Megachurches and Social Engagement

Mark J. Cartledge is Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Centre for Renewal Studies at Regent University School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, USA. He is a priest in the Church of England, theologian and scholar of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity.Sarah L.B. Dunlop is Lecturer in Practical Theology at Ridley Hall, a Church of England training college in Cambridge, UK. An active member of the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Network, she is known for her work in pioneering visual ethnographic methods.Heather Buckingham is Director of Research and Social Policy at the Church Urban Fund, Westminster, London. She holds a PhD in Sociology and Social Policy and is an Honorary Fellow at the Edward Cadbury Centre at the University of Birmingham, UK.Sophie Bremner is a Lecturer in the School of International Development at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. She holds a PhD in International Development with expertise in the anthropology of African Pentecostal Christianity.

"The rise of megachurches in the latter part of the twentieth century is an unprecedented phenomenon in the history of global Christianity. Opinions differ as to their constructive contribution to the betterment of society. In this groundbreaking book, a team of scholars has collaborated to produce the most substantive empirical study of the megachurch phenomenon and their social engagement to date. This book is highly recommended!" — Clifton R. Clarke, Assistant Provost and Associate Professor of Black Church Studies and World Christianity, Fuller Theological Seminary."The co-authored Megachurches and Social Engagement both identifies a gap in the literature and goes a long way to fill it. The gap is the absence of work on an increasingly important phenomenon - the growing number of megachurches in Europe, not least the ten in London. The response is an empirically driven, theologically informed and carefully written account of five of these churches paying particular attention to their involvement in social engagement. I recommend it warmly to a wide variety of audiences both within the churches and beyond." — Grace Davie, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Exeter.

• Preface XIList of Table and Figures xiii1 Introduction1.1Aim, Scope and Contribution of the Study1.2The History and Context of Evangelicalism in the Church of England1.3African Pentecostalism in London 1.4Theoretical Fields: Public Theology, Megachurches and Social Engagement1.5Research Methodology1.6Outline of the ChaptersPart 1: Theoretical Fields2 Megachurch Studies2.1Introduction 2.2Megachurches in the usa2.2.1 A Megachurch Typology?2.2.2 Megachurches and the Religious Market2.2.3 Megachurches and the Mainline2.2.4 African American Megachurches2.3Megachurches in the South2.4Megachurches in Europe2.5Megachurches in the United Kingdom2.6Explanations of the Emergence of Megachurches2.7Conclusion3 Public Theology, Social Theory and Social Engagement3.1Introduction3.2Public Theology3.3Changing Society, Changing Church3.4Faith and Social Policy: Concepts and Context3.4.1 Conceptualising the Relationship between Faith and Social Policy3.4.2 Mapping the Contemporary Policy Context3.5Defining the Churches’ Social Engagement3.6Sociological Perspectives on the Churches’ Social Engagement3.6.1 Types of Service Provision3.6.2 Understanding the Tensions3.6.3 Faith and Social Capital3.7Understanding the ‘Why’: Theology, Social Theory and Ecclesial Practice3.8ConclusionPart 2: Empirical Studies4 The Church of England4.1Introduction4.2Description of Holy Trinity Church, Brompton4.2.1 The Parish4.2.2 History4.2.3 Current Vision4.2.4 Worship Services4.2.5 Alpha4.2.6 Global Reach4.3Social Engagement4.3.1 William Wilberforce Trust4.3.2 Alpha in Prisons4.3.3 Caring for Ex-Offenders4.3.4 Homeless Drop-in4.3.5 Homeless Winter Shelter4.3.6 Recovery Course4.3.7 Money Course4.3.8 Crosslight Debt Advice4.3.9 Radical Hospitality4.3.10 Community for the Elderly4.3.11 Marriage and Marriage Preparation Courses4.3.12 Parenting Children and Parenting Teenagers Courses4.3.13 Post-Abortion Healing Course4.3.14 Bereavement Journey4.3.15 New ID (Eating Disorders) Course4.4Holy Trinity Church, Brompton: Summary and Emerging Themes4.5Description of All Souls Church, Langham Place 4.5.1 Historical Background4.5.2 Contemporary Vision4.5.3 Worship Services4.5.4 Fellowship Groups4.5.5 Christianity Explored4.6Social Engagement4.6.1 Homeless Ministry4.6.2 Community Centre4.6.3 Engaging with Central London4.7All Souls Church, Langham Place: Summary and Emerging Themes4.8Conclusion5 African Diaspora Pentecostalism5.1Introduction5.2Description of Kingsway International Christian Church5.2.1 Location, Context and History5.2.2 Local and Global5.2.3 Congregational Numbers5.2.4 Leadership and Organisation5.2.5 Denomination and Worship5.3Social Engagement5.3.1 Educational Initiatives5.3.2 Careers Counselling5.3.3 Homeless Ministries5.3.4 Christmas Hampers5.3.5 Prison Ministry5.3.6 Care Home Ministry5.3.7 Other Activities5.4Kingsway International Christian Church: Summary and Emerging Themes5.5Description of Jesus House for All Nations5.5.1 History and Location5.5.2 Congregational Numbers5.5.3 Spheres of Influence5.5.4 Inter-Church Relations5.5.5 Denomination and Worship5.6Social Engagement5.6.1 The Novo Centre5.6.2 Food Bank5.6.3 Christmas Activities5.6.4 Christians against Poverty5.6.5 Football Academy5.6.6 Prayer Walking5.6.7 Volunteering: A Call to Serve5.7Jesus House for All Nations: Summary and Emerging Themes5.8Description of New Wine Church5.8.1 Location, Context and History5.8.2 Congregational Numbers5.8.3 Leadership and Organisation5.8.4 Denomination and Worship5.8.5 Ministries5.9Social Engagement5.9.1 The John Wilson Pantry5.9.2 Christmas Activities5.9.3 Community Outreach5.9.4 Prison and Immigration Ministry5.9.5 Care for the Elderly5.9.6 Overseas Mission5.9.7 Other Activities5.10New Wine Church: Summary and Emerging Themes5.11ConclusionPart 3: Explanations and Implications6 Theological Motivations6.1Introduction6.2Description of Findings6.2.1 Church Activities6.2.2 Volunteers’ Motivation6.3Theorising the Findings6.3.1 The Theory of Godly Love6.3.2 Discussion6.4Conclusion 7 Globalisation and Social Engagement7.1.Introduction7.2Globalisation Theory7.3Globalisation and Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity7.4Global Anglicanism7.5Globalisation and Megachurches7.6Megachurches and the Global City of London7.6.1 The African Diaspora Pentecostal Model: A Bridge-Head7.6.2 The Anglican Model: Parish Life and Discipleship Training7.7The Significance of Globalisation for Social Engagement7.8Conclusion8 Implications for Church and Society8.1Introduction8.2Ecclesial Practice-Informed Public Theology8.2.1 A Relational Faith8.2.2 Discipleship, Transformation and the Common Good8.2.3 Scale, Structure and Social impact8.3Implications for Churches and Church Leaders8.3.1 Language and Story-Telling8.3.2 The Scope of Social Engagement8.3.3 Power and Empowerment8.3.4 Resources and Collaboration8.4Implications for Social Policy8.4.1 A Relational Approach8.4.2 A Values Approach8.4.3 Specific Recommendations9 Conclusion9.1Summary9.2Towards an Ecclesiology of Social Engagement9.3Significance of the Study and Areas for Future Research