzer, executive director of LifeWay Research

A Spirit-Empowered Church is not just theory. Instead, it’s practical reality. I had a front row seat (executive pastor) as Alton put these principles into action at First Assembly, North Little Rock. After thirty years of stagnation, the church grew into a strong, healthy, Spirit-empowered body of believers that tripled in size during Alton’s fifteen years of leadership. You can only imagine how intimidating it was to follow him as pastor! But the journey that began in 1986 continues today. First Assembly still puts the same principles into action and has tripled again! I can’t promise your church will triple, but if you put these biblical principles into action, they will breathe life into your church and your community. Regardless of size, context, or style, a Spirit-empowered church is a difference-making church! This is a Spirit-empowered book by a Spirit-empowered leader with practical ministry experience! Read it, pray over it, and apply it.”

—Rod Loy, senior pastor, First Assembly of God, North Little Rock, Arkansas, author of Three Questions, Immediate Obedience, and After the Honeymoon

Our twenty-first century world is filled with human conflict, religious stagnation, secular cynicism, and oppression by immorality. This sounds a lot like the first-century world that gave context to the early church and the book of Acts. Those first followers of Jesus impacted their world through the power of the Holy Spirit and intentional discipleship. In the book, A Spirit-Empowered Church, Alton Garrison provides a practical and inspirational way that first-century power and progress can be experienced in a twenty-first-century disciple-making church. Alton’s biblical approach, inspirational insights, and personal stories make this a must-read for today’s Spirit-empowered pastor

—Dr. Billy Wilson, president, Oral Roberts University and Empowered21; author of Father Cry and Fasting Forward

Product Details

• Title: A Spirit-Empowered Church: An Acts 2 Ministry Model
• Author: Alton Garrison
• Publisher: Influence Resources
• Print Publication Date: 2015
• Logos Release Date: 2019
• Pages: 256
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Church growth; Christian leadership; Church management
• ISBNs: 9781681540016, 1681540010
• Resource ID: LLS:SPRTMPWRDCHRCH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:07:14Z

About Alton Garrison

Alton Garrison serves as the assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. In addition, he serves as the director of the Acts 2 Revitalization Initiative, which helps churches renew their spiritual vitality and reach their full kingdom potential. He is the author of Hope in America’s Crisis, Building the Winning Team, Acts 2 Church, and The 360° Disciple. Garrison and his wife, Johanna, currently reside in Springfield, Missouri.

Sample Pages from A Spirit-Empowered Church: An Acts 2 Ministry Model