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. The book examines those claims and untangles their sociological and theological assumptions. From a careful study of factors underlying attendance decline and growth, Walker argues that long-term decline can be resisted only if churches are better able to attract children, the non-churched or both.
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. The book examines those claims and untangles their sociological and theological assumptions. From a careful study of factors underlying attendance decline and growth, Walker argues that long-term decline can be resisted only if churches are better able to attract children, the non-churched or both.
John Walker has experience of both traditional parish ministry and innovative church planting. Alongside parish ministry he has been a researcher for the Diocese of Canterbury in a joint project with the University of Kent, Canterbury.
Inhaltsangabe
Introduction: Still Fresh? Part 1 Fresh Hope? Chapter 1 Changing Society Chapter 2 Changing Church Part 2 Existing Evidence Chapter 3 Proportion Chapter 4 Secularization Chapter 5 Diffusion Chapter 6 Congregation Chapter 7 Generation Part 3 New Research Chapter 8 Context Chapter 9 Why Try? Chapter 10 Why Stay? Chapter 11 Transformation Part 4 Implications Chapter 12 Strategy Chapter 13 Ecclesiology concl Conclusion: Fresh, Still ...