Bücher der Reihe Routledge Contemporary Ecclesiology

There has been substantial church growth in Britain between 1980 and 2010. This book demonstrates that, whilst decline is happening in some parts of the church, this needs to be balanced by recognition of the vitality of large swathes of the Christian church in Britain.

Testing Fresh Expressions investigates whether fresh expressions of church really do what is claimed for them by the fresh expressions movement and, in particular, whether their unique approach helps to reverse trends of decline experienced by traditional churches.

Critiquing a paradigm of growth within the church, this book contends that the church's growth ethic should be replaced by one based on virtue. It argues that an approach taking growth to be the overriding task of the church is found to be shallow and risks infantilising the faith it purports to proclaim.

The Anglican Communion is one of the largest Christian denominations in the world. Growth and Decline in the Anglican Communion is the first comprehensive study of its dramatic growth and decline in the years since 1980. An international team of leading researchers based across five continents provides a global overview of Anglicanism alongside twelve detailed case studies. The case studies stretch from Singapore to England, Nigeria to the USA and mostly focus on non-western Anglicanism. This book is a critical resource for students and scholars seeking an understanding the past, present and future of the Anglican Church. More broadly, the study offers insight into debates surrounding secularisation in the contemporary world.

An invaluable compendium of case-studies, academic reflection and critical enquiry, this Handbook offers a fresh understanding of traditional, contemporary and innovative forms of spiritual practice as they are witnessed in the public sphere. Providing a wide-ranging appraisal of chaplaincy in an era of religious complexity and emergent spiritualities, this pioneering book is a major contribution to a relatively underdeveloped field and sets out how the phenomenon of chaplaincy can be better understood and its practice more robust and informed.

Society Shaped by Theology explores the possibility that theological concepts may sometimes still be influential in the modern world. It follows in the tradition of Max Weber, arguing that theological virtues and debates can at times be transposed, wittingly or unwittingly, into society at large.

Over the years a number of theologians have been using aspects of sociology alongside the more traditional resources of philosophy. In this book, the author makes a renewed contribution to the mapping of three abiding ways of relating theology and sociology.

There has been substantial church growth in Britain between 1980 and 2010. This book demonstrates that, whilst decline is happening in some parts of the church, this needs to be balanced by recognition of the vitality of large swathes of the Christian church in Britain.

Over the years a number of theologians have been using aspects of sociology alongside the more traditional resources of philosophy. In turn, sociologists have also contributed to an interaction between theology and sociology. In his trilogy, the author contributes to the mapping of three abiding ways of relating theology and sociology.

Sydney Anglicans, always ultra-conservative in terms of liturgy, theology and personal morality, have increasingly modelled themselves on sixteenth century English Puritanism. This title unpacks how Australia's largest diocese developed its ideological fervour, and explores the impact it is having both in Australia and the Anglican Communion.

Martyn Percy highlights how rich and reflexive the Anglican tradition can be in living and proclaiming the gospel of Christ. This book offers some sharply-focused snapshots of contemporary Anglicanism, and cover many of the crucial issues affecting Anglicans today, such as the nature of mission and ministry, theological training and formation.

In this groundbreaking book exploring Christianity and contemporary culture, internationally-renowned scholars interface with the legacy of Andrew Walker's work and look forward in their own predictions of trends. Following Walker's special interests in house churches, charismatic renewal, culture and faith.

A collection of readings that offers an overview of the multiple ways Christians have understood the church to be both the body of Christ and, at the same time, an imperfect, social and historical institution, constantly subject to change, and reflective of the cultures in which it is found.

Drawing together original research which weaves together ideas from theology, philosophy, feminism and writing on mothering and child development, Percy affirms and encourages aspects of good practice in ministry that are in danger of being over looked because they are neither well-articulated nor valued. Offering a fresh look at parish ministry.