Megachurches and Social Engagement: Public Theology in Practice

Megachurches and Social Engagement: Public Theology in Practice
Copyright
Contents
Preface
List of Table and Figures
1 Introduction
	1.1	Aim, Scope and Contribution of the Study
	1.2	Evangelicalism and Charismatic Renewal in the Church of England
	1.3	African Pentecostalism in Britain
	1.4	Theoretical Fields: Public Theology, Megachurches and Social Engagement
	1.5	Research Methodology
	1.6	Outline of the Chapters
Part 1: Theoretical Fields
	2 Megachurch Studies
		2.1	Introduction
		2.2 Megachurches in the USA
			2.2.1 A Megachurch Typology?
			2.2.2 Megachurches and the Religious Market
			2.2.3 Megachurches and the Mainline
			2.2.4 African American Megachurches
		2.3	Megachurches in the South
		2.4	Megachurches in Europe
		2.5	Megachurches in the United Kingdom
		2.6	Explanations of the Emergence of Megachurches
		2.7	Conclusion
	3 Public Theology, Social Theory and Social Engagement
		3.1	Introduction
		3.2	Public Theology
		3.3	Changing Society, Changing Church
		3.4	Faith and Social Policy: Concepts and Context
			3.4.1 Conceptualising the Relationship between Faith and Social
Policy
			3.4.2 Mapping the Contemporary Policy Context
		3.5	Defining the Church's Social Engagement
		3.6	Sociological Perspectives on the Church's Social Engagement
			3.6.1 Types of Service Provision
			3.6.2 Understanding the Tensions
			3.6.3 Faith and Social Capital
		3.7	Understanding the 'Why': Theology, Sociology and Ecclesial Practice
		3.8	Conclusion
Part 2: Empirical Studies
	4 The Church of England
		4.1	Introduction
		4.2	Description of Holy Trinity Church, Brompton
			4.2.1 The Parish
			4.2.2 History
			4.2.3 Current Vision
			4.2.4 Worship Services
			4.2.5 Alpha
			4.2.6 Global Reach
		4.3	Social Engagement
			4.3.1 William Wilberforce Trust
			4.3.2 Alpha in Prisons
			4.3.3 Caring for Ex-Offenders
			4.3.4 Homeless Drop-in
			4.3.5 Homeless Winter Shelter
			4.3.6 Recovery Course
			4.3.7 Money Course
			4.3.8 Crosslight Debt Advice
			4.3.9 Radical Hospitality
			4.3.10 Community for the Elderly
			4.3.11 Marriage and Marriage Preparation Courses
			4.3.12 Parenting Children and Parenting Teenagers Courses
			4.3.13 Post-Abortion Healing Course
			4.3.14 Bereavement Journey
			4.3.15 New ID (Eating Disorders) Course
		4.4	Holy Trinity Church, Brompton: Summary and Emerging Themes
		4.5	Description of All Souls Church, Langham Place
			4.5.1 Historical Background
			4.5.2 Contemporary Vision
			4.5.3 Worship Services
			4.5.4 Fellowship Groups
			4.5.5 Christianity Explored
		4.6	Social Engagement
			4.6.1 Homeless Ministry
			4.6.2 Community Centre
			4.6.3 Engaging with Central London
		4.7	All Souls Church, Langham Place: Summary and Emerging Themes
		4.8	Conclusion
	5 African Diaspora Pentecostalism
		5.1	Introduction
		5.2	Description of Kingsway International Christian Centre
			5.2.1 Location, Context and History
			5.2.2 Local and Global
			5.2.3 Congregational Numbers
			5.2.4 Leadership and Organisation
			5.2.5 Denomination and Worship
		5.3	Social Engagement
			5.3.1 Educational Initiatives
			5.3.2 Careers Counselling
			5.3.3 Homeless Ministries
			5.3.4 Christmas Hampers
			5.3.5 Prison Ministry
			5.3.6 Care Home Ministry
			5.3.7 Other Activities
		5.4	Kingsway International Christian Centre: Summary and Emerging Themes
		5.5	Description of Jesus House for All Nations
			5.5.1 History and Location
			5.5.2 Congregational Numbers
			5.5.3 Spheres of Influence
			5.5.4 Inter-Church Relations
			5.5.5 Denomination and Worship
		5.6	Social Engagement
			5.6.1 The Novo Centre
			5.6.2 Food Bank
			5.6.3 Christmas Activities
			5.6.4 Christians against Poverty
			5.6.5 Football Academy
			5.6.6 Prayer Walking
			5.6.7 Volunteering: a Call to Serve
		5.7	Jesus House for All Nations: Summary and Emerging Themes
		5.8	Description of New Wine Church
			5.8.1 Location, Context and History
			5.8.2 Congregational Numbers
			5.8.3 Leadership and Organisation
			5.8.4 Denomination and Worship
			5.8.5 Recruitment and Organisation
		5.9	Social Engagement
			5.9.1 The John Wilson Pantry
			5.9.2 Christmas Activities
			5.9.3 Community Outreach
			5.9.4 Prison and Immigration Ministry
			5.9.5 Care for the Elderly
			5.9.6 Overseas Mission
			5.9.7 Other Activities
		5.10	New Wine Church: Summary and Emerging Themes
		5.11	Conclusion
Part 3: Explanations and Implications
	6 Theological Motivations
		6.1	Introduction
		6.2	Description of Findings
			6.2.1 Church Activities
			6.2.2 Volunteers’ Motivation
		6.3	Theorising the Findings
			6.3.1 The Theory of Godly Love
			6.3.2 Discussion
		6.4	Conclusion
	7 Globalisation and Social Engagement
		7.1	Introduction
		7.2	Globalisation Theory
		7.3	Globalisation and Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity
		7.4	Global Anglicanism
		7.5	Globalisation and Megachurches
		7.6	Megachurches and the Global City of London
			7.6.1 The African Diaspora Pentecostal Model:
a Bridge-Head
			7.6.2 The Anglican Model: Parish Life and Discipleship
Training
		7.7	The Significance of Globalisation for Social Engagement
		7.8	Conclusion
	8 Implications for Church and Society
		8.1 Introduction
		8.2 Ecclesial Practice-Informed Public Theology
			8.2.1 A Relational Faith
			8.2.2 Discipleship, Transformation and the Common Good
			8.2.3 Scale, Structure and Social Impact
		8.3 Implications for Churches and Church Leaders
			8.3.1 Language and Story-Telling
			8.3.2 The Scope of Social Engagement
			8.3.3 Power and Empowerment
			8.3.4 Resources and Collaboration
		8.4 Implications for Social Policy
			8.4.1 A Relational Approach
			8.4.2 A Values Approach
			8.4.3 Specific Recommendations
	9 Conclusion
		9.1	Summary
		9.2	Towards an Ecclesiology of Social Engagement
		9.3	Significance of the Study and Areas for Future Research
Bibliography
Index of Modern Authors
Index of Subjects