Context Of Church Research Articles

Vulnerance of Pastoral Care

Disproving assumptions to the contrary, this article clearly shows how and why adults can become victims of abuse in church contexts. It does this by focusing on the pastoral care context and the interdependent potential risk factors lying within. As previous studies suggest, this context is especially susceptible to perpetrating abuse. Approximately three-quarters of all cases of abuse occur or begin in the context of pastoral care or spiritual counseling. Often, theories of pastoral care do not address this danger and tend to idealize the practice of pastoral care. In contrast, it is necessary to recognize a specific power to victimize due to the theological and structural power differential in pastoral relationships. Therefore, this article proposes a complex understanding of “vulnerability” and “vulnerance” that accounts for the victimization potential inherent in all pastoral care settings and advocates a theory of pastoral care that is not only concerned with the individual but also incorporates reflections on structural and systemic power dynamics.

Maya Stanfield-Mazzi, Clothing the New World Church: Liturgical Textiles of Spanish America, 1520–1820, University of Notre Dame Press, Indiana, 2021, 408 pages, hardback, ISBN 9780268108052, $50.00.

Maya Stanfield-Mazzi’s Clothing the New World Church: Liturgical Textiles of Spanish America, 1520-1820 (2021) is the first broad survey that highlights some essential threads in the social and material history of textile production and usage within the context of the Catholic Church in Spanish America. This review highlights the publication’s contribution in interdisciplinary research in the field.

Maya Stanfield-Mazzi, Clothing the New World Church: Liturgical Textiles of Spanish America, 1520–1820, University of Notre Dame Press, Indiana, 2021, 408 pages, hardback, ISBN 9780268108052, $50.00.

Maya Stanfield-Mazzi’s Clothing the New World Church: Liturgical Textiles of Spanish America, 1520-1820 (2021) is the first broad survey that highlights some essential threads in the social and material history of textile production and usage within the context of the Catholic Church in Spanish America. This review highlights the publication’s contribution in interdisciplinary research in the field.

Crossroads of Culture: Christianity, Ancestral Spiritualism, and the Search for Wellness in Northern Malawi, by Eric Lindland.

<i>Crossroads of Culture: Christianity, Ancestral Spiritualism, and the Search for Wellness in Northern Malawi</i>, by Eric Lindland.

Untangling the Taphonomy of Charred Plant Remains in Ritual Contexts: Late Antique and Medieval Churches and Graves from Croatia

ABSTRACT Food has played a central role in death rituals throughout human history, yet finding evidence of these practices in the archaeological record can be problematic. In particular, linking charred plant remains to inhumation burials requires careful consideration of the taphonomic processes involved. Here we focus on the recovery of charred plant macro-remains from four Late Antique and medieval cemeteries and one late medieval church in Croatia. The results showed low densities of both charcoal and other charred plant macro-remains, suggesting that the remains are general settlement debris that was accidentally deposited within the cemeteries and church context. At Bribirska Glavica, the sampling of stratigraphic layers at the multi-level cemetery allowed a greater understanding of taphonomic processes and corroborated the identification of a rubbish dump linked to an adjacent Roman villa. The results provide important insights for future sampling strategies, including the importance of taking control samples outside the graves and radiocarbon dating to determine whether botanical remains are related to the burials.

The Bible on the Shakespearean Stage: Cultures of Interpretation in Reformation England. Edited by Thomas Fulton and Kristen Poole

This stimulating collection takes up a subject that has been somewhat neglected in the “turn to religion” in Shakespeare studies: popular hermeneutics. The Reformation called on believers not only to read the Bible but also to interpret it; the introduction to the volume takes us into the worlds of Bible reading and interpretation and shows us how sixteenth- and seventeenth-century readers learned exegesis from notes and paratextual material in early modern Bibles, as well as from theological tracts and sermons that modeled typological reading, collocation, and ways of working with the densely figured “literal” narrative. To read about open-air sermons, attended by as many as six thousand people with Bibles in hand to check and annotate referenced passages, helps us imagine the attention and interpretive energy audiences might have brought to bear on Shakespeare’s plays in the theater. The volume is divided into four parts. Bruce Gordon’s and Aaron T. Pratt’s respective essays in the first part (“Europe, England: Contextualizing Shakespeare’s Bible”) historicize the discussion of biblical interpretation in the context of international linguistic scholarship and textual developments (Gordon) and publishing and marketing books in England (Pratt). Gordon’s essay provides valuable information on the work of Christian Hebraists, and notes the publication of a Rabbinic Bible in the period, but I would have liked some assessment of how this scholarship fed into the Geneva translation (the one most used in England), how it might illuminate the vexed question of Shakespeare’s attitude toward real Jews. Pratt studies translations of the New Testament, beginning with the extremely popular volume produced by Sir John Cheke (1553). The paratextual material in that edition provided continuity for the different authorized translations that circulated throughout the century, and Pratt explains that its function was to stress that the Bible should be understood within the context of the official church. If Shakespeare did work from a Cheke volume, as Pratt thinks possible, and was typical in that sense, the paratextual guides for interpretations did not constrain the uniqueness of his biblical readings and the originality of his theology.

Individuals’ situations in a church context. Why taking an eco-systemic approach is crucial for supporting a gender balanced church with healthy singleness, dating, marriage and youth

Annabel Clarke https://doi.org/10.52456/WACJO123 Download PDF of article Introduction&nbsp; Imagine that a family member or friend (in your personal life), or a counselling client (in your professional life) wants to talk to you. Their situation is one of the following:&nbsp;

Servant Leadership: Implications for Human Resource Practices in a Church Context and Growth: A Review of Literature

The leadership literature has significantly explored the servant leadership construct. Even though several studies linked servant leadership with organizational performance, there is inadequate literature relating servant leadership construct with human resource (HR) practices in the context of church and its growth. The paper reviewed extant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature on the subject of servant leadership and attempts to integrate it with human resource practices that ultimately affects church context and growth. The study established that servant leadership constructs impacts positively on HR practices as well church growth in spiritual, numerical and financial dimensions. The review established the significance of servant leadership in steering modern organizational growth through empowerment of followers. The paper further proposes an appropriate integrated theoretical model that links the servant leadership constructs with human resource practices, church context and growth. Nonetheless, there is need for further research on effect of other leadership styles on HR practices within the church context.

Calvin’s sacramental theology: A fresh paradigm for a pentecostal theology of water baptism?

ABSTRACT Although few Pentecostals would perceive their tradition as ‘sacramental’, in contrast to high church contexts, the movement’s consistent emphasis on the importance of water baptism since its earliest days is well-documented. While there might exist an incipient sacramentalism in Pentecostalism, it has nevertheless remained underdeveloped, perhaps due in part to the influence of low church evangelicalism which repudiates any hint of the sacraments as a means of grace. Yet, one wonders if the sacramental assumptions in a Pentecostal understanding of baptism might be drawn out through sustained engagement with the historic Christian tradition. This paper engages the sacramental theology of John Calvin, suggesting that his unwavering emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s work, the relationship between sign and thing signified in his thought, and the crucial role of faith in his doctrines of baptism and the Supper make him a prime dialogue partner to encourage the further development of Pentecostal sacramentality.

The Mediation Effect of Lay Participation on the Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Pastoral Effectiveness: Evidence from Saint Antonio Parish, Motael, Dili

Pastoral effectiveness is an important factor in the success of pastoral activities in Catholic organizations, particularly at the parish level. Pastoral effectiveness can be influenced by transformational leadership and by lay participation. The aims of this research are (1) to examine and analyse the influence of transformational leadership and lay participation on pastoral effectiveness in Saint Antonio Parish, Motael, Dili, (2) examine the influence of transformational leadership on lay participation; and (3) to examine how lay participation mediates the relations between transformational leadership and pastoral effectiveness in this same parish. This research used questionnaires to collect data, with a total of 378 samples, and SMART-PLS 3.1 was used to analyze the data. The results of the research show that transformational leadership and lay participation indeed have a significant and positive influence on pastoral effectiveness. Transformational leadership also has significant impact on lay participation, while lay participation plays a significant role on the relationship between transformational leadership and pastoral effectiveness. This research could enrich the inferential studies on transformational leadership, lay participation and pastoral effectiveness in Catholic Church context which is still lacking. It also contributes to the improvement of pastoral effectiveness, especially within Saint Antonio Parish, Motael, Dili, and in the archdiocese of Dili in general by adopting transformational leadership and lay participation.

Introduction

Introduction

Missio hominum as the compassionate response to socio-economic and vaccine challenges during COVID-19 in South Africa

It is likely that the storm of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Africa will calm only when the country attains herd immunity. In South Africa, the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plan will first prioritise key frontline forces, the elderly and those with comorbidities. Although there is some new academic insight on COVID-19 within the context of churches, not much has been written on the role that churches can play in partnership with government towards procuring vaccines for the poor people of South Africa. The contribution towards vaccine procurement by churches is juxtaposed with the proclamation of the year of the Lord’s favour in Luke 4:18–19 and the feeding of 5000 men (excluding women and children) in Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:30–44, John 6:1–14 and Luke 9:10–17. This is done against an environment where corruption in the procurement of personal protective equipment, unjust food parcel distribution and subverted relief packages occurred during the hard lockdown of 2020. This article makes use of both missio Dei and missio hominum as its missiological theory in conformity with calls for public health restoration during and after COVID-19. It employs a literature review to support missio Dei and missio hominum as compassion and fundraising for the poor in the face of COVID-19, as exemplified by Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:1–4 and Jesus in Mark 6:8 and Luke 8:1–3.Contribution: In order to preserve lives that would otherwise be lost whilst waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine, this article entreats all churches of South Africa to launch a nationwide church fundraising effort towards procuring COVID-19 vaccines for the poor following the example of the Solidarity Fund, which was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa as one of the early interventions to cushion the impact of COVID-19.

The Influence of Mother Wisdom on Augustine

AbstractThe Book of Ben Sira was popular in the early Christian church and influenced the Church Father Augustine (354–430). He adopts the person of Wisdom as a divine mother and adapts her within the context of the early Christian church. He links to Mother Wisdom a wisdom theology, in which Jesus is her envoy. Augustine describes Mother Wisdom as an eternal nourishing divine mother. She has a permanent revelatory status by continuously giving life-giving power, which she mediates through Jesus of Nazareth. He presents her grace which she has prepared for thecompetentes(the candidates for Baptism), who are working towards initiation into Christian Faith. Mother Wisdom serves as hostess in biblical Wisdom literature. For Augustine, Jesus Christ has taken this place. Mother Wisdom serves instead the angels and the spiritual persons as a representative of divine nourishment.

Tradisi Mamat dalam membangun Relasi Sosial Keagamaan di Naikolan Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur

This study aims to describe the understanding of the Evangelical Christian Church in the East regarding the hospitality contained tradition eating betel nut, especially next generation who will continue meaning of hospitality in tradition of mamat for daily life and use betel nut as a unifying tool and a sign of respect diversity congregation. Tradition eating betel nut is a symbol of hospitality in the tradition priest. Tradition of mamat provides a new understanding Evangelical Christian Church in the East of Mount Sinai that through betel nut is interpreted as a sign of love and hospitality to others both within the congregation and outside the church context. This research uses descriptive qualitative method. A qualitative approach that aims to accurately describe the characteristics individual, symptom, or group determine the causes frequency certain relationship between a symptom and other symptoms in society, so as obtain in-depth information through interviews with respondents. Mamat tradition also provides good change for the community, especially church because it can teach about mutual acceptance and respect regardless of status, tradition of eating betel nut together allows people have good behavior such as loving, appreciating, and respecting others. With the Mamat tradition, community mingled with each other without seeing any differences.This study aims to describe the understanding of the Evangelical Christian Church in the East regarding the hospitality contained tradition eating betel nut, especially next generation who will continue meaning of hospitality in tradition of mamat for daily life and use betel nut as a unifying tool and a sign of respect diversity congregation. Tradition eating betel nut is a symbol of hospitality in the tradition priest. Tradition of mamat provides a new understanding Evangelical Christian Church in the East of Mount Sinai that through betel nut is interpreted as a sign of love and hospitality to others both within the congregation and outside the church context. This research uses descriptive qualitative method. A qualitative approach that aims to accurately describe the characteristics individual, symptom, or group determine the causes frequency certain relationship between a symptom and other symptoms in society, so as obtain in-depth information through interviews with respondents. Mamat tradition also provides good change for the community, especially church because it can teach about mutual acceptance and respect regardless of status, tradition of eating betel nut together allows people have good behavior such as loving, appreciating, and respecting others. With the Mamat tradition, community mingled with each other without seeing any differences.Keywords: Mamat; Tradition; Betel Nut; Hospitality

Between the Prophetic and Priestly: The Role of Black Pastoral Authority in Health and Science Promotion

AbstractHealth researchers often seek to leverage pastoral authority in Black churches to forge community partnerships that address racial health disparities in the United States. Yet, researchers have not fully recognized the range (and limits) of pastoral authority as well as the complex role of religion in African American health. Here we explore how health and science are engaged in Black Church contexts and what role pastoral authority plays in this process. Drawing on focus groups with Black pastors and interviews with congregants, we outline three different dimensions of pastoral authority: gatekeeper, connector, and moral exemplar. We argue that these dimensions create tensions between the priestly and prophetic mandates of Black pastors, which in turn impact how church members engage with health resources and scientific knowledge. These results complicate current understandings of how authority functions in Black churches while underscoring the need to seriously consider Black Religion in studies of religion, health, and science.

Gender and domestic abuse victimisation among churchgoers in north west England: breaking the church’s gendered silence

Domestic abuse is often hidden in church contexts. Despite a body of North American research, it has rarely been researched in the UK. This article offers new empirical findings on the nature and extent of, and attitudes to, domestic abuse among churchgoers. The data are drawn from a cross-denominational survey of 438 churchgoers in rural north-west England. The majority of the survey respondents were female and aged over 60, providing important evidence of domestic abuse victimisation among this seldom-heard group. Using a broad measure of domestic abuse encompassing physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual dimensions, the results revealed that one in four had experienced at least one abusive behaviour in their current intimate relationship. While headline figures for prevalence are similar for women and men, analysis revealed gender differences in four areas: number of abusive behaviours experienced, types of abuse, frequency of victimisation and impacts of abuse, with women experiencing the most frequent and high-impact abuse. Churchgoers’ comments on the church’s response to abuse reveals silence as a key theme, and the article attributes the church’s silence to gendered power relations in the wider church.

Gregory Nanzianzen’s Oration II

Leadership styles in southeast Europe tend to lie at the poles along a line stretched between passivity and authoritarianism. This is a universal problem in the global church, not one unique to southeast Europe. However, the fact remains that the mainstream leadership models in this part of the world need to be appraised and healthier models need to be developed. Unfortunately, the leadership models being imported from the West take as their cue business management, often times focusing on efficiency, productivity, and growth rather than focusing on Kingdom expansion and serving the Bride of Christ. However, a model does exist for servant leadership, a model that emerged from the Eastern Church 17 centuries ago. In this paper, I will examine Gregory Nazianzen’s Oration II which presents a spiritual model of leadership for the 21st century. While written many centuries ago, this text is still able to speak to the modern mind and remains relevant for several reasons. First, this is the first extant extra-Biblical account of an individual’s struggle with calling and obedience to Christian ministry. Second, Gregory’s model is saturated with Scripture, providing a sound though unique perspective from his brilliant and highly trained mind. Finally, as one of Gregory’s primary concerns is remaining faithful during a corrupt public form of Christianity, the context is appropriate to the traditional church contexts of southeast Europe. Following a brief historical background, this paper will look at three elements of Christian ministry and how Gregory addresses their spiritual components. First, the roles of a minister, under the titles of priest, king, and prophet. Second, the challenges that beset ministers who seek to serve. And third, the personal struggles that an individual must face and overcome to be obedient in this calling.

Between Service and Scripture: A Qualitative Study of Missional Hermeneutics

ABSTRACT Using a qualitative research method known as narrative inquiry, the authors undertake an exercise in empirical hermeneutics in a Latino church context in order to explore the formative effects of participation in mission on biblical interpreters. The analysis leads to the construction of a twofold hermeneutical model that provisionally answers our research question: the relationship between participants’ experiences of mission and their understandings of the Bible seems to consist of dynamics designated as missional emplotment and narrative fusion.

고린도전서 4:1-2에 나타난 고린도교회의 사회적 정황과 리더십 갈등

본 소론의 목적은 고린도전서 4:1-2에 나타난 고린도 교회의 사회적 정황을 재구성하고, 이러한 정황에 놓여 있는 교회를 향해 보내진 본 서신, 특히 고린도전서 4:1-2 본문이 어떠한 의미를 가지며, 그 역할이 무엇이었는가를 고찰하려는 것이다. 고린도에 바울이 설립한 고린도 교회는 바울이 떠나간 이후에 아볼로가 리더십을 승계하여 교인들을 양육하였다. 하지만 아볼로가 고린도 교회를 떠난 이후에 고린도교회는 리더십 갈등으로 파당을 짓고 분쟁을 일삼았다. 이러한 파당과 분쟁이 지속되는 고린도교회에 서신을 보냈다. 고린도전서 1-4장 단락이 포함된 서신을 보내는 바울은 아볼로를 동역자로 묘사하기도 하면서, 동시에 바울이 놓은 토대 위에 일하는 자라고 언급한다. 바울은 본 서신에서 아볼로를 동역자로 인정하면서도 자신이 먼저 된 자임을 시사한다. 이러한 보도에는 4:1의 ‘우리’, 곧 바울을 포함한 사도들이 고린도 교인들에 의해서 평가를 받고 있는 정황을 반영한다. 이와 같이 판단 받는다는 것은 고린도전서 1-4장에 반영된 고린도 교회의 문제인 파당을 짓고 분쟁을 일삼는 교회의 상황과 일치한다. 왜냐하면 고린도 교회의 교인들이 파당을 짓고 분쟁을 일삼게 된 것은 어떤 다른 이유보다도 고린도 교인들이 바울을 포함한 사도라 칭할 수 있는 리더십들을 판단하는 데서 기인하기 때문이다. 이러한 판단의 결과, 고린도 교인들은 자신의 기호에 따라 파당을 짓게 되었고, 자신이 속한 파를 주장하며 자랑을 일삼고 있었음을 볼 수 있다. 이에 대해 바울은 고린도 교인들로 하여금 자신을 본받아 서로 동역하는 자가 되고, 리더십인 사도들에 대한 판단을 주님의 오시는 날까지 중지할 것을 촉구한다.

Reviews

Summary Freikirche mit Mission [Free Church with a Mission] represents a comprehensive study on missionary church formation in Free Church contexts in Germany. Historical and empirical data are interwoven with philosophical and sociological thoughts with the intention to prove that free churches need to adjust to a different context if they want to preserve their missionary inheritance. In this situation, Christianity in the State Church, which up to now represented a starting point for evangelism, is shrinking in favour of a secular way of life. Therefore, mission requires new ways which interact with this secular context.