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Ordinary theology for rural theology and rural ministry
Jeff Astley
Abstract
In this paper the author describes and defends the notion of a non-technical
‘ordinary theology’, and argues for its role as an originating source for both
academic theology and official ecclesiastical theology. He relates these claims
to one way of interpreting the category of ‘rural theology’, and identifies
rural ministry as a context in which ordinary theology may be discerned most
clearly and explored most successfully.
Psychological type and biblical hermeneutics: SIFT method of preaching
Leslie J. Francis
Abstract
This paper draws on Jungian psychology to propose a method of biblical
hermeneutics and preaching which takes seriously the psychological functions of
sensing (S), intuition (I), feeling (F), and thinking (T). The SIFT method
addresses four distinct questions to each passage of scripture, shaped by these
four psychological functions.
Is the rural Church different? A comparison of historical membership
statistics between an urban and a rural diocese in the Church of England
Carol Roberts
Abstract
The history of statistics gathering by the Church of England is presented, and
the methods used for data collection are described. Methods varied from
triennial full collections, to biennial full collections, full annual
collections and annual sampling. The integrity and usefulness of the data in
making urban/rural church comparisons are examined and inherent difficulties in
making such comparisons are highlighted. Key indices of church membership are
discussed; membership statistics of a rural and an urban diocese are examined in
the light of the available statistics on full-time parochial clergy,
populations, and numbers of live births. The data examined support the thesis
that the rural church is different with regard to membership statistics. In the
year 2000 the rural church remained stronger in this respect than the urban
church. However, by the year 2000 the rural church demonstrated signs of
considerable decline with regard to membership.
Anglicans and Methodists in the countryside: convergence and divergence in
Church structures
Lewis Burton
Abstract
Anglican and Methodist institutional structures betray striking divergence
caused by the different functional purposes associated with their disparate
origins and ideals. The pursuit of closer unity between them, subsequent upon
the acceptance by both denominations of the Anglican-Methodist Covenant in July
2003, will necessitate prolonged discussion, centred not only on theology or
ecclesiology, but also on the common structure which a future united Church must
take. This article charts the extent of divergence and factors which have made
for convergence in recent years and suggests ways in which further convergence
can take place.
RESEARCH REPORT: What rural churches say to non-churchgoers
Keith Littler
Leslie J. Francis
Abstract
This paper revisits data published in Francis and Martineau’s (2001) study,
Rural Visitors: a parish workbook in order to examine what rural churches say to
those visitors who are not themselves regular churchgoers. The main finding
concerns the extent to which non-churchgoers find in these buildings the
opportunity for payer. The main challenge concerns how these buildings can be
kept open and properly resourced to help in the visitors’ spiritual quest.