Living in two worlds : a study of the variety and characteristics of church life and policies in selected Church of England parishes
The thesis advances a sociological model of local Church of England churches. The model is based on a study of the process of secularisation which is seen to influence the local churches towards their becoming specialist religious organisations. The variety of ways in which churches respond to this influence is an important part of understanding the differences between churches. 144 parishes from the West Midlands and from four New Towns were investigated by postal survey. Follow-up interviews with clergy and churchwardens in thirteen selected parishes provided the most important data for the development of the model. The model has two axes: the priorities held by local churches and the activities which the churches pursue. Priorities and activities are classified according to whether they are sacred or secular orientated. Four ideal types emerge from the model: the Sectarian Church, with sacred activities and priorities; the Missionising Church, with secular activities but sacred priorities; the Community Church, with secular activities and priorities; and the Civic Church, with sacred activities but secular priorities. The thirteen parishes are plotted on the model and some of the applications of the model
Hill, Colin
Religious organisations model
Living in two worlds : a study of the variety and characteristics of church life and policies in selected Church of England parishes. The thesis advances a sociological model of local Church of England churches. The model is based on a study of the process of secularisation which is seen to influence the local churches towards their becoming specialist religious organisations. The variety of ways in which churches respond to this influence is an important part of understanding the differences between churches. 144 parishes from the West Midlands and from four New Towns were investigated by postal survey. Follow-up interviews with clergy and churchwardens in thirteen selected parishes provided the most important data for the development of the model. The model has two axes: the priorities held by local churches and the activities which the churches pursue. Priorities and activities are classified according to whether they are sacred or secular orientated. Four ideal types emerge from the model: the Sectarian Church, with sacred activities and priorities; the Missionising Church, with secular activities but sacred priorities; the Community Church, with secular activities and priorities; and the Civic Church, with sacred activities but secular priorities. The thirteen parishes are plotted on the model and some of the applications of the model
living world study variety characteristic church life policy select church_england parish advance sociological model local church_england church model_base study process secularisation see influence_local church towards become specialist religious organisation variety_way church respond influence important_part difference church parish west_midlands new towns investigate postal survey follow interview clergy churchwarden thirteen select parish provide_important data development model model priority hold local_church activity church pursue activity classify_accord whether sacred_secular orientate ideal_type emerge model sectarian church sacred activity priority church secular activity sacred priority community church secular activity priority civic church sacred activity secular priority thirteen parish plot model application model