This paper investigates the question, What does a ‘common good building’ church, that partners with others to serve homeless people, look like? This investigation will assist church leaders in focusing resources and training on an outworking of the Missio Dei that aspires to common good building. The method employed for this investigation was to produce a Qualitative Grounded Theory which tested data from focus groups against theoretical sensitising and further tested it in a ‘common good building’ conference and in abductive reflection with a range of theologians. The research outcome emphasises the significance of respectful listening in empowering, particularly those with subjugated knowledge of themselves. Further conversations are needed between understandings of mission and those of work. How power is used and abused is critical; subsidiarity is central to mission.
{"title":"Characteristics of a 'common good building' Church of England Church","authors":"Ian Terry","doi":"10.54195/ef19017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef19017","url":null,"abstract":"This paper investigates the question, What does a ‘common good building’ church, that partners with others to serve homeless people, look like? This investigation will assist church leaders in focusing resources and training on an outworking of the Missio Dei that aspires to common good building. The method employed for this investigation was to produce a Qualitative Grounded Theory which tested data from focus groups against theoretical sensitising and further tested it in a ‘common good building’ conference and in abductive reflection with a range of theologians. The research outcome emphasises the significance of respectful listening in empowering, particularly those with subjugated knowledge of themselves. Further conversations are needed between understandings of mission and those of work. How power is used and abused is critical; subsidiarity is central to mission.","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"27 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141804531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
African churches face diverse obstacles while attempting cross-cultural mission in the West. These include the influence of external forces such as racism, lack of understanding of European cultures, lack of worship spaces and various perceptions that many wider indigenous Europeans have about Africans and their churches, particularly their theological beliefs. These external factors impose real challenges, which are beyond the control of the leaders of diaspora African churches and interfere with the effort to build relations with the wider white indigenous European host population, whether spiritual or secular. This qualitative study explores the different ways through which Nigerian-initiated churches in London are engaging with British society, both ecumenically and as a social force within the communities. There are indications that a few of the larger churches are building ecumenical relations with mainline Britishchurches, although this is prevalent at leadership level. Similarly, they are well-enough resourced to embark on social community projects which are beneficial to nationals of all races and political activities to court the British royal and political elite and aretherefore establishing their presence within and creating pathways to British society.
{"title":"Nigerian Pentecostal Mission in Europe: Ecumenical and Secular Relations in Britain","authors":"Bisi Adenekan-Koevoets","doi":"10.54195/ef13424","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef13424","url":null,"abstract":"African churches face diverse obstacles while attempting cross-cultural mission in the West. These include the influence of external forces such as racism, lack of understanding of European cultures, lack of worship spaces and various perceptions that many wider indigenous Europeans have about Africans and their churches, particularly their theological beliefs. These external factors impose real challenges, which are beyond the control of the leaders of diaspora African churches and interfere with the effort to build relations with the wider white indigenous European host population, whether spiritual or secular. This qualitative study explores the different ways through which Nigerian-initiated churches in London are engaging with British society, both ecumenically and as a social force within the communities. There are indications that a few of the larger churches are building ecumenical relations with mainline Britishchurches, although this is prevalent at leadership level. Similarly, they are well-enough resourced to embark on social community projects which are beneficial to nationals of all races and political activities to court the British royal and political elite and aretherefore establishing their presence within and creating pathways to British society.","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122900417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The case study investigates mission readiness as a form of church mobilization involving participants and the investigator constructing a framework of ministry practices for analysis. The participants were from a local church interested in improving ministry practices for social engagement. I collaborated with a local church using a self-assessment tool I developed for church mobilization readiness assessments. The input following the assessment results was based on critical realism epistemology and ontology. Best practices of mission readiness served as a basis for facilitating participants using critical realism methodology in workshops. The workshops included participants using triangulation and thought operations. The question for the study was: how do congregations assign practical theological meaning in assessing their performance in mission readiness for church mobilization? The results demonstrate how a critical realism methodology helps transform and improve ministry practices. Critical realism thought operation methods were appropriate for practical theological analysis in church mobilization. Participants contributed additional action items for the framework. This article includes mapping tables with summary descriptions of elements of the framework. The mapping tables highlight transformation points to illustrate the results of participants’ self-assessments and planning activities to improve elements ofmission readiness. Further study may help investigators demonstrate how the framework is helpful beyond the limited use of the framework.
{"title":"A Congregational Study on Mission Readiness: Toward a practical ecclesiology of practical action","authors":"Mark G. Harden","doi":"10.54195/ef13628","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef13628","url":null,"abstract":"The case study investigates mission readiness as a form of church mobilization involving participants and the investigator constructing a framework of ministry practices for analysis. The participants were from a local church interested in improving ministry practices for social engagement. I collaborated with a local church using a self-assessment tool I developed for church mobilization readiness assessments. The input following the assessment results was based on critical realism epistemology and ontology. Best practices of mission readiness served as a basis for facilitating participants using critical realism methodology in workshops. The workshops included participants using triangulation and thought operations. The question for the study was: how do congregations assign practical theological meaning in assessing their performance in mission readiness for church mobilization? The results demonstrate how a critical realism methodology helps transform and improve ministry practices. Critical realism thought operation methods were appropriate for practical theological analysis in church mobilization. Participants contributed additional action items for the framework. This article includes mapping tables with summary descriptions of elements of the framework. The mapping tables highlight transformation points to illustrate the results of participants’ self-assessments and planning activities to improve elements ofmission readiness. Further study may help investigators demonstrate how the framework is helpful beyond the limited use of the framework.","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127631434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interfaith Networks and Development: Case Studies from Africa","authors":"Kimion Tagwirei","doi":"10.54195/ef15515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef15515","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122584504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The metaverse attracts considerable attention in politics, economy, society and culture. Unfortunately, seminaries and churches are still in their early stages of missiological research and understanding the metaverse. If we understand the metaverse as a digital mission field, research on the missiological approach is required. We should pay attention to the infinitely expanding and integrating metaverse. Overseas, there is already a history of experimental challenges and settlements from decades ago on the potential for churches in virtual spaces. While online churches are famous in Korea, there is insufficient understanding of ways to meet the younger generation of non-believers in the metaverse. Since online churches are analogue enterprises, there is a massive gap between them and the digital younger generation. Paul Hiebert’s critical contextualization is still valid in approaching the metaverse as a digital mission field. Heidi Campbell’s study of the relationship between media and religions, “religious-social shaping approach to technology” reminds Korean churches of the value of the metaverse as a new media. Both theories show Korean churches need dialogue and patience when approaching the metaverse to contact non-believers. Missiological discussions on the metaverse should promote a holistic understanding in which the two worlds closely relate rather than a dualistic understanding. The digital living spaceof the MZ generation that emerged with the development of new technology does not conflict with the nature of the Christian Church. Therefore, Korean churches need to understand the metaverse as a space of mission and coexistence.
{"title":"The Metaverse as a Digital Missionary Site","authors":"Sung-Hyuk Nam","doi":"10.54195/ef13666","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef13666","url":null,"abstract":"The metaverse attracts considerable attention in politics, economy, society and culture. Unfortunately, seminaries and churches are still in their early stages of missiological research and understanding the metaverse. If we understand the metaverse as a digital mission field, research on the missiological approach is required. We should pay attention to the infinitely expanding and integrating metaverse. Overseas, there is already a history of experimental challenges and settlements from decades ago on the potential for churches in virtual spaces. While online churches are famous in Korea, there is insufficient understanding of ways to meet the younger generation of non-believers in the metaverse. Since online churches are analogue enterprises, there is a massive gap between them and the digital younger generation. Paul Hiebert’s critical contextualization is still valid in approaching the metaverse as a digital mission field. Heidi Campbell’s study of the relationship between media and religions, “religious-social shaping approach to technology” reminds Korean churches of the value of the metaverse as a new media. Both theories show Korean churches need dialogue and patience when approaching the metaverse to contact non-believers. Missiological discussions on the metaverse should promote a holistic understanding in which the two worlds closely relate rather than a dualistic understanding. The digital living spaceof the MZ generation that emerged with the development of new technology does not conflict with the nature of the Christian Church. Therefore, Korean churches need to understand the metaverse as a space of mission and coexistence.","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"203 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124932323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The paper describes new ways of missional engagement during the Covid-19 pandemic and afterwards in Korea. While Covid-19 is inflicting serious damage on the entire Korean society, the damage to the Protestant churches is serious. The local government’s prohibition of ‘in-person gathering’ for worship resulted in the decrease of membership and endangered the unique paradigm of ‘in-gathering’-centred ecclesiology in Korean Protestant churches.The study tried to understand how local congregations coped with the changed situation in their missional engagement. Three congregations were used as case studies of how the local congregations responded to their missional tasks during the pandemic.With some preliminary assessments from these case studies, the paper suggests three ways of missional engagement of local congregation in Korea during the pandemic and even after the pandemic: 1) engaging personal fellowship using narratives, 2)performing a habitual ethical lifestyle, and 3) embracing the practice of hospitality.
{"title":"Churches’ Missional Engagement during the Pandemic and afterwards in Korea","authors":"Bokyoung Park","doi":"10.54195/ef13656","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef13656","url":null,"abstract":"The paper describes new ways of missional engagement during the Covid-19 pandemic and afterwards in Korea. While Covid-19 is inflicting serious damage on the entire Korean society, the damage to the Protestant churches is serious. The local government’s prohibition of ‘in-person gathering’ for worship resulted in the decrease of membership and endangered the unique paradigm of ‘in-gathering’-centred ecclesiology in Korean Protestant churches.The study tried to understand how local congregations coped with the changed situation in their missional engagement. Three congregations were used as case studies of how the local congregations responded to their missional tasks during the pandemic.With some preliminary assessments from these case studies, the paper suggests three ways of missional engagement of local congregation in Korea during the pandemic and even after the pandemic: 1) engaging personal fellowship using narratives, 2)performing a habitual ethical lifestyle, and 3) embracing the practice of hospitality.","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131468233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This article examines the causes and circumstances of the decline of Korean churches since the 2000s. After briefly sketching the history and critical events of the growth of the Korean church, it pays attention to one of the leading reasons people leave thechurch and a reason that the Korean church has lost its reliability in the view of much of Korean society. After that, the author introduces two phenomena in the process of the slow growth and decline of the Korean church: the phenomenon of “believing without belonging” and the increase in numbers of bi-vocational ministers. This is a time when the missional church has begun to emerge as a new type of church, different from the traditional church, and at the same time non-institutional churches have emerged as a missional approach to believing without belonging. Furthermore, the author argues that the small missional church is a helpful alternative and required paradigm in the context of the decline of the Korean church by using several case studies, including shared worship space, bi-vocational ministry, and local missional church.
{"title":"Small Missional Church as an alternative in the period of Church Decline in Korea","authors":"Anamah Tan","doi":"10.54195/ef13747","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef13747","url":null,"abstract":"This article examines the causes and circumstances of the decline of Korean churches since the 2000s. After briefly sketching the history and critical events of the growth of the Korean church, it pays attention to one of the leading reasons people leave thechurch and a reason that the Korean church has lost its reliability in the view of much of Korean society. After that, the author introduces two phenomena in the process of the slow growth and decline of the Korean church: the phenomenon of “believing without belonging” and the increase in numbers of bi-vocational ministers. This is a time when the missional church has begun to emerge as a new type of church, different from the traditional church, and at the same time non-institutional churches have emerged as a missional approach to believing without belonging. Furthermore, the author argues that the small missional church is a helpful alternative and required paradigm in the context of the decline of the Korean church by using several case studies, including shared worship space, bi-vocational ministry, and local missional church.","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"52 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133082022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tradition and Apocalypse: An Essay on the Future of Christian Belief","authors":"C. Sonea","doi":"10.54195/ef15516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef15516","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127123205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This paper explores how Korean migrant churches in Aotearoa New Zealand can find a balance between missions (understood as extending the Church) and Mission (construed as participation in the missio Dei), in relation to their sense of belonging. For this purpose, the research uses a qualitative methodology interview method guided by interpretivism. The paper begins by identifying key contextual factors related to Koreans in New Zealand as migrants, Christians and missional beings. The responses of 31 research participants regarding what constitutes a “sense of belonging” are analysed in terms of visible and invisible belonging. Visible belonging is associated with churches that have strong boundaries, and invisible belonging is found in one’s relationship with God; the two can be correlated with missions and Mission, respectively. The analysis suggests that a missional understanding can be a trigger for enabling interaction between visible belonging as missions and invisible belonging as Mission, through three missional concepts: purpose, progress and experience. Finally, the paper suggests practical ways that Korean churches in New Zealand can balance missions and Mission by following three missional guidelines.
{"title":"Balancing visible and invisible belonging for Korean Migrant Missional Churches in Aotearoa New Zealand","authors":"Hyeong-kyoon Kim","doi":"10.54195/ef13749","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef13749","url":null,"abstract":"This paper explores how Korean migrant churches in Aotearoa New Zealand can find a balance between missions (understood as extending the Church) and Mission (construed as participation in the missio Dei), in relation to their sense of belonging. For this purpose, the research uses a qualitative methodology interview method guided by interpretivism. The paper begins by identifying key contextual factors related to Koreans in New Zealand as migrants, Christians and missional beings. The responses of 31 research participants regarding what constitutes a “sense of belonging” are analysed in terms of visible and invisible belonging. Visible belonging is associated with churches that have strong boundaries, and invisible belonging is found in one’s relationship with God; the two can be correlated with missions and Mission, respectively. The analysis suggests that a missional understanding can be a trigger for enabling interaction between visible belonging as missions and invisible belonging as Mission, through three missional concepts: purpose, progress and experience. Finally, the paper suggests practical ways that Korean churches in New Zealand can balance missions and Mission by following three missional guidelines.","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"481 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115732394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The decline in social trust in the Korean Protestant church is a significant social issue that requires attention and action. Despite being more involved in community service than other religions, trust in the church has fallen, and it is essential to understand why. This paper will examine the previous dominant method of discipleship training, which may have contributed to this decline. By using a case study of a Korean church, the study will analyze the effectiveness of the discipleship training and its impact on social trust. Then I will reflect on how the Korean church should respond to today’s situation characterized by VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) and the pandemic. This paper will suggest a new approach called missional discipleship, which seeks to create a more engaging and inclusive environment that inspires the church to lead and participate in community service.
{"title":"Missional Discipleship in Post-Pandemic Korea:","authors":"Bright Myeong-Seok Lee","doi":"10.54195/ef13755","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54195/ef13755","url":null,"abstract":"The decline in social trust in the Korean Protestant church is a significant social issue that requires attention and action. Despite being more involved in community service than other religions, trust in the church has fallen, and it is essential to understand why. This paper will examine the previous dominant method of discipleship training, which may have contributed to this decline. By using a case study of a Korean church, the study will analyze the effectiveness of the discipleship training and its impact on social trust. Then I will reflect on how the Korean church should respond to today’s situation characterized by VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) and the pandemic. This paper will suggest a new approach called missional discipleship, which seeks to create a more engaging and inclusive environment that inspires the church to lead and participate in community service.","PeriodicalId":151321,"journal":{"name":"Ecclesial Futures","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122024689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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