Statistical evidence is clear, the Evangelical churches in North America are in decline. There are many reasons for this decline, not least of which is the reality that the North American Evangelical churches now exist in a post-Christendom milieu. A new ontology and and a new praxis are needed to address this new reality. However, the model is perhaps not new, but merely a return to the intended purpose for the church since its inception in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. This article explores a fourfold missional model for the North American church moving from liminality, through communitas and emergence to mission.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Chapter 1: Canadian Evangelical Churches in Decline
- The Problem: The Evangelical Churches in Canada are in Decline
- Research Methodology
- Hypothesis
- Chapter 2: The Lockean Delphi Survey
- Introduction
- The Delphi Method of Research
- The History of the Delphi
- Definition of Delphi
- The Various Types of Delphi Survey
- The use of the Delphi Method in this research paper
- The Church as a Complex Adaptive System
- First Delphi Iteration: The Formative Questionnaire
- Vocational Profile
- Academic Profile
- Denominational Profile
- Age Range Profile
- Theological Profile
- Length of Current Ministry Profile
- Results of the First Iteration of the Delphi Survey
- The Second Iteration of Delphi
- Declining Biblical Literacy
- Individualized Spirituality
- Lack of Strategic Planning
- Lack of Equipped Leaders
- Summary, Synthesis and Analysis of the Responses to the Second Iteration of the Delphi
- Chapter 3: Towards a Literature Review
- Introduction: The Literature Review as a Part of the "Interpretive" Process
- The Structure of this Literature Review
- A Review of the Sociology Literature that relates to the current Canadian context with special reference to the Evangelical Church
- A Review of Modern Ecclesiological Reflections together with Missional and Emergent Ecclesiological Literature
- Literature that Relates Pneumatology and Missional Community
- A Review of the Literature that Relates to Christology and North American Culture
- A Review of the Literature Concerning Leadership and Church Leadership Styles within North America
- A Review of the Literature Concerning Discipleship within the North American Church Context
- Spirituality within the Canadian context
- A Review of the Literature Concerning Systems Theory
- Chapter 4: The Missional Community of God
- Introduction: The Why and How of a Biblical Theological, Normative (Basis Theory), Approach
- Biblical Theology: Definitions and Methodologies
- Definitions
- Biblical Theological Methodologies
- The Missional Community of God in the Old Testament: A Diachronic Biblical Theology
- The Missional Community of God in the New Testament: The Culmination of the Diachronic Biblical Theological Approach
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to understand the decline of Evangelical churches in Canada and to propose a model for their future growth. It uses a mixed-methods approach, combining a Delphi survey with a comprehensive literature review to identify challenges and explore potential solutions. The research seeks to contribute to a more missional approach to ministry within the Canadian context.
- Decline of Evangelical Churches in Canada
- The Delphi Survey Method and its Application to Church Research
- Biblical Theology of Mission and its Relevance to Contemporary Church
- Ecclesiology and Missional Community
- Church Leadership and Strategic Planning
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1 introduces the problem of declining Evangelical churches in Canada and outlines the research methodology employed. Chapter 2 details the Lockean Delphi survey process, including its design, implementation, and the results of the first and second iterations. Chapter 3 presents a literature review examining various relevant sociological, ecclesiological, and theological perspectives. Chapter 4 explores a biblical theological understanding of missional community, drawing upon both Old and New Testament texts.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Evangelical Churches, Canada, Church Decline, Missional Community, Delphi Survey, Biblical Theology, Ecclesiology, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Church Growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Evangelical churches in Canada in decline?
Key reasons include the shift to a post-Christendom milieu, declining biblical literacy, and a lack of strategic planning and equipped leadership.
What is the "Missional Model" proposed in the article?
The model moves through four stages: liminality, communitas, emergence, and finally mission, returning to the church's intended purpose.
What research methodology was used for this study?
The study used a mixed-methods approach, specifically the Lockean Delphi survey method combined with a comprehensive literature review.
How does Systems Theory apply to church growth?
The research treats the church as a "Complex Adaptive System," requiring new ways of leadership and organizational structure to adapt to cultural changes.
What role does "Communitas" play in the proposed model?
Communitas refers to the deep sense of community and equality that emerges during transitional (liminal) periods, which is essential for missional growth.
- Quote paper
- Robert Elkington (Author), 2010, A Model for the Growth of the Evangelical Churches in Canada, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/186935
