Lesson 8 Flashcards
Why has Christianity been reinventing itself?
This has been in order to operate effectively in the world of its time.
Finding new ways to express Christianity is a completely different way to respond to the challenges of secularisation.
Fresh Expressions and the House Church Movement.
Fresh expressions summary
-This grew out of the report ‘Mission-shaped Church’ presented to the General Synod of the Church of England in 2004. It is active in several other British Churches too.
-They work alongside people outside traditional Churches. Sometimes, they build an alternative kind of Church, but they also mix with people who are not conventionally religious, as Jesus did.
-It doesn’t replace church communities but rather supplements it. (sometimes called a ‘mixed economy’ church).
-These movements have an evangelical aim.
What does fresh expressions mean
The term ‘fresh expressions’ is used for Christian groups which operate alongside conventional Churches.
What does fresh expressions explore?
-Unlike the approach to religion criticised by Dawkins, Fresh Expressions explores the concerns and views of ordinary people, and then aims to see how Christian ideas and teachings may be relevant.
-It deals with religious values and expressions in ordinary, secular situations.
-Although the language and approach of the Fresh Expressions movement is quite different from that of the older theological traditions, it has parallels with Paul Tillich’s idea of God as ‘Being-Itself’ and our ‘Ultimate Concern’.
Fresh expressions aims and how it works
-Fresh Expressions draws out values and meanings from a situation, rather than trying to impose them from outside.
-Fresh Expressions works within secular life rather than against it, putting the life and teachings of Jesus into practice, rather than persuading people that God exists – it starts by listening to people’s needs and interests, rather than simply preaching to them.
-It operates in a secular context for those who are not church members.
Fresh expressions evangelical aim
-Lots of these movements seek to work alongside people who would not normally see themselves as belonging to a Christian church.
-In sharing in the lives and interests of others, Christians can share their own beliefs.
-This is seen as ‘outreach’, with the aim of leading people to join the Church.
-Sometimes this outreach is not done with this aim at all, it might be intended to nurture an alternative kind of church community.
-Even so, it is still seen as having value in itself
-It is an expression of the ministry of Jesus, who often mixed with people who were not conventionally religious.
Summary of mission to the church
-This is another way that some Christians have responded to the pressures of secularisation.
-It sees modern secular society as largely hostile to Christianity. It aims to re-establish the practices of the Early Church – when Roman society was hostile to Christianity – and people drew strength from worshipping together in private homes.
What did the establishment of churches bring?
-Prior to the establishment of churches in Early Christianity, Christians would meet in houses to learn about the religion and worship God.
-With the establishment of churches came the development of authority figures and formal ministry – which meant that Christianity became a set of teachings given by a group of religious authority figures.
When did this church development start to happen?
-STARTED to change with the Protestant Reformation, with its emphasis on personal commitment and the authority of the Bible – ‘priesthood of all believers’.
-Some Christians today have always met in private houses, for example, the Plymouth Brethren.
-The House Church movement started in the 1960s, it developed particularly in evangelical and charismatic traditions.
-House Churches tend to meet in private homes, but the British New Church Movement (BNCM) aims to set up new Church communities and meets in larger buildings to accommodate numbers.
What are churches like now in 21st century?
-By the early twenty-first century there were over 1,300 House Churches.
-These focus on the Holy Spirit calling individuals to a way of life or worship, based on a specific understanding of the Bible, which includes healing the sick and casting out demons – it is like healing therapy.
-It is separated from the control, structures and doctrines of organised Churches, so is in some ways a secular experience.
Key ideas of the house church movement
-Both movements have a focus on community and healing.
-New individuals are welcomed into groups of people to share Christian values and teaching.
-There is some belief that community can focus the power to heal.
In some ways it is a ‘secular’ experience. What could these ways be?
-It is separated from the control, structures and doctrines of organised churches.
-There is some focus on religious teachings, but the teachings are acted out in the context of the activities of the community.
Language of the house church movement
-The language is more like ‘healing therapy’ than a discussion about philosophy of religion.
-House Church members do not spend time discussing whether God exists or not.
-They focus instead on individual experience.
-Many experience a sense of God ‘calling’ them into a particular lifestyle or kind of worship.
What feelings do people get from being in a house church movement? (Language)
-The good feeling they get from being part of this HC community acts a confirmation that the experience is real.
-Members feel stronger in themselves, are more able to deal with pain, stress or anxiety.
-It is however based on a specific understanding of the Bible which includes healing of the sick can casting out demons - Language which is quite different from that of secular therapies!
How did the house church movement begin?
-The House Church movement started in the 1960s, it developed particularly in evangelical and charismatic traditions.
-House Churches tend to meet in private homes, but the British New Church Movement (BNCM) aims to set up new Church communities and meets in larger buildings to accommodate numbers.
-By the early twenty-first century there were over 1,300 House Churches.
-These focus on the Holy Spirit calling individuals to a way of life or worship, based on a specific understanding of the Bible, which includes healing the sick and casting out demons – it is like healing therapy.
-It is separated from the control, structures and doctrines of organised Churches, so is in some ways a secular experience.
