Perspectives on Ecclesiology and Ethnography

by Pete Ward (Editor)

Overview

Within the disciplines of religious studies, systematic theology, and practical theology there exists a divide between empirical and theological analyses of the church. Each volume in the cross-disciplinary series Studies in Ecclesiology and Ethnography attempts to address this gap by exploring the methodological and substantive issues that arise from both theological and empirical studies of the church's practices and social reality.

Perspectives on Ecclesiology and Ethnography, the inaugural volume in the series, proposes that if theology is to regain its relevance to the church today, theologians must utilize ethnographical tools in order to provide more accurate, disciplined research that is situated in real contexts. Using "ethnography" in its broadest sense — encompassing any form of qualitative research — this volume proposes that the church is both theological and social/cultural, which implies the need for a methodological shift for researchers in theology. Contributions from twelve scholar-practitioners lead the way forward.

Contributors
Luke Bretherton
Paul S. Fiddes
Nicholas M. Healy
Mary McClintock Fulkerson
Alister E. McGrath
Richard R. Osmer
Elizabeth Phillips
Christian Scharen
John Swinton
Pete Ward
Clare Watkins
John Webster

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802867261
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	03/01/2012
Series:	Studies in Ecclesiology and Ethnography
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Pete Ward is senior lecturer in youth ministry and theologicaleducation at King's College London. His other booksinclude Participation and Mediation: A PracticalTheology for the Liquid Church and MassCulture: The Interface of Eucharist and Mission.

Table of Contents

Contributors vii

Introduction Pete Ward 1

Part 1 The Proposal

1 Ecclesiology and Ethnography: Two Disciplines, Two Worlds? Paul S. Fiddes 13

2 Attention and Conversation Pete Ward 36

3 Ecclesiology "From the Body": Ethnographic Notes toward a Carnal Theology Christian Scharen 50

4 "Where Is Your Church?" Moving toward a Hospitable and Sanctified Ethnography John Swinton 71

Part 2 The Conversation

5 Charting the "Ethnographic Turn": Theologians and the Study of Christian Congregations Elizabeth Phillips 95

6 The Cultivation of Theological Vision: Theological Attentiveness and the Practice of Ministry Alister E. McGrath 107

7 Interpreting a Situation: When Is "Empirical" Also "Theological"? Mary McClintock Fulkerson 124

8 Generating Christian Political Theory and the Uses of Ethnography Luke Bretherton 145

9 Practical Ecclesiology: What Counts as Theology in Studying the Church? Clare Watkins Deborah Bhatti Helen Cameron Catherine Duce James Sweeney

10 Ecclesiology, Ethnography, and God: An Interplay of Reality Descriptions Nicholas M. Healy 182

11 "In the Society of God": Some Principles of Ecclesiology John Webster 200

12 The Church "Taking Form" in Mission: Reimagining Family Ministries within the Missio Dei Richard R. Osmer 223

Index 244

Editorial Reviews

Missiology
“Indispensable . . . .  This impressive roster of practical and systematic theologians have produced a seminal volume in interdisciplinary method that is much needed.”
 
The Church of England Newspaper
“A work of practical theology that has a lot to teach pastors and anyone concerned about the mission of the church.”
 

From the Publisher