Gold, Malcolm (2000) Proselytism, retention and re-affiliation : the hybridisation of an Assembly of God Church. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This
study provides a qualitative analysis of an
Assembly
of
God Pentecostal
church
in
the North East
of
England. The
research employed an ethnographic
framework incorporating
overt participant observation and in-depth interviews
over the
period of one year at the City Christian Centre. In
addition, a number of
other churches (of
varying
denominations)
were visited and observed.

In this
work,
former interpretations
within the sociology of religion, regarding
membership and recruitment, are challenged and new perspectives offered.
Few
ethnographic studies of conservative evangelical
Christians in the United
Kingdom
exist and quantitative work on this
group, generally,
has failed
to define
significant concepts such as salvation and conversion adequately.

While
such concepts remain
foundational
to the
conservative evangelical
believer,
a significant transformation of religious expression is taking
place
within contemporary
British Pentecostalism. This thesis gives an account of a
synthesis between classical
Pentecostals and the
Charismatic
movement that is
creating a distinct form
of spiritual expression resulting
in
a
hybrid
church.
This
fusion
of traditions affects congregations in
a number of
important
areas.
Expressions of praise and worship, theological
interpretations
and church
leadership
each reflect the dynamics
of
the hybrid
church.
So in
addition,
does a
shift
in
class composition. Once the preserve of
the working classes,
Pentecostalism in Britain is
now much more socially and economically
diverse in
its
membership.

This thesis comes at an interesting time for the sociology of religion. Much is
said about a resurgence of
interest in
religion, this
is
partly
due to its
persistence
in
society.
Much
work
has focused on church
demographics and secularisation,
this work,
however,
shifts the emphasis away
from
religious
decline to
religious
adaptation and change.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Assemblies of God in Great Britain & Ireland -- Membership -- Case studies, Religions, Religion and sociology -- Great Britain
Official Date:	November 2000
Dates:	Date Event November 2000 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Sociology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Beckford, James A.
Extent:	iii, 455 leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

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