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Evangelism: Research
My research reflects the double listening approach advocated in Mission-Shaped Church as I understand it, in which one listens to the culture as well the Christian tradition and applies these to the contemporary mission task. This means observing what people are doing in evangelism and learning lessons from that; analysis and understanding of post-Christian culture; and theological reflection on both culture and emerging evangelistic practice. This means that past practice in cross-cultural evangelism becomes relevant to best practice in the contemporary situation.
This leads to a threefold research focus on:
a) The emerging post-Christendom culture and those of other faiths
This is done through primary research based on cultural indicators like the media, news, and field observation both of people in general and specific cultural groups. Analysis of survey data looking for information that enables better understanding of how people think and behave and are responding to issues of faith and the Christian message. Secondary research is done through reading the relevant literature and networking with other researchers.
Existing research has included:
The move from print-based to virtual media; the nature of secularism; the effects of the loss of church upbringing; the rise of New Spiritualities from New Age and Pagan roots; the culture and beliefs of Generation Y and the 'new old' Saga generation; the impact of the shift from facts to experiences as the basis from which truth and meaning are formed; the impact of the Da Vinci Code; rising media attention on the supernatural and the increasingly positive tone in which it is portrayed in both entertainment and documentary programmes; spirituality in popular music.
Current and future research
Ongoing analysis of survey data, media and other aspects of contemporary culture: analysis of religion data from 2011 national census; the place of the internet in network cultures and an assessment of the extent to which the internet can be considered a 'place' for cross-cultural mission; understanding the 'baby boomer' generation and mission to it; 'generation Y' as the come into adulthood; the ethics of relational evangelism; social cohesion, Christian unity and the multiplication of culture specific expressions of church.
b) Assessment of current evangelistic practice with post-Christian groups and individuals.
This is done through primary research visiting and communicating with practitioners including reflection on my own practice and secondary research into the findings of others in printed and web format as well as personally through networking.
Existing research includes
A major area is an ongoing connection to a growing network of those seeking to connect with contemporary non-Christian spirituality where I have run the first national conference in this field and from that created and manage a website for those involved. Others include Church Army club culture outreach in Maidstone and Cardiff as well as those working in the night-club scene and the wider night-time economy in other areas; Church Army youth outreach in Bradford; work amongst vulnerable young people in two Church Army projects in Cardiff. those doing evangelism online; those working in extreme sports communities; evangelism in shopping centres; tourist ministry in historic churches; the use of art and crafts in evangelism; healing prayer and evangelism.
Current and future research
Ongoing work with those in the 'New Spiritualities'; internet church and internet evangelism; evangelism through medical practices; evangelism through sports centres; mission in the night time economy and the relation ship of night club mission to projects like Street Pastors; the mission of African churches in Britain.
c) Reflection on cross-cultural mission theory and historic practice
Through secondary research using relevant literature and personal networking. Particular focuses have been: the understanding of ancient paganism in the Old and New Testament; how context influenced Paul's evangelistic message; apologetics in post-modernity; the application of paradigm theory to post-modern evangelistic practice; lessons form the early evangelisation of Northern Europe; the shift away from cross-cultural approaches with the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire.
Current and future research areas Include
evangelism in multi-faith contexts particularly the application of the C1-6 paradigm in building Christian community; further reflection on the mission to northern Europe in the 3rd-8th Centuries and it's lessons for re-evangelisation.
