Congregational Work Research Articles

What Kind of Theology Does the Church of the Future Need? Reflections in a European Context

While Christianity is growing worldwide, especially in various forms of charismatic and Pentecostal churches, membership in the Protestant churches and in the Catholic Church are declining throughout Europe. A theology for the church of the future, particularly a theology for pastoral ministry, needs an understanding of the church that is at once relevant to practical pastoral ministry and congregational work as well as awareness of the processes of change and upheaval. This paper argues that there is a need for a contemporary theology of diaspora. At the center of this paper is the question of how God can be spoken of in a theologically responsible way under present conditions without dissolving all theology into anthropology and ethics. The crisis of faith in modern Western secular societies is essentially a crisis of the language of faith. Theology in crisis and a theology for times of crisis—both have the task of waiting: waiting for God’s new entry into the world, for his coming, and for him to speak to us in a new way by making the language of the biblical tradition speak and appeal to us anew. Such a theology for times of crisis is precisely not resigned, but highly expectant, as can be learned from Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Potting Christianity: Ecumenical Worship in Its Multicultural and Multi-Ethnic Context

In the gardening world, potting refers to the cultivation of plants by cutting, layering, and replacing nutrients-depleted soil with new soil in larger pots to accommodate the growth process. This understanding seems helpful in describing ecumenical worship. There are two perspectives about this phenomenon. On one end of the liturgical practice spectrum, it is perceived as a “least-common-denominator” worship form where contested expressions are cast aside and replaced by elements that are acceptable by everyone. As a result, ecumenical worship is held up as a product of complex negotiation but displays a remarkable lack of spiritual depth in its outcome. On the other end, there is the World Council of Churches—a fellowship of 350 churches that is regarded as the epitome of ecumenism in practice particularly its worship celebration. The assembly, convened every eight years, is seen as a “best practice” showcase for ecumenical worship. In fact, many of the “global songs” being sung by our congregation were premiered in this ecumenical setting. How might we make sense of these perceptions? To that end, this article seeks to describe a suitably appropriate method in planning ecumenical worship and to identify elements that this worship genre needs to consider in its rendition. The efforts of the 2022 assembly worship planning committee of the World Council of Churches serves as the case study. Theo-liturgical principles that define this worship design are examined and discussed. By this, insights may be garnered to help local congregations appreciate this distinctive liturgical form that has its raison d’etre as an expression of Christian reconciliation and unity and to understand what is needed to successfully design such services. In so doing, the work of congregations may be strengthened to face the resurgence of racism and xenophobia in their local contexts.

The Information Behavior of Clergy Members Engaged in the Sermon Preparation Task: Wicks Revisited

In this article the author revisits an earlier study on the information seeking behavior of clergy members. Wicks found that clergy members tend to operate within closed information systems when their work role is highly dependent upon their work world. The Wicks study differentiated between the work roles of preaching, care giving, and administration and between theological, denominational, and congregational work worlds. In the current article the author reports on a qualitative research project that focuses on sermon preparation as a regular task of the preaching role. Through the current study the author confirms the findings from the Wicks study regarding the influence of clergy member theological and denominational worlds on their preaching role. The findings also suggest that the congregational world significantly affects the information behavior of clergy members engaged in the sermon preparation task, which does not contradict, but expands upon the findings of the Wicks study.

Now is the Time: Seminaries Responding to the Graying of Our Congregations

We need to find ways of celebrating the elderly in America through support and advocacy of older adults by our religious communities. This can only happen if seminaries educate future clergy how to minister with them and engage older adults in the life and work of congregations. This mandate is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition as well as in the other great world's religions. Shared themes include: • Inclusion. All are invited to sit at the table—black, white, yellow—poor, rich, male, female, young, old—we are all children ofGod and equal in God's sight. • Support and care. This theme is reflected in bearing one another'sburdens; we are responsible for one another. • Empowerment. Advocating for the rights of others, those who aremarginalized by challenges of age, gender, or economic circum-stances, and giving them the tools for empowerment. • Cultivation of virtues. Religion's emphasis on cultivating virtuousliving overflows into care of the elderly. Fighting ageism is not easy, but based on the dignity and worth of all people it is inherent in our theology, hense courses in older adult ministry should be part of our theological curriculum.

Wächst die Kirche mit ihren Alten? Altersbilder bei Pastorinnen und Pastoren

Abstract The article presents results of an explorative survey among pastors about their work with the elderly and their images of ageing. In theory the model of activating resources is mainly followed, whereas the congregational work is viewed along the model of care for the helpless. Both models should be seen in their conflicting logics and their limits.