Masters Degrees (Practical Theology and Missiology)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Practical Theology and Missiology) by Author "Cameron, Alan Duncan"

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    Entrepreneurial evangelical ecclesiology : towards a critical evaluation of the Willow Creek seeker-sensitive model
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-03) Cameron, Alan Duncan; Hendriks, Hans Jurgens; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Willow Creek's celebrated seeker-sensitivemodel ostensibly offers an alluring alternative ecclesiology for many congregations seeking a differentway to 'do chuch' viz an attractive communication ambience and an effective process of persuasion. It reflects both the strengths of evangelical entrepreneurial ecclesiolgy as well as the weaknesses of first generation independent ecclesiology. It espouses a pragmatic, populist approach, reliant on managerial, therapeutic and marketing techniques. Whilst there is much to commend in the Willow Creek model, uncritical imitation of the attempt to reach a secularized post-modern North American society results in unwitting theological reductionism and cultural accomodation of the gospel not least in the following respects: The temptation of image places a premium on performance and appearance. The allure of psychology distorts the ethical framework of Willow Creek. The stress on marketing and measurasble results unduly shapes the gospel. A 'user-friendly' canon within a canon results in a minimalist dualism. A marginalization of theology leads to baptised pragmatism and a deprecation of truth. The resultant re-imaged ministry model owes more to contemporary business methodolgy than it does to the historic theological magisterium of the church.