Re-imagining Church in a Changing Culture

Much has been written about the dramatic decline in Church membership and attendance as evidence of ‘the death of Christian Britain’ since the 1960s to the present day, raising questions about the future of the institutional church in particular and ‘organised religion’ in general.

This module aims to go beyond such ‘headlines’ to equip students to understand and critique patterns of decline and growth which are characteristic of the church in the 21st century using both theological and sociological tools.

The Church in the UK will be ‘read’ in the wider context of social, religious and cultural change, and compared with the situation in Europe, America and the developing world. Both the challenges facing the contemporary church, and the responses offered, will be critically examined; with particular reference to patterns of community, mission and ministry.

This module will enable students to acquire the necessary tools to understand the Church in mission in contemporary culture. It will offer the opportunity to appraise new ways of being Church and assess different types of Church growth both past and present. Students will be encouraged to learn about different cultures and explore different theologies in relation to mission e.g. liberation theologies, black theologies green theologies and the contemporary missional conversation.

Those not on the MA programme are very welcome to book on this module as an auditor.

Contact Alex Weir for all booking enquiries
aweir@sarum.ac.uk  |  01722 424827  |  01722 424800 (main reception)