Theology in the Contemporary United Kingdom

From an external view, the church has been lately renovated with its compound well-tended with the symbol of Mary mother of grace lately painted and visible from far. The Church attendants prudently shared the squeezed parking space portraying a picture of worshipers who minded their fellow worshipers in what communicated a cohesive congregation (Ammerman et al. , p. The church was orderly arranged with chairs fixed to the floor and raised in a slightly descending order so that no one would obstruct the other's view of the altar. However, the chairs were enough for each member with all members being able to see the altar which was a little raised for everybody to see. 82) The service began at exactly 11. 00 AM with an entrance procession where all church members broke into a song as the priest and the ministers, two local catechists and three altar boys proceeded to the altar.

The priest and the ministers reverenced the altar and proceeded to take their chairs as the song continued. The song titled ‘all are invited to share in' was sung with all members standing except the old ones and those with young children who could not stand for long. After the song faded down the priest introduced the mass and another song with the same tone was sung. Later three members of the choir stepped forward for the responsorial sum which they would sing in a rhythm as the congregation repeated after them. The sum was about going out to the people of other tribes proclaiming the good deeds of the Lord. Afterwards, the choir stood as the congregation followed suit, with an acclamation of the gospel.

Then the priest went ahead to address the congregation telling them ‘the Lord be with you' and the crowd responded ‘and also with you' they went ahead to state that the reading was from the gospel of Mathew. After reading the priest indicated that those were the words of God and the crowd responded that praise is to God. The priest later prayed for the Eucharist. The choir then broke into a joyous song with the message of peace where people greeted each other. This signified the togetherness of the members and they're being bound by the communion (Webber p. Afterwards, the priest broke the bread and shared the communion with members which they received in queues and personally prayed while seated or kneeling.

After those willing took the communion, the choir led songs of thanksgiving which were sung in high spirits. The general Christian mission in the contemporary world is based on harmonious coexistence among people, the ability of the given societies to accommodate others peacefully and building a capacity within the people where they can nurse those in need of both material and spiritual nourishment while at the same time condemn societal evils such as corruption and other social injustices (Cameron p. The two values will, therefore, support these Christian teachings in rural Georgia such as in Cumming. However, the community in Cumming just like in the state of Georgia has the majority race of whites, who are the originals of America. The minority races are those from Africa and Asia.

The disproportionate racial distribution in the population presents the challenge of divisions of the people among racial lines and the minority being the underdogs and consequently suffering social injustices such as discrimination in employment opportunities and learning institution (). , p. The theory, according to critics, fails to address the fact that there are many believers who do not attend churches or mosques bug get spiritual nourishment from religious summons aired through televisions, radio and even social media. Secondly, critics of the theory state that the theory is focused on Europe but fails to take into account the case in other societies such as in Asia, America and sub-Saharan Africa. In this region, there are numerous churches and mosques that have been constructed with more than ever religious marriages which are important indicators on the authority of religion (Brown p.

Thirdly, those against the theory suggests that the theory focuses on the decline but turns a blind eye on revival. Effective management of religious congregation relies on the communion of the societies and communities attending religious teachings (Beckford p. Their unity allows them to share and exercise the teaching they receive during sermons and other opportunities of religious teachings. Contemporary times have seen the resurgence of intense hate on the basis of races and the cultures that come with different races (Eddo-Lodge p. As such, the people are less united or cohesive and therefore can rarely absorb the values of love, kindness sharing and justice which are the central themes of all religious teachings. In the face of these divisions, the clergy and religion, in general, have lost its traditional hold of the people and as a result, religious teachings and directives are being openly contravened (Marti p.

The following bases have been established by researchers as likely explanations regarding the state of affairs. First, Europe is the epitome of modernity in the contemporary world. Other civilizations acquire modernity from the European community (Berger p. Modernity, as has been argued by scholars and theorists weakens the hold of religion and religious institutions over the people. This is because modernity comes with it scientific thinking and rationalism which jointly weaken the cultural authority of belief (Berger p. Further, America has more problems with social amenities such as health compared to Europe's first world social facilities. Economically developed societies are more stable and feel secure compared to poor and struggling societies (Berger p. As a result, Europeans are more stable and feel secure compared to America.

This explains why Europeans do not turn to religion for consolation but turn to the satisfying and rational secularism (Berger p. Finally, in America, there is a higher competition of religious groups compared to Europe. The unity of the church is useful in the study of theology as it helps explain why man needs the church for social survival. Secondly, theology is informed by sociology regarding methods of evangelism in the modern mass societies and get insights on how to strategize their approach towards having control on man by concurring his mind (Gill p. Additionally, sociology has helped theology understand the human situation from a social perspective so that all its teachings are anchored on its bid to nourish the social life of mankind (Berger p.

This way, theologians are able to handle man based on his social inadequacies that he can find in religion. Finally, sociology has informed theology concerning the basis and importance of man's social relationships and the forces that guide social reforms. Finally, diversity presents the church of the United Kingdom with the opportunity to build interpersonal bridges and as a result, develop the societal capacities to reach those that are vulnerable yet neglected over the times (Parekh p. Although the opportunities presented above facilitate the works of the church in the United Kingdom, the population has within itself factors that impede the works of the church in the country. These factors include; The people possess ideologies and interests that are competing often resulting in social conflicts between church members.

People of different races and cultural backgrounds have different perceptions towards life and in many cases, these basic perceptions contradict each other (Shannahan p. For instance, each race has the silent conviction that it is superior to another, an aspect that results in covert conflict and suspicions. Secondly, it is Christian beliefs that govern the existence, unity and the strength of the church (Christie p. The Christian beliefs that the church is the dwelling place of Christ and that we are all invited to share his presence, the belief that we should congregate there to sing songs of praise and thank the lord and that the church is what Christ left us here on earth lead Christians to accord the church the respect and the reputation it has today (Heelas and Woodhead p.

Scholars of theology who therefore seek to study the church must, therefore, base their study on these beliefs that guide man's attitude towards the church and the procedures on how church processions are to be handled which are all anchored on Christian beliefs. Additionally, Christian beliefs govern how human beings relate to their God. The biblical teachings which inform our faith that God is our maker, our source, our father and our protector are behind how we relate with our God (Hopewell p. (1998) Studying Congregations: A New Handbook. Nashville: Abingdon Press. Ammerman, N. (2005) Pillars of Faith: American Congregations and their Partners. Berkley and London: University of California Press. (2009), Approaching God: A Guide for Worship Leaders and Worshippers. Norwich: Canterbury Press. Gateshill, P.

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