Christianity: Expressions of Religious Identity Flashcards
How does the CofE define ‘Mission’?
“…God’s mission is about transformation - transforming individual lives, transforming communities and transforming the world.”
What are the three types of Christian mission?
- Evangelism
- Helping the Poor and Disadvantaged
- Caring for the Church Community
Give two Bible examples that support the idea of mission
- The Great Commission - “Make disciples of all nations…” (Evangelism)
- The Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Helping the disadvantaged)
- The work of St. Paul in cultivating and educating the Early Church (Evangelism)
Name three initiatives/organisations involved in evangelism?
- Church Missionary Society (CMS)
- The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM)
- Alpha Course
How has the work of the Church Missionary Society changed from the 19th century to now?
- In the 19th century, missionaries were sent largely to areas that were not Christian, or had never heard of Christianity (e.g. India, Africa, the Middle East). They would get involved in the community, offer health care and build churches and schools to educate people in the Christian faith
- In the 20th century, churches in the UK began to pair themselves with missionary families in other countries to get the whole community involved through prayer and financial support.
- In the 21st century, conversion was no longer the priority, so outreach programmes were set up to support existing Christian communities. E.g. CMS worked with the Cairo Anglican Cathedral to set up child-care for Christian ‘zabaleen’ (people who earn money by recycling rubbish)
Give and example of a TEAM project and explain what they do.
Karanda Mission Hospital
- Offers quality and affordable health care in an impoverished area of Zimbabwe - 75,000 patients a year
- Trains a cohort of nurses every year - gives prospects to women who would not normally have them
- Offers the option of attending church services to staff and patients to learn about Christianity in the hopes they will convert
What does the Alpha Course involve, and how does it help evangelise?
- Ten weekly sessions where attendees eat a meal and then discuss a particular aspect of the Christian faith
- Church-goers will invite their non-religious family and friends to attend to try and spread their faith
- Designed for agnostics or spiritual people who may have questions/concerns about becoming a committed Christian
- It is a world-wide project, so can work to evangelise everywhere
How is the mission to help the poor and disadvantages rooted in the Early Church?
- St. Paul would collect money on his travels to support members of the Church in Jerusalem
- In the Middle Ages, wealthy Christians would use their resources to build schools for poor children and housing for the elderly
Name three initiatives/organisations involved in helping the poor and disadvantaged?
- Children’s Society
- Church Urban Fund (CUF)
- Christian Aid
What does Christian Aid do and what teaching are they most influenced by?
- Christian Aid provides short and long-term aid to developing countries e.g. after a natural disaster, or political coup
- Conversion is not part of what they do, and they will indiscriminately help people of all faiths, or none.
- Heavily influenced by the Parable of the Sheep and Goats as it emphasises that it is morally and spiritually important to care for those who need it most - ordinance from Jesus
What does the Church Urban Fund (CUF) do?
- Attempts to improve the lives of people in urban areas by giving financial and practical support to local churches
- Empowers locals to address issues in the community and stand up for social justice
What does the Children’s Society work to do in a modern context?
- Helps young children deal with illness, poverty and mental health issues by giving them safe spaces in family day care centres
- Works for social justice for the most disadvantages young people by challenging government/social attitudes
What are Local Ecumenical Partnerships, and give an example of one?
- Two or more denominations in a particular area agree to work together to share resources and space, and provide support in the community
- E.g. The Church of Christ the Cornerstone in Milton Keynes is shared by CoE, Baptists, Methodists, Roman Catholics and the United Reformed Church
What is the ‘Fresh Expressions’ initiative and why were they needed?
- Fresh Expressions was created to address the issue of rising levels of secularisation - only 35% of the UK identify as practicing Christians
- Groups are set up in places of natural congregation and interest e.g. a surfing centre in Cornwall or a skate park in Essex
- Christianity is brought to people in ways that suit them to better allow them to engage with the teachings - groups are not limited to Sundays and they work to engage with the culture of the area to attract as many people as possible
How do ‘Sorted’ in Bradford create a ‘fresh expression of faith’?
- Group set up in a church school for secondary-age children
- They participate in social activities (games etc.) and discussions about the nature of Christianity and God - there is a focus on discipleship and what being a Christian means
- Has a mentor programme (peer evangelism), and links to baptism and the local church.
