There has been substantial church growth in Britain between 1980 and 2010. This is the controversial conclusion from the international team of scholars, who have drawn on interdisciplinary studies and the latest research from across the UK. Such church growth is seen to be on a large scale, is multi-ethnic and can be found across a wide range of social and geographical contexts. It is happening inside mainline denominations but especially in specific regions such as London, in newer churches and amongst ethnic minorities. Church Growth in Britain provides a forceful critique of the notion of secularisation which dominates much of academia and the media - and which conditions the thinking of many churches and church leaders. This book demonstrates that, whilst decline is happening in some parts of the church, this needs to be balanced by recognition of the vitality of large swathes of the Christian church in Britain. Rebalancing the debate in this way requires wholesale change in our understanding of contemporary British Christianity.
Contents: Part I Introduction: Church growth in Britain, 1980 to the present day, David Goodhew. Part II Mainstream Churches: Anglican resurgence: the Church of England in London, John Wolffe and Bob Jackson; Devout Eastenders: Catholicism in the East End of London, Alana Harris; Baptist growth in England, Ian M. Randall; Stirrings in Barchester: cathedrals and church growth, Lynda Barley; Reverse mission: from the global South to mainline churches, Rebecca Catto. Part III New Churches: The rise of Black Churches, Hugh Osgood; African Pentecostal growth: the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Britain, Richard Burgess; Moving up and moving out? The expansion of a London-based 'African Pentecostal' Church, Amy Duffuor; A history of fresh expressions and Church planting in the Church of England, George Lings; From the margins to the mainstream: new Churches in York, David Goodhew; The diversification of English Christianity: the example of Birmingham, Colin Marsh. Part IV Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: Growth amidst decline: Edinburgh's Churches and Scottish culture, Ken Roxburgh; Economic factors in Church growth and decline in South and West Wales, Paul Chambers; Northern Irish Protestantism: evangelical vitality and adaptation, Claire Mitchell. Conclusion: The death and resurrection of Christianity in contemporary Britain, David Goodhew; Select bibliography; Index.
