Developing a Model of Empirical Research in the Church of England as an Agent of Change for Pastoral Policies

This paper considers the use of empirical research by the contemporary Church and the theological values that influence it. A method of "ordinary research" is proposed that leads to a conversation with modern-day public spirituality and "Ordinary Theology" as first proposed by Jeff Astley. Utilizing a typology of institutional models of change and transformation proposed by John Davies, patterns of research design emerge that are developed into a typology of empirical research in the Church to enable change in pastoral policies. The two national research projects considered here reveal encouraging signs of a church willing to develop its use of empirical research to establish a model of research in the Church that is pastorally responsive and a catalyst for professional praxis

Conversation · Empirical research · Epistemology · Political science · Praxis · Sociology · Spirituality · Typology · Anthropology · Law · Philosophy · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Theological Perspectives and Practices

• The ‘Empty’ Church Revisited

  R Gill•'Empty' Church Revisited•2018

  Add to list