The church in post-sixties New Zealand : decline, growth and change / Kevin Ward.
Series: Archer studies in Pacific ChristianityPublication details: Auckland, New Zealand : Archer Press, 2013.Description: 258 pages ; 23 cmISBN:- 9780473227289
- 0473227282
- Church in post sixties New Zealand
- Protestant churches -- New Zealand -- History -- 20th century
- Protestant churches -- New Zealand -- History -- 21st century
- Church membership -- New Zealand -- History -- 20th century
- Church membership -- New Zealand -- History -- 21st century
- Church growth -- New Zealand
- New Zealand -- Church history
Item type | Current library | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main Collection | Diocese of Dunedin | BV625 WAR (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | 00115031310 | ||
Main Collection | John Kinder Theological Library | BV625 WAR (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | J0101271X | ||
Main Collection | Theology House | BV625 WAR (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | A00406644 |
It is widely accepted that over the past 50 years the church in New Zealand has been experiencing steady and persistent decline ... this book examines how true this narrative is among Protestant churches in New Zealand, and ... seeks to come to some understanding of the factors which might explain this and what the implications for the future of churches and Christianity might be ... part of the story is told by focussing on the particular stories of four different kinds of churches in Christchurch"--Page i.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Section One. Changes in church participation in a changing world: 1. Which way has the tide been flowing for churches in New Zealand? -- 2. Declining churches: why are they losing popularity? -- 3. Thriving churches: does theology matter? -- Section Two. Congregations in flux: some New Zealand examples: 4. Spreydon Baptist Church: orthodox and contemporary -- 5. Opawa Baptist Church: orthodox and traditional -- 6. St. Ninian's Presbyterian Church: non-orthodox and contemporary -- 7. St. Nicholas' Anglican Church: non-orthodox and traditional -- Section Three. Learning from the past and anticipating the future: 8. Qualities for effective churches: what really matters? -- 9. Cultural change and the churches: have they really changed? -- 10. Where to from here? recent trends and future possibilities -- Appendix: a reasearch note.
It is widely accepted that over the past 50 years the church in New Zealand has been experiencing steady and persistent decline. Some have foreseen its virtual demise while most see its influence in society becoming almost insignificant. This book examines how true this narrative is among Protestant churches in New Zealand, and by placing it in the context of other similar western societies, seeks to come to some understanding of the factors which might explain this and what the implications for the future of churches and Christianity might be. It also examines churches which have countered this trend by showing vitality and growth over this period to see what might be learned from them for a more vital Christian presence in the future. Part of the story is told by focussing on the particular stories of four different kinds of churches in Christchurch