Thanks John.. Some interesting suggestions for research questions and actions. I think though we need to look at it ecumenically... Are the same issues to be found among Baptists, Methodists, RCs, independent Charismatics and Pentecostals? Also I think we need to explore what's happening outside of superdiverse London, Birmingham and Manchester and West Yorkshire conurbations? dynamics seem very different in other places. And following the Panorama programme the CofE needs to deal with some issues around clergy ... but also to recognize that the congregations / membership at local level is what makes the church tick - or not.
Thanks Greg. Yes. Yes. Yes. I think comparisons with other denominations are important, though we shouldn't underestimate how structures shape churches. I also suspect that the C of E needs to learn lessons from the Baptists.
Yes, local context is very important. My experience is 100% London, as also Malcolm Patten's excellent book. I suspect that what Londoners write is more relevant for Berlin or Barcelona than Burnley or Blackburn. Also I think there is a contrast between London shaped & Birmingham shaped writers on church & race.
Will catch up on the Panorama programme in the next day or so, but it sounds grim It clashed with Liverpool v Leeds, which perhaps was better missed.
A roundup of some Church reaction to the Sewell report is worth a read.
https://cte.org.uk/Articles/607241/Home/News/Latest_news/_The_UK.aspx
Thanks John.. Some interesting suggestions for research questions and actions. I think though we need to look at it ecumenically... Are the same issues to be found among Baptists, Methodists, RCs, independent Charismatics and Pentecostals? Also I think we need to explore what's happening outside of superdiverse London, Birmingham and Manchester and West Yorkshire conurbations? dynamics seem very different in other places. And following the Panorama programme the CofE needs to deal with some issues around clergy ... but also to recognize that the congregations / membership at local level is what makes the church tick - or not.
Thanks Greg. Yes. Yes. Yes. I think comparisons with other denominations are important, though we shouldn't underestimate how structures shape churches. I also suspect that the C of E needs to learn lessons from the Baptists.
Yes, local context is very important. My experience is 100% London, as also Malcolm Patten's excellent book. I suspect that what Londoners write is more relevant for Berlin or Barcelona than Burnley or Blackburn. Also I think there is a contrast between London shaped & Birmingham shaped writers on church & race.
Will catch up on the Panorama programme in the next day or so, but it sounds grim It clashed with Liverpool v Leeds, which perhaps was better missed.