Counting People in: Changing the Way We Think About Membership and the Church

By Richard Thomas

In the last census 77 percent of respondents described themselves as 'Church of England' - what does this mean? - The Church puts most of its resources into supporting those who go church - why? - The gospel wasn't given to make loyal churchgoers but to transform and enrich lives through relationship with God himself - discuss Patterns of attendance and attitudes to belonging are changing in the Church as in all institutions today. This book analyses the Church and how it relates to those who are not formally defined as members. It raises fundamental theological questions about how the Church lives out the Gospel in the world, and what its role is, and should be in the future. Changes in church attendance, the significance of community and communion, the meaning of baptisms, weddings and funerals and the impact of 'internet services' are all explored in this challenging and far-reaching book.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0281053979
• ISBN13: 9780281053971
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 8.7"