Gary McIntosh

Department	Talbot School of Theology
Biola Affiliations	Faculty
Phone	(562) 903-4814 (Talbot School of Theology)
Website

Documents

Degrees

D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary
Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
M.Div., Western C.B. Seminary
B.A., Rockmont College

Biography

Gary L. McIntosh is a prominent figure in the field of church growth, having authored numerous books and articles on the subject. His work focuses on practical and strategic approaches to helping churches expand and thrive. McIntosh serves as distinguished affiliate professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership (retired) at Talbot School of Theology, ��ʷ. He is a professor in the Talbot Doctor of Ministry program where he co- leads the Growing and Multiplying Churches cohort and serves as a dissertation mentor.

A key theme in McIntosh’s work is the concept of intentional growth, suggesting that churches can develop and flourish by engaging their communities, equipping their members, and adapting to changing cultural landscapes. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique characteristics and needs of a local congregation when formulating growth strategies. McIntosh is known for providing practical and actionable insights, often drawing from his extensive experience in church consulting and leadership development. His work aims to equip church leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to foster growth, deepen spiritual impact, and create vibrant, healthy church communities. Overall, Gary McIntosh’s contributions to the field of church growth emphasize the significance of intentional, strategic approaches that are firmly rooted in a deep understanding of the dynamics of church life and the needs of the people they serve.

Dr. McIntosh has forty- two years of experience consulting nonprofit organizations, coaching leaders, and seminar presentations. He has analyzed numerous churches representing some 90+ denominations throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Gary and his wife, Carol, reside in Temecula, California. They have two grown sons, seven grandchildren, and three great- grandchildren. Dr. McIntosh is available for speaking, teaching, or consulting. Connect with Gary for more information and to register to receive his leadership newsletter “Ready, Set, Grow!”

Affiliations

The Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education
Inscape, Inc. (associate)
The Society for Church Consulting
The Great Commission Research Network

Awards

Named Distinguished Affiliate Professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, ��ʷ, 09/01/2021.
Recipient of the Renegade Pastor’s Icon (Lifetime Achievement) Award from Church Leader Insights 2017
Recipient of the Win Arn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Great Commission Research Network 2016
2014 Outreach Magazine Book of the Year Award in Leadership for What Every Pastor Should Know
Recipient of the Church Growth Champion designation from Church Leader Insights, 2014.
Listed in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” 2005.
Recipient of the Donald A. McGavran Award from the faculty of the School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary 2005.
Recipient of the Donald A. McGavran Award from the American Society for Church Growth, November 1998.
Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Colorado Christian University, spring 1998.
Recipient of the Robert B. Fisher Award for Faculty Excellence at ��ʷ, February 1998.
Recipient of the Talbot Dean’s Award for leadership of the D.Min. program, May 1987.
Listed in “Who's Who in Church Growth” in Church Growth State of the Art, Tyndale House Publishers, 1986.

Publications

Books

Donald A. McGavran: A Biography of the Twentieth Century's Premier Missiologist, (Church Leader Insights, Boca, Raton, 2015).
South Asian edition of Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership (Good Times Books, New Delhi, India, 2010).
Korean translation of One Size Doesn’t Fit All (Christian Publishing House, Seoul, Korea, 2010).
Here Today, There Tomorrow (Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 2010).
Korean translation of Evaluating the Church Growth Movement: 5 Views (Revival and Reformation Press, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2009).
Japanese translation of One Size Doesn’t Fit All (Masahira Matsumoto, 2009).
2nd North American Edition of Overcoming The Dark Side of Leadership (Baker Books, 2007).
Chinese translation of Overcoming The Dark Side of Leadership (Taosheng Publishing House, 2007).
Beyond the First Visit: The Complete Guide to Connecting Guests to Your Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006).
Thriving Churches in the Twenty-first Century (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006).
Spanish translation of Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership (Casa Creacion, 2005).

Articles

"Commentary on leadership books", Outreach Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 3, p.62, March/April, 2010.
"Dissertation and Theses Notices", Great Commission Research Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 297-306.
"Building the Bridges of God: Lessons from India", Great Commission Research Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 181-188.
"Forward", The Apostolic Congregation by George G. Hunter III, XI-XII, Abingdon, 2009.
"Breaking the 85 Worship Barrier", Pentecostal Leader, Vol. 91, No. 6, p. 10-15, November/December, 2009.
"Dissertation and Theses Notices", Great Commission Research Journal, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 125-133.
"Growing Smaller Churches", Pentecostal Leader, Vol.91, No. 4, p. 7-12, July/August, 2009.
"Commentary on leadership books", Outreach Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 59, March/April, 2009.
"Forward", Legacy Churches by Stephen Gray and Franklin Dumond, ChurchSmart Resources, 2009:7-8.
"The Impact of Size on the Growth and Development of a Church", Journal of the American Society for Church Growth, Vol. 20, p. 85-105, Winter 2009.