Events
2008 BIAPT Dissertation Prize Winner
Richard Sudworth
"Towards a Theology of Mission Amongst Muslims in a Post July 7th Britain".
Spurgeon's College
In a context of increasing suspicion of religious claims to exclusivism and the apparent dangers of fundamentalism, is it any longer tenable for Christians to consider a missionary vocation amongst Muslims?
The study begins by analysing Islam in Britain and in particular, the internal debate within Islam as to solutions to identity as a minority in the west. This analysis reveals the diversity and fluidity of Islamic British identity. The second stage of the research presents the results of interviews and questionnaires with twenty leading Christian academics and practitioners in the field of Islam and interfaith studies. The questionnaires seek to draw out principles and core themes in the Christian-Muslim interface and suggest the need for an inclusive missiology that can hold together both witness and dialogue.
The final portion of the research examines the theological resources available to Christians that support a witness and dialogue synthesis sufficient to address the diversity and fluidity of British Islamic identity.
The study concludes that a Trinitarian model of relatedness, configured in hopeful vulnerability, offers a way forward for a missionary engagement with Muslims in Britain that allows for subjective witness. This unpredictable and humble approach to relationships avoids the totalising of the Muslim and allows for an expectant and hopeful response from Muslims reflective of the fluidity and diversity within Islam. Such a model of mission is able to see Muslims as gifts to the church, authenticating and deepening the church's Christian identity.
Runners up:
Matthew G
Crossing the Line - Reflections on some Chinese house-church Christians' experiences with the Three-Self Church
University of Wales (through Spurgeon's College)
As one of the largest and fastest growing churches in the world, the continuing story of the Church in China has a special fascination for many Christians around the world. But what are we to make of the conflicting accounts and stories emanating from the independent house-churches and the state-approved 'Three-Self Church'? And is the divide between the two really that clear? This dissertation explores how meta-narratives regarding the Church in China compete for our attention. Based on a series of interviews with local house-church believers in West China, who are themselves involved to varying degrees with the Three-Self Church, the author goes on to show how some Christians find themselves 'caught in the middle' and in search of a workable and meaningful ecclesiology. Through reflecting on the some of historical and theological links between the Three-Self Movement and Anglicanism, the author (not himself from the Anglican tradition) proposes some elements which might in future help Christians from outside the Three-Self movement to engage more constructively with it.
Eleanor Williams
For as long as it takes: Factors Affecting Fresh Expressions of Church in Urban Contexts
Anglia Ruskin University
The Church in the UK is in decline, with falling attendances, weakening influence, and 'The end of Christendom'. Signs of hope are appearing: new ways of being church seeking to engage with contemporary culture. In the 'mixed economy' inherited expressions of church are becoming 'mission-shaped', looking outward, becoming more culturally attuned. Fresh expressions seek to reach those who would not come to church, by going out, becoming incarnate, in contexts and groups, rather than expecting people to 'come in'. Significant questions are about sustainability and future development towards becoming a mature church; whether the consumerist agenda is too influential; and whether there is too little engagement with the poor. I have addressed these questions by hearing from leaders of fresh expressions in urban deprived areas which have ended, those which are continuing, and also inherited churches becoming mission-shaped.
Fresh expressions in urban deprived areas have taken seriously 'God's bias to the poor', moving into poor areas, spending time building relationships, serving and listening. Key issues are about having a clear vision; listening to the context, allowing that to shape the fresh expression; beginning with sufficient resources of people, finance and time; having accountability and support structures set up; developing mutually enriching relationships with the wider church; and building in processes for theological reflection. Problems that have arisen have usually been related to these factors.
For the future, key areas to explore are about clarifying how inherited and fresh expressions come together in the 'mixed economy', how to move towards maturity, how to nurture leaders and prevent 'burn-out, and how to develop sustainable, simple models of church with indigenous leadership. A theology of 'dying to live' and a commitment to following the example of Christ may be the most significant sustaining factors.
Page printed from www.biapt.org.uk