Can Empirical Research Predict the Future of the Church?

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-217
Author(s):  
Friedrich Schweitzer ◽  
Wolfgang Ilg
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Church Development ◽  
Protestant Church ◽  
Theoretical Assumptions ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Church

Abstract This article first discusses the question of how empirical research can contribute to the ongoing discussions concerning the future of the church. Among others, German research on church membership is used as a case study for gaining insights into the interplay between theoretical assumptions, empirical research and designing strategies for church development. The need for comparisons over time, for longitudinal studies and the identification of long-term predictors is discussed. Against this background, recent research on confirmation work in Germany and Europe is taken up as an example. The article draws on data from a European study on confirmation work with a longitudinal research approach. The results show that confirmation work, as one of the major educational programs of the Protestant Church, can influence adolescents’ views of Christian faith and the church. Predictors for future commitment to the church in terms of believing, belonging and volunteerism are not only dependent on religious socialization in childhood but also on experiences and activities during confirmation time in adolescence.

scholarly journals Assessing the Capacity of Adaptive Policy Pathways to Adapt on Time by Mapping Trigger Values to Their Outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Raso ◽  
Jan Kwakkel ◽  
Jos Timmermans
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring System ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Level Of Confidence ◽  
Adaptive Policy ◽  
Misclassification Errors ◽  
The Future ◽  
Adaptive Action ◽  
The Face

Climate change raises serious concerns for policymakers that want to ensure the success of long-term policies. To guarantee satisfactory decisions in the face of deep uncertainties, adaptive policy pathways might be used. Adaptive policy pathways are designed to take actions according to how the future will actually unfold. In adaptive pathways, a monitoring system collects the evidence required for activating the next adaptive action. This monitoring system is made of signposts and triggers. Signposts are indicators that track the performance of the pathway. When signposts reach pre-specified trigger values, the next action on the pathway is implemented. The effectiveness of the monitoring system is pivotal to the success of adaptive policy pathways, therefore the decision-makers would like to have sufficient confidence about the future capacity to adapt on time. “On time” means activating the next action on a pathway neither so early that it incurs unnecessary costs, nor so late that it incurs avoidable damages. In this paper, we show how mapping the relations between triggers and the probability of misclassification errors inform the level of confidence that a monitoring system for adaptive policy pathways can provide. Specifically, we present the “trigger-probability” mapping and the “trigger-consequences” mappings. The former mapping displays the interplay between trigger values for a given signpost and the level of confidence regarding whether change occurs and adaptation is needed. The latter mapping displays the interplay between trigger values for a given signpost and the consequences of misclassification errors for both adapting the policy or not. In a case study, we illustrate how these mappings can be used to test the effectiveness of a monitoring system, and how they can be integrated into the process of designing an adaptive policy.

Identity and Social Reconciliation in a Postconflict Korea: What Role for the Church?

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-151
Author(s):  
Sarah A. Son
Keyword(s):  
Collective Identity ◽  
Political Transition ◽  
Primary Task ◽  
The Past ◽  
Shared Identity ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Church ◽  
National Solidarity

One of the greatest tragedies of the inter-Korean conflict is the loss of shared identity between the two peoples. If the situation arises that the two nations have the opportunity to become one again, building a shared sense of collective identity will be the primary task of a unified administration. As the experiences of other countries show, navigating a political transition involves both dealing with the past and building a vision for the future that provides a sense of national solidarity and hope; the church has a key role to play in facilitating reconciliation and long-term peace.

scholarly journals The Role of the Church in Curbing Drug Addiction Problems: A Case Study of Nairobi Chapel

2021 ◽  
pp. 33-47
Author(s):  
Joseph K. Kosgei ◽  
Henry Mutua ◽  
Gyang David Pam
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Drug Addicts ◽  
Descriptive Case Study ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Financial Allocation ◽  
The Church

Drug and substance abuse is considered a worldwide menace. Kenya being part of the globe experiences its effects. The Church, being a tool that helps society live godly lives, should take part in the fight against drug and substance abuse. This study sought to identify the role of the Church in curbing drug addiction problems. A descriptive case study and qualitative research approach were employed. 50 churches under the Nairobi Chapel umbrella of Churches were targeted. Questionnaires were employed to collect data from lead pastors in charge of drug addicts’ recovery programs within Nairobi Chapel. Data was analyzed and presented using tables and charts. From the study majority of the churches that took part in the research, only 40% had ministries to help in combating drug abuse, none of the churches had financial allocation for the same, on the human resource set aside; lead pastors comprised 85%, staff members 9%, while drug and substance rehabilitation pastors were 6%, on involvement in advocacy only 20% of the churches were participating, on the other hand, 61% of the churches took part in partnerships with drug addiction and rehabilitation and prevention programs.

scholarly journals The future of Wallace region in Lombok: the pristine natural resource under climatic and anthropogenic threat

2021 ◽  
Vol 913 (1) ◽  
pp. 012049
Author(s):  
Mahrup ◽  
M Ma’shum ◽  
MH Idris ◽  
Fahrudin
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resource ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Natural Scene ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
The Future ◽  
World Class ◽  
Potential Impact

Abstract Wallace region is mostly comprised of the southeast archipelagoes of Indonesia, namely West and East Nusa Tenggara. Lombok is a west border of the Wallace line which biologically delineate the distinguished fauna and climate in the eastern Indonesia. However, the pristine natural resource is under climatic and anthropogenic threat. A case study by means of a Descriptive method was conducted to identify any contradictive use of natural resource leading to environmental degradation, as well as to study ruination impact of climate uncertainty. Long term satellite images of Lombok from 1980’s up to the latest date were traced to identify any changes in land cover, land use and settlement. Climate data were analyzed to find its trend and forecast its potential impact on the environment. Overall, the results showed that the pristine environments, namely forests, hillocks and cliffs, particularly in tourism destination sites had been accordingly overburdened by contradictive use of resources. Lack of law enforcements in environmental protection was a key point to be addressed as a major factor resulted in losses of the most valuable value of Lombok natural scene. In addition, manmade disaster is becoming more frequent with climate change commonly accused. In conclusion, the future of the natural resource in Lombok would not be merely relied on world class facilities of tourism industry, but on to what extend effort to naturally sustain the beauty of natural scene, stop degrading the lands and be responsible to protect environment in line with regional development.

scholarly journals The Impotent Leader and The Legacy of the Church

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bård Eirik Hallesby Norheim ◽  
Joar Haga
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Rhetorical Analysis ◽  
Interesting Case ◽  
Church Of Sweden ◽  
The Future ◽  
Formal Power ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
The Church ◽  
Deliberative Rhetoric

When a leader leaves office, the leader becomes impotent, divested of power. This makes the actual moment of farewell a particularly interesting case study in leadership, as the farewell moment marks the transition of power from one leader to another. Many leaders use the point of departure as an opportunity to articulate the legacy of the institution they leave behind. This article offers a rhetorical and theological analysis of the farewell sermon delivered by former presiding bishop of the Church of Norway, Helga Haugland Byfuglien in January 2020, and a shorter, comparative analysis of the equivalent farewell sermon of the former Archbishop of the Church of Sweden, Anders Wejryd (2014). The article analyses how Byfuglien and Wejryd conceptualize the legacy of the church with the use of epideictic and deliberative rhetoric (rhetorical analysis) and discuss what kind of legacy (theological analysis and discussion) they promote. The article argues that both Byfuglien and Wejryd use the farewell sermon as a rhetorical opportunity to articulate the church`s legacy for the future, although their own formal power to execute that legacy is coming to an end. Byfuglien appeals to a diaconal vision of the church`s legacy, with a tendency to emphasize the church`s welcoming and inclusive character. Wejryd addresses the current ecclesiological situation in more detail. By assessing the church`s numerical decline and changed societal status as a crisis, he mainly appeals to the church`s missional legacy. The article concludes that the farewell sermons of both Byfuglien and Wejryd may be interpreted as a sort of inheritance dispute, or better heritage dispute: In their farewell sermons, the departing bishops present their last(ing) act of leadership, appealing to the audience to commit to a particular vision of the church`'s legacy.

Prophecy, Divination and Gender Justice in the Lumpa Church in Zambia

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-92
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kangwa
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Gender Justice ◽  
Strong Growth ◽  
African Christianity ◽  
The Future ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Church

This article examines the role of Prophecy and divination in the success of the Lumpa Church of Alice Mulenga Lenshina in Zambia. Concurring with James Amanze (2013), the article argues that the rapid growth of Christianity in Africa is to a large extent due to its engagement with prophecy and divination. Strong growth in African Christianity takes place mainly in the African Initiated Churches (AICs) which are Pentecostal-charismatic in their outlook. In these Churches the emphasis is on the prophetic ministry of the Church, evident in the performance of divination, healing and in predictions of the future. A good example is the Lumpa Church of Lenshina. Taking this Church as a case study, the article argues that Lenshina’s success and that of her Church are based on the fact that divination, prophecy and a search for gender justice were taken seriously.

Vietnam

2015 ◽  
pp. 123-149
Author(s):  
Ngyyen Vu Tu Uyen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Distance ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
New Era ◽  
Cultural Management ◽  
Cultural Preferences ◽  
Communication Time ◽  
Cross Cultural Management ◽  
Relationship Communication

Understanding national culture has become increasingly important in this new era, when the world is more interconnected, globalized, and has fewer boundaries. Managing Cultural Diversity or Cross-Cultural Management is now a major topic of consideration for companies across Asia, especially in Vietnam. This case study aims to present insights on Vietnamese cultural preferences. The research approach is based on the Canning model, including preferences of “Relationship,” “Communication,” “Time,” “Truth,” and “Human Philosophy.” From this basis, an Expert Profile is built for Vietnam in the hope that it can become an engaging guide for any foreigner who wants to study the Vietnamese culture. This case also looks at cultural factors like being an “individualist,” the concept of “close distance,” being “effusive,” thinking “long term,” and looking at “fixed truth.” Generally speaking, the Vietnamese people come from a “group oriented,” “physical distance,” “reserved,” “short-term,” and “relative truth” culture.

Educating youth ministers in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney; John Kidson and the Youthworkers Course

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Ruth Lukabyo
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Youth Ministry ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Educational Model ◽  
Youth Ministers ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Counter Culture ◽  
The Church

Abstract This study is a historical analysis of the education of youth ministers in the Anglican diocese of Sydney in the 1970s and 1980s. John Kidson ran the Youthworkers Course with the goal of educating professional, specialised youth ministers that could evangelise young people who were influenced by the counter-culture and increasingly disengaged from the church. Kidson used a distinctive educational model that emphasised relational outreach, transformative community, praxis, and the importance of the Bible. His goal was only partially met. He trained youth ministers that were able to communicate with and evangelise non-churched youth, but there were small numbers being trained, and few remained in youth ministry in the long-term. The Youthworkers Course and its strengths and weaknesses can be used as a case study for churches and colleges today as they consider the best way to educate youth ministers.

A relational view of start-up firms inside an incubator: the case of the ARCA consortium

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Di Fatta ◽  
Francesco Caputo ◽  
Gandolfo Dominici
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Collaborative Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up

Purpose Analyzing the entrepreneurial ecosystem related to the ARCA consortium, the purpose of this paper is to study the relationships among the start-up firms inside an incubator. Design/methodology/approach Thanks to the adoption of the relationships concentric model and the density concentric model, the paper highlights the role of relational conditions for innovative projects in partnership among the incubated firms. Reflections herein are tested via a qualitative research approach based on a single case study: the ARCA consortium. Findings This research found that about 32 percent of relationships inside the incubator support the emergence of short-term relationships among the incubated firms. Furthermore, about 18 percent of the relationships support the emergence of strong collaborative strategies for the implementation of long-term relationships resulting in innovative pathways: innovative projects in partnership. Originality/value The most interconnected firms inside the incubator are those that play a central role also in the innovation pathway developing the higher number of innovative project in partnership. This finding emphasizes a correlation between collaborative relationships and innovation inside an incubator ecosystem.

Introducing Practical Theology: Mission, Ministry, and the Life of the Church; Liquid Ecclesiology: The Gospel and The Church

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-101
Author(s):  
Jack Barentsen
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Etude De Cas ◽  
The World ◽  
Evangelical Movement ◽  
Theological Debate ◽  
Practical Theological ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Trinity

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGPete Ward präsentiert seine Vision für praktische Theologie als flüssige Ekklesiologie, die in der flüssigen Art verwurzelt ist, in der die Trinität in der Kirche und der Welt lebt und sich bewegt. Ihre Bewegungen lassen sich nur durch die Kombination von textueller und empirischer Forschung erkennen. In der Introduction bespricht Ward Hauptbereiche der praktischen Theologie in leicht verständlicher Sprache. Seine Liquid Ecclesiology präsentiert eine detaillierte theologische Darstellung sowie eine faszinierende Fallstudie der evangelischen Bewegung.SUMMARYPete Ward offers his vision for practical theology as liquid ecclesiology, rooted in the liquid ways in which the Trinity lives and moves within the Church and the world. Its movements can be discerned only by combing textual and empirical research. Ward’s Introduction reviews major areas of practical theological debate in accessible language; his Liquid Ecclesiology offers an in-depth theological account along with a fascinating case study of the evangelical movement.RÉSUMÉPete Ward présente sa vision de la théologie pratique comme une « ecclésiologie liquide », enracinée dans la manière liquide dont la Trinité vit et se meut au sein de l’Église et du monde. Ses mouvements ne peuvent être discernés qu’en combinant des recherches textuelles et empiriques. L’Introduction considère les principaux débats de théologie pratique dans un langage accessible. Son ouvrage intitulé Liquid Ecclesiology offre un récit théologique approfondi ainsi qu’une étude de cas fascinante du mouvement évangélique.

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