Ecclesial Futures
type: channel
description: Ecclesial Futures publishes original research and theological reflection on the development and transformation of local Christian communities and the systems that support them as they join in the mission of God in the world. We are an international and ecumenical journal with an inter-disciplinary understanding of our approach to theological research and reflection; the core disciplines being theology, missiology and ecclesiology. Other social science and theological disciplines may be helpful in supporting the holistic nature of any research. The journal fills an important reflective space between the academy and on-the-ground practice within the field of mission studies, ecclesiology and the so-called “missional church”. Ecclesial Futures is a “Diamond Open Access” international juried journal, partnering with @RadboudUniPress and @openjournalsnl. The result for authors is free to publish articles, and for readers free to read articles. To keep up to date, subscribe by registering on the "Newsletter" button on the right of this page.
publisher: Radboud University Press
language: en
publication name: Ecclesial Futures
issn: 2770-6656
items: Innovative Mission Funding: Approaches Used by Assemblies of God Ghana in the Vision 3000 Initiative
items: Editorial
items: Cavanaugh, William T. 2024. The Uses of Idolatry.
items: https://ecclesialfutures.org/article/view/23525
items: Percy, Martyn. 2025. The Crisis of Colonial Anglicanism: Empire, Slavery and Revolt in the Church of England.
items: Legrand, Lucien. 2023. Paul and Mission.
items: https://ecclesialfutures.org/article/view/23521
items: How do new forms of being church emerge in mainline churches and what does it tell about patterns, dynamics and competition?
items: Christian Empowerment and Secularity
items: Regional and/or local: Can church be present in close proximity and in regional cooperation at the same time?
items: Conference Report: Christian Empowerment, Secularity and Church Development
items: Evaluation of Ecclesial Innovations as Empowerment
items: Fostering Diversity in Congregations: A practical framework for local churches to reflect and improve accessibility
items: Making Sense about the Future of Churches' Engagement with Technology: A Post-pandemic Reflection on Digital Ministry
items: Shaw, Richard. 2024. The Unsettled: Small Stories of Colonisation
items: Root, Andrew, and Blair D. Bertrand. 2023. When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation
items: Foulger, Will. 2023. Present in Every Place?: The Church of England’s New Churches, and the Future of the Parish
items: Cray, Graham. 2024. On Mission with Jesus: Changing the Default Setting of the Church
items: Bradbury, Paul. 2024. In the Fullness of Time: A Story from the Past and Future of the Church
items: Bevans, Stephen B. 2024. Community of Missionary Disciples: The Continuing Creation of the Church
items: Bargár, Pavol. 2023. Embodied Existence: Our Common Life in God
items: Antonio-del Castillo, Fides, and Raymund B. Habaradas. 2024. Basic Ecclesial Communities in the Philippines: Histories and Stories of a Pilgrim Church
items: Implementation of the Mixed Ecology in Church of England Diocesan Strategies
items: Missiological approach to Migration and Mission in Pentecostalism: a Pneumatological Missional Imagination
items: Relational Authenticity in Community: A Key for Support on the Spiritual Journey?
items: An Assessment of Contemporary British New Monasticism Framed by the Missional Spirituality of the Celtic Peregrini
items: Healing the Wounded to Lead in the Postcolonial Church
items: Editorial 5.1
items: Spijker, J. van ’t. 2021. To Participate: Looking for an Ecclesial Structure to be a Witnessing Church Today

Innovative Mission Funding: Approaches Used by Assemblies of God Ghana in the Vision 3000 Initiative
type: item
description: This study examines the innovative funding approaches employed by the Assemblies of God Ghana (AG Ghana) during their Vision 3000 church planting initiative (2015-2019). Through analysis of semi-structured interviews with 14 key stakeholders and extensive document review, the research explores how AG Ghana developed funding strategies combining traditional church giving with modern technological solutions. The study reveals that AG Ghana successfully utilized mobile micro-giving programs, corporate partnerships, diaspora networks, and systematic local church contributions. While achieving significant success in resource mobilization, the initiative encountered challenges including urban-rural economic disparities, COVID-19 disruptions, and sustainability concerns in economically disadvantaged regions. The findings provide insights into contemporary mission funding approaches, suggesting the need for adaptive funding models that balance innovative financing mechanisms with traditional stewardship practices while remaining sensitive to local economic realities. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about sustainable mission funding in African Christianity.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Mission funding
  topic: keywords
subject: Vision 3000
  topic: keywords
subject: Assemblies of God Ghana
  topic: keywords
subject: Church planting
  topic: keywords
subject: Resource mobilization
  topic: keywords
creator: Mishael Donkor Ampofo
creator: Peter White
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Mishael Donkor Ampofo, Peter White https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-08-06
publication date: 2025-08-06
doi: 10.54195/ef22577

Editorial
type: item
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
creator: Felix Eiffler
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Felix Eiffler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.54195/ef23532

Cavanaugh, William T. 2024. The Uses of Idolatry.
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Scott J. Hagley
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Scott J. Hagley https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 98
ending page: 100
doi: 10.54195/ef23526

https://ecclesialfutures.org/article/view/23525
type: item
title: Smith, Jennifer R. 2023. A thematic analysis of religious identity and volunteer motivation among emerging adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Grell, Daniel. 2023. Pursuing Jesus Christ until we meet him face-to-face: A biblical and theological challenge to retired Baby Boomers to become transformed disciples of Jesus Christ who faithfully serve him in the context of their local church.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Johannes Fröh
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Johannes Fröh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 91
ending page: 97
doi: 10.54195/ef23525

Percy, Martyn. 2025. The Crisis of Colonial Anglicanism: Empire, Slavery and Revolt in the Church of England.
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Benjamin Aldous
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Benjamin Aldous https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 88
ending page: 90
doi: 10.54195/ef23523

Legrand, Lucien. 2023. Paul and Mission.
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: John D. Doss
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 John D. Doss https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 84
ending page: 87
doi: 10.54195/ef23522

https://ecclesialfutures.org/article/view/23521
type: item
title: Herbst, Michael, Andreas C. Jansson, David Reißmann and Patrick Todjeras. 2024. Evangelisation: Theologische Grundlagen, Zugänge, und Perspektiven; and Stoppels, Sake, Jan Marten Praamsma and Jan Martijn Abrahamse. 2023. Zoeken naar de dingen die boven zijn: heil in een seculiere tijd.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Edwin Chr. van Driel
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Edwin Chr. van Driel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 77
ending page: 83
doi: 10.54195/ef23521

How do new forms of being church emerge in mainline churches and what does it tell about patterns, dynamics and competition?
type: item
description: This article deals with the conditions for the emergence of new forms of church, especially in the perspective of top-down dynamics: how do bottom and top relate to each other in the development of new churches? To do research in this realm can help church leaders in initiating new churches: Is it possible to control the process in a more direct way – not only by establishing the right conditions? I focus in this paper on data collected from the Erprobungsräume (church start-ups) in the Evangelical Church of Central Germany. The results contradict in a way the powerful narrative that new churches emerge at the grassroots level far away from traditional institutions. There are basically four ways top and bottom interact. It would be interesting to validate the results in other areas/churches.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: New forms of church
  topic: keywords
subject: Church innovation
  topic: keywords
subject: Church Movements
  topic: keywords
subject: Top-down or bottom-up church change?
  topic: keywords
subject: church institutions
  topic: keywords
creator: Thomas Schlegel
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Thomas Schlegel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 53
ending page: 61
doi: 10.54195/ef22491

Christian Empowerment and Secularity
type: item
description: This paper explores the challenges facing Christian churches in Germany amid increasing secularization and societal change. Key issues include the loss of institutional self-evidence, financial instability due to declining church membership, and the erosion of trust following abuse scandals. In response, the concept of empowerment is examined as a theological and pedagogical approach to fostering individual and communal agency. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives in community psychology, social work, disability studies and critical pedagogy, the study highlights how empowerment can create new pathways for engaging with the Christian message. Research at the CES focuses on religious communication, missional church development, and church theory in secular contexts, aiming to enhance the relevance of the Gospel through empowerment-driven approaches.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: secularity
  topic: keywords
subject: Germany
  topic: keywords
subject: community psychology
  topic: keywords
subject: social work
  topic: keywords
subject: Disability Studies
  topic: keywords
subject: critical pedagogy
  topic: keywords
subject: gospel
  topic: keywords
subject: empowerment
  topic: keywords
creator: Michael Domsgen
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Michael Domsgen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 12
ending page: 20
doi: 10.54195/ef22184

Regional and/or local: Can church be present in close proximity and in regional cooperation at the same time?
type: item
description: The article deals with the efforts of the churches in Germany to rebuild the structures of church life in view of the loss of members and resources. The experiences with structural reforms of the last 20 years are evaluated. A critical light is shed on the associated danger of prioritizing structural issues and losing sight of theological aspects as well as the missional calling. In addition, structural reforms are creating ever larger units; the life of the local community is drying up more and more. In contrast, it is proposed here to pay equal attention to local and regional church work, to promote the maturity of the local community (also with regard to worship services without a pastor), to promote regional cooperation and to focus on the church's mission to serve the Kingdom of God in local and regional social spaces. Missional ecclesiology proves to be a critical and constructive corrective to a church reform that is only oriented towards structures.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: church structure and resources
  topic: keywords
subject: local church
  topic: keywords
subject: empowerment
  topic: keywords
subject: church worship
  topic: keywords
subject: church reform
  topic: keywords
subject: regional cooperation amongst churches
  topic: keywords
creator: Michael Herbst
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Michael Herbst https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 21
ending page: 39
doi: 10.54195/ef22223

Conference Report: Christian Empowerment, Secularity and Church Development
type: item
description: <div id="tw-container" class="nev7se" data-cp="1" data-is-ver="false" data-nnttsvi="1" data-ntl-fpwrite="true" data-sletp="false" data-sm="1" data-ssbp="false" data-sugg-time="500" data-sugg-url="https://clients1.google.com/complete/search" data-tcp="geluk met jou verjaarsdag,gelukkige verjaarsdag,awoda pa,መልካም ልደት,عيد ميلاد سعيد,জন্মদিনৰ ওলগ জনালোঁ,aski mara phuqhawi,doğum günün mübarək,ad günün mübarək,з днём нараджэння,честит рожден ден,जन्म दिन के शुभ कामना,sanbε sanbε,শুভ জন্মদিন,sretan rođendan,per molts anys,feliç aniversari,malipayong adlawng natawhan,یادی لەدایک بوونت پیرۆز بێت,felice anniversariu,všechno nejlepší k narozeninám,pen-blwydd hapus,penblwydd hapus,tillykke med fødselsdagen,alles gute zum geburtstag,सालगिरह् मबारक,އުފާވެރި އުފަންދުވަހެއް,dzigbe zã nyuie na wò,χαρούμενα γενέθλια,happy birthday,feliĉan naskiĝtagon,feliz cumpleaños,palju õnne sünnipäevaks,zorionak,تولدت مبارک,hyvää syntymäpäivää,joyeux anniversaire,lokkige jierdei,lá breithe sona,lá breithe shona duit,co-là-breith math,feliz aniversario,vy'apavẽ,जल्मदिसाची परबी,જન્મદિવસની શુભેચ્છા,જન્મદિવસ ની શુભકામના,barka da ranar haihuwa,hauʻoli lā hānau,जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएं,जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएँ,sretan rođendan,bòn fèt,boldog születésnapot,ծնունդդ շնորհավոր,selamat ulang tahun,ezi ncheta ụbọchị ọmụmụ,ezi ncheta ọmụmụ,naragsak a panagkasangay,til hamingju með afmælið,buon compleanno,יום הולדת שמח,誕生日おめでとう,お誕生日おめでとう,sugeng ambal warsa,sugeng tanggap warsa,გილოცავთ დაბადების დღეს,გილოცავ დაბადების დღეს,туған күн құтты болсын,туылған күніңмен,រីករាយថ្ងៃខួបកំណើត,រីករាយ​ថ្ងៃ​កំណើត,ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು,ಜನ್ಮದಿನದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು,생일 축하합니다,생일 축하해요,api batde,rojbûna te pîroz be,туулган күнүңүз менен,туулган кунуңуз менен куттуктайм,felix natalis,alles guddes fir de gebuertsdag,amazaalibwa amalungi,mbotama elamu,ສຸກສັນວັນເກີດ,ສຸກ​ສັນ​ວັນ​ເກີດ,su gimtadieniu,piancham chibai,daudz laimes dzimšanas dienā,जन्मदिनक शुभकामना,tratry ny tsingerin-taona,tratry ny tsingerintaona nahaterahana,среќен роденден,ജന്മദിനാശംസകൾ…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Christian Empowerment, Secularity and Church Development
  topic: keywords
creator: Michael Herbst
creator: Patrick Todjeras
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Prof. Dr. Michael Herbst, Dr. Patrick Todjeras https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 6
ending page: 11
doi: 10.54195/ef22222

Evaluation of Ecclesial Innovations as Empowerment
type: item
description: The article introduces the reader to the scientific evaluation of an ecclesial innovation programme initiated in 2015 by the Evangelical Church in Central Germany called Erprobungsräume (Spaces of trial). By doing this, the text sketches the German socio-religious context and discusses the term “ecclesial innovation”. The main part of the article offers and debates the key findings of the evaluation undertaken from 2016 to 2023. The results show how an institution like a German regional church can undergo a broad transformation and what can be learned by this example for innovative church development in general as well as for the scientific evaluation of such a process. Finally, the article connects the evaluation of ecclesial innovation with the discourse on empowerment and outlines the potentials of more participative forms of empirical research as a kind of empowerment.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: ecclesial innovation
  topic: keywords
subject: evaluation
  topic: keywords
subject: learning process
  topic: keywords
subject: secularity
  topic: keywords
creator: Felix Eiffler
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Felix Eiffler https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 40
ending page: 52
doi: 10.54195/ef22190

Fostering Diversity in Congregations: A practical framework for local churches to reflect and improve accessibility
type: item
description: Diversity, understood as the extent to which the members of a group or organization differ from one another, is fundamental for the Church, but often not given to a great extent in local congregations, at least not in the Evangelical Church in Germany. This article wants to support practitioners in a diversity-oriented development process for their local churches. In the first part, the concept of diversity management is introduced and some ideas pointed out and adapted for congregational development. Taking these basic ideas and additionally systematizing some suggestions from tools for diversity-oriented organizational development, in the second part a practical framework is presented. It has been created for identifying barriers and finding starting points for enhancing diversity in local protestant churches in Germany. Based on a model of four levels of accessibility and exclusion, the core is a framework of five areas of church activities in which unconscious barriers can be found regarding these different levels of accessibility. The aim is to help congregations to take some manageable steps to better include all who are already present and to become more accessible for others who are different in certain dimensions of diversity.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Diversity management, congregational development, inclusion and exclusion, German churches
  topic: keywords
creator: Hanna Kauhaus
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Hanna Kauhaus https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 62
ending page: 76
doi: 10.54195/ef22183

Making Sense about the Future of Churches' Engagement with Technology: A Post-pandemic Reflection on Digital Ministry
type: item
description: The COVID-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment for religious congregations, compelling them to navigate profound technological, theological and social disruptions. This article employs sensemaking theory to explore how congregational leaders interpreted and adapted to the challenges of digital ministry. Sensemaking theory offers a framework for understanding how people make sense and meaning out of complex situations, like to global COVID-19 pandemic. The article investigates church leaders’ experiences as documented by the Tech in Churches During COVID-19 project, a three-year study of how Indiana churches utilized and integrated technology to sustain community and worship amidst the pandemic. Findings highlight shifts in leaders’ attitudes toward technology, from seeing it as a peripheral tool pre-pandemic to an essential component of ministry afterwards. The study also reveals generational differences in technology adoption and decision-making, reflecting diverse approaches to maintaining theological and communal identities in a digital context. Despite technology offering unique opportunities for outreach and inclusivity, concerns about the sustainability, burnout and authenticity in tech ministry persist. This research calls for further exploration of equitable technological integration, intergenerational collaboration, and the relationship between faith and digital tools in post-pandemic reality.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Congregations
  topic: keywords
subject: COVID-19
  topic: keywords
subject: Pandemic
  topic: keywords
subject: Sensemaking
  topic: keywords
subject: Digital church
  topic: keywords
subject: Technology
  topic: keywords
creator: Heidi A Campbell
creator: Megan Boone
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Heidi A Campbell, Meg Boone https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-03
publication date: 2025-07-03
doi: 10.54195/ef21714

Shaw, Richard. 2024. The Unsettled: Small Stories of Colonisation
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Steve Taylor
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 108
ending page: 110
doi: 10.54195/ef19878

Root, Andrew, and Blair D. Bertrand. 2023. When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Felix Eiffler
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 105
ending page: 107
doi: 10.54195/ef20162

Foulger, Will. 2023. Present in Every Place?: The Church of England’s New Churches, and the Future of the Parish
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: James Butler
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 102
ending page: 104
doi: 10.54195/ef20161

Cray, Graham. 2024. On Mission with Jesus: Changing the Default Setting of the Church
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Michael Herbst
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 98
ending page: 101
doi: 10.54195/ef20160

Bradbury, Paul. 2024. In the Fullness of Time: A Story from the Past and Future of the Church
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Nigel Rooms
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 96
ending page: 97
doi: 10.54195/ef20159

Bevans, Stephen B. 2024. Community of Missionary Disciples: The Continuing Creation of the Church
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: James Butler
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 93
ending page: 95
doi: 10.54195/ef20158

Bargár, Pavol. 2023. Embodied Existence: Our Common Life in God
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Nigel Rooms
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 90
ending page: 92
doi: 10.54195/ef20157

Antonio-del Castillo, Fides, and Raymund B. Habaradas. 2024. Basic Ecclesial Communities in the Philippines: Histories and Stories of a Pilgrim Church
type: item
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Lemuel Asuncion
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 76
ending page: 89
doi: 10.54195/ef19656

Editorial
type: item
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
creator: Steve Taylor
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 1
ending page: 5
doi: 10.54195/ef20163

Implementation of the Mixed Ecology in Church of England Diocesan Strategies
type: item
description: The mixed-ecology is a term that has come to denote both traditional and new forms of church mutually flourishing alongside one another, and since 2021 is included as part of the vision and strategy of the national Church of England. The extent to which this thinking has permeated the Church of England strategy varies greatly by dioceses and is affected both by use of language and national funding. The strategies which flowed from the twin streams of starting contextual forms of church (such as fresh expressions) and planting more congregations that are more identifiable as church (such as resource churches) now exhibit similar qualities. This article is based on a survey of diocesan strategies and vision statements and publicly available documentation from 40 of the 42 dioceses of the Church of England. I argue that diocesan strategies have been converging towards those that could be described as ‘mixed ecology’ even before the national strategy was adopted, and I highlight some present implications of the adoption of mixed ecology since then.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: mixed ecology
  topic: keywords
subject: church of england
  topic: keywords
subject: strategy
  topic: keywords
subject: vision
  topic: keywords
subject: church planting
  topic: keywords
subject: fresh expressions
  topic: keywords
creator: Andrew Dunlop
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Andrew Dunlop https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-05-01
publication date: 2025-05-01
doi: 10.54195/ef19868

Missiological approach to Migration and Mission in Pentecostalism: a Pneumatological Missional Imagination
type: item
description: While much has been written on the intersections of migration and mission, little has been developed regarding theoretical frameworks for approaching the subject from the discipline of missiology. This calls for the development of a framework that will assist in the missiological approach to migration and mission. However, there is a need for the recognition of the current missiological approaches to migration and mission to identify the existing gaps such as relevancy to Pentecostalism. To fill this gap, this article brings together three theories of pneumatological imagination, missiological spirit, and missional imagination to develop a pneumatological missional imagination. The findings are, that a pneumatological missional imagination is relevant for dealing with some of the challenges in migration and mission in Pentecostalism such as the inability to minister relevantly to the host countries, cultural differences, and orientation to the mission of God. These challenges are outlined by using the Apostolic Faith Mission Ministry International in the United Kingdom (AFMIMUK) as a case study. The pneumatological missional imagination is relevant for witnessing to others, speaking foreign languages, and orientation to the mission of God. therefore, a pneumatological missional imagination is relevant as a missiological approach to the intersections of migration and mission in Pentecostalism.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: missiology
  topic: keywords
subject: migration
  topic: keywords
subject: Pentecostalism
  topic: keywords
subject: pneumatological imagination
  topic: keywords
subject: missiological spirit
  topic: keywords
subject: AFMIMUK
  topic: keywords
creator: Mookgo Solomon Kgatle
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Solomon Kgatle https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 23
ending page: 38
doi: 10.54195/ef19723

Relational Authenticity in Community: A Key for Support on the Spiritual Journey?
type: item
description: As God leads his people in this current age, the church, ever-changing and growing, has responded with new expressions of independent community churches. Jesus’ mandate for the church to care for its people has not changed. How then, are independent community churches supporting the spiritual journeys of their congregants? This article presents a case study of The Big Table, an independent community church in South Perth, Western Australia. It uses interviews and participant observations to examine how spiritual support is provided beyond traditional church models. It draws from and extends, a theoretical framework of relational authenticity proposed by Lynne Taylor (2017), emphasizing its role in nurturing faith during seasons of doubt, crisis and transition. This has theoretical relevance as it extends Taylor’s research from recent converts to believers through faith transitions. The study shows how the deeply valued practices of community engagement, worship, Scripture exploration and relational leadership sustain spiritual formation and faith continuity, whilst highlighting the importance of relational authenticity as central to supporting believers across faith transitions. The article also has ministry relevance for understanding the journeys of believers who depart existing expressions of church, whilst retaining faith in God. It also holds practical relevance for church leaders exploring new expressions of church, offering insights into fostering meaningful spiritual engagement and support outside traditional frameworks.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: spiritual formation journey
  topic: keywords
subject: relational authenticity
  topic: keywords
subject: independent community churches
  topic: keywords
creator: Sarah Oliva
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sarah Oliva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-07-22
publication date: 2025-07-22
doi: 10.54195/ef19862

An Assessment of Contemporary British New Monasticism Framed by the Missional Spirituality of the Celtic Peregrini
type: item
description: From the sixth century, Celtic peregrini (wandering scholars) emerged from Britain and Ireland to establish monastic centres for mission and evangelism. British New Monastic expression would no doubt benefit from increased adoption of their distinctive monastic practices. These practices include the Celtic understanding of the sacramental universe—all creation steeped in the presence of God—all pointing towards the ultimate glory of His kingdom. In risky living they undertook both physical and inner spiritual journeys. They emerged from monastic schools and long periods of seasonal formation. They embraced rhythms of ebb and flow, searching for silence and solitude, to first breathe-in the Holy Spirit, before enthusiastically embarking on evangelism. They drew boundaries—encircling the sacred core, whilst keeping-out distractions. They developed frameworks of daily prayer and Scripture-reading, based on the Psalmody, intentionally building scaffolding—Rules of Life and vows, constantly refocussing themselves on their ultimate goal of prayer without ceasing.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Celtic, Spirituality, Peregrini, Monasticism, Mission.
  topic: keywords
creator: Peter Ruxton
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Peter Ruxton https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 55
ending page: 71
doi: 10.54195/ef19793

Healing the Wounded to Lead in the Postcolonial Church
type: item
description: Amidst calls for decolonization and Africanization in theological reflection on the African continent, this paper looks at the long-lasting effects of colonialism, its power, and the inequalities and vulnerabilities it created, and how, long after the demise of the structures of colonialism, the coloniality of the heart still lingers. As a white South African, of French Huguenot descent, I was part to a minority group which dominated non-white citizens during apartheid. I still reap the benefits of this past privilege but the opposite is true for those who suffered under apartheid, who lives with a legacy of inferiority. For decolonialisation to succeed, the historically privileged must lay down their colonial position of superiority to bring about a shift in power, where the historically wounded create their own identity. This article makes use of Exegesis by Story as methodology to describe the journey of the Old Testament judge, Gideon, as an example on healing and restauration of the hearts and minds of the oppressed. The research results furnish the church with a transformational approach of coming alongside the appressed, facilitates healing, and empowers the wounded to become healers.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Colonialism
  topic: keywords
subject: Africanization
  topic: keywords
subject: Decolonization
  topic: keywords
subject: Coloniality of the heart
  topic: keywords
subject: Wounder
  topic: keywords
subject: Healer
  topic: keywords
subject: Transformation
  topic: keywords
creator: Pieter Labuschagne
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Pieter Labuschagne https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-12-11
publication date: 2024-12-11
starting page: 71
ending page: 85
doi: 10.54195/ef19268

Editorial 5.1
type: item
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
creator: Nigel Rooms
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-05-29
publication date: 2024-05-29
starting page: 1
ending page: 4
doi: 10.54195/ef19226

Spijker, J. van ’t. 2021. To Participate: Looking for an Ecclesial Structure to be a Witnessing Church Today
type: item
description: Book Review
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
subject: Book review
  topic: keywords
creator: Rein den Hertog
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Rein den Hertog https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-05-29
publication date: 2024-05-29
starting page: 116
ending page: 119
doi: 10.54195/ef19200