Outside In: Part I: Why the Church Needs to Wake up and Smell the Coffee. Part Ii: Research into Perceptions of the Church
By Will Bissett
()
About this ebook
A must-read for anyone seeking to truly understand the relationship between the Christian faith and UK society. Outside In explores the perceptions of the Christian faith by those who do not regularly attend church. Based on postgraduate research conducted during 2013 (extracts of which were published on the Willow Creek UK website), the book is split into two parts. One part provides the methodology and detailed analysis for those who wish to fully understand the actual research and findings, whilst the other part explores the key findings and implications in an easily digestible format, and offers some suggestions for consideration.
In the UK, a majority (albeit declining) of the population identify as Christian, but a relatively small proportion are engaged in regular church-going. Why is this? Rather than rely on assumptions, the research asked the participants many questions, such as, what do they really think of the church? Why might they not find it helpful for their spiritual journey and daily life? What are the predominant perceptions, of church, Christianity, Christians, God, Jesus? Is the Christian message of grace being perceived in any significant way? The book explores what the participants thought of church, and outlines the range of opinions found from those who see it as a faith community through to others who simply view it as a foreboding building or institution. It also explores how perceptions vary across the generations.
Part sociological and part theological; Outside In offers significant insight into how the church and the Christian faith are really viewed by those who do not regularly attend. This book provides a fantastic opportunity for churches to better understand how they are truly perceived, and therefore has significant implications for how they could better relate to, and communicate with, their local communities, as well as wider UK society.
Will Bissett
Will Bissett is married to Bethan and they have recently become parents to a beautiful baby girl. He has held a number of senior business roles and continues in that capacity, as well as being a theologian, and ordained minister in the Church of England. Will has spent years working in various environments from a global company to a not-for-profit organisation, relating his faith to everyday life and business challenges. Over the last 25 years Will has undertaken a range of formal theological studies at Westminster College, Oxford, Cliff College (where he was subsequently on the marking team for the MA Course for 10 years) and STETS/Sarum College. These, combined with everyday conversations and encounters provided the experience, insight, curiosity and motivation for the research behind this book.
Related to Outside In
Related ebooks
Hijacked! Idols in Disguise: Breaking the Stranglehold. Falling in Love with God Again Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJourneys Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpeaking from the Heart: Thoughts on the Bible and About Being a Christian Believer Today Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus Others You: The Self-Centered Gospel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy View from the Pew: (What I Learned by Going to Church) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPub Theology: Beer, Conversation, and God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Beyond the Crossroads: Traveling Like Christians on Streets of Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThirty Days to Better Board Members and Meetings: Church Board Governance and Leadership Tips That Have a Positive Impact Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsQuestioning the Bible: 11 Major Challenges to the Bible's Authority Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anatomy of the Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSaving Truth Study Guide: Finding Meaning and Clarity in a Post-Truth World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It Seems to Me: An Attempt to Talk Sense About the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMorning Resolve: To Live a Simple, Sincere, and Serene Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Contemplative Counselor: A Way Of Being Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Rambles of a Wandering Priest Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Legacy Factor Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGroping for Support: When Death Strikes Far Away Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsQUESTIONING THE WORD: An Atheist Confronts Faith In God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChristianity’S Relevance for Today: A Personal Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Lifelong Journey - The Road to a Biblical Worldview Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDefining Christianity: In Brevi Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBumper Stickers on the Clouds: Humor and Essays from an Uncommon Christian Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHoly Hodgepodge!: Have You Thought About Your Religion Lately? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFounding Fathers: Atheists? Deists? Are You Sure? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Priestly Order in the Breaking of Bread Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBread of Life: The Simple Gospel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Ultimate Command: Relearning the Principles of Loving God, Others, and Yourself: 2Nd Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCracking the Pot: Releasing God from the Theologies that Bind Him Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Disciple: On Becoming Truly Human Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Body and the Blood: A Biblical Study of Christ and Communion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Outside In
0 ratings0 reviews