Ecclesiological Investigations Print

Call for Proposals

This Group invites a range of proposals on four possible areas of focus:

  • From fresh expressions to focolare — theology and mission of paraecclesial experiments. As church attendance in many "mainstream" denominations experiences a marked downward turn in many countries, what are the ecclesiological, missionary, and ecumenical implications of the various paraecclesial and transdenominational practices, experiments, and models today? We invite a variety of methodological approaches to reflect upon such ecclesial phenomena in general as well as studies of particular examples, such as Hull House, the Catholic Worker Movement, Focolare, Koinonia Farm in the United States, and analogous experiments elsewhere, both historical and contemporary (e.g., Taize, Christian Ashram Movement, Iona Community, New Monasticism)
  • The social gospel in a time of economic crisis — the churches and capitalism today. How are churches called to respond to the present economic signs of the times? Some twenty-six years after the United States Catholic Bishops released Economic Justice for All — a year after the Church of England’s Faith in the City appeared — 2012 also marks the centenary of Walter Rauschenbusch’s Christianizing the Social Order. In that work, Rauschenbusch sets down "the case of Christianity against Capitalism." What would it mean to work towards what he called a "social awakening of the Churches" in the present economic crisis?
  • The history, hermeneutics, and legacy of the Second Vatican Council — for a possible cosponsored session with the new Vatican II Studies Group

Mission

This Group is a part of the Ecclesiological Investigations International Research Network, which seeks to serve as a hub for national and international collaboration in ecclesiology, drawing together other groups and networks, initiating research ventures and providing administrative support as well as acting as a facilitator to support conversations, research, and education in this field. Hence the network exists to promote collaborative ecclesiology. The Network’s five fundamental aims are as follows:

  • The establishment of partnerships between scholars, research projects, and research centers across the world
  • The development of virtual, textual, and actual conversation between the many persons and groups involved in research and debate about ecclesiology
  • Organizing and sharing in colloquia, symposia, and conferences
  • Encouraging joint teaching and exchanges of postgraduate students and faculty
  • Publishing the best fruits of all such collaboration in our T&T Clark (Continuum) series of volumes entitled Ecclesiological Investigations, as well as in the journal Ecclesiology (Brill), published in association with the Network.

The Network is a “network of networks” serving a “church of churches.” See http://www.ei-research.net/ for more information.

Anonymity of Review Process

Proposer names are visible to Chairs and steering committee members at all times.

Questions?

Mark Chapman
Ripon College Cuddesdon
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Bradford E. Hinze
Fordham University
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Method of Submission