Stephen Parker

Leslie J. Francis

David W. Lankshear

This volume brings together 15 studies reporting the latest international research on developments and trends in religious education. Together these 15 studies illustrate recurrent themes affecting the development of religious education in diverse locations and also illustrate the distinctive trajectories of locations shaped by different histories and by different contemporary contexts. These contributions were brought together in a recent seminar convened by the International Seminar on Religious Education and Values, the leading international association for religious educators and values educators across the world. This volume has selected key contributions made to the seminar, spanning both conceptual and empirical perspectives, rooted in both religious and secular traditions.

International Perspectives

New Directions in Religious and Values Education

Jeff Astley

This volume brings together two core concepts - intersectionality and diversity - that are central to the understanding of the social and public significance of religions and theologies in the contemporary world. It represents a unique collection of international perspectives on these interlocking themes.

Studies in Religion, Education and Values

Diversity and Intersectionality

Ann Casson

Trevor Cooling

Positive spiritual development is an obligation on all schools. This new source book for education professionals documents how ten leading Christian-ethos secondary schools have prioritized the spiritual development of their students. Each chapter tells the story of how one of the schools approaches this responsibility, showing the variety of innovation and creativity taking place within spiritual education. It offers wisdom from practitioners on the opportunities and challenges that exist, as well as inspiration to other schools wishing to improve their provision for spiritual development.

Learning from Leading Secondary Schools

Lessons in Spiritual Development

During the past two decades, the Science of Congregation Studies has blossomed significantly in the UK, as well as within the USA and Australia. In this illuminating and thought-provoking volume, Leslie J. Francis’ research group draws on the Signs of Growth Survey conducted throughout the Anglican Diocese of Southwark to illustrate how the strength of combined qualitative and quantitative research methods can draw on the insights of psychological theory, sociological theory, and empirical theology to illuminate pressing questions of relevance to the sociology of religion, psychology of religion, practical theology and pastoral studies. Individual chapters discuss the missing generation of young people, the greying generation aged seventy and over, how occasional churchgoers express belonging and commitment, connections between psychological type and religious motivation, and the distinctive characteristics of growing congregations.

Searching for Signs of Growth

The Science of Congregation Studies

Mandy Robbins

At the dawn of the third millennium, Rowan Williams the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury faces the daunting challenge of leading the highly diversified and fragmented Church of England. The very essence of Anglicanism remains in the capability of embracing alternative perspectives in teaching and practice. "Fragmented Faith?" draws attention to three fault-lines within the Church of England: the continuing differences between evangelicals and Catholics, liberals and conservatives and charismatics and non-charismatics. But the fragmentation is more profound than these distinctions of church orientation. This well-informed and perceptive analysis shows that the real divisions are between the generations, between the sexes and between the laity and the clergy.

Exposing the Fault-lines in the Church of England

Fragmented Faith?

'Ordinary theology' characterizes the reflective God-talk of the great majority of churchgoers, and others who remain largely untouched by the assumptions, concepts and arguments that academic theology takes for granted. Jeff Astley coined the phrase in his innovative study, Ordinary Theology: Looking, Listening and Learning in Theology, arguing that 'speaking statistically ordinary theology is the theology of God's Church'. A number of scholars have responded to this and related conceptualizations, exploring their theological implications. Other researchers have adopted the perspective in examining a range of Church practices and contexts of Christian discipleship, using the tools of empirical study. Ordinary theology research has proved to be key in uncovering people's everyday lay theology or ordinary dogmatics. Exploring Ordinary Theology presents fresh contributions from a wide range of authors, who address the theological, empirical and practical dimensions of this central feature of ordinary Christian existence and the life of the Church.

Everyday Christian Believing and the Church

Exploring Ordinary Theology

Gareth Byrne

The Voices of Young People in Ireland

Religion and Education

William K. Kay

Teenage Religion and Values

Christopher F. J. Ross

In Personality, Religion, and Leadership, Christopher F. J. Ross and Leslie J. Francis illustrate how Jungian archetypes can help religious leaders understand and deal with their personal spiritual journeys in times of stress and success and build strong religious communities that contain a diverse array of psychological types.

The Spiritual Dimensions of Psychological Type Theory

Personality, Religion, and Leadership

William S. Campbell

Research in Religious Education

Bruce M. Landesman

Margaret P. Battin

Death, Dying and the Ending of Life

The essays brought together here present a broad assessment of the serious issues facing rural life and the rural church today. The authors are drawn from the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal Churches. The essays explore a wide range of biblical, theological, sociological, and historical concerns and topics. Throughout, the book is informed by a spirit of listening - to church-goers, clergy, church leaders, and local communities. Rural Life and Rural Church provides an invaluable resource for clergy and lay Christians involved in rural ministry, initial and continuing ministerial education, and Christian men and women living in the countryside.

Theological and Empirical Perspectives

Rural Life and Rural Church

Leslie J. Francis

Books

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