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Megachurches and Social Engagement
Public Theology in Practice
Series: - Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies, Volume: 33
This book is the first detailed academic study of megachurches in the UK. In particular, it explores the nature and significance of social engagement by megachurches in the context of London. The research contains empirical case studies of two Anglican and three African diaspora Pentecostal churches. As well as exploring the range of social engagement activities provided by these churches, the study offers explanations in term of theological motivations and the influence of globalisation. Subsequently, the book outlines the importance of the findings for the relationship between church and society in the contemporary context, addressing the implications for social policy and practice. The book advances discussions in public theology, megachurch studies, Pentecostal and Charismatic studies and ecclesiology.
Mark J. Cartledge is Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Centre for Renewal Studies at Regent University School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, USA. He is a priest in the Church of England, theologian and scholar of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity.
Sarah L.B. Dunlop is Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley Hall, a Church of England training college in Cambridge, UK. An active member of the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Network, she is known for her work in pioneering visual ethnographic methods.
Heather Buckingham is Director of Research and Social Policy at the Church Urban Fund, Westminster, London. She holds a PhD in Sociology and Social Policy and is an Honorary Fellow at the Edward Cadbury Centre at the University of Birmingham, UK.
Sophie Bremner is a Lecturer in the School of International Development at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. She holds a PhD in International Development with expertise in the anthropology of African Pentecostal Christianity.
Sarah L.B. Dunlop is Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley Hall, a Church of England training college in Cambridge, UK. An active member of the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Network, she is known for her work in pioneering visual ethnographic methods.
Heather Buckingham is Director of Research and Social Policy at the Church Urban Fund, Westminster, London. She holds a PhD in Sociology and Social Policy and is an Honorary Fellow at the Edward Cadbury Centre at the University of Birmingham, UK.
Sophie Bremner is a Lecturer in the School of International Development at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. She holds a PhD in International Development with expertise in the anthropology of African Pentecostal Christianity.
"The rise of megachurches in the latter part of the twentieth century is an unprecedented phenomenon in the history of global Christianity. Opinions differ as to their constructive contribution to the betterment of society. In this groundbreaking book, a team of scholars has collaborated to produce the most substantive empirical study of the megachurch phenomenon and their social engagement to date. This book is highly recommended!" â Clifton R. Clarke, Assistant Provost and Associate Professor of Black Church Studies and World Christianity, Fuller Theological Seminary.
"The co-authored Megachurches and Social Engagement both identifies a gap in the literature and goes a long way to fill it. The gap is the absence of work on an increasingly important phenomenon - the growing number of megachurches in Europe, not least the ten in London. The response is an empirically driven, theologically informed and carefully written account of five of these churches paying particular attention to their involvement in social engagement. I recommend it warmly to a wide variety of audiences both within the churches and beyond." â Grace Davie, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Exeter.
"The co-authored Megachurches and Social Engagement both identifies a gap in the literature and goes a long way to fill it. The gap is the absence of work on an increasingly important phenomenon - the growing number of megachurches in Europe, not least the ten in London. The response is an empirically driven, theologically informed and carefully written account of five of these churches paying particular attention to their involvement in social engagement. I recommend it warmly to a wide variety of audiences both within the churches and beyond." â Grace Davie, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Exeter.
Preface XI
List of Table and Figures xiii
â1âIntroduction
â1.1Aim, Scope and Contribution of the Study
â1.2The History and Context of Evangelicalism in the Church of England
â1.3African Pentecostalism in London
â1.4Theoretical Fields: Public Theology, Megachurches and Social Engagement
â1.5Research Methodology
â1.6Outline of the Chapters
â2âMegachurch Studies
â2.1Introduction
â2.2Megachurches in the usa
ââ2.2.1âA Megachurch Typology?
ââ2.2.2âMegachurches and the Religious Market
ââ2.2.3âMegachurches and the Mainline
ââ2.2.4âAfrican American Megachurches
â2.3Megachurches in the South
â2.4Megachurches in Europe
â2.5Megachurches in the United Kingdom
â2.6Explanations of the Emergence of Megachurches
â2.7Conclusion
â3âPublic Theology, Social Theory and Social Engagement
â3.1Introduction
â3.2Public Theology
â3.3Changing Society, Changing Church
â3.4Faith and Social Policy: Concepts and Context
ââ3.4.1âConceptualising the Relationship between Faith and Social Policy
ââ3.4.2âMapping the Contemporary Policy Context
â3.5Defining the Churchesâ Social Engagement
â3.6Sociological Perspectives on the Churchesâ Social Engagement
ââ3.6.1âTypes of Service Provision
ââ3.6.2âUnderstanding the Tensions
ââ3.6.3âFaith and Social Capital
â3.7Understanding the âWhyâ: Theology, Social Theory and Ecclesial Practice
â3.8Conclusion
â4âThe Church of England
â4.1Introduction
â4.2Description of Holy Trinity Church, Brompton
ââ4.2.1âThe Parish
ââ4.2.2âHistory
ââ4.2.3âCurrent Vision
ââ4.2.4âWorship Services
ââ4.2.5âAlpha
ââ4.2.6âGlobal Reach
â4.3Social Engagement
ââ4.3.1âWilliam Wilberforce Trust
ââ4.3.2âAlpha in Prisons
ââ4.3.3âCaring for Ex-Offenders
ââ4.3.4âHomeless Drop-in
ââ4.3.5âHomeless Winter Shelter
ââ4.3.6âRecovery Course
ââ4.3.7âMoney Course
ââ4.3.8âCrosslight Debt Advice
ââ4.3.9âRadical Hospitality
ââ4.3.10âCommunity for the Elderly
ââ4.3.11âMarriage and Marriage Preparation Courses
ââ4.3.12âParenting Children and Parenting Teenagers Courses
ââ4.3.13âPost-Abortion Healing Course
ââ4.3.14âBereavement Journey
ââ4.3.15âNew ID (Eating Disorders) Course
â4.4Holy Trinity Church, Brompton: Summary and Emerging Themes
â4.5Description of All Souls Church, Langham Place
ââ4.5.1âHistorical Background
ââ4.5.2âContemporary Vision
ââ4.5.3âWorship Services
ââ4.5.4âFellowship Groups
ââ4.5.5âChristianity Explored
â4.6Social Engagement
ââ4.6.1âHomeless Ministry
ââ4.6.2âCommunity Centre
ââ4.6.3âEngaging with Central London
â4.7All Souls Church, Langham Place: Summary and Emerging Themes
â4.8Conclusion
â5âAfrican Diaspora Pentecostalism
â5.1Introduction
â5.2Description of Kingsway International Christian Church
ââ5.2.1âLocation, Context and History
ââ5.2.2âLocal and Global
ââ5.2.3âCongregational Numbers
ââ5.2.4âLeadership and Organisation
ââ5.2.5âDenomination and Worship
â5.3Social Engagement
ââ5.3.1âEducational Initiatives
ââ5.3.2âCareers Counselling
ââ5.3.3âHomeless Ministries
ââ5.3.4âChristmas Hampers
ââ5.3.5âPrison Ministry
ââ5.3.6âCare Home Ministry
ââ5.3.7âOther Activities
â5.4Kingsway International Christian Church: Summary and Emerging Themes
â5.5Description of Jesus House for All Nations
ââ5.5.1âHistory and Location
ââ5.5.2âCongregational Numbers
ââ5.5.3âSpheres of Influence
ââ5.5.4âInter-Church Relations
ââ5.5.5âDenomination and Worship
â5.6Social Engagement
ââ5.6.1âThe Novo Centre
ââ5.6.2âFood Bank
ââ5.6.3âChristmas Activities
ââ5.6.4âChristians against Poverty
ââ5.6.5âFootball Academy
ââ5.6.6âPrayer Walking
ââ5.6.7âVolunteering: A Call to Serve
â5.7Jesus House for All Nations: Summary and Emerging Themes
â5.8Description of New Wine Church
ââ5.8.1âLocation, Context and History
ââ5.8.2âCongregational Numbers
ââ5.8.3âLeadership and Organisation
ââ5.8.4âDenomination and Worship
ââ5.8.5âMinistries
â5.9Social Engagement
ââ5.9.1âThe John Wilson Pantry
ââ5.9.2âChristmas Activities
ââ5.9.3âCommunity Outreach
ââ5.9.4âPrison and Immigration Ministry
ââ5.9.5âCare for the Elderly
ââ5.9.6âOverseas Mission
ââ5.9.7âOther Activities
â5.10New Wine Church: Summary and Emerging Themes
â5.11Conclusion
â6âTheological Motivations
â6.1Introduction
â6.2Description of Findings
ââ6.2.1âChurch Activities
ââ6.2.2âVolunteersâ Motivation
â6.3Theorising the Findings
ââ6.3.1âThe Theory of Godly Love
ââ6.3.2âDiscussion
â6.4Conclusion
â7âGlobalisation and Social Engagement
â7.1.Introduction
â7.2Globalisation Theory
â7.3Globalisation and Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity
â7.4Global Anglicanism
â7.5Globalisation and Megachurches
â7.6Megachurches and the Global City of London
ââ7.6.1âThe African Diaspora Pentecostal Model: A Bridge-Head
ââ7.6.2âThe Anglican Model: Parish Life and Discipleship Training
â7.7The Significance of Globalisation for Social Engagement
â7.8Conclusion
â8âImplications for Church and Society
â8.1Introduction
â8.2Ecclesial Practice-Informed Public Theology
ââ8.2.1âA Relational Faith
ââ8.2.2âDiscipleship, Transformation and the Common Good
ââ8.2.3âScale, Structure and Social impact
â8.3Implications for Churches and Church Leaders
ââ8.3.1âLanguage and Story-Telling
ââ8.3.2âThe Scope of Social Engagement
ââ8.3.3âPower and Empowerment
ââ8.3.4âResources and Collaboration
â8.4Implications for Social Policy
ââ8.4.1âA Relational Approach
ââ8.4.2âA Values Approach
ââ8.4.3âSpecific Recommendations
â9âConclusion
â9.1Summary
â9.2Towards an Ecclesiology of Social Engagement
â9.3Significance of the Study and Areas for Future Research
List of Table and Figures xiii
â1âIntroduction
â1.1Aim, Scope and Contribution of the Study
â1.2The History and Context of Evangelicalism in the Church of England
â1.3African Pentecostalism in London
â1.4Theoretical Fields: Public Theology, Megachurches and Social Engagement
â1.5Research Methodology
â1.6Outline of the Chapters
Part 1: Theoretical Fields
â2âMegachurch Studies
â2.1Introduction
â2.2Megachurches in the usa
ââ2.2.1âA Megachurch Typology?
ââ2.2.2âMegachurches and the Religious Market
ââ2.2.3âMegachurches and the Mainline
ââ2.2.4âAfrican American Megachurches
â2.3Megachurches in the South
â2.4Megachurches in Europe
â2.5Megachurches in the United Kingdom
â2.6Explanations of the Emergence of Megachurches
â2.7Conclusion
â3âPublic Theology, Social Theory and Social Engagement
â3.1Introduction
â3.2Public Theology
â3.3Changing Society, Changing Church
â3.4Faith and Social Policy: Concepts and Context
ââ3.4.1âConceptualising the Relationship between Faith and Social Policy
ââ3.4.2âMapping the Contemporary Policy Context
â3.5Defining the Churchesâ Social Engagement
â3.6Sociological Perspectives on the Churchesâ Social Engagement
ââ3.6.1âTypes of Service Provision
ââ3.6.2âUnderstanding the Tensions
ââ3.6.3âFaith and Social Capital
â3.7Understanding the âWhyâ: Theology, Social Theory and Ecclesial Practice
â3.8Conclusion
Part 2: Empirical Studies
â4âThe Church of England
â4.1Introduction
â4.2Description of Holy Trinity Church, Brompton
ââ4.2.1âThe Parish
ââ4.2.2âHistory
ââ4.2.3âCurrent Vision
ââ4.2.4âWorship Services
ââ4.2.5âAlpha
ââ4.2.6âGlobal Reach
â4.3Social Engagement
ââ4.3.1âWilliam Wilberforce Trust
ââ4.3.2âAlpha in Prisons
ââ4.3.3âCaring for Ex-Offenders
ââ4.3.4âHomeless Drop-in
ââ4.3.5âHomeless Winter Shelter
ââ4.3.6âRecovery Course
ââ4.3.7âMoney Course
ââ4.3.8âCrosslight Debt Advice
ââ4.3.9âRadical Hospitality
ââ4.3.10âCommunity for the Elderly
ââ4.3.11âMarriage and Marriage Preparation Courses
ââ4.3.12âParenting Children and Parenting Teenagers Courses
ââ4.3.13âPost-Abortion Healing Course
ââ4.3.14âBereavement Journey
ââ4.3.15âNew ID (Eating Disorders) Course
â4.4Holy Trinity Church, Brompton: Summary and Emerging Themes
â4.5Description of All Souls Church, Langham Place
ââ4.5.1âHistorical Background
ââ4.5.2âContemporary Vision
ââ4.5.3âWorship Services
ââ4.5.4âFellowship Groups
ââ4.5.5âChristianity Explored
â4.6Social Engagement
ââ4.6.1âHomeless Ministry
ââ4.6.2âCommunity Centre
ââ4.6.3âEngaging with Central London
â4.7All Souls Church, Langham Place: Summary and Emerging Themes
â4.8Conclusion
â5âAfrican Diaspora Pentecostalism
â5.1Introduction
â5.2Description of Kingsway International Christian Church
ââ5.2.1âLocation, Context and History
ââ5.2.2âLocal and Global
ââ5.2.3âCongregational Numbers
ââ5.2.4âLeadership and Organisation
ââ5.2.5âDenomination and Worship
â5.3Social Engagement
ââ5.3.1âEducational Initiatives
ââ5.3.2âCareers Counselling
ââ5.3.3âHomeless Ministries
ââ5.3.4âChristmas Hampers
ââ5.3.5âPrison Ministry
ââ5.3.6âCare Home Ministry
ââ5.3.7âOther Activities
â5.4Kingsway International Christian Church: Summary and Emerging Themes
â5.5Description of Jesus House for All Nations
ââ5.5.1âHistory and Location
ââ5.5.2âCongregational Numbers
ââ5.5.3âSpheres of Influence
ââ5.5.4âInter-Church Relations
ââ5.5.5âDenomination and Worship
â5.6Social Engagement
ââ5.6.1âThe Novo Centre
ââ5.6.2âFood Bank
ââ5.6.3âChristmas Activities
ââ5.6.4âChristians against Poverty
ââ5.6.5âFootball Academy
ââ5.6.6âPrayer Walking
ââ5.6.7âVolunteering: A Call to Serve
â5.7Jesus House for All Nations: Summary and Emerging Themes
â5.8Description of New Wine Church
ââ5.8.1âLocation, Context and History
ââ5.8.2âCongregational Numbers
ââ5.8.3âLeadership and Organisation
ââ5.8.4âDenomination and Worship
ââ5.8.5âMinistries
â5.9Social Engagement
ââ5.9.1âThe John Wilson Pantry
ââ5.9.2âChristmas Activities
ââ5.9.3âCommunity Outreach
ââ5.9.4âPrison and Immigration Ministry
ââ5.9.5âCare for the Elderly
ââ5.9.6âOverseas Mission
ââ5.9.7âOther Activities
â5.10New Wine Church: Summary and Emerging Themes
â5.11Conclusion
Part 3: Explanations and Implications
â6âTheological Motivations
â6.1Introduction
â6.2Description of Findings
ââ6.2.1âChurch Activities
ââ6.2.2âVolunteersâ Motivation
â6.3Theorising the Findings
ââ6.3.1âThe Theory of Godly Love
ââ6.3.2âDiscussion
â6.4Conclusion
â7âGlobalisation and Social Engagement
â7.1.Introduction
â7.2Globalisation Theory
â7.3Globalisation and Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity
â7.4Global Anglicanism
â7.5Globalisation and Megachurches
â7.6Megachurches and the Global City of London
ââ7.6.1âThe African Diaspora Pentecostal Model: A Bridge-Head
ââ7.6.2âThe Anglican Model: Parish Life and Discipleship Training
â7.7The Significance of Globalisation for Social Engagement
â7.8Conclusion
â8âImplications for Church and Society
â8.1Introduction
â8.2Ecclesial Practice-Informed Public Theology
ââ8.2.1âA Relational Faith
ââ8.2.2âDiscipleship, Transformation and the Common Good
ââ8.2.3âScale, Structure and Social impact
â8.3Implications for Churches and Church Leaders
ââ8.3.1âLanguage and Story-Telling
ââ8.3.2âThe Scope of Social Engagement
ââ8.3.3âPower and Empowerment
ââ8.3.4âResources and Collaboration
â8.4Implications for Social Policy
ââ8.4.1âA Relational Approach
ââ8.4.2âA Values Approach
ââ8.4.3âSpecific Recommendations
â9âConclusion
â9.1Summary
â9.2Towards an Ecclesiology of Social Engagement
â9.3Significance of the Study and Areas for Future Research
All interested in Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity and in particular the emergence and role of megachurches in contemporary global society, and especially the significance of social engagement by the churches.