Toward a model for expatriate facilitation of national church multiplication.

详细信息   

• 作者：Kelley ; Karry Kent.
• 学历：Ph.D.
• 年：2013
• 导师：Shaw, R. Daniel,eadvisorLingenfelter, Sherwood G.ecommittee memberBolger, Ryan K.ecommittee memberHorrell, J. Scottecommittee member
• 毕业院校：Fuller Theological Seminary
• Department：School of Intercultural Studies
• ISBN：9781303021916
• CBH：3558048
• Country：USA
• 语种：English
• FileSize：4932656
• Pages：269

文摘

In this research I describe a critical realist theory of social agency developed extensively by Margaret Archer. I then conducted field research to explore the relevance of Critical Realist theory of missionary church planters and adapted it to a theory of effective cross-cultural facilitation of church multiplication. Part I of this study is a brief overview of critical realist theory of agency and its potential relevance to apostolic agency. The result is a basic understanding of the highlights of a theory of social agency from a realist perspective as a background to the field research. I then present, in Part II, the essence of my empirical research with a methodological explanation. I conducted interviews with twenty church planters who work in the Americas and summarize the analysis and findings in 5 chapters. In Part III, I present the findings of this research in 2 chapters, concluding with a model for cross-cultural facilitation of church multiplication. Cross-cultural facilitation of church multiplication takes place in a highly contentious struggle between multiple powers that variously constrain or enable the efforts of church planters. This is more complex for cross-cultural workers because they are subject to the constraints of their host context while also bearing in themselves the constraints of their home context. As a result of this research I am able to conclude that cross-cultural church planters who seek multiplication gain significant advantage from rigorous and patient reflection on multiple cultural, structural, and spiritual fronts that impact the complexity of their task. First, they give considered attention to discerning the obstacles and opportunities the host context presents for their church multiplication project. Second, they intently sustain their focus on church multiplication and avoid the many potential distractions. They gain further advantage from applying themselves to making disciples and developing leaders. Finally, a patient and critical mode of reflection increases their advantages by opening new vistas that favor the innovation needed in such a complex environment.